Life expectancy of a German Shepherd: how long do they live on the street and at home?
German Shepherds are kept in apartments and country houses. “German” feels great in the yard in a warm booth or enclosure. At the same time, it is not worth putting it on a short chain. The dog must have freedom of movement and the opportunity to enter the house.
German Shepherd
Stray dogs live much shorter lives than pets. Cold, infections, parasites, poor nutrition do not improve health.
Note! The street takes 5-7 years of life.
Instead of the required 12 years, a dog can only live 5-6.
How long do German Shepherds live?
The average lifespan of a German Shepherd with good care is 12-13 years. Among the “Germans” there are also long-livers – 15-17 years. The main criteria for proper maintenance of a German Shepherd are a balanced diet and long-term physical activity.
The diet of a German Shepherd throughout its life should be rich in vitamins, microelements, proteins and carbohydrates. Food should be varied, and the diet should include meat, bones, cereals, vegetables, fruits, bread, vitamin and mineral supplements. It is not recommended to overfeed the animal.
Important : feeding should be done after a walk, since physical activity with a full stomach can provoke a volvulus of the stomach or intestines and lead to the death of the dog.
The German Shepherd needs a lot of physical activity - long walks, special classes, training. We must remember: for a shepherd, the meaning of life is in work , this is a service dog down to the tips of its claws.
are very important for a “German” to live a full life. This will protect your pet from epidemics and other dangerous illnesses to which German Shepherds are prone (demodex, distemper, enteritis).
Age compared to human years
To calculate how many years shepherd dogs live in comparison to a human life, the formula “dog year = seven human years” is used. However, these are rather rough calculations. Comparing the main stages of growing up helps to accurately calculate the correspondence of ages. For example, dogs begin to erupt teeth at seven weeks, and humans at 9 months. Accordingly, we can say that seven-week-old puppies are the same age as nine-month-old babies.
How long do mongrel dogs live at home?
The age correspondence between shepherd dogs and people is presented in the table.
Shepherd dogs, years | Man, years |
1 | 14 |
1,5 | 20 |
2 | 24 |
3 | 30 |
4 | 36 |
5 | 40 |
6 | 42 |
7 | 49 |
8 | 56 |
9 | 63 |
10 | 65 |
11 | 71 |
12 | 75 |
13 | 80 |
14 | 84 |
15 | 87 |
Note! The average lifespan of shepherd dogs and people is the same. For the first it is 12 years, for the second it is 75 years.
§ Average life expectancy for the states of Germany
The average life expectancy across the states of Germany is approximately the same, although Germans live slightly longer in some states than in others. The longest life expectancy is in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, the lowest in the states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Table 1.1. Life expectancy by state of Germany
Land/city | Lifespan | Difference with the German average | ||
M | AND | M | AND | |
Baden-Württemberg | 79,5 | 83,9 | +1,3 | +0,8 |
Bavaria | 78,9 | 83,5 | +0,8 | +0,5 |
Berlin | 77,8 | 83,0 | -0,4 | 0,0 |
Brandenburg | 77,4 | 82,9 | -0,8 | -0,1 |
Bremen | 76,8 | 82,3 | -1,4 | -0,7 |
Hamburg | 78,3 | 83,0 | +0,1 | -0,1 |
Hesse | 78,8 | 83,2 | +0,6 | +0,2 |
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | 76,5 | 82,9 | -1,6 | -0,2 |
Lower Saxony | 77,8 | 82,8 | -0,3 | -0,3 |
North Rhine-Westphalia | 77,9 | 82,5 | -0,3 | -0,5 |
Rhineland-Palatinate | 78,3 | 82,9 | +0,2 | -0,1 |
Saar | 77,1 | 82,1 | -1,0 | -0,9 |
Saxony | 77,6 | 83,6 | -0,6 | +0,5 |
Saxony-Anhalt | 76,2 | 82,5 | -2,0 | -0,6 |
Schleswig-Holstein | 78,0 | 82,8 | -0,2 | -0,3 |
Thuringia | 77,2 | 83,0 | -1,0 | 0,0 |
Differences between the life expectancy of females and males
How long do Russian spaniels live at home?
It is believed that the average age of any dog is 12 years. The larger the animal, the shorter its lifespan. Babies up to 30 cm at the withers sometimes live up to 15-20 years. Large breeds rarely reach 15 years of age. This is due to weight and load on the cardiovascular system.
German and East European Shepherds are medium-sized dogs. Males, as a rule, are more massive and larger than females:
- males – 65 cm and 40 kg;
- females – 60 cm and 32 kg.
However, this does not mean that the “guy” will necessarily live less than the “lady”. How long shepherd females live depends on the number of matings. Pregnancy takes up a lot of resources and often causes chronic diseases. With proper care, both sexes live the same number of years.
How many years have they lived in Russia?
In the UN ranking, Russia ranks 110th out of 115, ahead of Fiji, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Belize. The average life expectancy in the homeland is 71 years, according to Rosstat. 65 for men and 76 for women. This difference exists for several reasons:
- Firstly, this indicator is influenced by the vast territory of Russia. Some regions lead a very traditional way of life; there are settlements that have preserved ancient customs. The difference in the average indicator in Moscow and in the Republic of Tyva differs by almost 20 years.
- Secondly, the Great Patriotic War, which was not long enough ago to no longer influence the situation, left its mark, the Chechen War, the conflict in Ukraine and other local wars. The army consists predominantly of men under 30 years of age. If a large number of them die on the battlefield, this is reflected in the statistics.
- Thirdly, diseases. Specifically, alcohol poisoning, addiction, or death as a result of the influence of alcohol. More men than women suffer from this fairly common phenomenon in Russia, as they often lack economic or real freedom, especially in conservative regions.
How to find out the age of a pet
How long do pug boys live at home?
You can find out the age of a shepherd by changes:
- ears;
- eye;
- wool;
- muscles;
- teeth.
Puppy and adult shepherd
Teeth change begins at 3 months. The ears remain soft for up to five months. They hang down and rise when the puppy is surprised or alarmed by something. Six-month-old puppies have fully erect ears. By this time, all teeth have been replaced.
The eyes of newborns are blue. In one-month-old puppies, the pupils are different and the eyes become darker in color. The older the dog, the more distinct the pupils. The eyes are fully formed by one year.
The first molt occurs at 4 months. Puppy fluff is gradually replaced by adult hair. The older the animal gets, the coarser the coat becomes. Adult young shepherd dogs are fit, strong, and muscular. With age, the body becomes decrepit, the skin sags, the coat becomes dull and gray.
Behavior gradually changes. Puppies and teenagers are active and restless. From two to four years the dog shows the best results. She is active, resilient, playful. Afterwards, it is necessary to reduce the load so that the dog does not quickly run out of steam.
Note! When the shepherd begins to weakly respond to calls to play, it means old age has set in.
Factors influencing average life expectancy in Germany
- First of all, climate influences. There are no frosts, high humidity, heat or floods in Germany. This weather is as comfortable as possible for a person.
- The social guarantees that the country provides to its residents are of great importance. High pensions, an accessible urban environment, and financial opportunities influence the lives of retirees.
- In their youth, Germans do not have to overwork, because the average salary corresponds to prices and allows them to live well and comfortably, eat well and relax.
- High standard of living and medicine in the country as a whole. A healthcare system that is one of the highest in Europe and the world. Popularity of sports and active lifestyle. Encouraging healthy habits and limiting (eg financially) negative ones.
Main causes of premature death
Injuries are a common cause of premature death. It is important to take care of your pet's safety while walking. This requires education and the firm hand of the owner. If the dog does not obey the owner, he can break off the leash and run out onto the roadway. Disobedience also leads to poisoning: a dog that has not learned the “fu” command picks up poisoned food.
Your pet must be vaccinated and treated against parasites (fleas, worms). After walks, you need to examine your paws and treat wounds and cuts with antiseptic. Training is carried out according to the recommendations of dog handlers. There is no need to give excessive physical activity. This threatens fractures, problems with the spine and heart.
The owner is not always to blame for shortening the life of a shepherd dog. Dogs do not live to old age due to hereditary diseases. The most common:
- renal failure;
- diseases of the pancreas and liver;
- malignant tumors;
- intestinal volvulus.
Important! Your dog should be taken to the vet regularly, even if there are no signs of illness. This is especially important during the period of growth. The doctor will notice the slightest deviations and prescribe treatment and prevention.
How to increase the life of a pet
The lifespan of a shepherd is largely influenced by external conditions: diet, physical and mental stress, relationships with humans.
Proper nutrition
It is necessary to monitor nutrition and weight gain. Obesity takes years off your life: excess weight increases the stress on the heart, bones and muscles. The dog should not be fed smoked, salty, sweet or fatty foods.
Shepherd with a bowl
The food must be balanced. During the growth period, the shepherd dog requires a lot of vitamins and minerals. It is difficult to choose a nutritious diet on your own, so veterinarians recommend commercial food. They already contain the required amount of useful elements and substances, as well as balanced fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Toddlers are fed four times a day, teenagers three times. An adult dog is transferred to two meals a day. One serving should be 800 g. During training and winter it increases by 200 g.
Caring for an older dog
An adult dog showing signs of aging requires special care. A separate diet is prepared and physical activity is reduced to a minimum. Visits to the veterinarian should be regular to quickly prevent the development of the disease.
The daily routine remains the same: feeding by the hour, walks, hygiene procedures. Any change will cause stress. If the dog is used to living in the yard, you should not move it to a home environment.
Dog lifestyle
How many years German Shepherds live is influenced by their lifestyle. In addition to physical activity, mental development is required. Your pet will be able to exercise its muscles and gain impressions while traveling. Shepherd dogs are hardy enough for hiking in the mountains, forests, and long trips.
Shepherd dog in nature
Note! A reclusive lifestyle is depressing. When a dog is locked up, its character deteriorates and depressive disorders occur.
The meaning of a shepherd's life is to serve man; his praise gives strength and improves mood. Therefore, even if a pet is old and seriously ill, it needs the care and affection of its family. Until euthanasia, owners must remain close to their beloved dog.
All about the life expectancy of a German Shepherd
Ressi. She didn’t live two months before turning 14. For the last two years I have been suffering from pyometra. Every six months a course of antibiotics. I couldn't see well, I couldn't hear well. I think that I would have lived longer, but the war had severely crippled me (almost five years without breaks from 2014-19). The front line is a couple of kilometers away. The family left back in '14. And the dog’s life suddenly became “sedentary” - from 8 to 17 I’m at work. From 22 to 5 curfew. It is prohibited to go outside. And in the morning and evening it was also not always possible to go for a walk - sometimes there was shelling. And we had to sit in basements at night. Raska was not very afraid of shelling (unlike many dogs). But when they were already very close and the house was shaking, she barked. Apparently I felt the fear of the people sitting next to me... Once they hit the apartment below from an infantry fighting vehicle. The neighbors' apartment caught fire. The firefighters were called. The Ministry of Emergency Situations did a great job - they rushed quickly and put out the fire. But the entrance was heavily smoky. I was nearby and came running. You can’t go into the entrance... And you can’t ask the emergency services to evacuate the dog - who would risk going into the apartment? I asked the firefighters - they broke several windows in the entrance. A couple of minutes later I broke into the apartment - my dog was lying on the floor with the plague. I held her in my arms and went outside. She moved away... I think the war took her life for two or three years. Or maybe more. There is a private sector near my house. So there for 2014-15. all the shepherd dogs died. They couldn’t stand the war, the shelling, the panic of people - after all, they are smart and understand that something terrible is happening...
I lived almost a year longer than I could have, because because of her I moved to live in a house (fortunately there are many of them empty in the city). It became difficult to take her out and up to the third floor several times a day. The ascent and descent took several minutes. With rest stops. During the night you get up a couple of times, get dressed, take the dog out, get up, undress, lie down, fall asleep, and then it’s time to get up. I'm sick of it... A friend suggested - move into the house! This extended the dog's life by almost a year. Although I had to spend the winter in a house without heating. In the room where I and the dog lived I installed an electric convector. In this room the temperature was 14-15°. The rest of the house is 3-4°. But we had a yard. The curfew was no longer so scary for us. And going to the toilet at night was not a problem. In addition, Ressi had girlfriends - cats Maruska and Chernyshev, who slept with her and went for walks with us. We overwintered. My wife and daughter came to the May celebrations. Everyone understood that the family would no longer gather in the same composition... And so it happened. On June 18th, the heart of our four-legged family member stopped beating... Ressie, I ask the Lord that you go to dog heaven.
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