---
title: "Altdeutscher Schäferhund - Health and diseases | Pedibase"
description: "Altdeutscher Schäferhund health: lifespan, common diseases, vaccines, and prevention."
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+13
Health
# The Altdeutscher Schäferhund's health
Germany
Overall more rustic than certain highly type-specific German Shepherd lines, it remains a large athletic dog whose hips, elbows and back must be monitored. Growth that is too rapid, excess weight or repeated jumping in the young dog are detrimental to the musculoskeletal system. A serious breeder documents the joint checks of the breeding dogs.
Longevity
## Life expectancy
With attentive care, an appropriate diet and good medical follow-up, the Altdeutscher Schäferhund can live from 10 to 14 years. Longevity depends on the quality of breeding, lifestyle and hereditary predispositions.
Constitution
## Is this a robust breed?
Its natural build and dense coat give it good resistance to work and bad weather. This hardiness does not dispense with a warm-up, recovery, and monitoring of the limbs after exertion.
Things to watch for
## What to look out for
Monitor any lameness, stiffness on getting up, decreased endurance or digestive issues. Ear infections, skin allergies and joint disorders warrant early veterinary advice. A change in behavior can also indicate pain.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia: Like many large herding dogs, it may have joint abnormalities that warrant screening of breeding dogs.
- Lower back or croup pain: An overworked back, poorly managed growth, or excess weight can cause stiffness and pain.
- Skin allergies: Some individuals develop itching, ear infections, or redness linked to the environment or diet.
- Exercise-related digestive issues: Large athletic dogs may experience bloating or gastric sensitivity around meals and exercise.
Climate
## Tolerance to cold and heat
He tolerates cold and light humidity well thanks to his undercoat. In high heat, outings take place during the cool hours, with water and shade. A long-haired dog must not be left locked in a vehicle.
Weight
## Prone to weight gain
The Altdeutscher Schäferhund must maintain a silhouette suited to its morphology, with palpable ribs without excess. The ration must match actual activity, age and sterilization. Regular weighing prevents overly significant variations.
Everyday care
## Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Monitor gait and hips after sustained outings.
- Avoid strenuous exertion until growth is complete.
- Brush the undercoat regularly, especially during shedding.
- Maintain daily mental activity to avoid excessive guarding.
Vaccination
## Altdeutscher Schäferhund vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Altdeutscher Schäferhund need? Like all dogs, Altdeutscher Schäferhunds should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Altdeutscher Schäferhund vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
| LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
| RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
| Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
| PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
| Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
| LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Altdeutscher Schäferhund booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Altdeutscher Schäferhund need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
[Plan booster shots](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-and-cat-vaccination-schedule?breed=altdeutscher-schaferhund)
Choosing well
## Adopting a healthy Altdeutscher Schäferhund
Before breeding: hip and elbow X-rays, complete clinical examination, possibly back monitoring. On a daily basis: monitoring of weight, claws, ears and muscle condition.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
## The best prevention starts with a good breeder
Choose a breeder who screens their breeding animals for inherited conditions. We'll help you find one.
[Find a breeder](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-altdeutscher-schaferhund)
## Discover other breeds
[German Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/german-shepherd-dog)
[White Swiss Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/white-swiss-shepherd-dog)
[Dutch Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/dutch-shepherd)
[Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/czechoslovakian-wolfdog)
[Saarloos Wolfdog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/saarloos-wolfdog)
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