what is old bones for a rottie ?

[Digger123]

Daft question but......
How long do Rotties usually live for ?
I was told when I got her she wouldn't make old bones like my dally. She was 14 when her time was up.What do you consider to be old ?
My Rottie is nearly 8 and starting to slow down a bit now. That is quite difficult to tell actually as she spends most of her time asleep on my bed but when we are in the fields she is more likely to potter about rather than go hareing after the bunnies.

 

[CorvusCorax]

As a fellow large dog owner (GSDs) I would say a good average age for them would be the 10-12 mark.

My great old girl died at 14, sound until the day she died inspite of a broken leg in puppyhood, which I think is a great old age for a GSD, the one before her at 12, and our last girl at 10 due to a tumour on the liver.
The sire of my two died at 7 due to a liver problem

way to young IMO.

 

[Digger123]

I think that's a good age.She is sound just a lazy so and so !
Her mum was about 11 when she was pts. She was starting to struggle big time with her hips and she really wasn't happy.I was thinking of putting her on a veteran supplement but is she considered a veteran now or is she merely middleaged ??

 

[CorvusCorax]

Despite what some people on here might think (!) we have never had a dog which had a problem with hips, although the 12-yr-old had the CDRM condition, which happens in the brain and causes the back legs to fail.
So never had to use a supplement for an older dog (the ten year old was quite sudden, she was still doing up to two hours walking a day)

I am sure someone else could advise better on supplements and Rotties

 

[MurphysMinder]

Ditto H-H, most of my GSDs have been 10-12 mark. Sadly in some cases they were healthy in most ways but were put to sleep because of the dreaded CDRM. I currently have a GSD who is 11 and a half and she(fingers crossed and touching wood) is fit and well, just slightly stiff. I have had one GSD with really bad hips, ironically she never suffered from CDRM but was pts at 13 sufering from cancer. The only supplements I have ever given is cod liver oil. I am sure Rottie owners will be able to give you more breed specific advice.

Ets. The main tip I would say is to try and keep your girl slim, excess weight causes lots of problems with bigger breeds in old age.

 

[cbmcts]

Oldest rottie I know is 14 but IME the average is about 12...

I'd agree with keeping the weight off a large breed it's amazing the difference it makes.

Your dog at 8 is defintely middle aged and could be feeling her joints but you'd probably need a vet check to confirm that.
I use a bioflow magnetic collar on mine (not as old as yours but not one good leg on him out of 4!), he goes to hydrotherapy and I'm planning to start him on either synoquin or cortaflex in the near future.

 

[mattilda]

I would discuss it with your vet as to supplements. My lady died at 8 of a suspected heart attack. She was very slim and fit up til the day we lost her. I don't feed supplements to either of mine (although they are only 2 and 3) other than Glycoflex joint supplements purely 'cos they are big doglets.