How many years do Caucasian shepherd dogs live and what does it depend on?
The life expectancy of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog mostly depends on the conditions of the animal. The way the owner takes care of his pet influences his character and state of health. We will consider this issue in more detail in our article.
How many years do they live?
The lifespan of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is due to many factors. This indicator is influenced, first of all, by the conditions of detention. Also very important are the diseases that the animal suffered at a young age, and hereditary pathologies.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs live on average up to 11 years. With good care and other factors, this figure could rise to 15 years.
Life span of boys and girls
The average life expectancy of "Caucasians" is from 9 to 12 years. The sex of the animal in this case does not play a significant role. However, some girls develop reproductive disorders over time, which has a negative impact on their health.
Male dogs can have problems with the genitourinary system, which also shortens the dog's lifespan.
At home
If a decision is made to keep the Caucasian Shepherd Dog at home, you need to think carefully about this venture, its advantages and disadvantages. When it is too hot in the apartment, a large animal with long hair will feel uncomfortable. In addition, he needs a fairly large area. If conditions permit, it is best to place the dog in a room with a lower temperature. You will also need active walking.
It is best to keep the Caucasian for the owners of private estates with their own territory.
The best option is to have free access to the site. In this case, the dog is able to live for quite a long time - 11-13 years.
Outside
The coat of the Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is quite dense and thick. This allows them to be kept outdoors. If you prepare an aviary in which a warm sleeping room will be installed, the animal will feel very good. However, this option is suitable for those pets that are young, strong and in good health. A sick dog requires more serious grooming., accordingly, the ingress of dirt and moisture into the home must be excluded as much as possible.
It must be borne in mind that older dogs need more gentle living conditions, they may need medical attention, as there is a risk of age-related diseases. However, the outdoor climate can be quite harsh and negatively affect life expectancy. In such conditions, Caucasians live up to 11 years on average.
On the chain
Experts recommend taking into account that keeping on a chain is not the best option for the owners of the Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. The animal is very intelligent, but such conditions generate aggression, which, combined with its impressive size, can become a problem. However, in this case, the dog becomes defenseless, and the protection of the territory is impossible.
Such content has a negative impact on the quality of life. Accordingly, its duration is reduced. Moreover, it is decreasing significantly, on average, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, constantly on a chain, can last only up to 7 years.
How to determine age?
Determining the approximate age of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is not so difficult. To do this, you need to evaluate her teeth, eyes and coat color. Let's consider this moment in more detail.
At the age of 2.5 years, the Caucasian teeth turn yellow a little, and the middle incisors at the bottom begin to wear out. By the age of 3, the upper hooks are erased, and at the age of 4, the middle incisors on the upper jaw. At the age of 5, the canines become dull, at the age of 6, the formation of tartar accelerates, the teeth themselves turn yellow more actively. Teeth may fall out in old age.
As for the coat, it coarsens and shines less over time. Gray hair appears, starting from the muzzle, at the age of 6-7 years, gradually becoming more extensive. A seven-year-old dog has visually deeper-set eyes that can clouder a little. The pupils dilate slightly.
With the manifestation of such changes, you should begin to observe the pet more closely, take care of the most suitable diet. In some cases, it is necessary to provide gentle conditions of detention.
The main causes of premature death
Among the main causes of premature death are factors such as heredity, past diseases, trauma. Hereditary pathologies can significantly reduce the life span of a pet. As for infections, they have a detrimental effect on the body, even if they were transferred at an early age. For example, hepatitis is fairly easily tolerated by a dog in youth, however, in old age, the affected liver will make itself felt.
Chronic illnesses are also dangerous. Moreover, at a young age, they proceed much easier. It is more difficult for the body of an elderly animal to cope with an aggravated ailment. Accidents most often occur due to the fault or oversight of the dog's owners. For example, a Caucasian may run out of the territory of the site and be hit by a car or poison himself with stale food. There is only one solution to the problem - to monitor your pet more carefully and prevent it from entering potentially dangerous places.
How to prolong existence?
Extending the life of a dog is entirely up to the owner. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog needs a properly selected diet, timely vaccination, and an active lifestyle.Parenting and training should not be forgotten, this can significantly reduce the number of problems associated with a dog in adolescence and adulthood.
Breeding issues should not be ignored either. If it is not planned, you should not allow the animal to mate. Also, you should not breed bitches too often, as pregnancy and childbirth deplete the dog's body. Boys, on the other hand, do not need this process because after the first mating he will feel uncomfortable during girls' estrus, he can run away from home and break off the chain.
It is required to visit a veterinary clinic regularly when a Caucasian reaches the age of 6 years. This will help prevent the development of serious diseases, recognize pathologies in time and monitor the general health of the animal.
Proper nutrition
A properly selected diet has a significant effect on the life of a dog. Dogs are quite large, so nutrition affects the condition of their bones and muscles, problems with which lead to arthritis and arthrosis with age.
Designed for the Caucasian Shepherd special food for large dogs. You can cook food yourself. From meat products, lungs, udder and kidneys should be abandoned. Porridge in water or low-fat broth has an excellent effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Besides, the dog will need greens, vegetables and dairy products.
If allergies occur, dietary foods should be preferred.
Quality maintenance and care
Experts strongly advise against keeping Caucasians in chains. They will be most comfortable in the aviary or on the territory of a private plot. It is necessary to take care of the booth, which will save both from the cold and from the sweltering heat. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog needs to be combed out twice a week.. During molting, the procedure must be carried out daily.
Animals that take part in exhibitions will need grooming.
Dogs of this breed should be washed 2-3 times a year. It is best to use special detergents. The animal needs to brush its teeth twice a month. The eyes and ears are rubbed as needed. You will also need to trim the nails if the dog does not rub them on hard surfaces.
More information about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is waiting for you in the video below.