Dutch Shepherd Forum

I got my Ruby, my DS from a friend who went traveling four years ago. I have known her since 2005. She was a rescue dog before then. She is the same energetic dog as she was when I first met her. I can't work out how old she is. I am not in contact with her old owner to ask.
How can I find this out. She is a bit greyer round the chin but can still run faster than Usain Bolt!
She means the world to me.
Cheers
Wesley

Some pictures may help. Take some close head shots. Some will grey around three or so. Does she have grey tufts in her ears? are her paws grey? My Thalie is 13 and she is still super quick and agile.

She gets grey tufts in her back legs which come off easily
She is grey round her eyes. So to me she looks old but she is so active.
Trying to upload a pic from my phone but system is saying to big. Will try and edit

Hope this attachment works

her face is grey, id say 7 or 8. Sadie will be 5 and she only has grey on her muzzle just around her nose.

Dutchringgirl wrote:her face is grey, id say 7 or 8. Sadie will be 5 and she only has grey on her muzzle just around her nose.

ive known her since 2005. So ten years plus what age she was when I met her.
I would think a vet could do something scientific rather than look at her teeth!

Oh, right, you said that in your post.

so she is at least 10 LOL,

wesleyDoran wrote:

Dutchringgirl wrote:her face is grey, id say 7 or 8. Sadie will be 5 and she only has grey on her muzzle just around her nose.

ive known her since 2005. So ten years plus what age she was when I met her.
I would think a vet could do something scientific rather than look at her teeth!

What exactly scientific could someone do to determine age? It's easier to tell when they're younger since they're growing and you can tell from certain hormonal changes, but it's impossible to tell age from bloodwork or anything else like that. Teeth are the easiest way to tell, but in an adult dog, they're still not always accurate. It would have been easiest when you first got her to tell her age.

If she were a horse, I could tel you

Wesley, yes vet's can do something scientific........................I downloaded the photo you sent to my vet's office, her tech then scanned it to the World Dutch Shepherd Registry and she was whelped 11 years, 2 months and 9 days ago. She was part of a litter of 7 puppies 5 males and 2 females. out of that litter 1 went to a SCh. home and got to a level 1, 2 SAR and the rest pet homes where 2 were trying agility. There you go, Mate. Good Day............................the scientific stuff vet's can do these days. Sure beats looking at teeth and grey hairs ...............................................I couldn't help myself .

MultiPurposeK9 wrote:Wesley, yes vet's can do something scientific........................I downloaded the photo you sent to my vet's office, her tech then scanned it to the World Dutch Shepherd Registry and she was whelped 11 years, 2 months and 9 days ago. She was part of a litter of 7 puppies 5 males and 2 females. out of that litter 1 went to a SCh. home and got to a level 1, 2 SAR and the rest pet homes where 2 were trying agility.

WTH !?

Raven wrote:

MultiPurposeK9 wrote:Wesley, yes vet's can do something scientific........................I downloaded the photo you sent to my vet's office, her tech then scanned it to the World Dutch Shepherd Registry and she was whelped 11 years, 2 months and 9 days ago. She was part of a litter of 7 puppies 5 males and 2 females. out of that litter 1 went to a SCh. home and got to a level 1, 2 SAR and the rest pet homes where 2 were trying agility.

WTH !?

Did I just go thought a wormhole?

Just wanted to lighten it up a bit...........................It's happy Thursday. I'm dome puppy proofing the house and picking up the puppy tomorrow night...........................

i got it roger, good luck with the new pup

also sorry there isnt any more scientific way to pinpoint age wesleydoran. even with humans it can be tricky (like when scientists interview remote tribes who dont actually count years or celebrate birthdays) because people age at different rates, two people born on the same minute of the same day can have bodies that have aged in two dramatically different directions. its the same with dogs and other animals, best we can do is look for markers like worn teeth, arthritis and the degree of greying around the face. (not always entirely accurate i might add. when my 17 year old collie/springer went missing and was found a vet estimated he was only 2 years old. i needed to prove he had an amputated toe because they didnt believe he was so old)

MultiPurposeK9 wrote:ust wanted to lighten it up a bit...........................It's happy Thursday. I'm dome puppy proofing the house and picking up the puppy tomorrow night...........................

Get your laughs in now, Jokester.

Raven wrote:

MultiPurposeK9 wrote:ust wanted to lighten it up a bit...........................It's happy Thursday. I'm dome puppy proofing the house and picking up the puppy tomorrow night...........................

Get your laughs in now, Jokester.

LOL Yeah, who will be laughing once the pup is home ???? US !!! HAHAHAHA

Ok guys. We will just see how it pans out. We go walking in the Lake District. Google it if you're across the pond.
Amazing beauty, the dogs, good company,wine
Cheers
Wesley

wesleyDoran wrote:the Lake District

Stunning area.

Don't we get more pics of Ruby???

Thanks for all your replies. Does anyone have an old DS?
Do they slow down ? Is it gradual or sudden?
Anyway I'm knackered chasing her on the beach.
signing off for now.
Uk wesley. And Ruby