How long did your Doberman live and what were their weight? My 100lb doberman (not fat) is aging well beyond his 8 years

[the rock man]

My 100lb doberman (not fat) is aging well beyond his 8 years. He has a strange issue of sometimes when he gets up his legs are all wonky. Had every test in the book and no one can find an issue .. so wondering if its old age? And I am wondering if his larger size has something to do with it ???

 

[JanS]

Welcome!

Yes size can have a lot to do with it. Have his hips been x-rayed? Have you tried having a chiropractor check him out to see if something is out of place?

 

[the rock man]

No I have not had an xray .. It comes and goes .. but I will ask them do one .. I should have had them do that when they had him under for his lumpectomy ...

 

[Ravenbird]

He has a strange issue of sometimes when he gets up his legs are all wonky

Have the vets tested for Wobblers? Here's a description: Wobblers in Dogs Fact Sheet | Davies Veterinary Specialists

As @JanS mentioned, x-rays might be in order for hips and spine.

Regarding your subject line question, my personal observation is that canines of any breed that are large to giant have a shorter lifespan than small to medium dogs. That being said, Dobermans have several diseases that cut their life short no matter what their size or weight. Hereditary DCM is taking many Dobermans now that have not yet reached their 5th birthday. If your dog is trim and not over weight then 100 lbs is probably fine.

Welcome to Doberman Chat!

 

[the rock man]

Have the vets tested for Wobblers? Here's a description: Wobblers in Dogs Fact Sheet | Davies Veterinary Specialists

As @JanS mentioned, x-rays might be in order for hips and spine.

Regarding your subject line question, my personal observation is that canines of any breed that are large to giant have a shorter lifespan than small to medium dogs. That being said, Dobermans have several diseases that cut their life short no matter what their size or weight. Hereditary DCM is taking many Dobermans now that have not yet reached their 5th birthday. If your dog is trim and not over weight then 100 lbs is probably fine.

Welcome to Doberman Chat!

The Wobblers is interesting as I looked at it a bit .. but he can tear across the yard chasing squirels like there is no tomorrow .. and I do have to keep him on a leash when walking to restict him form running too much as he certianly pays for it later .. ( I let him off for a bit ). I guess I though it would not come and go .. it has only been last month that this getting up and like his legs have fallen asleep thing .. I do not notice it on walks .. but thank you I am going to research that some more ..

 

[JanS]

it has only been last month that this getting up and like his legs have fallen asleep thing ..

That can happen in older dogs and they just have to move around a bit when they first get up to loosen up. Heck that even happens to people as we age. LOL

 

[Kswoodssue]

I get the same thing. Arthritis is my diagnosis. My husband hasn’t xrayed my hips either. Our last pup (probably a part Bernie) got the same over his last 3 or so years. It progressed slowly and was better on some days than others. At the time, there was a prescribed glucosamine-chondroitin type supplement the vet prescribed that my husband felt helped a bit. It didn’t help me at all!

 

[EricA]

I get the same thing. Arthritis is my diagnosis. My husband hasn’t xrayed my hips either. Our last pup (probably a part Bernie) got the same over his last 3 or so years. It progressed slowly and was better on some days than others. At the time, there was a prescribed glucosamine-chondroitin type supplement the vet prescribed that my husband felt helped a bit. It didn’t help me at all!

I swear the members here are almost as good as the pictures!

I can't hang out here for very long and not get a smile!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

In my experience, you are doing well to have him still alive at 8.

My first Dobe topped out at 96 lbs. at 28 or 28 1/2 inches at the withers. Not fat al all! Died at 8 1/2.

Second one was probably 85 - 90 at 28" and died at 8 1/4. Not fat at all!

Third one was extraordinarily light at 70 lbs at 28" and died at 8 3/4. Not fat at all! This one developed a wonkiness and weakness in the hind end – but just in certain situations and certain positions. He still pulled like a freight train on a leash. In some positions, however, he struggled to bear up his own weight. He also stumbled several times, and he also had lost a certain amount of control of his bowels and bladder. The front legs would shake in some situations. We suspected a condition called DM. When he would turn around, it's like he "forgot" to bring his hind legs all the way around, and they just stood there turned oddly.

I hope your boy does well. If he's not fat, then 100 lbs. is not all that overly heavy. Like I said, my first was 96 at his heaviest and was very very fit his whole life.

What other signs of not aging well are you seeing?

 

[Gelcoater]

The Wobblers is interesting as I looked at it a bit .. but he can tear across the yard chasing squirels like there is no tomorrow .. and I do have to keep him on a leash when walking to restict him form running too much as he certianly pays for it later .. ( I let him off for a bit ). I guess I though it would not come and go .. it has only been last month that this getting up and like his legs have fallen asleep thing .. I do not notice it on walks .. but thank you I am going to research that some more ..

My boy Rocky is 11
He has a hard time getting up some days, most days lately.
He walks like I’m sure my old ass looks in the morning for a minute.
Then smooths out some.
His hind end doesn’t have the strength it once did.
And he is a large dog too.
Over breed standard by a bit.
I’m sure it contributes to his degeneration of hips and strength back there.

We give him joint supplements and bone broth with a kibble diet.
He gets treats of various types.

But if I turn the hose on out back
He turns into turbo Rocky!
It’s time to play!!!
I have to tone it down for him a bit as he has all the drive he ever had. But his hind end
Between his own drive and a 5ish year old blue female Dober who wants a piece of the action too. I have to dial him back a bit and challenge her and her mind in other ways.

Getting old sucks.
Ask any of us !

 

[the rock man]

In my experience, you are doing well to have him still alive at 8.

My first Dobe topped out at 96 lbs. at 28 or 28 1/2 inches at the withers. Not fat al all! Died at 8 1/2.

Second one was probably 85 - 90 at 28" and died at 8 1/4. Not fat at all!

Third one was extraordinarily light at 70 lbs at 28" and died at 8 3/4. Not fat at all! This one developed a wonkiness and weakness in the hind end – but just in certain situations and certain positions. He still pulled like a freight train on a leash. In some positions, however, he struggled to bear up his own weight. He also stumbled several times, and he also had lost a certain amount of control of his bowels and bladder. The front legs would shake in some situations. We suspected a condition called DM. When he would turn around, it's like he "forgot" to bring his hind legs all the way around, and they just stood there turned oddly.

I hope your boy does well. If he's not fat, then 100 lbs. is not all that overly heavy. Like I said, my first was 96 at his heaviest and was very very fit his whole life.

What other signs of not aging well are you seeing?

He sleeps alot now, he LOVES his walk! .. he eats well almost starving .. he has Throid and last test he was still on lower end .. but he does not gain waight .. he will play with his younger sister .. I started getting concerend last fall as he really wines a lot ... I know its a dobermann thing but he was never like that .. so I wonder if he is in pain? .. He has no bowel or bladder problems and can go a good 12 hours with out a problem .. (I work 5 hours a day .. with hour lunch 2 mins from home .. so NO I do not leave him for that long)... but if its rainings he is a hard NO and will hold it for that long.
He just had 2 fatty lumps removed .. (if you don't have to .. don't do it .. that surgery was very hard on him!) ... one was in his armpit and was growing large .. so we had to do it.

Its this getting up thing .. even at lunch he sometimes does not want to get up .. and like I said when he does his legs all four are really wonky .. but then hes all up for the frenzy at the fence with neighbours dog .. or squirl chasing ..
No with that being said .. I know my Bernese Cattle dog was up to all that now and again... and wanted his walk right up to 2 days before he left us with lymphoma so I get ... that running and chasing is not allways a sign that there isn't and issue .. (we knew he had lymphoma .. but he still played with Rambo and the new puppy .. and walk were 20mins that should have taken 5 .. ) just trying to say .. yes he can run .. but noone should think that that means there is not a problem ..

Anyhow .. I just feel in my gut there is something wrong with him .. but when we get to the vet he is like perfect health ...

 

[the rock man]

My boy Rocky is 11
He has a hard time getting up some days, most days lately.
He walks like I’m sure my old ass looks in the morning for a minute.
Then smooths out some.
His hind end doesn’t have the strength it once did.
And he is a large dog too.
Over breed standard by a bit.
I’m sure it contributes to his degeneration of hips and strength back there.

We give him joint supplements and bone broth with a kibble diet.
He gets treats of various types.

But if I turn the hose on out back
He turns into turbo Rocky!
It’s time to play!!!
I have to tone it down for him a bit as he has all the drive he ever had. But his hind end
Between his own drive and a 5ish year old blue female Dober who wants a piece of the action too. I have to dial him back a bit and challenge her and her mind in other ways.

Getting old sucks.
Ask any of us !

11 is a good age .. My Rocky was a Bernese / Cattle dog 100lbs almost his whole life .. and yes I would say the final year his hips were bothering him .. but could also spent many hours playing with Rambo .. I give Rambo a hip and joint suplement .. have for a while now .. and at 8 I need to watch that he does not over do it on off leash runs .. cause he really pays for it ..
Its hard that they do not stay with us for as long as we would like .. but you can not beat the love and Joy they bring us when they are with us!!!