Sheepdog - the most popular and diverse breed of dogs. All its species combine common and unchanging 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 perhaps more. All the diversity of species of this breed is rooted in the distant past. The ancestors of the sheepdogs were dogs that helped the shepherds to drive herds of livestock. These are freedom-loving animals, but their attachment to the owner is amazing.
When a dog appears in the house - this is certainly a reason for joy. Pleasant cares for the puppy care, fun games and the energy emanating from the dog give the owner positive emotions. And the thought that the life expectancy of a shepherd is much less than ours, do not attend.
Variety of breeds
Sheepdogs differ from each other not only in appearance, height, weight and shade of wool, but also have a different lifespan.
- German. Germany is considered its homeland, but it is spread all over the world. Representatives of this breed are rather large - 60 cm at the withers and weighing up to 50 kg. 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 growth - from 62 to 75 cm, and weight - 30-50 kg. The color of wool is diverse, reminiscent of a German Shepherd. Term life - 12-14 years.
- Caucasian. Large breed of dogs, bred in the Caucasus Mountains. Their weight reaches 100 kg with an increase of about 80 cm. The color of wool is very different: cream, white, gray, brown. Lifespan - 11 years.
- Central Asian. This shepherd is from the kind of ancient dogs of the nomadic peoples of Asia. It is slightly smaller in size, and the color is not very different from its Caucasian relatives. With good care and favorable conditions can live up to 15 years.
- Scottish A dog, better known as a collie, weighs only 25 kg and is about 60 cm tall. Scottish Sheepdog is able to live for 17 years.
- Greek Shepherd is a native of the highlands of Greece. Strong and muscular dog of medium size. Its weight can reach 50 kg, and growth - a little more than 50 cm. The coat is white, black and gray. The average life expectancy is 12-14 years.
- Swiss Pretty young breed. The dog is small in size: with a height of 60 cm, it weighs about 30 kg. A distinctive feature of this shepherd is a white coat color. She lives from 10 to 12 years.
- Catalan. Her homeland - the Pyrenees Mountains. These shepherds are independent and independent, like real Spaniards. They have a peculiar appearance, and their long and dense wool of light shades requires careful maintenance. The size of the dogs is less than the average: the weight of an adult individual is 18 kg, and the height is 40 cm. It can live 11-14 years.
Sheepdogs life expectancy on the street
All varieties of shepherd dogs are animals who love freedom, needing constant physical exertion. They just need a long daily walk. This is definitely a beautiful and faithful dog. But, first of all, you need to remember that they are reliable guards who can protect the owner and their territory.And the life of the animal is directly related to the habitat created by the owner.
Sheepdogs 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 the dog to sleep right in the snow. To pet lived a long full life and pleased its owner, you need to take care of his place of residence.
In terms of street content shepherd live at least 12 years.
And with caring care, the absence of hereditary diseases and the observance of all the rules of education, the life of your pet will last noticeably.
Dog home improvement
The ideal solution would be an enclosed aviary with a solid wooden booth. It is necessary to choose a place for the enclosure so that in cold weather the dog can find a sunny place for itself, and in the heat - hide in the shade. For German, Eastern European and other small breeds of shepherd dogs, an enclosed area of 10 square meters will be sufficient. m. Representatives of large breeds - Caucasian and Central Asian, will need more space - up to 20 square meters. m
Boards for the booth should be smoothly ogrugany that the dog does not accidentally hurt. The size of the dog's home should correspond to the dimensions of the dog. The size of the booth is considered optimal when the dog enters it easily, turns around and takes a comfortable position. Excessive space may lead to overcooling of the animal.
Above the booth, at a height of three meters, you can build a canopy. In the summer, it will protect it from direct sunlight, and in rain or snow the dog will remain warm and dry.
Features of the content on the street
The booth and the aviary should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. It is very good, if the shepherd is accustomed to relieve the need beyond its limits. A dog living on the street should be checked daily for the presence of insect bites, ticks, splinters and minor injuries.
With frequent walking, the shepherd's claws grind on their own and do not cause discomfort to the animal. If physical exertion is not enough, it provokes their excessive growth, which can lead to injuries of the paws. In this case, you should cut the claws with special veterinary forceps.
A dog living in an aviary sheds in the spring and autumn. The task of the owner is to comb and moult in time, avoiding the formation of hairballs. It is possible to bathe a pet as it is polluted, but try to do it infrequently, and only in the warm season. The undercoat of the animal creates an air layer that maintains optimal body temperature, both in cold and in heat.
How many years live at home?
If you can not keep a dog on the street, it does not matter. The representative of any species of sheepdog breed is able to adapt to life in the apartment. Place of residence of the animal does not prevent him from setting a record longevity - 15 or 16 years.
When planning to purchase a puppy, you need to consider that the dog will need a certain personal space. Daily walks on the street in any weather, twice a day and not less than an hour should not scare you. We must be prepared for the fact that during the molt, it will be necessary to clean the wool several times a day in all corners of the apartment.
If compliance with these conditions is not a problem, and you are ready even for big “sacrifices”, you can immediately go for a new family member.
Getting into the apartment, the shepherd puppy must go through a period of adaptation: learn all new things, get to know family members. For his own safety, one should limit access to wires, shoes, clothes, children's toys.
A permanent place to sleep and rest Shepherd should be away from heating appliances and drafts. These factors can have a negative impact on the health of the pet, and, consequently, on its lifespan.
If you need to isolate the dog from others for some time and the dimensions of the apartment allow it, you can purchase a special room enclosure.
What factors affect the lifetime?
A variety of circumstances affect the life of a shepherd Each of these factors can significantly shorten the age of the animal. In order for a dog belonging to a breed of sheepdogs to live for a maximum period, it is necessary to pay special attention to:
- health and physical development;
- food quality;
- accommodations;
- heredity;
- mental state of the dog.
The length of a shepherd dog may depend on its gender. It has been observed that females live an average of 2 years more than males. The size of the animal also plays an important role.
Large dogs weighing up to 100 kg do not live long because of early wear of the bone system.
Proper and rational nutrition of a pet has a positive effect on longevity. Be sure to alternate between dry and liquid food and not cheat the dog with meat. To maintain vigorous activity, the protein part of the diet should make up 70% of the shepherd's feed.
Congenital abnormalities and diseases that can affect the life span:
- too small body height and disproportion;
- deformation of the bones of the skull (long or short muzzle, narrow forehead);
- violation of sexual function, cryptorchidism;
- unexpressed pigmentation of the hair or iris.
However, it also happens that the owner is to blame for the premature demise of the animal. Due to his ignorance or inexperience, and sometimes deliberately, the owner can put at risk the life and health of the dog. Keeping a shepherd in a cramped, hot room, lack of physical and mental stress, frequent mating for commercial purposes leaves its negative mark.
How to extend the life of the animal?
For a long and high-quality life shepherd need not so much. Maintaining the physical shape of the dog will be the key to its health, and hence longevity. Games and walks in the countryside, in a park area or on special training grounds will help the animal stay mobile and fun.
A balanced and healthy diet is another factor that will prolong the life of the shepherd. Excess weight is the number one enemy. When it appears, almost the entire body suffers: the joints, the spine, the cardiovascular system. Upon reaching the dog of a mature age, its menu is necessarily revised and adjusted.
Regular brushing and bathing a pet is not only necessary hygiene items. During their conduct, an animal is examined for wounds or tumors.
Their early detection allows them to fight much more successfully.
A visit to a veterinary clinic for a complete examination and routine vaccination of a dog is necessary annually or at the first signs of illness. Such signs are dry nose, darkened or dried mucous membranes.
It is noticed that the sterilization of a dog can prolong its life for several years. In the absence of sexual desire, the animal has less chance of developing oncology of the sexual sphere. The operation is carried out for individuals who have reached the age of 5, and exclusively by a specialist.
In order for the shepherd dog to live a long and happy life, delighting the owner, you need to truly love your dog. She feels it intuitively. And the implementation of all the rules for care and maintenance will guarantee good health of the pet.
To learn how to care for a German Shepherd, you can find out by watching the video below.
