What will happen to GSD when it gets old?

What is the life expectancy of a German Shepherd and what can I do so that my German Shepherd lives longer?

Life expectancy of the German Shepherd

Table of Contents

The German Shepherd Dog lives approximately 10-13 years, although there are of course specimens that live significantly shorter or even longer.

The different life expectancy within the same breed has thereby different reasons, like for example attitude conditions, nutrition, health condition, medical precaution or exercise.

Also, responsible breeding can do much to prolong lifespan by not continuing to breed with sick animals or hereditarily predisposed dogs.

Selection is, therefore, an important factor and makes it clear how important serious and controlled breeding is in the continuous improvement of the German Shepherd Dog breed.

Some hobby breedings or mass puppy productions at the multiplier, on the other hand, are often not subject to any controls and, unfortunately, more often susceptible or already sick dogs are born, which can get problems later.

What will happen to my dog when it gets old?

The life expectancy of the German Shepherd is about 9-13 years. In the last few years, the dog becomes noticeably calmer.

The aging dog shows various signs that it is slowly getting on in years.

Of course, not all signs of aging occur together, but the process is gradual and often begins with reduced performance. The dog gets tired more quickly, perhaps no longer retrieves the ball with full enthusiasm, or is very exhausted after long walks.

It also sleeps more than usual and is less active. Allow the German Shepherd these rest periods.

Other indications for seniors are a deteriorated sight and possibly the quadruped does not hear so well anymore. Sometimes old dogs are also less patient with other pets or children, have a harder time adapting to new situations, or are more easily startled by their limited hearing and vision.

This is compounded by a slowly growing gray coat, which can also often appear dull, lackluster,r, and shaggy. German Shepherds in particular are also prone to stiff joints, becoming lam,e, or having other musculoskeletal disorders as they age.

While some dogs tend to eat less and lose weight as a result, others become real fatties because they no longer exercise enough but still have a large appetite.

In rare cases, some dogs also become incontinent and can't hold in as long as they used to. More frequent, but smaller, walks can help, as can a special place to loosen up in the yard or dog diapers from a specialty store.

Cancer and other illnesses with the old dog

Not only in the German Shepherd, cancer often shortens the life span.

Unfortunately, the German Shepherd belongs to the dog breeds that are particularly predestined to get cancer in old age. Female dogs have a higher risk of developing the disease than male dogs.

One of the reasons for this is that bitches often suffer from mammary tumors in old age. Especially if they have not been spayed early (before or after the first heat).

Other common cancers that can significantly reduce life expectancy are lymph gland and skin cancers. These are found equally often in males and females.

In addition, many German Shepherds suffer from joint diseases as they age, such as osteoarthritis or the dreaded hip dysplasia. Eye diseases such as cataracts or inflammation due to less tear fluid are also conceivable. Skin diseases or various organ disorders also sometimes occur.

How can I give the German Shepherd a nice retirement?

Not only in the senior age you should pay special attention to the health of the dog, but right from the beginning. This already starts with the selection of the shepherd dog at the breeder.

So it is better to leave puppies out of the trunk and look for a good kennel that can give you exact information about the parents of the puppy and their health conditions.

You can already influence the life expectancy of your German Shepherd when choosing a puppy. A puppy from a reputable breeder usually has a higher life expectancy!

Because if hereditary diseases occur rarely or not at all in a breeding line, the chance of a healthy puppy is significantly higher. With the young dog, you should also pay attention to good development at home, with sufficient exercise and a balanced diet. To prevent later joint diseases, it is recommended not to let the German Shepherd climb stairs for as long as possible and also to prevent jumps (e.g. into the car, on the sofa) as far as possible.

Of course, activity, exercise, and nutrition are also important in old age but should be adapted to the needs of the aging dog.

Walks may be quite a little shorter, but should still take place regularly and several times a day. Feeding depends on the dog. If he eats less than before, but still moves enough, especially high-quality food should be offered.

If the shepherd dog is no longer so active but continues to eat with an appetite, a calorie-reduced diet makes sense.

Other requirements for a healthy senior dog:

Today, veterinary medicine offers many more ways to prevent and cure disease than was the case just a few years ago. Early detected during preventive examinations, not only disease es, but also signs of aging can be treated and delayed.

Therefore don't go to the vet only when you notice something conspicuous, but take for example vaccination dates as an opportunity to have a general health check done. Don't forget the teeth, because tartar can not only be painful, make eating difficult and cause discomfort, but can also be responsible for heart disease, liver, and kidney damage.

A castration of the German Shepherd is also worth considering, as on average castrated dogs live 1-2 years longer and bitches even have a significantly reduced risk of mammary tumors as a result.

Sheepdogs that live integrated into the family have a longer life span than kennel dogs.

Provide a loving and safe home with the family connection. This is because the German Shepherd needs his pack and does not like to live alone outside or in a kennel. Especially older dogs have a weakened immune system and can get sick faster in cold and wet weather conditions. Better is a firm and quiet place in the house with a warm basket, which of course should be washed or replaced regularly. Also with drinking and food bowl hygiene is to be paid attention to, so that germs cannot spread. With the old dog, you should also put increased emphasis on safety in the house. Stairs, for example, are true poison for the joints and a safety gate can prevent the dog from changing floors several times a day. If you have glass doors in the house, it can also be helpful to mark them with stickers.

In addition to getting enough exercise, the German Shepherd should still be challenged mentally. Even older or old dogs can learn new tricks and get excited about small, low-stress games.

Ideally, the German Shepherd should be transported in a large aluminum box in the car.

Pay attention to safety in road traffic and when traveling!

Only let the German Shepherd off the leash in safe areas and strap him in the car or transport him in a secured trunk.

The life expectancy compared to other dog breeds.

The Sheepdog has a moderate to slightly increased life expectancy when compared to other breeds.

Although it is quite large and heavy, it reaches a lifespan of up to 13 years, sometimes more.

However, the highest age usually succumbed to the smaller and light breeds, such as terriers, Maltese, or Chihuahua.

The huge and particularly strong specimens, on the other hand, often have the lowest number of years of life.

Why does the German Shepherd have this life expectancy?

The expected lifespan of the German Shepherd is 10-13 years, which is quite a wide range. Why is it that some specimens just crack the 10-year mark and others live to be 13 years and older?

As already mentioned, one criterion is breeder selection. Healthy parents with good genes is an important basis for a long dog life, which is often underestimated.

Nevertheless, in the dog world, it is, unfortunately, the case that larger and heavier breeds are generally not as long-lived as the smaller dog breeds. Size must always be considered in relation to weight. Large, slender and very active breeds nevertheless have an above-average life expectancy. Whereas very strong, large, and heavy dogs, such as Rottweiler, Bernese Mountain Dog or St. Bernard often do not manage a decade.

Surprisingly maybe for many that straight, the smallest in the dog realm becomes 15 years or older. This is probably also connected with the fact that they are faster full-grown and sexually mature. Large dogs need however up to 2 years so that their movement apparatus strengthens and matures, and also the sexual maturity lets up to 18 months wait for itself. The rapid growth in the first year of life therefore holds many dangers and can hurt life expectancy.

Not to be neglected, of course, are the individual husbandry conditions, which can have a positive, but also a negative effect on the life span of the sheepdog.

Influence the life expectancy of the dog positively - a checklist

Buy only from a serious breeder and look for club affiliation.
The parents should have been tested and passed a breeding approval test. This minimizes the risk of hereditary diseases.
Check that the puppy appears healthy and that it has had initial worming and vaccinations before delivery.
Complete your dog's basic immunization and be diligent about attending the booster appointments.
Go at the first signs of illness promptly to the vet, so that aches and pains are quickly remedied and do not develop into full-blown problems,
Groom your dog. Not only the fur but also pay attention to healthy eyes, ears, paws, claws, and of course the mouth.
Have calculus removed promptly, as it can often develop into secondary diseases?
Train your German Shepherd to listen to commands, to be retrievable and socially acceptable. In this way, many dangerous situations in everyday life can be avoided.
Make your home dog-safe, defuse sources of danger and dispose of toxic substances and plants.
Ensure safe transportation and always strap the dog in or put him in a carrier.
Take senior consultation hours at the veterinarian and let the four-legged friend also at routine appointments (vaccinations and Co.) briefly checked.
Provide for sufficient Exercise and mental occupation. A physically and mentally fit dog has a nicer and healthier life!
Provide family companionship and do not keep the German Shepherd isolated in a kennel.
Fed the dog to a healthy and balanced diet.
Clean toys, sleeping areas, bowls, and other accessories daily or regularly.
Make sure the German Shepherd is free of parasites and remove them immediately if discovered.

Saying goodbye-My sheepdog dies and goes over the Rainbow Bridge

My sheepdog dies and goes over the rainbow bridge

A day that probably every dog owner dreads: The beloved four-legged friend starts his last journey over the Rainbow Bridge.

For some, this moment comes completely unexpected, while others can prepare for this moment for a long time, for example, if the shepherd dog is already very ill.

Of course, it is not nice to deal with the issue of the death of the dog.

However, those who know how to deal with the situation in an emergency and what options they have after the demise of the four-legged friend, are prepared and do not have to rack their brains in this difficult emotional situation and can make clearer decisions.

When should I consider euthanizing my German Shepherd?

Never should euthanasia be considered because living with a four-legged friend becomes a personal burden or it is inconvenient and time-consuming to care for the dog.

Yes, it takes effort and works to care for an old or sick animal and the sheepdog will require increased attention and care from us. But such reasons for euthanizing are more than selfish and hardly any veterinarian will agree to do so.

However, there is also the reverse case, when it is time for the four-legged friend to go, but the master or mistress can not let him go. In order not to lose the beloved dog, pain or suffering is overlooked for selfish reasons. The animal agonizes and its owner only delays the inevitable.

As dog owners, however, we took responsibility for our charge many years ago and should always make decisions for the good of the animal and put our fears, demands and, worries behind.

The following factors may help you make a decision:

The age and general health of the sheepdog.
Is the dog seriously ill?
Has there been a major change in his temperament and behavior? For example, is he becoming more and more withdrawn?
How would you assess the quality of life and zest for life of the German Shepherd? Does he still like to be part of the party?
Can the dog still eat and move independently?
Is the dog in a lot of pain or suffering?
If in doubt, ask a veterinarian for advice. He will of course also examine the dog in detail and can thus deliver an assessment.

If the parting from the shepherd dog is too difficult

The shepherd dog with the veterinary surgeon to euthanize is certainly no simple task.

Not everyone can accompany his dog to the very end. Many simply do not find the strength to do so. Especially if the farewell is to take place in a cold, impersonal,l, and sterile veterinary practice.

If you find it emotionally too difficult to witness the last moments of your dog, don't be ashamed. Maybe ask someone else to stay with your dog until he falls asleep.

Someone who knows the dog well and can do the favor for you. However, you can only stay with your dog until he has received the sedative injection. This will make him relax and fall asleep.

Before he gets the overdosed and deadly anesthetic injection, you can leave the room and come back when it is over.

However, please do not leave your dog completely alone with the vet during this sad appointment. If you can't find someone to accompany him over the Rainbow Bridge in your place, please stay with him. Even if it is very difficult.

There is nothing worse for a dog than to be alone at this moment and to be abandoned by his beloved people. This is also confirmed by many veterinarians. The dogs are excited, anxious, maybe even panic. Whereas there is much more calmness and relaxation when the two-legged friend is by the dog's side until the end. This gives him security. Try to talk calmly with your sheepdog, to stroke him, and just be there.

Euthanizing a shepherd at home?

However, you also have the option to ask the vet for a home visit, so that the sheepdog can be euthanized there. Many people find it easier to say goodbye this way, feelings are more likely to be allowed and this also often means far less stress for the dog.

He does not have to be driven into the practice, sit there possibly in the full waiting room, and lie afterward on the cold examination table. At home, in his territory, the dog feels comfortable and safe, especially if his family is there to support him.

Try to be as confident as possible to give your four-legged friend security, even if it is difficult. You can and should pet the dog and talk to him when the time is right. And yes, you may of course throw your sovereignty overboard and cry without restraint, if you feel like it and the situation takes you too much. This is only too understandable.

Tips for euthanasia in the veterinary practice

Discuss in advance with the veterinarian exactly what will happen at euthanasia so you can prepare.
make an appointment outside office hours so you don't have to wait in the hustle and bustle of the waiting room for the bad moment. It is best if you take the day off.
so that you can leave the practice quickly after the procedure, you should ask for a bill for the Anastasia or pay in advance.
ask someone to accompany you to the veterinary practice if you do not feel up to it alone.
take a blanket or bed sheet with you to take the dog home in later you wish to do so.
quietly ask the vet for some time to say goodbye. They will usually give you plenty of time before and after the procedure to say goodbye and grieve. Often veterinary offices provide a separate room for such sad appointments.

How can children say goodbye to a German shepherd?

Losing a beloved pet and friend often hits children and teens especially hard. Sometimes this farewell is even the first encounter with the topic of death ever. Depending on the age, you should have a child-friendly conversation with your offspring and give honest answers to all questions.

Avoid white lies such as "The dog is going on a trip" or "He ran away". This will only lead to months of waiting by the window for your furry friend to return.

Even the phrase "The dog has gone to sleep forever" can have a negative effect, and the child may become afraid to go to sleep in the evening himself, because he believes he will not wake up.

The grief is especially great in children when the dog dies

The following can help children get over the loss of their four-legged friend and say goodbye:

If the dog was sick, tell them that he is now out of pain and in a better and bmore beautiful place. If you are religious, you can say that he is in heaven.
It can help children to see that you are also sad and miss the dog. Never say something like, "It was just a dog." This can hurt children's feelings very much.
Say goodbye together. For example, light a candle or put up a picture of the sheepdog together. You can also have the children draw a picture or write a letter. They could put both in the grave at the funeral, for example.
Some children may express a desire to be present at the euthanasia. You should be able to assess whether your offspring can cope with this emotionally. In fact, it may well help them to understand the death and that the dog is not coming back. Alternatively, children can say goodbye to the dead four-legged friend at home and see and pet it one last time.
The children may be present at the funeral and play an active role in shaping it. Make grave decorations, such as a wreath, or pick flowers together. Inscribe a large stone or paint the blanket in which the sheepdog will later be wrapped and buried.

What happens to the sheepdog after it has died?

There are several possibilities for how to proceed after the death of the sheepdog. If you think about it early and inform yourself, you can make a suitable and, of course, very individual decision on how to say goodbye to the dog.

Funds, personal taste and individual requirements play a decisive role.

veterinary practice and animal disposal.

Who leaves the shepherd dog after euthanasia in the practice, hands over the responsibility for the disposal of the dead dog into the hands of the veterinary surgeon or the animal body disposal. The latter picks up the dog there along with other deceased pets and then cremates the carcasses for disease control reasons. Sometimes, however, the animals are processed into other products, such as soft soap or animal meal.
Some veterinarians also offer to cremate the deceased sheepdog on your behalf and hand over the ashes afterward.

pet cemeteries

If you are considering this option, you can either contact the staff of the pet cemetery directly or visit a pet mortician nearby who will do the work for you and take care of important procedures for you.

You have the choice between a classic burial or an urn grave. In addition, you have many design options for the gravesite with different stones, lights, jewelry and accessories.

simple burial in the animal cemetery forest.

A simple, but beautiful way to memorialize and give a final resting place to your sheepdog is in the pet cemetery forest. Visitors to the forest can enjoy nature and take a walk there while being close to and "visiting" their four-legged friend.

Individually numbered plaques on the tree trunk reveal where an animal is buried. Only you know the number of your shepherd dog and thus know where exactly he was buried.

The pet cemetery has the advantage that no gravesite needs regular maintenance. In the pet cemetery, for example, the graves need to be cleaned and flowers regularly replanted. Of course, you can also hire someone from the cemetery staff to do this, but this again costs money. In the forest, on the other hand, everything remains natural. You can put down some flowers if you like, but otherwise, you don't have to do anything for maintenance.

Bury the sheepdog in the pet cemetery.

burial in your own garden.

Bury my sheepdog in my own garden. What do I need to pay attention to?

If you want your deceased pet to be close by, you can also have a burial in your own garden.

Here, too, you can design the burial place of the sheepdog according to your own wishes and ideas.

However, there are some important requirements to fulfill so that the four-legged friend can find his final resting place on your property.

These are different depending on the federal state. So inform yourself at the responsible authority in time, so that there are no problems afterward. Often the following conditions apply:

The garden must be private property.
If the shepherd dog died of a notifiable disease, it may not be buried.
If the private property is located in a drinking water area, burial must also be refrained from.
The grave must be deep enough to cover the dog with at least 50 cm of soil.
Inquire about minimum distances from neighboring properties and public ways.
Wrap the shepherd dog in material that can easily rot.

an urn for home?

This is also possible. You can have the German Shepherd cremated and then take its ashes home. What you do with the remains there is your personal decision.

Perhaps you would like to scatter the ashes in a flower bed or in a special place? You can also store them discreetly in your house or apartment. There are now many urns that are not recognizable as such at first glance and allow discreet storage: Small treasure chests, fillable picture frames, urns in the shape of a star, animal figurines, etc.

From death comes new life again: The sheepdog becomes a tree.

With the bio urn, the ashes are buried together with tree seeds in a compostable urn.

This is made possible by a very special biodegradable urn from the company urnabios.

In addition to the dog's ashes, this also contains a tree seed. This is initially stored in a separate capsule, which is opened before burial and mixed with some soil of the intended gravesite.

This causes the seed to germinate and its roots eventually penetrate the lower part of the urn (which contains the ashes) and use it as a nutrient for further growth. You have the choice of which tree to grow from your sheepdog and can enjoy this very special keepsake for many years to come.