How long do shepherd dogs live and what does it depend on?

Sheepdog is the most popular and varied breed of dog. All of its types are united by common and invariable qualities: loyalty, devotion to the owner, good nature and learning. Whichever variety you choose, you will find a reliable friend, protector and companion for the next 10-12 years, and possibly more. The whole variety of species of this breed is rooted in the distant past. The ancestors of shepherd dogs were dogs who helped shepherds drive herds of livestock. These are freedom-loving animals, but their affection for the owner is striking.

When a dog appears in the house, this is certainly a reason for joy. Pleasant chores of caring for the puppy, fun games and the energy emanating from the dog give the owner positive emotions. And the thought that the life span of a shepherd is much less than ours does not come.

Shepherd dogs differ from each other not only in appearance, height, weight and shade of coat, but also have different life spans.

• German. Germany is considered its homeland, but it is spread throughout the world. Representatives of this breed are quite large - 60 cm at the withers and weighing up to 50 kg. The coat color can be black-red, white, black. Lives about 13 years.

• Eastern European. Service breed created in the USSR. Calm and hardy dog, its height is from 62 to 75 cm, and its weight is 30-50 kg. The color of the coat is varied, reminiscent of a German shepherd. The life span is 12-14 years.

• Caucasian. Large breed of dog bred in the Caucasus Mountains. Their weight reaches 100 kg with a height of about 80 cm. The color of the coat is very different: cream, white, gray, brown.Life expectancy is 11 years.

• Central Asian. This shepherd dog is from the genus of the oldest dogs of the nomadic peoples of Asia. It is slightly smaller in size, and does not differ much in color from its Caucasian relatives. With good care and favorable conditions, it can live up to 15 years.

• Scottish. The dog, better known as the collie, weighs only 25 kg and is approximately 60 cm tall. Its gorgeous long coat in a red, sable or tan shade requires careful grooming. The Scottish Shepherd can live for 17 years.

• Greek. Sheepdog is native to the mountainous regions of Greece. A strong and muscular dog of medium size. Its weight can reach 50 kg, and its height is a little more than 50 cm. The coat is white, black and gray. The average life expectancy is 12-14 years.

• Swiss. Quite a young breed. The dog is small: with a height of 60 cm, it weighs about 30 kg. A distinctive feature of this shepherd dog is the white coat color. She lives from 10 to 12 years.

• Catalan. Her homeland is the Pyrenees Mountains. These shepherd dogs are independent and independent, like real Spaniards. They have a peculiar appearance, and their long and dense coat of light shades requires careful maintenance. The size of the dogs is less than average: the weight of an adult is 18 kg, and the height is 40 cm. They can live 11-14 years.

All varieties of shepherd dogs are freedom-loving animals that need constant physical exertion. They just need a long daily walk. They are certainly beautiful and loyal dogs. But, first of all, you need to remember that these are reliable guards capable of protecting the owner and their territory. And the lifespan of an animal is directly related to the habitat created by the owner.

Shepherd dogs have a thick coat with a dense undercoat, so they feel quite comfortable outside at any time of the year. But this is not a reason to leave your dog to sleep right in the snow. In order for a pet to live a long full life and delight its owner, you need to take care of its place of residence.

Shepherd dogs live in outdoor conditions for at least 12 years.

An ideal solution would be a fenced-in aviary with a solid wooden booth. The place for the enclosure must be chosen so that in cold weather the dog can find a sunny place for itself, and in hot weather it can hide in the shade. For German, East European and other small shepherd breeds, a fenced area of ​​10 sq. m. Representatives of large breeds - Caucasian and Central Asian, will need more space - up to 20 square meters. m.

Booth boards should be smoothly trimmed so that the dog does not accidentally injure himself. The size of the dog's dwelling must match the size of the dog. The size of the booth is considered optimal when the dog enters it without difficulty, turns around and assumes a comfortable posture. Extra space can lead to hypothermia of the animal.

The booth and aviary must be regularly cleaned and disinfected. It is very good if the shepherd is accustomed to pee outside of it. An outdoor dog should be checked daily for insect bites, ticks, splinters and minor injuries.

With frequent walking, the shepherd's claws grind off on their own and do not cause discomfort to the animal. If physical activity is not enough, it provokes excessive growth, which can lead to injuries to the paws. In this case, claws should be cut with special veterinary forceps.

A dog living in an aviary molts in the spring and fall.The owner's task is to comb out and remove shedding in time, avoiding the formation of hairballs. You can bathe your pet as it gets dirty, but try to do it infrequently, and only in the warm season. The animal's undercoat creates an air gap that maintains optimal body temperature, both in cold and hot weather.

If it is not possible to keep the dog on the street, it does not matter. A representative of any breed of shepherd dog is able to adapt to life in an apartment. The place of residence of the animal will not prevent it from setting a record for longevity - 15 or 16 years.

When planning the purchase of a puppy, you need to take into account that the dog needs a certain personal space. Daily walks outside in any weather, twice a day and lasting at least an hour should not scare you. You must be prepared for the fact that during the shedding the wool will need to be cleaned several times a day in all corners of the apartment.

Once in the apartment, the shepherd puppy must go through a period of adaptation: learn all new subjects, get to know family members. For his own safety, you should restrict access to wires, shoes, clothes, children's toys.

A permanent place for sleeping and resting a shepherd should be away from heating appliances and drafts. These factors can have a negative impact on the pet's health, and, therefore, on its life expectancy.

Many circumstances affect the life of a shepherd dog. Each of these factors can significantly shorten the animal's eyelid. In order for a dog belonging to a variety of shepherd breeds to live the maximum period, you need to pay special attention to:

• health and physical development;
• quality of food;
• accommodations;
• heredity;
• mental state of the dog.

The lifespan of a shepherd can depend on its gender. It has been noticed that females live on average 2 years longer than males. The size of the animal also plays an important role.

Correct and rational nutrition of a pet has a positive effect on longevity. Be sure to alternate dry and liquid food and not deprive the dog of meat. To maintain vigorous activity, the protein part of the diet should be 70% of the shepherd's feed.

Congenital abnormalities and diseases that can affect life expectancy:

• too small stature and disproportionate body;
• deformation of the bones of the skull (long or short muzzle, narrow forehead);
• sexual dysfunction, cryptorchidism;
• indistinct pigmentation of the coat or iris of the eyes.

However, it also happens that the owner is to blame for the premature death of the animal. Due to their ignorance or inexperience, and sometimes deliberately, the owner can put the life and health of the dog at risk. Keeping a shepherd dog in a close, hot room, lack of physical and mental stress, frequent mating for commercial purposes leave their negative mark.

For a long and high-quality life, a shepherd dog does not need so much. Keeping your dog physically fit will be the key to its health and, therefore, longevity. Games and walks outside the city, in a park area or on special training grounds will help the animal stay mobile and cheerful.

A balanced and healthy diet is another factor that will prolong the life of your shepherd.... Being overweight is enemy number one.When it appears, almost the entire body suffers: joints, spine, cardiovascular system. When a dog reaches a mature age, its menu is necessarily revised and corrected.

Regular brushing and bathing of your pet is not only essential hygiene. During these tests, the animal is examined for wounds or tumors.

It is necessary to visit the veterinary clinic for a full examination and routine vaccination of the dog annually or at the first signs of the disease. Such signs are dry nose, darkened or dry mucous membranes.

It has been noticed that spaying a dog can extend its life by several years. In the absence of sexual desire, the animal is less likely to develop oncology of the genital area. The operation is performed on individuals who have reached 5 years of age, and exclusively by a specialist.

In order for a shepherd dog to live a long and happy life, delighting the owner, you need to sincerely love your dog. She intuitively feels it. And the fulfillment of all the rules for the care and maintenance will guarantee the good health of the pet.

You can learn how to care for a German Shepherd by watching the video below.