The German Shepherd is a very popular dog breed: in fact, it is the second most popular breed in the USA. It is loyal, loving with family, energetic, and playful. Unfortunately, like most dog breeds, they do not live as long as their owners would like. Factors including hereditary conditions, the nutritional quality of their food, and exercise levels, and even gender, can play a part in how long your GSD lives. Show
What’s the Average Lifespan of a German Shepherd?Although it is true that many factors determine how long a German Shepherd lives, it can be beneficial to know the average age one will reach. German Shepherds are expected to live between 7 and 14 years, but some have gone on to live to 18 years or potentially even older – not all dog ages are recorded, after all. Using this figure, we can determine that the breed should live to be between 10 and 12 years in most cases. Image Credit: Emer_Iglesias, PixabayWhy Do Some German Shepherds Live Longer Than Others?There is a big difference between 7 and 14 years, and this variant is more pronounced than in a lot of dog breeds, so what are the reasons that some GSDs live so much longer than others? 1. NutritionDogs need a variety of vitamins and minerals, with protein being one of the most important. While meeting all of the essential nutritional requirements of a dog, you must keep within a recommended calorific intake to prevent your dog from becoming overweight and suffering the health problems associated with this. Some studies suggest dogs that stay skinnier live, on average, 25% longer than other dogs. Furthermore, poor nutrition can lead to illness and health complaints that shorten a German Shepherd’s lifespan. 2. Environment and ConditionsLike humans, dogs can be adversely affected by environmental conditions. In fact, because of their smaller size, toxins can prove deadly in much smaller amounts, and some dogs do tend to investigate everything with their mouths. They can ingest chemicals from fertilizers and even cleaning products around your home. Over time, these toxins build up and can cause illnesses that shorten their life. Extreme temperatures, being left out in the rain, and extreme heat can also impact your pup’s wellbeing and affect a change in their health.
3. Reason For BreedingDogs that are bred for shows and exhibitions tend to be more heavily and strictly bred. This proliferates genetic conditions that are common in the breed. In fact, exhibition German Shepherds are usually bred to be larger and stockier, and these traits mean that dogs are more prone to problems like joint dysplasia. In turn, joint dysplasia limits a dog’s mobility and, therefore, shortens its lifespan. GSDs bred as pets do not necessarily share these same extreme traits and are more likely to live a longer and healthier life.
4. HousingSimilar to environmental factors, the quality of a dog’s housing can affect how long it will live. If a dog lives indoors, it is less likely to be exposed to toxins and extreme weather conditions. It is also less likely to suffer serious accidents. An indoor dog, which still gets plenty of outdoor exercise, is the most likely to lead the longest life. Image Credit: Mimzy, Pixabay5. SizeExtra weight is not good for a dog. It limits their mobility and increases the risk of diseases and conditions like diabetes as well as respiratory and heart complaints. Some dogs are more prone to putting on weight than others, and some dogs are born naturally bigger than others. The bigger the dog, the more likely it will die before reaching optimal age. 6. Sex And Neutering StatusEvidence suggests that, in unaltered dogs that have not been spayed or neutered, the male dog lives slightly longer than the female. However, in those that have been altered, female dogs live, on average, two years longer than males. 7. GenesIn some countries, like Germany, GSDs must undergo health checks and certain screening processes before they are bred, while in other countries this isn’t necessary. Although these checks do not guarantee that a German Shepherd will remain free from such conditions, they do greatly increase the chances of a healthier dog. Where possible, you should find a breeder that has these checks on parents before they breed because it can save you the early heartache and the vet bills of a dog with conditions like degenerative myelopathy, hip dysplasia, and epilepsy, all of which are more common in the German Shepherd breed. 8. Breeding HistoryDisreputable breeders not only ignore screening checks and health checks but they tend to have their dogs produce a constant cycle of puppy litters and they care less about the welfare of their animals than better breeders. 9. HealthcareYou should always have regular health checkups for your dog, whatever the breed, and if your puppy or adult dog shows symptoms of any potentially serious conditions, take them to the vets. Take out dog insurance to help cover the costs because poor healthcare does shorten the life of a dog. The 6 Life Stages of a German ShepherdIt can help to know what stage of life your GSD is at, and what to expect from the coming months and years. The 6 life stages of this intelligent and loyal dog breed are:
How To Tell Your German Shepherd’s AgeThe single most effective way to tell a German Shepherd’s age is by their teeth. A puppy has no teeth until the age of about 4 weeks. It has incredibly sharp and thin teeth between 4 and 8 weeks, and at eight weeks they start to grow their permanent adult teeth. Puppies that have permanent teeth with no damage are usually aged between two months and one year, while one-year-old dogs start to show some staining on the teeth at the back of the mouth. By five years, a dog will have quite a lot of tartar and by ten years, your GSD will have cracked and broken teeth. ConclusionGerman Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, and especially in the USA where they are bred for exhibition and as companion pets. In most cases, they can be expected to live between 10 and 12 years, although many factors influence the lifespan of your pet GSD. Featured Image Credit: dendoktoor, Pixabay Can a German Shepherd live up to 20 years?Like all dogs, some German Shepherds can live past their average lifespan. There are reports of German Shepherds living into their late teens (perhaps 18 to 20 years old), but they're largely unverified. A German Shepherd mixed breed reached 15 years of age in Scotland in 2017.
Can German Shepherds live longer than 13 years?They have a lifespan of 9-13 years which is average for most dogs. There are several factors that can affect how long they live. It is important to recognize these factors and hopefully extend their lives as much as possible. German Shepherds are wonderful family companions and loyal as they come.
What is the most common cause of death in German Shepherds?Leading Causes of Death in German Shepherds
A huge Swedish study with over 400,000 German Shepherds analyzed insurance data for morbidity and mortality rates. They came to the conclusion that GSDs most commonly died from locomotor disorders like hip dysplasia or myelopathy.
What is considered old for a German Shepherd?Most German Shepherds enjoy comfortable lives, are treated well and get plenty of exercise, but they rarely live longer than 13 years. Dogs have much shorter lifespans than human beings, and large breeds like German Shepherds are considered elderly at about eight years of age.
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