Do German Shepherds run away to die when they are old or sick?

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach. I am sorry to hear that Angel has gone missing. Cats, as well as other animals, do not realize what death is. So when they are very sick and it is close to their time to pass, they feel sick and vulnerable. I believe that this is why cats and dogs will choose to be alone when they pass away. Many cats prefer to be in a dark and quiet place when they are not feeling well. I know this will not help bring Angel back but I hope this helps provide you with the information you are seeking. It is not that Angel does not love you, she was just feeling very sick and wanted to be alone. Please understand that when animals do this, it is not out of selfishness, it is because they do not feel well and want to be in peace.

An average life span of a GSD is 12-15 years. Health issues in GSDs include hip dysplasia, bloat, pancreatitis insufficiency, epilepsy, and cancer. Cancer is a middle aged to older dog disease, but it's really hard to see at what age they die from illness as it can vary within the breed. Some GSDs can live longer than others. It's important to make sure Bruno is a health weight, he is exercised daily, is kept up to date with his vaccines, and if you have any health concerns or questions, take him into the vet right away.

I'm so sorry about Freddie's sudden passing. Unfortunately, without a necropsy (animal autopsy) it would be hard to say what the cause of his passing was. It is possible he was ill, got into something toxic, or had a congenital issue that caused him to pass away. If you're having trouble coping with his loss, checking out some resources such as The Rainbow Bridge where you can talk with other pet owners and create a pet memorial may help you in your time of need.

The most common diseases seen in the [German Shepherd](https://www.petcoach.co/breed/german-shepherd-dog) breed that can cause death are [hemangiosarcoma](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/hemangiosarcoma/) (cancer of the spleen) or [osteosarcoma](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/osteosarcoma/) (bone cancer). However, there are lots of disease processes (i.e. [Addison's Disease](https://www.petcoach.co/article/addison-s-disease-hypoadrenocorticism-in-dogs), [Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency/), etc) that can afflict this breed and shorten the lifespan. While [hip dysplasia](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/hip-dyspasia/) is common in the breed, it is rarely fatal but can greatly affect quality of life. This is just what I commonly have seen in my professional experience, it is by no means an all inclusive list. Also[ German shepherds](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-facts-you-should-know-about-german-shepherds) average life span is about 9-13 years of age. Technically, they are considered senior dogs once over the age of 8.

First off, I'm sorry that you lost your dog so suddenly. Please accept my condolences for your loss. I'm only guessing here, but if he wasn't vaccinated, it could have been parvo that caused him to pass. It could also be that he had a foreign body, a severe GI illness, or if he was fed a raw diet, the bacteria from the raw diet could have made him extremely sick. Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

I'm sorry to hear about Zorro. 11 years old is pretty good for a GSD, many of them only live until they are around 9 or so. Kidney disease is dogs is very serious, and most don't live long after diagnosis. It sounds like he was well taken care of, and as difficult as it is, know that he had a good life with you and try and remember the good times. 11 years is actually quite a long time for his breed. I hope that helps.

It may be due to the fact that Daisy is getting older. It could also be due to a fearful experience with a stranger and now Daisy thinks that will happen again. Most German Shepherds are not known to be overly friendly like a Labrador. Most German Shepherds are somewhat disinterested or even wary of strangers or individuals who do not have close contact with them. You can try to keep her behavior towards strangers more eager or positive by asking them to give her a high value treat (when appropriate obviously). A training class is an excellent opportunity for this. You should also do some reading about the breed as you may get some very valuable information. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.