They're reserved dogs; they don't make friends immediately, but once they do, they're extremely loyal. The White Shepherd is a direct descendant of the German Shepherd Dog. Barring traumatic incidents or conditions beyond your control, the lifespan for a well-cared-for GSD is 10 or 11 years, with an average range from 9 to 13 years. A shepherd lifespan is dependant on the health and well-being of the dog. German Shepherd Rescue is both a registered charity and company, which produces yearly accounts so that you know where your donated monies are spent. A GSD is considered a senior once they hit 7 years of age.This is the point where they begin to slow down, and may experience some of the medical conditions that German Shepherds are prone to.Once your pup reaches their senior years, you should begin to consider their daily comfort, and ways to help alleviate their daily struggles.We will cover their senior years in detail, and specific ways to make their senior years more enjoyable further in this article. Of course, not all health problems are related specifically to inbreeding (though hip dysplasia is); some are simply related to the size of these dogs, the kind of work that they do, and simply to just being a dog. The ears get firmer as they get older. Do not take your puppy on runs or long, exhaustive walks until it is about six months old. Keep up with their daily and monthly grooming needs. O’Neill, D.G., et al. Some examples include: Once your German Shepherd reaches their senior years, they will begin to experience more difficulties in their daily life.During this time in their life, it’s up to us to alleviate their daily discomfort as much as possible. So you can best understand what to expect, below I have expanded on each stage of a GSD’s life: The juvenile stage is the time when most people choose to adopt their German Shepherd. Written by Mike Zhang. “Longevity and Mortality of Owned Dogs in England.” The Veterinary Journal. Since German Shepherds are at risk of gastric bloat, it’s important to make sure that they don’t consume their meals too quickly. When you throw in the prominence of bloat, collapse, and joint issues in larger bodied breeds, it becomes clear why the German Shepherd Dog’s life expectancy isn’t quite as high as some others in the herding group. My grandma had a female German Shepherd named Duchess. I LOVE THIS DOG. Max is like one of my children and with most of them grown he has become an awesome companion. And she ended up with bleeding in her stomach from the meds and she wouldn’t eat so we ended up doing the kindest thing we could getting the vet to put her to sleep. Costed out the ingredients are cheaper than dog kibble which id usually $2/pound minimum for anything I would let her eat. link to German Shepherd Pug Mix: Small Dog With a Big Attitude, link to The Liver German Shepherd: A Complete Breed Guide, Health Complications That Your GSD May Face, How To Keep Your German Shepherd Feeling Their Best, How To Assist Your German Shepherd In Their Senior Years, How To Know When Your GSD May Be Near the End of Life, Make sure to always have your German Shepherd on. Generally, larger dogs have a shorter life expectancy than smaller dogs. Your German Shepherd’ Teeth. Some do not live quite a decade and others live a few years longer. Do they show signs of aging (low energy level, eating less, etc) for a long time before they pass or is it pretty sudden? All in all, the German Shepherd has some factors working against it, but it is still a generally hardy breed. Your cooking labour is the price you pay for the privilege of being woken up at 4-6 am by nudges to go out and pee. thegermanshepherder.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. At this time they are most open to training, socialization, and structure you put in place for their everyday life.This is also a time where they are packed full of rambunctious puppy energy!Get ready for lots of playtime, but also an equal amount of puppy naps. His back legs are wobbly but he is not in pain. Then we rescued a male GSD, Diesel, who lived to 15 and died suddenly of heart failure. screen their dogs for hereditary conditions, Best Harness For Yorkie – Best Yorkshire Terrier Harnesses With Reviews, reduce the chances of obesity and heart disease. Contact Us. When you are raising your German Shepherd, you will notice some major changes in maturity and personality. She was a beautiful, tolerant, good, BIG girl. She eats a container in 3-4 days. Average Lifespan of the White German Shepherd On average, you can expect to have your White German Shepherd in your life for 10-12 years. Amazing dog, couldn’t have imagined a better family than her. He is deaf (probably due to side effects of drops used by the vet for an ear infection and age). Make the most of every year you and your German Shepherd have by following the tips and advice found right here at ShepherdSense.com . in Corgis,Pet. IS A RESCUE. My shepherd is 13 his name is Kodak at 12 months old the vet told me that he had to be put down do to a genetic deicease I said no she told me he would only live until he was 2 he 13 and only slowing down a little until the cat walks by the he seams he 3 As he chase the cat back down the hall let’s see how long he goes before he stops chase the cat. I always try to see our dogs live as long as possible and try to understand re any diseases etc. German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in America. Your email address will not be published. German Shepherds have been my constant companions. It is true that smaller dogs usually live longer than large dogs. I am looking for a German Shepherd male 8-12 weeks old. My GSD is 16, he’s just been for his senior check at the vets today, his back end has gone so effectively I’m his carer, but she said he’s amazingly healthy. German Shepherds have been my constant companions. 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