Hey are there any German Shepherd lovers out there?

Question

Hi All,
I am the owner of a beautiful german shepherd named Maya. She is 8 years old and very smart and affectionate. As she is getting older I am starting to worry about her health. She is perfectly healthy but she is getting up there is age. I read that the average life span is 10 years, does anyone have any older shepherds. She luckily has a straight back and won't have to worry about hip displaysia. Also I have noticed that she hates barking, she acts like it is unpleasant, and only barks when someone knocks on the door. Is this unusual. I am new at owning a dog as she is my husbands dog and I have known her only 3 years. So any info you guys can give me about german shepherds would be fantastic. Have a great day!

Answer 1

i have a male German Shepherd that has three legs, he was brought to the vet clinic by some state road works one day, they found him laying by the road where they was working, he had a badly broken leg (hind) Wekeeped him there for a few days trying to find his owner, we had no success. the vet i work for called me and told me that when he got back to the office that he was going to put him down, because he was suffering and we could not wait any longer for treatment, so when i got off the phone i went back to his cage to give him his last meal and to tell him i was sorry, he started licking me in the face as to say dont be sad it was then i looked him in his eyes and saw my best friend and i told my boss that i would take him and pay for all his medical treatments, Ive had him know for 6 years and he loves and is very protective of me and my two children, he has been the best good that i have ever had and probably ever will, his estimated age is about 10-11 years old now and just had blood work done and his check up and the vet said he was healthy as any young dog and at this rate he will have some more good years left, iam thankful for the day he came into our family. and would not triad him for love or money. sorry i dont have alot of info for you just wanted you to know what a fantastic breed i think they are and will always be a great fan of German shepherds

Answer 2

Besides working with German Shepherds professionally, I think they make great pets. I know some books state their average lifespan is 10 years, but the majority, and professionally I concur, average 12-15 years. Keep in mind, the larger the dog, the less the life span (this has to do partially with the amount of stress placed on the heart in relation to the dogs size). (Just a tidbit about this breed; there are generally to bloodlines of the German Shepherd, American and German descent. The German bred dogs are usually more dominent and the look slightly different, having a stockier body and muzzle. The American bloodline generally have a slimmer build and a slimmer muzzle.)

Generally you see two types of behavioral problems with German Shepherds: dominant aggression and/or fear aggression. The contributing factors to those baviorial problems include genetics, training (lack thereof and/or method), living conditions, and/or overall health. Shepherds are generally a dominant breed and usually dont make the best FIRST pet for a first time pet owner.

You didn't describe in detail what you mean by her "hating" to bark, and to be honest, I cant figure out what that might mean exactly. But as a Licensed Veterinary Technician my first thought is that there might be some sort of trachael (AKA "windpipe") and/or esophageal (AKA "food chute") problem. If this persists or is accompanied by you noticing "Maya" having difficulty breathing (I.e. weezing, coughing, reversed sneezing) it would be best to seek Veterinary attention.

I wanted to mention something about hip dysplasia... You made a reference to her having a straight back, again, I'm not sure what you are inferring about, but...hip dysplasia has nothing to do with her back. Hip dysplasia, in mild cases, most of the time, can only viewed on radiograph (x-ray) films. In moderate to severe cases, can be viewed by observing the dogs natural gait (walk/run), a description from you how the dog reacts when sitting, lying down, getting up from either of those previous positions, jumping onto furniture etc..., palpating the hips (physically examining the hips), and radiographs. Genetics, breed, and size of dog are some of more common factors to predispose a dog to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia involves the narrowing of the hip socket(s) which can cause subluxation (out of its socket). This is painful and a grinding sound or upon palpation, a grinding sensation can be felt. Since you have a German Shepherd (which this is a predispositioned breed and is a large breed dog), "Maya" has a larger possability of developing hip dysplasia (some Veterinarians make radiographs part of the yearly exam regiment with this breed after they reach a certain age). A good idea would be to have your dog on a Glucosamine/MSM nutraceutical (vitamen) supplement. You can give "Maya" the human version; the average supplement (regular strength) is 1200mg glucosamine, give "Maya" one full caplet for seven to ten days, then afterward give her one half a caplet once daily (absorption is best if the supplement is given to "Maya" after she eats).

Keep in mind that "Maya" being eight years old means that she is pretty much set in her ways, however, this doesnt mean that she's impossible to train, it simply means that the training methods will require more patience from you. Change will be viewed when your using positive training methods, repeat command/positive reinforcement of the command, and consistency.

Answer 3

Each dog has it's time. I own a gorgeous shepherd, and I believe keeping active is good, and so is food quality. I have met shepherd's who have lived up to 16 years. It all depends, how are her hips, because that is one really big problem for dogs. Anyways my girl doesn't bark either. I have only heard her about three times.

Answer 4

I had a German Shepard (mix). We got her from the pound. He only barked when people rang the doorbell. She was such a great dog. She was 13 when she had to be put to sleep. She had hip and bowel problems. All I can say is just try to keep her active and feed her the proper foods. Good luck!

Answer 5

Avarge lifespan is 10- 14 yrs

Answer 6

Well good luck on your dog. but the average life span, you might want to ask your vet. Good Luck