Longevity
Life expectancy
With a balanced diet, regular activity and appropriate veterinary care, it generally lives between 10 and 12 years.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its solid build, musculature and dense undercoat give it good physical and climatic resistance. This robustness does not exempt it from orthopedic, ear and weight monitoring, particularly during growth.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Particular attention must be paid to the joints, drooping ears, weight and the quality of growth. Any lameness, stiffness, pain on exertion, bad ear odour or persistent weight gain warrants veterinary advice.
Hip dysplasia: Large size can promote poor joint congruence, with pain, stiffness and osteoarthritis.
Otitis: Drooping ears can retain moisture and debris, which promotes inflammation and infections.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Its very dense double coat allows it to withstand cold and bad weather well. In hot periods, exertion must be scheduled during cool hours, with shade, water and a ventilated space, because its thick fur can promote thermal discomfort.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
A measured ration adjusted to activity is essential, because excess weight would put heavy strain on its joints. Regular monitoring of body shape and weight makes it possible to quickly correct intake without abruptly reducing activity.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Have the hips and gait checked during growth.
- Inspect and clean the ears regularly with a suitable product.
- Brush the coat down to the undercoat to spot irritated skin and parasites.
- Maintain a stable weight in order to preserve the joints.
Vaccination
Russian Shepherd Dog vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Russian Shepherd Dog need? Like all dogs, Russian Shepherd Dogs should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Russian Shepherd Dog 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 Russian Shepherd Dog 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 Russian Shepherd Dog 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 Russian Shepherd Dog
Before breeding, screening for hip dysplasia is recommended. Regular locomotor examination, checking the ears, the skin under the coat and body condition usefully complement veterinary follow-up.
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.
