German Shepherds are majestic dogs with a long history of working alongside humans. These dogs originated in Germany, with intentions to create a working dog with a loyal, yet eager, temperament. The German Shepherd is most commonly seen as a service dog or as a dog working alongside law enforcement officers, and the U.S. military often utilizes German Shepherds, something that dates back to World War One.
Today, German Shepherds are still known as working dogs, but they are also an important family companion. These active dogs need a family willing to train them and provide them with both mental and physical stimulation, and they will reward their families with a loyal bond.
If you own a German Shepherd, or you are interested in adopting one of these dogs, you may be wondering how to extend your dog’s lifespan and keep them happy. Our article gives you our top tips for helping your German Shepherd live longer.
What Is the German Shepherd’s Average Lifespan?
On average, the German Shepherd is known to live between 9 and 13 years. Of course, genetic issues, potential health problems, and proper care all play a factor in how long your dog lives.
If you provide your German Shepherd with top-notch care throughout their life, including regular veterinary visits, they have a higher chance of extending their lifespan to the upper end of this average or even longer.
Common Health Complications for German Shepherds
The majority of dogs are prone to certain health issues due to their genetics or inherited traits from their parents. German Shepherds are no different, and there are a few different health conditions that can affect these hard-working pups.
Common health problems to take note of in your German Shepherd include:
- Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) – This is a neurological disorder that affects mobility, generally impacting the spinal cord and lower back. It is a common hereditary health issue for German Shepherds.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia – This is a looseness in the joints between the hips and elbow that causes stiffness, pain, and issues with mobility.
- Gastric dilatation – Also known as bloat, this happens when the stomach expands with gas. It can be a painful and life-threatening disorder.
- Allergies – This may include food allergies or environmental and skin allergies that can range from mild symptoms like itchiness to severely uncomfortable symptoms.
- Cancer – German Shepherds, like other large dogs, are more prone to cancer, including lung, bone, and intestinal cancers.
If you are noticing concerning symptoms in your dog, you should contact an emergency vet or schedule an appointment for a checkup at your local veterinarian.
Tips to Help Your German Shepherd Live Longer
The following tips can help your German Shepherd live their happiest and healthiest life at your side for as long as possible.
Select an Honest Breeder
If you are interested in the German Shepherd breed, the chances are you will need to purchase a dog from a breeder. Purebred German Shepherds don’t end up in shelters often, though you may be able to find a purebred German Shepherd in need of a home through a dedicated rescue or rehoming organization focused on this breed. Shelters and adoption agencies may also have mixed German Shepherd dogs.
When it comes to choosing a breeder to adopt a German Shepherd puppy, you will need to make sure that the one you choose has all applicable licensing and certifications as required by your state. You should make sure that they are reputable and dedicated to the health and wellness of their puppies. Backyard breeders or suspicious breeders selling dogs through online websites are likely not putting the dog’s wellness first.
You can ask your chosen breeder to tour the space where they are working and to give you information about the dog. An ethical and reputable breeder will be able to answer all of your questions about this breed and may even require you to sign an agreement to return the dog to them should it not be a good fit for your home.
Ethical breeding is key to minimizing health issues, illnesses, and other genetic problems that may arise in your German Shepherd and impact their lifespan.
Prioritize Playtime
German Shepherds are large dogs with a high need to exercise and play in order to stay healthy. Providing your dog with regular walks — at least three lengthy ones per day — and dedicated playtime where they are able to run around in a fenced-in area or a dog park will help to keep them fit. Ensuring your dog is fit and physically stimulated can help them with their weight in addition to encouraging a longer life.
Be Mindful of Their Diet
Obesity is one of the biggest problems in dogs that is controllable and can affect your dog’s lifespan. Making sure your German Shepherd has the right diet and that their nutritional needs are being met is essential to giving them a long life. You may need to adjust your German Shepherd’s food as they age, including putting your dog on special diets according to a vet’s recommendation.
Always check the caloric content of your dog’s food and make sure that you are feeding your dog an appropriate amount each day. In general, keep human food away from your dog and feed treats sparingly to encourage a healthy weight.
Give Them Lots of Mental Stimulation
German Shepherds are a working dog, and these pups need a significant amount of mental stimulation to stay happy. You will need to train and socialize your dog from a young age, ensuring they are able to play well with others and that they know basic obedience. Without proper mental stimulation, German Shepherds can grow bored or develop behavioral issues which can impact their enjoyment of life and their overall lifespan.
Keep Up With Grooming
Make sure to groom your German Shepherd regularly. Brushing your dog a few times each week and scheduling professional grooming sessions can help remove any shed fur and keep your dog feeling their best. During at-home grooming sessions, you can also examine their skin for problems and touch your dog to see if they have any pain points, taking them to a vet if needed.
Consistent and regular grooming may help you to catch health issues before they become more serious.
Don’t Neglect Dental Care
Like with humans, dental care is an important part of the overall health of your German Shepherd. Dental disease can impact your dog’s entire body, and tooth or gum pain may prevent your dog from enjoying their life as much as possible. You should clean your dog’s teeth at least 3 times per week and go to a vet for a checkup regularly to keep their dental health in good order.
Spay or Neuter Your German Shepherd
Spaying or neutering your dog is seen as something that every pet owner should do for a number of reasons. Most importantly, spaying and neutering help to prevent unwanted puppies and can extend the lifespan of your German Shepherd. Dogs who are spayed or neutered live longer, and they tend to be healthier and happier than dogs who are not spayed or neutered.
Schedule Annual Vet Visits
Annual vet visits are essential to your dog’s health, and regularly taking your German Shepherd to the vet allows you to catch any potential health issues before they become serious.
As your dog ages, they may need to visit the vet twice a year and receive routine blood work or other lab tests to ensure that they are free from certain diseases. Preventative healthcare is one of the best ways to keep your dog living happily for a long time.
When Should I Take My German Shepherd to the Vet?
In addition to routine and annual vet visits, there are a few emergency symptoms you should look out for that indicate your dog needs to see a vet immediately. These symptoms include:
- Unexplained lethargy
- Seizures or unconsciousness
- Labored breathing
- Distended abdomen or bloating
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite
- Inability to use the bathroom
- Unexplained bleeding
- Inability to walk or move comfortably
Regularly monitoring your dog’s behavior and taking them to a vet as soon as possible if you notice concerning behavior can help to encourage a lengthy lifespan.
Caring for Your German Shepherd
Your German Shepherd will undoubtedly be your beloved canine companion, and every pet parent wants to ensure that their pup will stay with them as long as possible. Following the tips in our article can help you give your dog a long, happy life and encourage your dog to spend a long time enjoying each day at your side.
Sources:
Author Weir, Malcolm, DVM, MSc, MPH, “Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs”, VCA Hospitals, 2023, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/degenerative-myelopathy-in-dogs
Author Blaseser L., Lauren, DVM, DACVS, “Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) … or “bloat””, Ethos Veterinary Health, 2024, https://www.ethosvet.com/blog-post/german-Shepherds-and-gastric-dilatation-volvulus-gdv-or-bloat/
