How long do German Shepherds live?

if you’ve got a German Shepherds, you might be asking yourself “How long do German Shepherds live?”

And as much as we wish we could say forever, unfortunately that’s not the answer.

How long do German Shepherds live?

The estimated lifespan of a German Shepherds is 10-13 years, which is an average age for any large dog to live too. If your German Shepherds is fortunate enough to live past 13 years, every extra year is a blessing you get to spend with your best friend.

Obviously, a lot of factors come into play when talking about the lifespan of your German Shepherds, much like humans, German Shepherds are susceptible to health issues. It’s no secret that health issues can cut your life short, whether you’re a German Shepherds or a human.

While smaller dogs may have a longer lifespan, with the possibility of living up to 20 years, this is extremely uncommon with German Shepherds. The main reason behind this is purely by their size. The larger the dog, the more strain they put on their bodies, and this results in a shorter lifespan.

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So how long do German Shepherds live?

With any unavoidable health issues to the side, a lot of this comes down to you, the owner. If your German Shepherds is being neglected, not getting the right nutrition, water, and even not being exercised regularly then they’re at a higher risk of dying before the age of 10.

Vet visits may also prolong your German SheperdsShepherds health, as a vet is able to pick up on any warning signs of early illness, and the earlier this is detected the higher chance you have of treating your pet and getting them back to a healthy condition.

If we get sick, it’s normal to go to the doctor and get advice on how to get healthy again, which may involve rest and hydration, or it may involve medicine. This should be no different for your German Shepherds.

Puppy dog eyes, if you have a dog then you know exactly what I’m talking about. The dreaded ‘feed me’ look, right after you’ve already fed them. The sad eyes while you’re eating your toast, silently begging for a slice. There is nothing wrong with treating your dog, and I’m sure there aren’t many dogs out there that would refuse that off cut of your sandwhich.

Ensure you’re not over feeding your pup, as this is an easy way for owners to accidently harm the life span of their German Shepherds. An overwight dog has a much higher chance of coming down with an injury, and genetic health problems.

Let’s Keep Moving…

As much as you and I love a lazy Sunday, this isn’t good for dogs (although a day here and there won’t hurt if you’re super busy!) If you’r dog is in the age range between young and middle aged (think 7/8 and below) lazing around the house all day and not getting the proper exercise they need will cause them to age faster, and therfore will not bas a healthy and happy as they reach those senior dog years.

Make sure your beloved pooch gets their daily walk, now this doesn’t have to be 5 miles, a walk around the block will do just fine. If your German Sheperd is struggling on a short walk, it might be time for a visit to the Vet to make sure everythings okay.

Final Word

As much as we wish German Shepherds could live forever, because at the end of the day they’re just a furry family memeber, we have to accept we don’t tend to get any more than 10-13 years with our pup. The way you love and look after your German Shepherds will definitely play a role in extending the life expectancy of your pet, but no matter how hard you try there are some things you can’t stop. Heart problems can be quite the issue for bigger dogs (which your annual vet checkup should help detect this!).

So how long do German Shepherds live? The simple answer is 10-13 years. But unfortunatly many things come into play to make sure you’re giving your German Sheperd the best shot at hitting that 13th birthday, which will be worth celebrating.

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