There are several health problems German shepherds are prone to, including degenerative myelopathy, gastric torsion, and hip dysplasia. We discuss health and behavioral issues that can prematurely shorten your dog’s life. Now we have a 1.5 year old GSD named Diva, she’s living up to her name. Arthritis is a condition of the joints and bones that involved the wearing down of the cartilage between the joints.This will lead to the rubbing and grindings of joints, causing extreme discomfort as the condition progresses.While this can happen to any breed of dog, it is extremely common in large breed dogs such as the German Shepherd. How Long Do German Shepherds Live? The ideal German Shepherd is direct, fearless and confident. He has all of the traits of a GSD- my protector, best friend and best thing ever. Did 7 cheap turkeys one weekend into food. This purebred dog has a short lifespan. IS A RESCUE. Sheba would put her big paw on Tess’s head so she couldn’t reach her.whenever she was aggressive towards Sheba (she never was with people just Sheba). However they have been known to live much longer, up to 18-20 years. East German/Czech blood line. ✌️, My GSD is 13 years and 8 months. THE WOMAN WE GOT HER FROM DID NOT CARE IS SHE ATE OR ANYTHING. The average German Shepherd lifespan is 11 years. Some do live to 13 or 14, but usually with chronic health issues such as arthritis. 5. It is true that smaller dogs usually live longer than large dogs. Your cooking labour is the price you pay for the privilege of being woken up at 4-6 am by nudges to go out and pee. Mostly, a German shepherd lives for 12 years. German Shepherds bond very tightly to their owners, usually to the extent that frequent rehoming can cause behavioral problems brought on by insecurity. German Shepherd Temperament and Personality. Cataracts are the thickening of the lens on a dog’s eyes, making it more difficult for a dog to see.This is common in dogs of all kinds as they age, but is particularly common in German Shepherds.As a GSD ages, owners often notice them having more difficulty navigating around their house. Thegermanshepherder.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. An average life span of a GSD is 12-15 years. But if you think this is how long do German shepherds live, you can be wrong. How Long Do German Shepherds Live? German Shepherds are members of the Herding Group. Offer them plenty of mental and physical stimulation to keep them occupied. Pannus is an autoimmune disease of the eye that is extremely common in German Shepherds.German Shepherds are the poster child of this condition, as it is seen so often in this breed.Pannus causes irregular granulation tissue to form on the eye, causing vision disturbance, discomfort, and eventually vision loss when left untreated.Dogs with this condition may have a cloudy appearance of the eye, eye irritation, eye swelling, pawing at the eye, or any other sign of eye discomfort.Though there is no cure, it can be managed effectively. Check the list of things NOT to feed dogs if you plan to prepare their food. How long a German Shepherd can live is based a lot on your knowledge of dog health and nutrition. This applies to German shepherd life span for females as well. Please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. June 8th 2017. However they have been known to live much longer, up to 18-20 years. While I've lived in many different places and traveled extensively - the places change, my dogs don't. However, as recently as 2017, some breeders were still under fire for breeding overly-sloped top-lines (backs). I miss her so much I want to think that she is going to come back, This is super bad news. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'thegermanshepherder_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',110,'0','0'])); The adolescent stage in a German Shepherd is comparable to our time as a teenager.The age between 7 months to 3 years is a time where your GSD will begin to really test the waters. Give them daily dental chews to keep their teeth healthy. While 10-12 is the standard age, there are ways to keep your shepherd at his best and help your furry friends increase the likelihood of exceeding the standard age. Trying to keep him going as long as he can. I also enjoy sharing my knowledge about German Shepherds with the world, and I encourage all future dog owners to consider one as a companion as well. He is such a good boy. Not really an issue as most of the time the bones crumble in your fingers as they decalcified into the stew so all the good minerals there. Remember, 11 to 13 years is just a general range most commonly found. A recent analysis of veterinary records revealed that dogs under 20 pounds had an average lifespan of 11 years while those over 90 pounds typically lived for only 8 years. I hope we have more memories to make for quite sometime. The key is in ensuring that they are getting the right amount of nutrition and exercise. My German Shepherd Taz, will become 15 in Sept. I am heartbroken. Hello, We have a German Shepherd and she's 7. I've owned and trained German Shepherds for over 20 years now. How long do German Shepherds live? If you are considering obtaining a GSD but don’t know what will happen to the dog when you move/get a new job/get married/have children/etc., please don’t get a German Shepherd. Do not take your puppy on runs or long, exhaustive walks until it is about six months old. The black German Shepherd was a result of an accident. This site is to be used for informational and educational purposes only. How long do German Shepherds live? She would go in the kitchen her back would align with the 2-3 foot tall table. There are some groups, however, petitioning to let these dogs also compete in the competition even though the lack of an undercoat is considered an appearance flaw. She was beautiful at least that’s what my grandma says. German Shepherds typically live 10-12 years. This site is not intended to constitute pet medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. However, it is recommended that you should stop breeding your German Shepherd when they reach eight to ten years of age depending on the sex of the dog. You just have to make sure that you take care of your shepherd. I also enjoy sharing my knowledge about German Shepherds with the world, and I encourage all future dog owners to consider one as a companion as well. Just lost a doberman to cancer, he was her buddy and she got so depressed I started to worry so now we are adopting a lab for her, helping customer of mine who has to give him up due to wife’s health. Have you known an extremely long-lived German Shepherd Dog? So How Long Can a Dog Live With Hip Dysplasia? Diet, vet checks and grooming are a must. When you are raising your German Shepherd, you will notice some major changes in maturity and personality. Just like any other breed of dog, German shepherds have a list of medical conditions that they are more prone to throughout their lives. they can live as long as 15, but very few make it this far. Moreover, if the temperature is fall or going below -5, you need to care for your dog because it feels cold. Skeletal problems don’t directly reduce German Shepherd lifespan, but they can cause such pain and loss of quality of life that they become a reason for euthanizing affected dogs. Of course, due to different factors, some live longer than expected, but unfortunately, some die young. Consider joint supplements to keep their joints and bones strong. If well-bred and properly exercised, this breed can live into its mid-to-late teens, although this is the exception rather than the rule. Overfeeding will also result in an overweight dog, which causes joint and hip problems, among a slew of other illnesses. There are various reasons why dog owners look for a good guard dog or protection dog. However, overfeeding can cause overgrowth in dogs, which is detrimental to their longevity and general health. German Shepherds are known to live happy lives. The same here know of two to make it right at 20 both males. Don't miss out on the perfect companion to life with a purrfect friend. The German Shepherd is a relatively new dog breed which became quite popular as a working dog –they were mainly used for herding sheep. I guess I have another decade to be tortured by the German Shepherd barking. She has degenerative myelopathy now, and is very weak in her back legs. Required fields are marked *, Meet the Sheprador! To improve German Shepherd lifespan, good breeders screen their dogs for hereditary conditions before including them in their breeding program. These dogs can’t stay with us forever, so it is important that we understand the perils of GSD old age and their average life expectancy. This calculation is based on its weight, size and death records. You can help your dog live much longer by catching any illnesses it may have early on, since this allows for more effective treatment. The average lifespan of a German shepherd is of 9 to 13 years. He sleeps more and less things get him excited, but when something does rub him the wrong way I’d think he was 5yrs old again. This trait is now being corrected, as it is the source of joint, hip, and leg malformations that can worsen over time and prevent dogs from walking. How long a German Shepherd can live is based a lot on your knowledge of dog health and nutrition. So what is it about long-living breeds that allow for their outstanding health? He went deaf and lost his back end. The average lifespan of the German Shepherd German Shepherds can live between nine to thirteen years, but most of them only grow as old as a decade. Normally under good hygienic condition, German Shepard will live up to 11-12 years, 1 0. Favorite Answer. Both were Australian cattle dogs. Owning a German Shepherd is an incredible opportunity, so it’s important to make sure that you are doing everything possible to extend your time with your beloved furry friend. German Shepherd Life Span: How Long Do German Shepherds Live? Then I noticed you lost your doberman to cancer and the date. As we can see in the table below nearly 50% of this dog breed dies between the age of 10 and 13 years. Addison's Disease, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, etc) that can afflict this breed and shorten the lifespan.While hip dysplasia is common in the breed, it is … While this will differ from dog to dog, it is the standard to expect when factoring in size and the typical medical conditions that they may face. At 13, she's going to start slowing down and you'll have to make some hard decisions. But if you think this is how long do German shepherds live, you can be wrong. SHE IS A VERY HARD DOG TO FEED. The oldest living German Shepherd in O’Neill’s studies was 18, which also seems to be a pretty firm maximum among unconfirmed owner reporting. Shame on them. She is having physiotherapy, acupuncture and vitamin B12 injections weekly, and these seem to be slowing progression of the disease. I was just wandering what kind of cancer your dobie had? I LOVE THIS DOG. German shepherd dogs love the cold weather and easily bear it if the temperature is not cross beyond its tolerating ability. To be sure your German Shepherd is happy and a pleasure to live with, you will definitely get all the exercise you need too. How Long Do German Shepherds Live For? So, you can generally expect at least a decade of love and memories from a well-cared-for German Shepherd. Of course, there is nothing you can do to ensure your German Shepherd Dog will make it to 18, but there are certainly things you can do to help increase your pup’s lifespan. Our girl is a purebred black German Sheppard. I always try to see our dogs live as long as possible and try to understand re any diseases etc. Got him at 8 weeks old and is the best thing to ever happen to me! My grandma had a female German Shepherd named Duchess. She was on raw food for 2 years (bandsaw scraps from meat processor) and since then mainly Turkey and Ham/pork for $1/pound or less when on sale, Even use the bones boiled with 1/2-1 cup of apple cider vinegar. Moreover, these dogs are playing to enjoy with snow or ice. The longevity of German shepherd dogs depends on the overall health of each dog and the care they receive throughout their life. A true black Shep… View original. On average, a German Shepherd’s life span is anywhere from 9-13 years of age. Feed them a healthy diet that nourishes their body. The German Shepherd is second most well-known breed by American kennel Club. Max is a very large White German Shepherd. My family dog was a pure breed German Shepherd and she has recently just passed at 18 years and maybe about a month or so. If you are reading this and your German Shepherd has passed, please feel free to comment below and let us know how long your German Shepherd lived for. All in all, the German Shepherd has some factors working against it, but it is still a generally hardy breed. The longest living German Shepherds are recorded as having survived to 18 years old, and perhaps even older. The most common diseases seen in the German Shepherd breed that can cause death are hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the spleen) or osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Ethical breeders treat their dogs well and work hard to minimize the risk of genetic disease in their breeding pools. However, according to kennel clubs, German shepherds can live from 9 years to 13 years. it's the quality of life you give him, not how long he lives, that will endear him to you, and what you need to focus on. A GSD is considered a senior once they hit 7 years of age.This is the point where they begin to slow down, and may experience some of the medical conditions that German Shepherds are prone to.Once your pup reaches their senior years, you should begin to consider their daily comfort, and ways to help alleviate their daily struggles.We will cover their senior years in detail, and specific ways to make their senior years more enjoyable further in this article. NEVER HAD A DOG LIKE THIS BEFORE. Complete Guide to What German Shepherds Can & Can’t Eat. Once acclimated, they can tolerate and do well in both hot and cold climates. His back legs are wobbly but he is not in pain. She's very healthy now and probably 65-70 pounds. Given his age I want to know when to start preparing my Young ones who have literally grown up with him (they’re 12 & 13). We had one male GSD, Angus, who lived to 20. But almost certainly, when you picture German Shepherds, you see them with Sable colored coats. The breed standard height at the withers is 60–65 cm (24–26 in) for males, and 55–60 cm (22–24 in) for females. Struggling to deal with it. This will be dependent on his tendency for health issues as well as the type of lifestyle he lives. Some do not live quite a decade and others live a few years longer. All German Shepherds carry the black gene, but it isn’t typical for their children to stay black after 8 months. The short answer is the german shepherd has the longevity of about 10 years. How long do German Shepherds live for? Some ways you can help your senior GSD include: Once your German Shepherd enters their senior years, you may begin to wonder how you will know that their end time is near.While some dogs will pass on their own, there is a chance that we will have to make that difficult decision for our beloved companions. Some pain meds and massages seem to help. Mia I came on this site re my German Shepherd Sheba who died at 16 yrs and that was a lot of yrs ago now. So between Sheba and myself we sorted Tess out and she became a very, good and gentle dog. We all know that these German Shepherd Dogs cannot live with us forever, so it is important that we understand the perils of old age and their average life expectancy of German Shepherd. They do not generally … However, there are lots of disease processes (i.e. Costed out the ingredients are cheaper than dog kibble which id usually $2/pound minimum for anything I would let her eat. My husband use to work out of town on 2 week long hitches. She has been a wonderful dog. Curious about people who have lost theirs already. Our doberman also died of cancer he had just turned 13 yrs and he had it in his mouth and in his liver. Enjoy the times that you had with her. TODAY SHE IS BEAUTIFUL AND PEOPLE THINK WE HAD HER FROM A PUP. Black German Shepherd – The Ultimate Breed Guide What do you picture when you hear someone talking about German Shepherds? While generally a healthy breed, mobility or health issues may mean a shorter lifespan. Give them a minimum of 30 minutes of daily exercise. Do they show signs of aging (low energy level, eating less, etc) for a long time before they pass or is it pretty sudden? Amazing dog, couldn’t have imagined a better family than her. The life expectancy for German Shepherds is seven to twelve years. What affects the health and German Shepherd life span? The oldest recorded German Shepherd lived to be 18 years old! She was a smart dog and had a sense of humour. Answer Save. Relevance. She was about waist high. That's actually an easy question. They have a... Read more. , OUR GS. My neighbor is so damn inconsiderate with their German Shepherd barking. The longest living German Shepherds are recorded as having survived to 18 years old, and perhaps even older. Dogs have served as protectors to humans for countless years. As such, you may often be tempted to share a bit of whatever you are cooking or eating with your German Shepherd. Obesity is a big problem especially for large breeds; keep your dog on a healthy diet. German Shepherds are longer than they are tall, with an ideal proportion of 10 to 8 1 ⁄ 2.The AKC official breed standard does not set a standard weight range. His life can be prolonged with good food and exercise. They have a domed forehead, a long … She's spayed, I don't know if that makes any difference. According to your own experience how long a normal German shepherd lives in USA and with what different diseases mostly of they die from and in what most age? German Shepherds are generally healthy and have an average life expectancy of 10 – 12 years. A beautiful girl. So you can best understand what to expect, below I have expanded on each stage of a GSD’s life: The juvenile stage is the time when most people choose to adopt their German Shepherd. (she came with it too). The American Kennel Club, an authority on matters dogs, lists this breed as living anywhere from 7 to 10 years. This is the time where they begin to meet sexual maturity, so behavioral problems can begin to bloom.If you plan to spay or neuter your GSD, this is the time to schedule it, as some behavioral issues can be alleviated with a desexing procedure.Aside from their hormonal changes, is the energy level you should expect during this time period.This will most likely your Shepherd’s most rambunctious period, so be prepared for daily exercise and play! Adaptability. Duke a German Shepherd featured on this website living in Texas, USA is currently 14 years old, 158 pounds and healthy. He is deaf (probably due to side effects of drops used by the vet for an ear infection and age). By understanding each stage of their life, you can assist in giving them an incredible life, and help make a number of lasting memories together! How long did your German Shepherd live. THE FIRST NIGHT WE HAD HER AT HOME I CRIED TO SEE WHAT A TERRIBLE CONDITION SHE WAS IN. You’ll find evidence of their very … My shepherd is 13 his name is Kodak at 12 months old the vet told me that he had to be put down do to a genetic deicease I said no she told me he would only live until he was 2 he 13 and only slowing down a little until the cat walks by the he seams he 3 As he chase the cat back down the hall let’s see how long he goes before he stops chase the cat. A shepherd lifespan is dependant on the health and well-being of the dog. I STARTED HER ON VITAMINS AND COOKED FOOD. He can still do a short walk. But the German Shepherd breed is not without its drawbacks. That being said, the German Shepherd does not fall into the realm of the shortest living breeds such as the Dogue de Bordeaux or Great Dane. German Shepherds have been my constant companions. Is between 10 and 13 years nudge instead of try to cherish each day is a BIG problem for... 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