Longevity
Life expectancy
With a balanced diet, suitable activity and good veterinary prevention, this dog generally lives between 12 and 14 years. Maintaining a healthy weight and preserving the joints during growth contribute to a long and active life.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its hardy build, medium size and protective coat give it good overall robustness. Nevertheless, it remains important to ensure gradual growth, to avoid overly intense repetitive exertion in the puppy and to monitor its hips throughout its life.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Particular attention must be paid to locomotion, eyes and neurological signs. A responsible breeder selects breeding dogs based on the recommended examinations and clearly communicates their results.
Hip dysplasia: Malformation of the coxofemoral joint that can cause pain, lameness and osteoarthritis; radiographic screening of breeding dogs is essential.
Elbow dysplasia: Developmental abnormality of the elbow likely to cause forelimb lameness and early osteoarthritis.
Hereditary eye disorders: Certain eye diseases can progressively impair vision, hence the value of an ophthalmological examination of breeding dogs.
Degenerative myelopathy: Progressive neurological disease reported in herding breeds; a genetic test helps to guide matings without replacing the clinical examination.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Its double, dense coat offers excellent protection against cold and moisture. In hot weather, outings must be scheduled during cool hours, with shade and water available. It must never be shaved, because its undercoat contributes to insulation; careful brushing instead helps remove dead hair.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Very active, the Bohemian Shepherd easily maintains its condition if its portions match its energy expenditure. Its tendency to gain weight nevertheless requires weighing the rations, limiting treats and regularly monitoring its silhouette. The ribs must remain palpable without being prominent.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Have the hips and elbows of breeding dogs examined.
- Schedule an annual veterinary check-up and keep vaccinations up to date.
- Inspect the ears, paw pads, and coat after outings in nature.
- Brush daily during seasonal shedding.
- Limit jumping and repetitive exertion during growth.
Vaccination
Bohemian Shepherd vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Bohemian Shepherd need? Like all dogs, Bohemian Shepherds should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Bohemian 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 Bohemian 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 Bohemian 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 Bohemian Shepherd
Before any breeding, it is recommended to have the hips and elbows evaluated, to carry out an ophthalmological examination and to follow the updated recommendations of the breed club. Genetic identification of breeding dogs and monitoring of family history strengthen the quality of selection.
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.
