Sheltie lifespan

Yes, Keno, I would love to know your secret too! Sadly, I have never owned a Sheltie to live past 14! My retired family vet said the oldest Sheltie he ever treated was 16! He was a breeder of Shelties too! So, that is saying something!
 
Wow, 18! That's incredible! I was hoping to get there with my first girl, but cancer robbed us of that.

I've heard such differing life spans on Shelties, but honestly, there's never enough time. Gypsy was 15.7 when she passed in November, and my vet told me he was one of her oldest, if not the oldest, patient he had. (I honestly can't remember his exact words!) I remember meeting the vet for the first time in 2016, he had bought my retiring doctor's practice. He must've asked me twice how old she was, and then double checked her file. I was cracking up. She was a blue merle, so she never went gray, her colors merely faded, and even at that, it was slight.

That being said, she did have some health issues, like acid reflux and severe arthritis, but she knew what was going on until her last day. Then I knew it was time to make that decision. Luckily, I was in a place where I could be home and care for her in the few weeks after discovering she had advanced cancer. (Goes to show bloodwork doesn't always indicate everything!) If I had been working full time, it wouldn't have been fair to her. But she failed hard and fast, and I'm not sure if that was a mixed blessing.

I know my newest puppy's great-grandmother lived to be 15 or 16, and passed away a weekend after doing an agility competition! I found that crazy. She passed in her sleep, so I'm assuming it was a heart issue.

Does anyone think coloring or sex has anything to do with longer life? I know diet is a huge factor. Gypsy had homecooked meals from age 7 onward, due to her digestion issues and joint pain. (She had a gluten-free, grain free kibble as a snack so she'd leave my cat's food alone; he was addicted to it.) I feel like between that and supplementing her diet with fish oil, it truly extended her life for the better. I realized really early on if I wanted to supplement her diet directly, I could't mix it into kibble because she was a grazer. I'm a pretty strong believer in fish oil, I started my puppy on it less than a week after I brought him home. I plan to switch him over to 100% homecooked when he's older.
 
I'm researching for a puppy when the day comes, and I'm particularly checking ages of breeder's dogs when they pass on. That and temperament are my two top criteria.
 
Our first Sheltie Samson (a rescue) was about 15 when we had to put him to sleep. He suddenly went blind - though as we look back, he probably lost vision in one eye a couple months before the 2nd eye. We both worked and could not cope with a blind dog. It almost killed us but we put him to sleep. Our 2nd sheltie Shadow (also a rescue) was about 13 1/2 when his kidneys went bad. So we had to put him to sleep this March. Then my wife died of cancer in July. The only remaining household member I have (I have a couple daughters in their 30's) is a little sheltie girl (rescue also) who just turned 12. But she has developed bladder cancer. She could last a few months to a couple more years - pretty uncertain at this point. If she goes two more years she would be about 15 yrs old. Life is really hard right now and rescue Sheltie's seem to be very hard to find these days unless you can take a senior or a sheltie they dont recommend around children. I dont think I could take it, taking in a senior sheltie who I'd fall in love with and have to say good bye to in a couple years.
 
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Kevosheltiedad said:
Our first Sheltie Samson (a rescue) was about 15 when we had to put him to sleep. He suddenly went blind - though as we look back, he probably lost vision in one eye a couple months before the 2nd eye. We both worked and could not cope with a blind dog. It almost killed us but we put him to sleep. Our 2nd sheltie Shadow (also a rescue) was about 13 1/2 when his kidneys went bad. So we had to put him to sleep this March. Then my wife died of cancer in July. The only remaining household member I have (I have a couple daughters in their 30's) is a little sheltie girl (rescue also) who just turned 12. But she has developed bladder cancer. She could last a few months to a couple more years - pretty uncertain at this point. If she goes two more years she would be about 15 yrs old. Life is really hard right now and rescue Sheltie's seem to be very hard to find these days unless you can take a senior or a sheltie they dont recommend around children. I dont think I could take it, taking in a senior sheltie who I'd fall in love with and have to say good bye to in a couple years.
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My heart goes out to you. We're all here for you, my friend.
 
Hello,

I am a new member and came across this forum when searching about Sheltie lifespans on google.

My sheltie is currently 14.5y/o and I'm hoping the best best best for him to live a long, comfortable and good quality of life as long as possible.

I wanted to open the discussion again as the last comment has been 5 years ago.

If it's alright and you're comfortable to share, can anyone share with me how old their shelties are/were before they went to doggy heaven? How did you care for them and were there any underlying conditions? Or what is the oldest sheltie you have personally come across/heard of?

I saw online that someone's sheltie lived till 20-ish. And I'm hoping all our shelties could hit that age too or even longer though I know it's a stretch. I feel heartened to have heard of shelties that are 17-19y/o and am curious how were they taken care of.

Thank you!
 
Hello and welcome to the Forums! This is a great discussion and we're happy to revisit it. We actually have several members whose Shelties have lived wonderful, long lives. My Checkers, the Queen of my house and oldest of my six, will be 17 in December and is doing wonderfully well. She's beaten two kinds of cancer and gallbladder surgery, all between 12 and 14. She has a touch of Sundowners now which we treat successfully so far with meds and supplements. I have a chiropractic vet who adjusts her regularly to help maintain her mobility. She still jumps, trots and does stairs although her hearing and sight aren't what they used to be. Every day with her is a blessing.

A few years ago she was having gastro issues and I switched her to FreshPet which she's eaten ever since and it's been a miracle food for her. As a proponent of cooking for my dogs and the best high quality foods, I never thought I'd be buying one in the supermarket but it's an excellent fresh food and has done wonders for her. My other five also get it now for dinner every day. They are 13, 10, 8, 6 and 3.

I hope your Sheltie is with you for lots more time to come!
 
Ann said:
Hello and welcome to the Forums! This is a great discussion and we're happy to revisit it. We actually have several members whose Shelties have lived wonderful, long lives. My Checkers, the Queen of my house and oldest of my six, will be 17 in December and is doing wonderfully well. She's beaten two kinds of cancer and gallbladder surgery, all between 12 and 14. She has a touch of Sundowners now which we treat successfully so far with meds and supplements. I have a chiropractic vet who adjusts her regularly to help maintain her mobility. She still jumps, trots and does stairs although her hearing and sight aren't what they used to be. Every day with her is a blessing.

A few years ago she was having gastro issues and I switched her to FreshPet which she's eaten ever since and it's been a miracle food for her. As a proponent of cooking for my dogs and the best high quality foods, I never thought I'd be buying one in the supermarket but it's an excellent fresh food and has done wonders for her. My other five also get it now for dinner every day. They are 13, 10, 8, 6 and 3.

I hope your Sheltie is with you for lots more time to come!
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I'm amazed at how strong and thriving Checkers is having gone through much and hope she continues to live her best life for many more years to come too!

May I know how she went through beating cancer and the gallbladder surgery? At that age were there any high risks for her to go under GA? Sadly my pup isnt advised to go under GA due to his conditions and risks..

I looked up what Freshpet is and it looks amazing! We dont have much variety of ready-made complete and balanced cooked meals here to choose from but it's nice to know there are such options elsewhere!
 
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