How long do German Shepherds live? 6 Hacks

Most new German shepherd owners are first excited when they get their dogs to wonder how long do german shepherds live with their new canine friend. Furthermore, the love they have for the dog will have them wonder what are some of the things that could make the dog ill. They will also wonder what they can do to prolong the life of their new canine friend.

This article answers all of those questions.

The average life span of the German shepherd is between 9 and 13 years. Whereas this number varies by dog, this is the standard number when you consider their size and the possible health situations that they may encounter.

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The average lifespan of the German shepherd

The average lifespan of the German shepherd A German shepherd will live as long depending on their general health and their care during their life. While the standard lifespan is between 10 and 12 if you help keep your dog in top condition, the odds are that they will be able to beat the typical lifespan.

There are several ways that you can help your dog live longer. This could mean giving the dog a quality diet, taking them regularly for veterinary visits, and minimizing the pain they undergo as they get older. If you religiously do all of this, then you are well on your way to giving your German shepherd a long-lasting life.

Before we proceed further, we need to understand the life stages of an average German shepherd.

During training your German shepherd dog, you will likely notice some changes in personality and maturity. If you know these different stages, you will know what to expect at each stage.

When raising a German shepherd, you will notice some significant changes in maturity and behavior. So, you can best understand what you notice; let us dive into each stage of a GSD’s life: 

The Juvenile Stage

At the juvenile stage, the dog is probably too little, and this is the stage where a majority of people tend to get their German shepherd dogs adopted. The juvenile stage of the dog is between 3 and 7 months.

At this point in their lives, the dog can be trained, socialized, and every other thing that you use to teach them. This is the time, too, when they are as energetic because, at this stage, they are just puppies. This stage also means lots of puppies.

The Adolescent Stage

The next stage is the adolescent stage in the life of the German shepherd. This stage can be

The adolescent stage in a German shepherd is just like our time as a teenager. At this period, the dog should be between 7 months and three years of age.

At this age, they begin to experiment with things like their sexuality and behavioral patterns; besides, it is also the ideal stage to neuter the dog. At this age, the dogs tend to play the most and seem to have the most energy.

The Adult Stage

The moment that your German shepherd dog gets to the age of 3, it is considered an adult at this stage. At this stage, you can finally take a rest and fall back to reap the fruits of your labor. At this stage, you can say that they are all now calm and well behaved.

The Senior Stage

Your dog becomes a senior the moment that it turns 7. German shepherds tend to become pretty slow at this stage and may begin undergoing certain medical conditions that afflict German Shepherds. The moment that your dog hits the senior stage, you should help them become comfortable daily. You could also help the dog overcome their struggles daily.

Some Elements that may afflict your German Shepherd dog

1). Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

It is a prevalent condition in these breeds of dogs. This condition is the displacement of the joint in the dog’s body. Dysplasia makes the dog uncomfortable as it grows old. It tends to cause lots of pain for the dog and makes movement difficult. It usually afflicts the dog at the elbow and hip areas where they make walking unbearable.

2). Arthritis

The condition afflicts the dog’s bones and joints and happens when the cartilage found within the joints begins to wear down. Arthritis can cause the grinding and rubbing of the joints. It leads to extreme discomfort when the condition worsens.

3). Bloat

Bloating in dogs happens when the stomach flips over, making air and food trapped inside the abdomen. As the stomach flips on itself, circulation is prevented from getting to other parts within the intestine. This problem could be fatal if it is not quickly resolved. This problem is a severe one and is regarded as the top condition for emergency for dogs.

4). Epilepsy

This condition is a type of seizure problem that can affect the dog at a tender age. This problem comes with a sudden seizure and different other neurological traits. This problem could be managed daily by taking medication and reducing stress within the environment.

5). Allergies

German Shepherds can have many forms of allergies. These dogs are exposed to different allergies. It could be the air, their food, or they could contact allergies. These conditions often manifest as continuous itching, skin sores, head shaking, skin irritation, and skin irritation. We have covered a guide about which food is best for German Shepherd with allergies which you can read here.

6). Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the dog’s eye lens becomes thick, making visibility difficult in the dog. While this can be found in the German Shepherds, all dogs are prone to having cataracts. One visible sign of cataracts is that the dog will find it challenging to move about in the home. They could even bump into things around the house and worsen as the dog continues to age.

How to prolong the life of your German shepherd How to prolong the life of your German shepherd

1). It is essential to visit your veterinarian with your dog regularly.

2). you should ensure to put the dog on heartworm prevention monthly.

3). It would be best if you continuously feed your dog a nutritious and well-balanced diet.

Conclusion

German shepherds can live for a long time. While we may never stop the dogs from getting old, we can do a lot to gracefully have their age.