Wondering how long does a German Shepherd live? Or how can you take care of the health of your German Shepherd? These are some of the few concerns every pet lover thinks about before buying a German shepherd as a pet. But don’t worry, as here we will provide you with the answer to all these questions.
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German Shepherd Life Span: How Long Does a German Shepherd Live?
German Shepherds live a reasonably long life compared to many other breeds of dogs. The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 9 to 13 years, and mostly, a German Shepherd lives for 12 years. You must ensure that you take care of your shepherd, keep him active, and pay attention to his health.
Unfortunately, some German Shepherds may live short lives if they face health issues. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to your dog’s health so that he can live a long and healthy life. If you pay for exceptional care and optimize your German Shepherd’s health condition, he may live more than 13 years.
The Statical Lifespan of German Shepherd
According to statistics, approximately 50% of the German Shepherd breed dies around the age of 12. So, we can say that the average lifespan of a German Shepherd is about 12 years. Due to some uncontrollable factors, like genetically inherited diseases or severe injuries, the lifespan is reduced.
So as an owner, you must make sure that you try your best to provide a healthy and quality life for your German Shepherd dog.
Remember! Your German Shepherd dog may live longer despite all the information on the internet, depending on how healthy it is.
Factors That May Shorten The Lifespan of Your German Shepherd
Here we have discussed some of the significant factors that may shorten the lifespan of your German Shepherd. So, you should pay special attention to these factors to ensure your German Shepherd’s longevity and health. Some of these significant factors are:
Health Issues:
Like many other dogs, German Shepherds suffer from some diseases, and they also suffer from some hereditary diseases. But this issue has been resolved to some extent by some wise breeders.
Usually, German Shepherds suffer from three diseases, which are:
1. Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip joint of the dog has some abnormalities. This abnormality could be due to many reasons, but the most common cause is the hip joint cartilage.
As a German shepherd is a large dog, it suffers more from this disease compared to smaller dogs. Hip dysplasia is a hereditary disease, and it is not the leading cause of reducing your dog’s lifespan, but it may lead to arthritis at a later age of your dog.
2. Degenerative Myelopathy
According to the UFAW, degenerative myelopathy is a disease that affects the spinal cord of dogs, mostly at the age of seven. In this disease, the rear limbs of dogs get weak. Also, degenerative myelopathy is quite similar to sclerosis in humans. Over time, this disease causes complete immobility of muscles, and the German Shepherd becomes paralyzed.
3. Osteoarthritis
The dog is in a lot of pain when he has osteoarthritis. German Shepherds suffer from inflammation and damaged cartilage, which are the leading causes of pain for the dog.
Different dog breeds are prone to such health issues as pit bulls. If you have a Pit Bull, then our article on the lifespan of Pit bulls will be of great help to you. Moreover, this article will help guide you to a healthy lifestyle for your Pitbull.
How to Keep your German Shepherd Healthy – How Long Does a German Shepherd Live?
Following are the different ways that you can use to optimize the health of your German Shepherd so that they can live a long, healthy, and happy life:
1. Keep Them Active
German Shepherds belong to a breed of very active dogs. Therefore, while they are growing up, they must be kept active. You should also ensure that you keep them active by making them do their physical activities and exercises. By doing so, they can live long and healthy life.
2. Take Them For a Walk
As I said before, German Shepherds are active and cannot remain indoors for an extended period. Therefore, you must take them out for a walk regularly. Otherwise, it will harm their health.
Do you know that all dogs have webbed feet that help them in walking, running, fetching, and many other activities? Please read our articles on German Shepherds and other dogs’ webbed feet to learn more about them.
3. Check Their Weight Regularly
Undoubtedly, you must control the German Shepherd’s weight and provide him with a diet that will help the dog maintain its optimum weight. As a dog lover and owner, the last thing you want your dog to suffer from is obesity.
Just like humans, German Shepherds can also suffer from obesity. Their diet should contain around 1700 calories, and make sure that their meal does not exceed 2200 calories. Usually, the optimum German Shepherd’s weight is about 75 to 95 pounds.
4. Regularly Visit the Vet
Make sure that you make a schedule for your German Shepherd and regularly take him to his vet. It is a great way to make sure that your dog is healthy. Also, the vet will undoubtedly take all the necessary measures to keep the dog healthy.
5. Provide High-Quality Food
Junk food in excess is certainly not good for your dog. Therefore, you should ensure that you provide high-quality food to your dog. The best food for your dog will undoubtedly depend on his age, taste, and allergies.
Choose such brands of food that contain proteins, grains, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. These ingredients are essential for a healthy diet for your German Shepherd.
Conclusion
How long does a German Shepherd live? The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 9 – 13 years. Moreover, German Shepherds can also live up to 12 years.
How long does a German Shepherd live? The answer to this question is straightforward. The lifespan of any dog depends on its health condition. If your German Shepherd has no medical illnesses, he can have a fairly long lifespan.
Additionally, other contributing factors can be on the pet owner’s side. The way you take care of your dog says it all. A German Shepherd’s lifespan depends on how well you take care of your pet. Moreover, if you find your dog is not in a good mood or seems ill, immediately take him to the veterinarian to seek help.
Giving high-quality dog food, taking your dog for a walk, and getting regular vet checkups should be encouraged. So, try to follow all these ways mentioned above to keep your German Shepherd healthy and happy for extended periods.
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