Dogs accompany humans for many hundreds of years. They differ from each other not only in their exterior, but also in their abilities, having a very different purpose. The most popular and universal breed, whose representatives can carry out border and search work, rescue people, and also be just pets, are German shepherds.
How many dogs live
Each owner sooner or later asks this question. The life expectancy of dogs is small compared to other animals - for example, canaries live up to twenty years. The most devoted and intelligent animal that has been in the service of a person all his life rarely lives the same. On average, dogs leave us at the age of 12-15 years.
The time when a small and funny puppy turns into a sedate, respectable dog quickly flies by. A few more years pass, and by about eight years the animal enters a stage called old age. At this age, the dog tends to spend most of his time in peace and quiet. Her eyesight, hearing weakens, various sores appear. The owner should show maximum attention and care to the aging pet.
What affects the lifespan
In many respects, how much a dog can live is affected by its breed and size. Small dogs live, as a rule, longer. For example, at the Fox Terrier, life expectancy often exceeds the 15-year mark. The breed German shepherd belongs to rather large dogs, so usually its maximum age is 12-13 years. But despite the statistics, there are many cases when representatives of this breed have lived much longer. With good content is quite possible. To do this, you only need to comply with a number of conditions.
Nutrition is of paramount importance. In the diet should be a sufficient amount of protein, carbohydrates, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Therefore, be sure to feed the dog meat, vegetables, cereals. But at the same time try not to overfeed the animal.
The next condition for longevity is providing the dog with physical activity. The movement in the lives of these animals plays a very important role. The breed German shepherd is created for service, therefore such dogs especially need trainings and long walks.
And the last factor affecting life expectancy is the pet's health. It is necessary to periodically visit the veterinary clinic for inspection, since a timely identified disease is treated much faster. Mandatory preventive vaccinations that dogs are made annually.
Like all other pets, German shepherd dogs also need good nutrition. How much these dogs live is largely dependent on their diet. Exhibition animals are fed primarily with super premium grade dry food. They contain a lot of protein, as well as chondoprotectors necessary for ligaments and joints.
If the dog is on a natural feeding, the owner should take care that up to 70% of the diet was raw meat and offal. The menu must include boiled vegetables, cereals (oatmeal and rice), cottage cheese and yogurt. Many shepherd dogs chew on apples with pleasure. Before the dog reaches the age of two, vitamin preparations must be added to the food.
Lifestyle
Regardless of where the German Shepherd lives - in an apartment or in the yard of a country house, she needs daily long walks in the fresh air. From the nature of it laid the need for physical activity and an active lifestyle. In the absence of the opportunity to spend energy in a dog, the character begins to deteriorate, there is an excessive excitability and nervousness. Therefore, classes on the street she just needed.
Most of the dogs, thanks to their quick wits, learn with pleasure to various teams, but especially German shepherd dogs succeed in this. How long they live next to a person has always been distinguished by the ability to memorize words and whole phrases uttered by the owner. These dogs can do a great deal of fun at the training site or simply drive the ball.
It has been established that shepherd dogs living in rural areas, where there is every opportunity for an active pastime, live much longer than their fellows, who are forced to live in comfortable apartments. Therefore, in order for the city pet to live as long as possible, it needs to provide physical exertion. Long walks, trainings at the training site, running for the bike - these are the classes that German shepherds prefer. How long do these dogs live in the house - so much time and have to do it. The load decreases only in the mature age of the pet, when it already becomes difficult for him to move a lot.
Health care
German shepherds are breeds whose health is rarely a concern for owners. However, some diseases peculiar to them exist. This is primarily a variety of skin problems - allergies and dermatitis. Nutrition control and timely vaccination help to cope with them. Adult dogs who eat natural food sometimes suffer from torsion of the intestines. In these cases, surgery is urgently required.
In the home of an attentive and caring owner, the life expectancy of the German Shepherd Dog will be much longer than the accepted norms.
How many dogs usually live
The length of a typical canine life is usually 12 years.. In this case, it is believed that small breeds are experiencing those who are bigger, by about 5 years. This has its own reason: the solid weight of the animal can strain both the cardiovascular system and the musculoskeletal system.
Important! Veterinarians know that large dogs are more likely to have joint dysplasias, cardiomyopathy and arthritis. True, excessive thinness is also not an indicator of health - such pets often suffer from kidney diseases.
Different breeds have their own time frame on Earth, which is explained by the anatomical features and the influence of genes. There is a simple pattern - the more bizarre the exterior, the shorter the dog's life.
The culprits of breeding ailments are:
- round skull
- flat face,
- hanging, overgrown or tight ears,
- bulging eyes,
- eye color (blue is often a sign of deafness),
- insufficient skin pigmentation (susceptibility to allergies),
- twisted or too short / long limbs,
- disproportionately elongated or shortened body.
Now it is clear why a large, but harmoniously built shepherd dog is more likely to outlive its long-eared and short-footed basset.
Strangely enough, but the more in demand the breed is, the more likely you will try to sell the puppy with genetic anomalies: in the pursuit of profit, the breeder will most likely ignore the key principles of selection.
Diet, diet
Riding themselves from unnecessary work, many city dwellers prefer to keep German shepherds on the "drying". Meanwhile, each responsible breeder will never advise industrial feed, even of the elite class, despite their attractive composition (meat, medicinal plants, vitamins + minerals).
With a natural diet, shepherd dogs twice a day offer dishes consisting of raw and heat-treated products, such as:
- beef, boiled pork (without fat), chicken, goose and turkey without skin, bones and fat,
- offal - heart, trachea, boiled beef udder, scar. The liver is rare and small, the kidneys rule out
- fillet of sea fish (preferably boiled),
- quail and chicken eggs - twice a week. Raw / boiled or in the form of an omelet,
- fermented milk products, including homemade and soda cottage cheese. Milk - with good portability,
- cereals - buckwheat, rice, rolled oats. With obesity - pearl barley, and with a lack of weight - wheat and barley cereals,
- vegetables - everything and in any form. The exception is potatoes and corn (they are given only raw) and cabbage (it is boiled or stewed),
- fruits - almost everything, except provoking allergic attacks and diarrhea. It is not often give berries currant or rowan,
- peeled pumpkin seeds, as well as cashews and pine nuts. Almonds - occasionally.
Do not forget to add a little salt, vegetable oil and additives (tricalcium phosphate, vitamin-mineral complexes, bone meal and nutritional yeast).
German Shepherds may suffer from food allergies. In this case (alone or in the clinic) they identify the stimulus and remove it from the food.
Diseases, breed defects
The working qualities of the shepherd can be reduced under the influence of breed defects, which are:
- cryptorchism and violation of sexual dimorphism,
- crude / loose constitution, distortion of proportions and growth,
- docked, thrown over the back or ringed tail,
- dull or elongated / short muzzle,
- drooping / soft ears and overbite,
- too soft, short / long hair,
- weak pigmentation and blue eyes,
- excessive irritability, cowardice or lethargy.
Important! Most German shepherds are prone to orthopedic ailments, such as elbow / hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, hypertrophic osteodystrophy (rarely), spondylomyopathy and cruciate ligament rupture.
The "Germans" are vulnerable epidermis, which is why they often have seborrhea, demodicosis, scabies, pyoderma and calcification. Frequent abnormalities in the immune system, which leads to numerous autoimmune diseases.
How to increase life expectancy
Even with the observance of simple rules of healthy lifestyles (nutrition, prevention of diseases, visits to "Aibolit", reasonable exercise, walks in the fresh air), there is no sufficient guarantee of your pet's longevity. Having excellent health, he can die under the wheels of a car hoe.
With the exclusion of this kind of tragedy, doctors are convinced that castration / sterilization will be a reliable way to extend your dog's natural life cycle. In animals that have not undergone this operation, the risk of cancer and other diseases associated with the genitals is increased.
How many years live German shepherds
German Shepherd dogs are not long-lived. It is known that larger dogs live less than decorative pets.
The average lifespan of a German Shepherd Dog is from 10 to 15 years.
This period is influenced by many factors, such as health, lifestyle, build, size.
There is a table by which it is possible to determine the approximate correspondence of the age of the German Shepherd Dog and a person:
Up to 1.5 years old shepherd is considered a teenager, and the animal is fully formed only by 2-3 years.
From 3 to 6-7 years old German is most active. At this age, diseases of the musculoskeletal system are rarely manifested, so an adult dog can move a lot and lead a full-fledged lifestyle.
Health problems begin when shepherd is 8-9 years old. During this period, genetic diseases can manifest themselves, joints begin to break and ache. By 10-11 years, many heavy Germans have discomfort when walking, move less, prefer to rest more.
At 13-15 years old, large dogs are considered long-lived. At this age, they need peace, full and easily digestible food, a warm and dry room.
Presence of genetic diseases
Many Germans suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system (dysplasia, inflammation of the joints, arthritis, osteochondrosis, etc.). Representatives of the breed are also prone to dermatitis, allergies and other skin ailments. Animals with such diseases live less than healthy shepherds.
Some owners constantly feed their pets, and as a result they get very fat. Excess weight is a big load on all organ systems, so that obese dogs die before lean and lean.
Watch the weight of the dog
Obesity is harmful even to a young body, and for an elderly animal it is deadly dangerous. Excess weight is an increased load on the joint tissue, which leads to arthrosis, arthritis and other diseases. The internal organs are covered with a thick layer of fat and can no longer function normally. Be sure to monitor the rate of food that the dog eats. It is better to keep an elderly shepherd in good condition, in which the ribs are well felt.
Conclusion
If the quality of life of an old shepherd has deteriorated significantly, it experiences severe pain, and no supportive measures help to alleviate its condition, you should think about humane euthanasia. For this procedure, it is better to invite an experienced veterinarian to his home so that the dog will leave quietly in his familiar home environment.
German shepherds do not live as long as many would like. However, if you choose a puppy in a good nursery from strong and healthy parents, there is a chance that the pet will live to 15-16 years. Follow all maintenance rules: proper diet, regular active walks, periodic medical checkups.
How many years the German shepherd lives
A distinctive feature of the vast majority of animals is that they live much less than humans. The exceptions are, for example, only some reptiles and birds. Speaking specifically about dogs, they live a little even in comparison with other animals, including domesticated ones.
The average lifespan of four-legged pets is only 12 years. Small breeds, such as dwarf Japanese Spitz, live longer than large ones, which include the shepherd. On average, this difference is about five years. This is due to the fact that a large body and more stress, especially on the cardiovascular system. So this is the usual anatomy.
Of great importance are the features of the structure of the body of the animal. It is reliably known that they get sick more often and, accordingly, leave the breed earlier, which is characterized by the following:
- flat face,
- skull round shape
- bulging eyes
- too short or twisted limbs,
- too thick coat
- insufficient skin pigmentation,
- hanging ears
- disproportionate body.
German Shepherd Dogs - One of the Smartest Animals
If you compare life expectancy with other large breeds, it will be more. The thing is that this dog is very well built, it is physically enduring and is devoid of almost any flaws in the structure of its body.
An important role is played by genetics.
A dog with poor heredity risks getting serious illnesses much more than the one with the karyotype.
With proper care and subject to good genetics, such dogs are able to live 10-13 years, in some cases even more. But also it is necessary to take into account that they can die even in 5-8 years. This often happens if the pet was not carefully watched, which is why he was worried about acute and chronic diseases that quickly wear down the body.
What factors affect longevity
This was partially stated above. Namely - genetics, size, body structure features. But if we talk specifically about German shepherds, then such factors will be much more. All of them are very important, and ignoring the existing recommendations will inevitably lead to the fact that your faithful pet will live much less than the deadline set by nature.
It would seem that yesterday your Rex was a puppy - a playful, cheerful fidget, delivering both joy and certain worries. But today he is already an adult, a dog full of energy and strength. It will take quite a bit of time - 8 years, and physiological old age will come for the dog. During this period, the animal gradually becomes less active, his hearing and vision weakens, teeth begin to fall out, various senile sores appear. After ten years - this is, in fact, a great old age. At this time, the owner is obliged to pay maximum attention to his pet, to treat him carefully and with understanding of the situation.
Conditions of detention
Who are German shepherds? These are not just ordinary beautiful dogs that are strongly attached to their master. It is also universal guards, fighters, trackers, and in general, excellent service dogs. Naturally, all this will be expressed only after passing the appropriate course of training.
In any case, the dog needs constant physical exertion. Sheepdogs are a unique combination of energy, endurance, fearlessness, obedience, endurance, confidence, reliability and toughness bordering on aggression. Therefore, you need to play with a pet often, in no case can you limit its activity. If an animal has nowhere to put its energy, it will negatively affect its psychological and physical condition. Sheepdog will become nervous, poorly controlled, the muscles will begin to weaken, with the result that the pet will faintly resemble a real universal fighter.
What is the relationship between all the above written terms and conditions? Абсолютно прямая. Принято считать, что собаки, которые содержатся в частном доме или квартире, живут дольше, нежели их сородичи, вынужденные коротать свои собачьи дни на улице.In many cases this is actually the case, but this statement has nothing to do with the German shepherd specifically.
German Shepherd Dogs are universal guards, fighters, trackers, and generally great service dogs.
It is reliably known that dogs that live in a private area, for example, in rural areas, are more active, healthy and more energetic than their colleagues, forced to huddle in close square meters of city apartments. The reason is that on the street, dogs can throw out their energy as much as they want. But at home, no one especially drive will not.
Therefore, it is safe to say that German shepherds living on the street live longer than those who are a classic pet. It is clear that for keeping a dog in a kennel or aviary you must first create the appropriate conditions. However, neither cold nor rain, nor snow, etc. Germans are not afraid, largely due to the natural endurance and quality wool.
Much depends on proper nutrition. Together with the food, the animal's body receives all the necessary vitamins, macro- and microelements. In this regard, dogs are no different from people. It is clear that, given the shepherd's natural strength, there is nothing strange in the fact that they need a lot of energy.
Moreover, if you plan to grow a powerful and reliable guard, it is better to give preference to natural food, for example:
- meat - beef, chicken, pork, goose, turkey,
- sea fish (boneless),
- standard cereals, for example, buckwheat, rice, barley, wheat,
- fruits and vegetables - in any form, both boiled and raw,
- quail and chicken eggs,
- pumpkin seeds,
- fermented milk products.
And this is not a complete list.
As for dry food, the "drying" is relevant for dogs, which are prepared for some exhibitions or competitions. For a long time to keep dogs on such food is not recommended, despite the fact that it contains a balanced amount of vitamins and minerals.
It is not recommended to give animal fat, bones and skin from any meat, for example, chicken. Fish liver is also an undesirable product.
If the dog is allergic to any fruits or vegetables, they must be excluded from the diet. A shepherd dog can digest milk poorly, so it may also need to be removed.
Be sure to alternate between dry and liquid foods. The balance between protein and plant foods should be 70 to 30 percent.
You need to start feeding right from an early age.
Of course, German Shepherds also get sick, sometimes very seriously. But if we compare it with other domestic animals, including dogs of other breeds, then we can say that these pets disturb their owners much less often. And the whole thing in good health and good immunity.
True, all this needs to be supported. Improper nutrition and inappropriate living conditions lead to a certain disease in the dog. This breed is characterized by skin ailments, and all because it naturally has a weakly protected epidermis. Therefore, various dermatitis, rash, seborrhea, scabies, etc. arise from the Germans with enviable consistency.
Improper diet and inadequate habitat conditions result in a certain disease in the dog.
Representatives of this breed are also susceptible to various orthopedic diseases, primarily the following:
- osteochondrosis,
- joint dysplasia
- hypertrophic osteodystrophy,
- spondylomyelopathy,
- rupture of ligaments (mainly cruciform).
But this problem is relevant for all active and energetic dogs, so it is still not necessary to distinguish the German Shepherd Dogs as a separate group.
How many years on average live shepherd
The average life expectancy of a German shepherd dog is 12 years. At the age of 8 - 9 years, the dog acts in old age, from 10 years old is considered an elderly dog. Life expectancy itself depends on many factors affecting it: from external data to nutrition, care and genetic susceptibility.
- The baby who has got into the house at the age of 2 - 3 months, is only preparing to become an adult, in this period he especially needs to monitor all vital signs.
- Sheepdogs officially enter the age of an adult to 1.5 years. Fully formed dog in terms of anatomy and physiology - by 2 full years.
- From 3 to 6 is the age of the heyday, young and active, she enjoys life and gives unforgettable emotions to her master.
- From 7 to 9 years old, the first signs of change and aging are possible, old injuries become aggravated, vision deteriorates, problems with teeth appear.
- At 10 - 11 years old - the dog officially receives the status of "elderly", requires special care and attention.
- At the age of 12 - 15 years old shepherd is already considered a long-liver; at this age, it is necessary to show special respect for her, make life as easy as possible and show increased clogged about a pet.
Exterior and build
Unfortunately, animals with the largest skeleton are much more likely to experience health problems. They have certain problems with the locomotor system, the joints, the spine and the bones.
The owner, as a person who takes responsibility for the pet, must be aware of the importance of nutrition and lifestyle. An overweight animal with a sedentary lifestyle, is thousands of times more susceptible to diseases of the cardiovascular system. Also, excess weight is an additional load on the joints, vessels.
Exercise and activity
Understand, a dog is not a beautiful addition, it is a living being for which you are responsible in the same responsibility as before your children. The dog can not sit on the couch around the clock and in any case on the chain. This is a friend, companion, friend who needs attention, games, discovery of new places and his abilities.
The dog must be trained, communicate with fellow man. Do not mock the animal, do not leave it live on a chain with an environment of 2 meters.
Until how many years your German shepherd lives, only depends on you, remember this.
Bitch or dog
From the floor absolutely nothing depends, but still the girls carry a more active image, especially those that have several litters behind their shoulders. Often in females in the background after a generic hormonal background, not only the behavior, but also the entire endocrine system changes. They are often susceptible to the development of tumors and diseases such as diabetes.
As the owner of a dog and bitch, I can say that unfortunately this fact actually takes place.
As the owner of fellows of a dog and a bitch: the girl died at the age of 10 years, after 2 not very successful matings, two tumors came out. But the dog is still alive (12 years) in excellent condition, no problems.
Nutrition plays a huge role in the life of any living creature. Not only development and growth, but also the maintenance of the body in good condition as a whole depends on the correctness and quality of food.
Agree, you do not wake up a rotten apple, swallow bones and bobs. So why do some people feed the dog with bones and leftovers?
- It is not allowed, every day in veterinary clinics, animals are brought in - in which the esophagus, intestines and stomach are damaged by tubular bones, and the owner cannot understand what went wrong.
This is a living creature that deserves respect and adequate nutrition, just like you yourself. The diet, it is necessary to make with all responsibility, adding there natural mineral complexes and vitamins.
- Or dwell on dry feeding, premium class feed.
Communication, love and caress
The German Shepherd needs your communication, caress, outdoor activities, and just being with your man. She cares about your attention and praise. They are experiencing hard cries, swearing and the more physical punishment. Many of the most impressionable and emotional, tend to submit to depression and longing for the owner.
For an average German, it is necessary to spend at least a day with a person - actively, and also to be near - passively. Do not deprive him of this opportunity.
Genetic susceptibility to diseases
Unfortunately, no one has canceled heredity, yes, shepherd dogs have certain inclinations. Subject to allergies, dysplasia of large joints, eczema. But the world has not yet been bred, not one breed - which would have perfect health. The only recommendation, learn more about the health of the puppy's parents before buying.
Eliminate significant experiences from the life of the dog associated with your absence, rude attitude or poor-quality content, the dog will respond to you in return.
Please the animal, play, bring new toys, do not skimp on the gentle words addressed to it. More contact with the person and proper education, and the pet will be much happier, and you yourself too.
Medicine, vaccinations, parasites
Forget about waiting tactics, at the first signs of a disease - take to the doctor, do not expect that it will pass immediately. You do not wait for the child to have a fever, but calls the pediatrician to the house. Also with a dog.
- Remember the importance of annual vaccinations, vaccinations. Pay special attention to anthelmintic drugs, do not pull, start a calendar and regularly mark the time of anthelmintic.
It is also necessary to regularly treat animal hair from parasites, flea and tick collars, special parasite shampoos, all of which is available for purchase. Ticks as carriers of dangerous diseases regularly take the lives of thousands of animals in the Russian Federation every year.
Elderly age
Careful about the animal, do not load it, but do not stop completely classes. Let's think and choose, ensure a decent old age. If you need special care, do not throw him, help spend the last years in comfort, because you have a whole world, and he has only you.
Love and believe to the last, allow me to stay near you at night, let mistakes, do not scold much and do not punish for a long time.
Do not let young people get him much, control the ardor of pets, do not allow to encroach on his rest. Elderly animal is a priority.
How many German shepherds live at home
From the moment the puppy arrives, your life and its completely changing. The whole world ceases to exist when the owner is near. The master is his whole world. Provide a place for the animal, try to give enough load. If there is not enough space in the house, walk more.
With sufficient care, the shepherd will live as much as residents of the countryside. There are no particular differences, the importance is only in adherence to physical activity.
How to extend the life of a pet
In order to live a German shepherd, as long as the long-livers live, will have to work hard. There are things that need to be done regularly, the quality of life depends on many factors:
- Grooming (combing, treatment from parasites) bathing a dog,
- Eye and mucous care, ears and teeth, claw clipping,
- Psychological calm, no stress,
- Competent medical care at the vet,
- Vaccination and vaccinations
- Exercise and activity
- Nutrition,
- Conditions of detention.
Pay attention to all aspects of a pet's life; the better you fish to perform your duties as a host, the longer your animal will live.
Diseases and breed defects
Shepherd dogs actually live with diseases, the question of how much the owner is ready to help them in this, there are things that significantly affect the quality of life, for example - the complete failure of hind legs.
Even in this case, the dog can live well, for it will simply be necessary to purchase a special one - a wheelchair, more attention to hygiene.
There are many such examples, but if you feel and see a serious illness that significantly aggravates life (malignant tumors, complete paralysis), then consider how much easier it will be for an animal to consult with a specialist after the primate decision.
Little last
Remember that the animal is a responsibility to yourself, your pet, your children. Do not treat it as a fashionable addition, if there is no free time in your life, it is better to get fish. Good health and many years to your pets, waiting for a response in the comments.
