The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is generally healthy and long-lived, averaging a life span of 10–12 years. Some dogs may have health problems in the form of hip dysplasia, obesity and occasional heart disorders, but the majority of these dogs are healthy if taken care of correctly. Good dog-breeders use genetic testing of their breeding stock to reduce the chances of diseases in the puppies. The ears of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are traditionally cropped, although some modern dogs are unaltered, as many people believe that this practice is unethical and cruel. If brought up by someone with extensive knowledge on the needs of a Caucasian Shepherd Dog, a dog should have much less chance of suffering from bad health.