4 Tips for Increasing Your German Shepherd’s Life SpanWhen you see a little puppy running around, the last thing you want to think of is your German Shepherd’s life expectancy. After all, these dogs – both young and old – are active, intelligent dogs. It’s hard to think of your German Shepherd’s life span when you look at him, but it’s an important subject to deal with. The average German Shepherd life expectancy is 10-13 years; some may live a little longer. If you want to increase your German Shepherd’s life span, there are several things you can start doing today to help your companion live longer, like: 1. Make sure that he gets plenty of exercise You probably know that exercise helps humans fight off serious things like heart disease, cancer, and premature
aging. Well, exercise has the same effect on your German Shepherd’s life expectancy! The more quality exercise you
can give your dog, the better he will be in the long run. Devote time every day to see that your German Shepherd gets a full physical and mental workout. A brisk walk, a game of fetch in the park, or a run around the track can all be the perfect high-energy workout your dog needs. In the process, you won’t just be helping each other stay healthy – you’ll also have fun! 2. Focus on obedience training early The healthiest, happiest German Shepherds are the ones who know what to do with all of their strength, intelligence, and energy. By getting your German Shepherd trained early in life, you can provide him with discipline and socialization lessons that he can take with him forever. Obedience training may not seem as important to your German Shepherd’s life span as other factors, but recent research says otherwise. In fact, a 2010 study at the Université de Sherbrooke in Canada found that more obedient dogs tend to live longer than other dogs their size. 3. Keep your German Shepherd on a healthy diet It might be tempting to share your table goodies with your best friend, but it’s not good for him. No dog can afford to be overweight, but for German Shepherds, it’s an even more serious threat. Because German Shepherds have a tendency to develop arthritis and hip and elbow dysplasia, the lighter you can keep your dog on his feet, the better. There is a simple way to see if your German Shepherd is heavier than he should be. Lightly push on his side. If you can feel his ribs, he’s at a healthy weight. When it comes to the very best German Shepherd diet, your veterinarian can help you come up with the perfect balance. Your vet may tell you to feed your German Shepherd food that is geared specifically for larger breeds. As your German Shepherd starts to get older, your vet may recommend putting him on a low-calorie diet, or one that favors certain nutrients. 4. Make sure your German Shepherd’s nails stay trim It may not seem like a major tool in your quest to increase your German Shepherd’s life expectancy, but it’s important. Overgrown nails can lead to foot and joint problems. For a dog as big and as active as the German Shepherd, any extra strain is a bad thing. Above all else, if you want to increase your German Shepherd’s life span, keep a close eye on him. These dogs love to work, and they are easy to please – so they have a tendency to “play through pain”. These dogs won’t come whining to you when there’s a problem, so it’s up to you to keep an eye out for anything that doesn’t seem quite right. Related Articles: Do German Shepherds Shed? You Bet? German Shepherd Health Problems – What They Are And What To Do About Them German Shepherd Information – 5 Things to Know About Them German Shepherd Puppy Training – 4 Reasons Why It’s So Important How to Train a German Shepherd – 4 Tips for Doing It the Right Way German Shepherd Temperament – What You Can Expect from Your New Friend
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