German Shepherds have average lifespan. Whenever you are buying or adopting a pet, the question that comes to mind is the lifespan of your dog.
As being the owner of a German Shepherd, you must be thinking of ways to extend their lifespan and how to take care of them in old age.
How long do German Shepherd live for (male and female)
Just like any other breed, German Shepherd dogs also have a 10 to 13 years of lifespan. There are rare cases of German Shepherds living for 20 years.
German Shepherds considered old at the age of 8. 50% of this dog breeds dies between the age of 10-13, some might live beyond 13 years if they are in good health.
13 years of lifespan is ideal for dogs. There some breeds which live longer.
Female German Shepherd live an additional 1.4 on average compared to males.
An average male German Shepherd will live for 9.7 years, whereas an female German Shepherd will live for 11.1 years. The longest living German Shepherd on record survived 18 years old.
Common cause of death in German Shepherd
It is normal for a German Shepherd to die at the age of 10 to 13. It is natural death but sometimes German Shepherd can die before this time period which can be caused by various reasons – sometimes due to an accident or any illness.
Some common causes of death in German Shepherd are:
- Inherited health problems or genetics.
- Biological health issues.
- Skin allergy, sensitive stomach, ear and eye disorder, epilepsy, elbow and hip dysplasia are some common health problems seen among German Shepherds.
- Thyroid.
- Cancer of the spleen and bone cancer.
- Addison’s disease, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency.
- Heart disease is very common in overweight dogs.
- Diabetes.
- Cataracts.
- Degenerative myelopathy.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Trauma.
- Toxicity.
Read: Common health issues in German Shepherds
How to take care of your German Shepherd in old age?
Dogs become very fragile, weak and prone to illness in their old age. At the end of their life, they need some extra care.
Old dogs suffer from joint pain, dental issues, heart disease, and stomach problems. Older dogs start showing physical and behavioral changes which need to be addressed as early as possible if you want your dog to continue to have a good life.
- Avoid stress in your ageing dog, play and spend some time with them to avoid stress.
- Walk regularly to keep their bones and joints healthy and it will help take care of other physical problems as well.
- Healthy diet including omega 3, reduced phosphorous, supplements. And try to avoid over consumption as older dogs have 10%-20% less energy requirement than younger dogs.
- As your dog grows old, they needs more health check-ups than when they were younger.
Read: The Ultimate Guide to Taking Care Of Your German Shepherd
Ways to extend German Shepherds lifespan
If you want your German Shepherd to have a long lifespan, you have to start taking care of your dog from the early stage of their life.
- A balanced diet for strong joints and overall health is important. Add a little bit of calories to their diet for their calorie requirements.
- Regular exercise to avoid hip dysplasia at a later age, and stronger muscles.
- Incorrect training can cause behavioral issues which can affect the dog’s lifespan.
- Maintaining a stress-free life can trigger behavioral issues in dogs affecting their lifespan.
- Regular vaccinations, if not taken regularly, might infect your dog, and be prone to many diseases and skin allergies.
- Parasite prevention treatment. Parasites can eat the calcium needed for the German Shepherds; it is important to get rid of them in time.
- Avoid foods which are poison and toxic for German Shepherds such as grapes and resins.
- Grooming is very important to keep them away from skin allergies as they are very much prone to skin allergies.
- Mental exercise is also very important to extend the lifespan of a German Shepherd.
- Maintain German Shepherds weight. Most of the time obesity can lead to short lifespan.
- Oral hygiene also affects their overall health. take care of their teeth and make sure they don’t get cavity.
Conclusion
Compared to other breeds, German Shepherds have an average lifespan. They live to 10 to 13 years of age.
German Shepherds are larger breed dogs. Their large body and weight makes it difficult for them to live for a longer period of time. They suffer from various diseases because of their body. They are also prone to many skin allergies.
With regular exercise, check-ups, proper diet, the range can be extended a little bit.