Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Old English Sheepdogs Live. Old English Sheepdog Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Old English Sheepdog Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Old English Sheepdog, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Old English Sheepdogs
- How Old is Your Old English Sheepdog in Human Years
- How Long Do Old English Sheepdogs Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Old English Sheepdog Live Long
- Conclusion on Old English Sheepdog Life Expectancy
How Long Old English Sheepdogs Live. Old English Sheepdog Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Old English Sheepdog is from 10 to 12 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Old English Sheepdog. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 65 pet Old English Sheepdogs lived.
From the study, it was found that Old English Sheepdogs have a average lifespan of 10.7 years. Furthermore, the study found that Old English Sheepdogs can live for as long as 15.0 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Old English Sheepdogs.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Old English Sheepdogs are:
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
- Musculoskeletal Disease: Refers to any problems with bones or muscles
- Cardiovascular Disease: Encompasses heart problems, blood pressure issues, and bleeding/clotting problems. CV issues may also be related to lung and/or breathing problems.
- Hematopoietic Disease: Problems having to do with platelets, blood vessels, or clotting factors.
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Old English Sheepdog to make your Old English Sheepdog live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Old English Sheepdog have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Old English Sheepdog is in human years? Then, check out our Old English Sheepdog age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Old English Sheepdog Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Old English Sheepdog compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Italian Greyhound Lifespan | 13.50 |
| Fox Terrier Lifespan | 13.10 |
| West Highland White Terrier Lifespan | 13.00 |
| Parson Russell Terrier Lifespan | 13.00 |
| Shetland Sheepdog Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Sealyham Terrier Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Cardigan Welsh Corgi Lifespan | 12.10 |
| Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Irish Red & White Setter Lifespan | 11.40 |
| German Spitz Lifespan | 11.30 |
| Bouvier des Flandres Lifespan | 11.30 |
| Briard Lifespan | 11.10 |
| Skye Terrier Lifespan | 11.00 |
| Old English Sheepdog Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Bull Terrier Lifespan | 10.00 |
| Newfoundland Lifespan | 9.67 |
| Japanese Chin Lifespan | 9.25 |
| Komondor Lifespan | 9.13 |
| Cesky Terrier Lifespan | 8.42 |
| Grand Bleu de Gascogne Lifespan | 4.54 |
Common Causes of Death in Old English Sheepdog, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Old English Sheepdog, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Old English Sheepdog.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Neoplastic Disease in Old English Sheepdogs
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 36.0 percent of all deaths in Old English Sheepdogs.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Old English Sheepdog
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Old English Sheepdogs
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Old English Sheepdogs (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Old English Sheepdogs is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Old English Sheepdogs is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Old English Sheepdogs is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Old English Sheepdogs with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Old English Sheepdog. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Old English Sheepdog`s gums look pale.
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Gastrointestinal Disease in Old English Sheepdogs
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 13.8 percent of all deaths in Old English Sheepdogs.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Old English Sheepdog
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your Old English Sheepdog eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your Old English Sheepdog stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Old English Sheepdog is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Old English Sheepdog has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in Old English Sheepdogs
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your Old English Sheepdog`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
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Musculoskeletal Disease in Old English Sheepdogs
Musculoskeletal diseases are the common problems associated with bones and muscles. These include arthritis, vertebral issues, loss of skeletal muscle mass, hip dysplasia, trauma and breakages, and more.
Musculoskeletal Disease is responsible for 12.4 percent of all deaths in Old English Sheepdogs.
Causes of Musculoskeletal Disease in Old English Sheepdog
The causes of many musculoskeletal issues have to do with age, breed, and weight. Older Old English Sheepdogs are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, as are large breed dogs, and overweight dogs. Just like people, Old English Sheepdogs can get arthritis and other joint-related issues as they get older. Large-breed dogs tend to be prone to a condition called hip dysplasia, which essentially means that their hip joints degrade and get very painful. Overweight dogs tend to put more pressure on their joints, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear as well as serious damage to tendons and ligaments.
How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disease in Old English Sheepdogs
One way that you can help improve your Old English Sheepdog`s musculoskeletal health (especially if they are old is by giving your Old English Sheepdog joint supplements like this one. You can also help prevent hip dysplasia and slipped discs by not allowing your Old English Sheepdog to jump too much, even if they are a puppy. Consider buying young Old English Sheepdogs a box or stool like this to help them get on the couch or bed, instead of letting them jump all the way from the ground. The most important way that you can keep your Old English Sheepdog`s muscles and bones healthy is by not letting them get overweight. You should avoid letting your Old English Sheepdog eat table scraps and make sure that they get plenty of exercise. If your Old English Sheepdog is overweight and you know that you are strict with their diet and exercise, you should talk to your vet; they might have hypothyroidism, which is very common. If your Old English Sheepdog is overweight and you think you should try managing their diet a little more closely, you can start your Old English Sheepdog on a weight-management diet like this to help them get back to a healthier body condition.
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Cardiovascular Disease in Old English Sheepdogs
Cardiac problems may include valvular and vascular disorders, which ultimately lead to the heart`s inability to pump oxygen-rich blood to tissues. Cardiac issues can be acute or chronic, and can lead to progressive heart failure or sudden death.
Cardiovascular Disease is responsible for 10.0 percent of all deaths in Old English Sheepdogs.
Causes of Cardiovascular Disease in Old English Sheepdog
Heart disease in Old English Sheepdogs may be caused by genetic (inherited) factors, lack of exercise, and poor diet. Heart disease can also be caused by infections such as bacteria (endocarditis, myocarditis, and more) as well as viruses, fungi, and parasites (heartworm).
How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Old English Sheepdogs
You can prevent heart problems in your Old English Sheepdog by exercising your Old English Sheepdog regularly and feeding your Old English Sheepdog a good diet. Heartworm, which causes heart problems, is also very easily avoided by using preventatives. Giving your dog the following supplements can help prevent heart diseases. Here is a good supplement that can prevent heart problems in your Old English Sheepdog. The supplement is not only good for your Old English Sheepdog`s heart, but it is also good for your Old English Sheepdog`s overall health.
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Hematopoietic Disease in Old English Sheepdogs
Normally, the body can regulate its own blood pressure and fluid volume without outside help. However, issues in hematopoesis can cause high or low blood pressure, blood clots, edema (fluid where it`s not supposed to be, like in the lungs), and even shock.
Hematopoietic Disease is responsible for 9.1 percent of all deaths in Old English Sheepdogs.
Causes of Hematopoietic Disease in Old English Sheepdog
The causes of hematopoietic problems usually involve inflammation and immune responses gone wrong. This can cause congestion, hemorrhage, and many more problems.
How to Prevent Hematopoietic Disease in Old English Sheepdogs
Talk to your veterinarian if your dog`s gums or skin look very pale or very red. It`s also a good idea to talk to your vet if your dog is experiencing exercise intolerance. Many parasites can cause internal bleeding, so you should have your dog on flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives all year round. Here is a good flea and tick prevention medication (buy the box associated with your pet`s weight!).
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Old English Sheepdogs
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Old English Sheepdog is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Old English Sheepdog`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Old English Sheepdog`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Old English Sheepdog offsprings by only breeding Old English Sheepdog that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Old English Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Old English Sheepdog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Old English Sheepdog has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Old English Sheepdog for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Old English Sheepdog a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Old English Sheepdogs for:
How Old is Your Old English Sheepdog in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Old English Sheepdog. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Old English Sheepdog is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Old English Sheepdog is 10.7 years.
Old English Sheepdogs are medium-sized dogs. Old English Sheepdogs weigh 60 pounds to 100 Pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Old English Sheepdog in converting Old English Sheepdog age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Old English Sheepdog`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Old English Sheepdog`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Old English Sheepdog`s human age. If you do not know your Old English Sheepdog`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Old English Sheepdog is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Old English Sheepdog`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Old English Sheepdog`s up-to-date human age.
Old English Sheepdog Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Old English Sheepdog age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Old English Sheepdog`s human age based on your Old English Sheepdog`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Old English Sheepdog`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Old English Sheepdog Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14 |
| 2 | 21 |
| 3 | 26 |
| 4 | 32 |
| 5 | 37 |
| 6 | 42 |
| 7 | 46 |
| 8 | 50 |
| 9 | 54 |
| 10 | 58 |
| 11 | 62 |
| 12 | 66 |
| 13 | 71 |
| 14 | 75 |
| 15 | 80 |
| 16 | 85 |
How Long Do Old English Sheepdogs Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Old English Sheepdog is 10.7 years. In human years, the Old English Sheepdog lives for 61 years.
How Old is 3-year-old Old English Sheepdog in Human Years?
A 3-year old Old English Sheepdog is 26 years old in human years.
How Old is 4-year-old Old English Sheepdog in Human Years?
A 4-year old Old English Sheepdog is 32 years old in human years.
How Old is 7-year-old Old English Sheepdog in Human Years?
A 7-year old Old English Sheepdog is 46 years old in human years.
How Old is 8-year-old Old English Sheepdog in Human Years?
A 8-year old Old English Sheepdog is 50 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Old English Sheepdog Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Old English Sheepdog live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Old English Sheepdog fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Old English Sheepdog does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Old English Sheepdog will have a shorter lifespan than a Old English Sheepdog that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Old English Sheepdog high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Old English Sheepdog. Check out our Old English Sheepdog feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Old English Sheepdog from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Old English Sheepdog existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Old English Sheepdog has access to clean water whenever your Old English Sheepdog needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Old English Sheepdog. See our Old English Sheepdog water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Old English Sheepdog.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Old English Sheepdog might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Old English Sheepdog.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your Old English Sheepdog is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Old English Sheepdog’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Old English Sheepdog teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Old English Sheepdog Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Old English Sheepdog`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.