Longevity
Life expectancy
With attentive care, a suitable diet and good medical follow-up, the Blue Bay Shepherd can live from 10 to 13 years. Longevity depends on the quality of the breeding, lifestyle and hereditary predispositions.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Large athletic dog, good in the cold, to be spared in hot weather. The size requires slow growth. The long coat requires brushing during shedding.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Hips, back, stomach, eyes, sun sensitivity of very light-colored coats. Any lameness or drop in stamina deserves a check-up.
Dysplasia and back: Large size puts stress on hips, elbows and spine, especially if growth is too rapid.
Gastric dilatation: Like many large shepherds, meals should be split.
Dilute coat skin: Some very light-colored individuals are more sensitive to the sun and irritation.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Good in the cold thanks to the undercoat. In summer, exercise during the cooler hours. Very diluted coats may be sensitive to intense sun.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
The Blue Bay Shepherd must maintain a silhouette suited to its morphology, with palpable ribs without excess. The ration must match the actual activity, age and sterilization. Regular weighing prevents overly significant variations.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Require joint tests and the prohibition of merle × merle.
- Manage growth: no jogging too early.
- Split meals.
- Offer a real canine sport several times a week.
Vaccination
Blue Bay Shepherd vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Blue Bay Shepherd need? Like all dogs, Blue Bay Shepherds should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Blue Bay Shepherd 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 Blue Bay Shepherd 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 Blue Bay Shepherd 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 Blue Bay Shepherd
Hips, elbows, back, eyes, hearing if merle, possibly genetic dilution tests. Controlled growth.
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.
