SuzieQ1960
Forums Enthusiast
My second Sheltie, Fonz, lived to the ripe old age of 17. My first Sheltie, Tiger, died of mammary cancer when she was about 12 and I have personally made Aonghus promise me that he will live forever!
Sheltie lifespan
- Thread starter Justicemom
- Start date
SheltieChe
Forums Sage
we have seen performance of MI rock-n-roll K9 with sheltie of 15 jumping rope with his owner and also his 12 year old daughter running the performance too...
SheepOfBlue
Premium Member
You should have known cats live to torment, in your case literally.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
I admit. I'm tearing up reading this. From what I always read, 12-15 was the average. I have heard of them living to 18 (highest I've heard). So when Miko turned 12 (oh, 11 days ago). I was happy and sad. Happy cuz he's made it so long already sad cuz I know his years could be numbered.
I know getting Koji was one of the best things for him. Although he's not best friends and merely puts up with his younger brother, Koji has made Miko much more puppyish and it's so good to see. I know Miko is creaky, but overall, very healthy.
At this age, for those of you who have owned a Sheltie this long, is there anything you'd suggest for maintenance of health, or yearly blood work,etc? I currently give him glucosamine cuz he'd be creeky after lying for a long time. It's helped a lot. Vet says he's in excellent health! His eyes are cloudy, but the vet explained it could be two things. It's the more better answer. He can see just fine. I get wary of Miko jumping off our bed (going to have my brother build me some stairs), mostly cuz he can barely make it up (it's high, not cuz he can't).
Let's hope for another 3+ years. Cuz I'm surely not ready to let my forever pup go. Dangit, more tears.
I know getting Koji was one of the best things for him. Although he's not best friends and merely puts up with his younger brother, Koji has made Miko much more puppyish and it's so good to see. I know Miko is creaky, but overall, very healthy.
At this age, for those of you who have owned a Sheltie this long, is there anything you'd suggest for maintenance of health, or yearly blood work,etc? I currently give him glucosamine cuz he'd be creeky after lying for a long time. It's helped a lot. Vet says he's in excellent health! His eyes are cloudy, but the vet explained it could be two things. It's the more better answer. He can see just fine. I get wary of Miko jumping off our bed (going to have my brother build me some stairs), mostly cuz he can barely make it up (it's high, not cuz he can't).
Let's hope for another 3+ years. Cuz I'm surely not ready to let my forever pup go. Dangit, more tears.
Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
My recommendation is complete bloodwork CBC, Chem and UA every 6 months. I start this at 8yrs with all my animals. I do yearly before that. I caught Jazz's kidneys failure early and Jo's CAH early and started early treatment which brought Jazz's 2.5yrs more years and Jo 4 yrs , I'm sure of it. Jo the Lab passed at 14 yrs. Very old for a Lab. Jazz the JRT mix passed at 3 weeks shy of her 15th birthday. My cat Stretch also passed from kidney disease and I did not catch it until late and in complete failure. She died 1 month later. However, she was 19yrs so I don't feel too bad.
Kept his weight normal, kept him doing some sort of exercise,even if it is only walking, brush his teeth and care for them and continue to treat him like a prince and you'll have no regrets.
Kept his weight normal, kept him doing some sort of exercise,even if it is only walking, brush his teeth and care for them and continue to treat him like a prince and you'll have no regrets.
wjo53
Forums Enthusiast
Chelsea died of heart failure 12y11m. She gave old age a wickedly hard run, but he caught up to her. She was in great condition, other than her heart, but at the end, it's failure started causing other failures.
About 8 months before Chelsea died, I had a heart attack. One of the things my Doctor had me do, was sit in on some lectures, classes, given at the hospital to help educate a bunch of us on how to take better care of it. I got into a series about 6 weeks before Chelsea left.
One of the classes was given by a local doctor who described briefly (1.5 hrs) a bit about the heart. One of the things he talked about was heart failure, and it's effect on the body. It just happened that Chelsea was going through this very thing at that time, and I sat through that class with tears running down my cheeks.
About 8 months before Chelsea died, I had a heart attack. One of the things my Doctor had me do, was sit in on some lectures, classes, given at the hospital to help educate a bunch of us on how to take better care of it. I got into a series about 6 weeks before Chelsea left.
One of the classes was given by a local doctor who described briefly (1.5 hrs) a bit about the heart. One of the things he talked about was heart failure, and it's effect on the body. It just happened that Chelsea was going through this very thing at that time, and I sat through that class with tears running down my cheeks.
Our Sheltie is 15
Our Sheltie, Reno, turned 15 one month ago today. At 15 years old, he has gone completely deaf and his eyesight is getting bad. He still takes food/water, treats, goes on very short walks, plays VERY occassionally, and sleeps A LOT. This morning, my wife went to move him to see if he was okay and he seemed aggitated. I suspect the worst will follow, but we love him SO much we don't want to face the inevitable. I look forward to our evening walks that I've taken him on since he was just a puppy. He was born in Seward, Alaska on Feb 13, 1997 and has pretty much been the best dog anyone could ask for. He was so fast when he was young. We used to take him to a park near our home in Anchorage and he would run back and forth like a bullet. He's been eating Eukanuba since he was a baby, which has probably helped extend his life. He has had a lot of medication for hypothyroidism and his skin disorders, but how could we complain when he had such a long and happy life with us. We have a younger beagle/foxt terrier dog in the house, which belongs to my daughter. I think he, like Reno did many years back, probably sees Reno as his elder and understands in some way what is happening to him. I'm going to cherish every last minute with him until it's time to say goodbye.
Our Sheltie, Reno, turned 15 one month ago today. At 15 years old, he has gone completely deaf and his eyesight is getting bad. He still takes food/water, treats, goes on very short walks, plays VERY occassionally, and sleeps A LOT. This morning, my wife went to move him to see if he was okay and he seemed aggitated. I suspect the worst will follow, but we love him SO much we don't want to face the inevitable. I look forward to our evening walks that I've taken him on since he was just a puppy. He was born in Seward, Alaska on Feb 13, 1997 and has pretty much been the best dog anyone could ask for. He was so fast when he was young. We used to take him to a park near our home in Anchorage and he would run back and forth like a bullet. He's been eating Eukanuba since he was a baby, which has probably helped extend his life. He has had a lot of medication for hypothyroidism and his skin disorders, but how could we complain when he had such a long and happy life with us. We have a younger beagle/foxt terrier dog in the house, which belongs to my daughter. I think he, like Reno did many years back, probably sees Reno as his elder and understands in some way what is happening to him. I'm going to cherish every last minute with him until it's time to say goodbye.
danisgoat
Moderator
What a beautiful post and how lucky you are to having your pup for so long. Thanks for sharing this with us.
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
My first sheltie was 16 and he had to be pts. A friends died last year at 16.5 and she still has the full littermate who is 17.5 currently and still going. This particular dog went out and competed in obedience last year at 16, and obtained her NA and NAJ at 11 years old, and then her RN, RA, and RE at 12-13. She also produced 6 titled kids in her younger years including 1 MACH2, 1 OTCH, and has another 12 titled grandkids including 3 MACHs and MACH6. I want my dogs to be doing that well.
Last edited:
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
I read through this post again. Wow. I posted 2 years ago. Miko is going to be 14 in May. Although he has late stage 1 to early stage 2 kidney failure, it was caught early on and he still acts like himself, so I'm hoping for more years with him.
I'm still trying to figure out how old my first Sheltie was when he passed. I may have to ask my mom. Gawd I loved that dog. It's what made me choose a Sheltie many years later.
I'm still trying to figure out how old my first Sheltie was when he passed. I may have to ask my mom. Gawd I loved that dog. It's what made me choose a Sheltie many years later.