German Shepherds have a shorter median lifespan than most popular large breeds. Hip and joint health matters a lot as they get older, so regular vet checks are worth it from middle age.
A 5-year-old German Shepherd is about 40 in human years, and a 10-year-old is about 66.
In a 2024 study led by Dogs Trust, published in Scientific Reports, which looked at more than half a million UK dogs, half of German Shepherds lived to 11.3 or older. That's shorter than dogs overall, and about the same as a person reaching 74.
| Dog age | Human years |
|---|---|
| 1 year | 15 |
| 2 years | 24 |
| 3 years | 30 |
| 4 years | 35 |
| 5 years | 40 |
| 6 years | 45 |
| 7 years | 50 |
| 8 years | 55 |
| 9 years | 61 |
| 10 years | 66 |
| 11 years | 72 |
| 12 years | 77 |
| 13 years | 82 |
| 14 years | 88 |
| 15 years | 93 |
| 16 years | 99 |
German Shepherds count as large dogs (23 to 41kg when fully grown). Large dogs age a little faster than smaller ones: after two, each year adds about 5 to 6 human years. If yours is much lighter or heavier than usual, pick their actual size in the full converter.
Open the full converterLifespan figures: McMillan et al. (2024), Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports. Age chart attributed to the American Animal Hospital Association.