Longevity
Life expectancy
Its usual life expectancy is between 12 and 14 years.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its solid build, endurance and historical adaptation to the mountainous environment make it an overall robust dog. This hardiness does not exempt it from regular veterinary monitoring or from appropriate protection when conditions become extreme.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
No particular pathological predisposition is noted. Regular monitoring of the general condition, ears, eyes, skin, coat and paw pads remains recommended in order to quickly detect debris, parasites or signs of infection.
Hip dysplasia: Like many dogs, the Berger de Savoie may have a joint malformation that promotes pain and osteoarthritis, especially in cases of overweight.
Eye conditions: An ophthalmological examination of breeding dogs and monitoring of tearing or vision remain useful.
Otitis and skin allergies: Itching, redness, or dirty ears must be checked, especially if the dog works in cover.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Thanks to its undercoat and dense coat, the Berger de Savoie tolerates cold and ordinary bad weather well. It must nevertheless have an effective shelter and remain protected from extreme conditions. Its tolerance to heat is average and its activity must be adapted when temperatures rise.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Its ration must be balanced and adapted to its age, its weight, its size and its activity level. Its sustained daily activity helps maintain its physical condition, while the quantities must be reassessed if its exercise decreases.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Regularly examine the ears, eyes, skin, coat and paw pads.
- Brush the dog once or twice a week and more often during shedding periods.
- Brush the teeth to limit tartar and bacterial proliferation.
- Trim the claws when they do not wear down naturally.
- Provide suitable shelter against bad weather and extreme conditions.
Vaccination
Berger de Savoie vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Berger de Savoie need? Like all dogs, Berger de Savoies should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Berger de Savoie 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 Berger de Savoie 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 Berger de Savoie need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Berger de Savoie
In the absence of any particular predisposition reported, regular veterinary follow-up and routine examinations adapted to age are recommended. At home, it is advisable to frequently check the ears, eyes, skin, coat, paw pads, teeth and the length of the claws.
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.
