German Shepherd Dog Life Expectancy
If you are looking for a long-term companion, then the German Shepherd is definitely a good candidate. However, if you want a dog that’s fun, cuddly, walks easily, and doesn’t shed too much, then there are other options. It just depends on what you are looking for in a dog. So how long does a German Shepherd’s life expectancy actually last?
The answer depends on a few variables. Most German Shepherds live from ten to thirteen years. Of course, the longevity of each dog will vary depending on several factors, but ten thirteen is a fair average age to expect when it comes to dog life expectancy.
You will notice that their longevity is a bit shorter than others that could live up to 17-20 years – probably because of their short hair. Still, they are one of the most popular breeds in the United States. So a ten to thirteen-year dog life expectancy is pretty decent.
One variable that is often overlooked when trying to determine the dog life expectancy is the diet of the German Shepherd.
The diet of the dogs has been studied by many and the consensus seems to be that they should get a lot more table scraps and less meat. The meat should definitely be avoided because the growth and dental health of these dogs are still developing. This is why toy and roast dogs seem to last longer than their beef counterparts.
Exercise is another key factor in determining the dog’s life expectancy. A lot of people assume that you have to go to the dog park and work your dog for hours a day, but that’s not necessary.
You can spend just thirty minutes a day walking your dog, and this will dramatically improve his or her lifespan. It’s been proven that German Shepherds can live as long as humans do when they are active. The best thing to give your dog to help make their life longer is exercise.
Many people that own German Shepherds don’t realize that the dogs are actually good candidates for assisted living homes due to their age and health issues.
They need assistance with their eyesight, arthritis, and illnesses like diabetes. The older a dog gets, the more it can get affected by the things around them. This explains why German Shepherd dogs tend to live ten to fifteen years longer than the average dog.
If you are looking for a pet that will work for you for the rest of your life then the German Shepherd dog is definitely the right choice for you. Most veterinarians and breeders will agree that the German Shepherd dog life expectancy is very good. In fact, they will tell you that the dogs have the longest lifespan of any working dog.
If you purchase an adult German Shepherd it should still be around ten to fifteen years of age. There are no guarantees, but most German Shepherd owners and breeders will give you an estimate of ten to fifteen years as a rough guideline.
One of the reasons that the German Shepherd dog life expectancy is so good is because they have a strong and stable bone structure.
Because of the way they were developed over centuries of breeding dogs, they have very strong bones and powerful muscles. Because of these traits, German Shepherds are not as prone to joint problems as other breeds of dogs. They can withstand long hours of physical exertion without getting sore or weak.
These dogs do require a lot of care, especially around the ages of six to eight years old. They require more attention from their owner because they do not always respond well to being picked up for a walk.
If your German Shepherd is not socialized to other dogs and people early on, then he may become difficult to handle around other dogs and people as he grows older. If you take care of your German Shepherd puppy from the time he or she is an infant, then he will be a healthy, happy, and enjoyable dog throughout his life.
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