Longevity
Life expectancy
With good living conditions, the Greyster can live between 12 and 15 years. Its longevity depends largely on the quality of its care, its well-balanced level of activity, injury prevention, and maintaining good body condition.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
The Greyster is generally solid, hardy and well suited to exertion. This robustness does not exempt from serious management of physical condition, especially in a dog brought to run or pull intensively, because the joints and muscles are heavily stressed.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Particular attention must be paid to growth, physical preparation, recovery after exertion and monitoring of the joints. In a dog as active as this one, prevention is better than cure, with regular follow-up and a workload adapted to its age and condition.
Hip dysplasia: This orthopedic condition can affect mobility and comfort, especially in an athletic dog subjected to repeated exertion.
Elbow dysplasia: As in other medium to large dogs, monitoring the elbows is recommended to limit the impact on locomotion and performance.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
The Greyster has an intermediate tolerance to cold as well as heat. Its short coat offers little protection against extremes, and intense efforts must be adjusted according to the weather, with greater precautions in case of high heat or prolonged damp cold.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
The Greyster generally gains weight less easily than a sedentary dog, but an imbalance between energy intake and physical expenditure remains possible. You must monitor the silhouette, adjust the rations according to the actual activity and avoid excessive treats, especially outside the sporting season.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Have growth and physical condition monitored by a veterinarian.
- Increase training intensity gradually.
- Monitor locomotion, especially after exertion or in case of stiffness.
- Maintain an ideal weight to protect the joints.
Vaccination
Greyster vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Greyster need? Like all dogs, Greysters should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Greyster 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 Greyster 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 Greyster 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 Greyster
Basic orthopedic follow-up is relevant, particularly to screen for or monitor dysplasia in breeding dogs and sport dogs. Regular veterinary check-ups, combined with an evaluation of locomotion and recovery after exertion, are useful to preserve its sporting career and its comfort of life.
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.
