Dogs are an intense commitment, as you are ultimately caring for them for the duration of their life. As an aspiring or current owner of a German Shepherd, you should be informed about your dog’s lifespan and how to provide them with a long and healthy life.
German Shepherds can live between 7 and 13 years, with an average lifespan between 11 to 13 years. Some key factors, such as diet, exercise, and breeding, can all impact your dog’s lifespan. By giving them excellent quality of life, you can make that life a long one!
If you want to learn more about how to prolong your German Shepherd’s lifespan as well as their general health, this is the place for you! We will cover everything you need to know about keeping your pup healthy for their entire (hopefully long) life!
How Long Do German Shepherds Normally Live?
You might be confused about why the lifespan of a German Shepherd spans just over a decade. Isn’t it common for dogs to live longer?
My grandma had a dog who lived for twenty years! The biggest difference is that small and large dogs have different lifespans. It is common for small dogs to live longer since they have different exercise needs and are generally easier on their bodies.
In comparison, large dogs such as German Shepherds tend to have shorter lifespans due to their size. Despite your best efforts as a large dog owner, health issues, exercise, and dietary needs can all impact their lives.
Breeding is another factor that can significantly impact a German Shepherd’s lifespan.
American German Shepherds are typically bred for looks such as a sloped back, leading to health issues later in life. They are estimated to live between 7 to 10 years for these reasons.
On the other hand, German Shepherds not bred for specific traits are less prone to health issues and normally live longer, up to 13 or 14 years.
With proper care and general wellness, you can expect your German Shepherd to be around for at least a decade.
Taking care, especially as your dog ages, will help prolong their life as much as you can without them being in pain.
What is the Oldest Living German Shepherd?
Of course, thinking about saying goodbye to a man’s best friend can be very troubling. It is easy to ignore it or hope that your German Shepherd will beat the odds and have a lifespan of 15 years or more!
There is technically a precedent for this, as some German Shepherds have been recorded living up to 18 years.
It isn’t easy to discern the oldest living German Shepherd, but any member of the breed who lives over 13 years can be considered quite old for their kind.
It is also important to mention that many dogs will be euthanized by their owners due to illness or intense pain that comes with age.
Increasing quality of life can decrease these health issues and pain, lessening the chance that your dog will need to be euthanized. This can potentially increase their lifespan, much in the same way that the oldest German Shepherds lived.
How Do I Make My German Shepherd Live Longer?
Any dog owner will naturally be asking themselves how they can make their beloved pet live as long as possible!
While you can’t do much about breeding or natural causes, factors such as diet, exercise, and maintaining proper health can do wonders!
Here are some tips to provide your German Shepherd with a longer life, divided into essential categories.
Diet:
A high-quality diet! A proper diet can strengthen your dog’s immune system and overall health, as well as improve their mental and physical performance.
Ask your vet for recommendations for brands that provide a good mix of protein and carbs, and never compromise when it comes to your pet’s food!
Keep calories low. We love our dogs, and it can be easy to let them over-indulge. But portions should be controlled, and food intake should not increase over-exercise.
Restricting calories does not mean starving your dog but instead helping them maintain a lean physique and proper health.
Exercise:
Daily exercise. German Shepherds need at least two hours of exercise a day in their prime, and proper exercise can go a long way in helping to extend their lifespan.
As your dog ages, their joints and mobility may no longer be able to sustain two hours of exercise a day, but regular daily exercise will still help!
Consider low-mobility exercise. As we’ve mentioned, an aging German Shepherd will no longer be able to do the same high-intensity exercise such as running or regular long walks.
However, activities like swimming, playing gentle games of fetch, and short walks can meet exercise needs without harming the joints.
General Health:
Get regular check-ups and vaccinations. Staying up to date on health rather than just combating current issues can help lengthen your Sheperd’s lifespan. It also gives you a chance to talk to your vet about any issues!
Regular grooming and dental check-ups. Grooming and dental are not as common of a concern, but they can still impact health greatly!
Mental Stimulation
German Shepherds are highly intelligent, and they need mental and physical exercise. Consider games and other ways to entertain your dog to keep them from being bored! Mental health can impact overall physical health.
What Health Problems Does a German Shepherd Have?
While food and exercise will help, some common health problems are all but unavoidable in the German Shepherd breed.
Hip and elbow dysplasia are the most common health issues in these dogs and can severely impact mobility and overall comfort level.
Dysplasia of the hip occurs when dogs have been exercised too hard or have been overfed. Unfortunately, the unique breeding of some German Shepherds for traits such as a sloped back leads to an incredibly high risk of hip dysplasia.
Elbow dysplasia, while less common, can appear genetically and still impact mobility.
Here are some other conditions that can appear in German Shepherds:
– Gastric Dilation Volvulus, otherwise known as Bloat or Torsion. This can occur when gasses build up in the digestive system with no way out. In addition, the stomach can sometimes “twist” and further block the tract.
– Pannus, or German Shepherd Keratitis, commonly occurs in Shepherds or Shepherd mixes. This is a corneal inflammation that can lead to blindness.
– Arthritis, which is common in large dogs as they age. This can also severely impact mobility but can be managed with medication.
These are a few common health problems in German Shepherds.
They can be managed with medication, and mobility aids can help with getting around as your pup ages.
What is the Most Common Cause of Death in German Shepherds?
Talking about the cause of death in dogs can be distressing, but it is essential to talk about it as a dog owner. As we’ve discussed, the German Shepherd has common health conditions that are unique to the breed and can affect its lifespan.
These conditions can often lead to specific complications and even death, as is sometimes the case with Bloat or Torsion.
It should also be mentioned that young dogs will often die from accidents, most likely a car accident or somehow causing themselves injury.
This is not unique to German Shepherds but rather a risk for all dogs. Proper training, close monitoring, and a watchful eye can help significantly decrease the chance of your Shepherd being involved in an accident.
As dogs get older, a significant portion of them aged over ten years old are likely to develop cancer. That number can be as high as 50%.
Mobility issues can also impact lifespan, and once German Shepherds reach the age of 10, they are also likely to die from old age.
It is difficult to tell a common cause of death as all circumstances are different. But aside from general accidents, cancer, mobility, and simple old age are all common causes of death in German Shepherds.
Final Tips for Prolonging Your German Shepherds’ Life
In the end, we all love our furry friends and will do whatever we can to keep them safe and with us as long as possible!
German Shepherds are intelligent and loyal, and having one as a companion is the best feeling in the world. To maximize the lifespan of a German Shepherd, there are certain things you must do.
Ensure that your pet is eating a balanced diet and getting proper exercise. These two factors alone will go a long way! In addition, regular visits to the vet and preventative health measures will ensure that you stay on top of any common health problems.
