Dog Age Calculator

Why know a dog’s age in human terms?

From small to large – our pets grow quickly – but in their own way, according to their final size. They reach sexual maturity by about 1 year of age, and for small breeds it is about 12 years “in human terms”, for medium breeds – 15 years, for large breeds – already 18, and for giant breeds – 21. This difference is slightly smoothed out over time, but still the “resource” of life of small breeds is noticeably higher than that of large ones. A conventional pug of 16 years old is 75-80 years old in human terms, and a golden retriever will be almost 100 years old.

Of course, it all depends on the conditions in which the dog is kept: health (including a healthy weight for the breed), proper nutrition, regular physical activity and care. Remember that excess weight not only makes life more difficult for your pet, but also reduces its lifespan.

May your pet live with you for so long that even our converter can’t handle it!

How old am I by dog standards?

If you have ever asked yourself this question, it is not for nothing that we have created a reverse converter for converting human years to dog years. Given that the question is rather theoretical and will not find practical application in life, the complex calculations here are a little simplified.

Features of calculating the age of dogs by human standards

The most common method of counting is 1 to 7, when 1 year of a dog’s life is equated to 7 human years. This is a simple, but unreliable and not entirely correct method. In the initial stages, the animal’s body develops very quickly. A two-year-old pet can be compared to a 20-25-year-old man.

Old age also comes unevenly. In giant (English Mastiff, St. Bernard, Great Dane) and large (German Shepherd, Boxer, Akita Inu) breeds, the process is faster, in medium (Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, English Bulldog) and miniature (Chihuahua, Japanese Chin, Toy Terrier) breeds – much slower. Therefore, when calculating how old a pet is in human terms, it is important to take into account its size.

This is interesting. The longest-lived dog in the Guinness Book of Records was an Australian Shepherd named Blue. She lived for 29 years and 160 days.

Experts recommend using more complex, but scientifically substantiated calculation methods using coefficients. The calculator on our website is based on them.

There are many tables of dog age in human terms. However, they usually do not take into account the size of the animal. A serious mistake is fraught with errors in relationships and care for the pet.

In addition, using a dog age calculator in human terms is much more convenient. You immediately get information about your pet, rather than searching for the necessary data among numerous columns of numbers.

How the dog age calculator works

The calculator calculates how old a dog is in human terms, based on two main indicators:

• Size: Small and medium breeds age later and remain active longer.
• Exact age (number of years and months). This data allows you to convert the current “dog” age into human age.

Fill in the fields and click the “Calculate” button. The line below will show your pet’s age in human terms.

Note: The calculator calculates the approximate age of a dog in human terms, as breed characteristics, genetic data, housing conditions, care, etc. are important.

Popular theories for deciphering a dog’s age

In general, there are several options for calculating a dog’s age and relating it to a person’s age. But keep in mind that none of these methods have a rigorous scientific basis. Although the methods are not substantiated, they are still very interesting.

7 to 1
The most popular method of calculation. The essence of the “Seven to One” method is that the first year of a dog’s life is equal to seven human years, and each subsequent year is multiplied by seven. Thus, if a dog is 2 years old, then its age in human equivalent is approximately 2*7=14 years.

But keep in mind that dog aging is non-linear, and trying to equate a human age of seven for every year a dog lives may not be accurate enough. More modern methods of estimating dog age, such as methods based on breed size, more accurately account for individual differences and stages of aging.

AVMA Methodology

From simple to complex. This method is even more advanced, and it was proposed by members of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

According to their reasoning, the first year of a dog’s life is 15 human years, the second year is nine, and each subsequent year is equal to 5 years of human life. The method is also based on the size and breed of dogs, but its guidelines are still approximate. The table will help you understand the basics of the theory.

Stages of a dog’s life

A dog’s life goes through different stages, each with its own characteristics and needs. Below are the main stages of a dog’s life:

Puppy. This stage begins at birth and lasts until about 6 months. During this period, the dog grows and develops very quickly. Puppies are playful, curious, and need special attention and training.

Adolescence. Adolescence occurs between the ages of approximately 6 months and 2 years. Dogs become more energetic and their need for physical activity increases. This period is also marked by growth and development of bones and muscles.

Adulthood. From this moment on, the dog enters adulthood, which lasts from 2 to 7 years, depending on the breed. Dogs become more balanced, they establish a regime of activity and rest. It is important to monitor their diet and ensure regular visits to the veterinarian.

Maturity. This stage begins around age 7 and continues until age 10-12. Dogs become less active and may show signs of aging, such as decreased physical activity and behavioral changes. It is important to provide comfort and support for your pet during this stage.

Old age. After 10-12 years, dogs are considered old. This stage is characterized by a decrease in physical activity, deterioration of health and the appearance of age-related diseases. Old dogs require special care, including regular visits to the veterinarian and correction of the diet.
These stages can also include intrauterine, neonatal, and others – classifications may also vary.

Each stage of a dog’s life has its own characteristics and requires appropriate care and attention from its owners. Determining a dog’s age in human years using the theories mentioned earlier will help in more accurately assessing and taking into account age-related characteristics at each stage.

Relationship between breed and age

The stages of a dog’s life, including growing up and aging, can vary by breed. The general principles remain, but breed characteristics and size can affect the length and nature of each stage. Here’s a general idea of how life stages can vary:

Puppyhood:

• Small breeds (e.g. Chihuahua, Pug): Adulting is usually complete by around 10-12 months.
• Medium breeds (e.g. Labrador Retriever, Bulldog): Adulting takes about 12-18 months.
• Large breeds (e.g. German Shepherd, Great Dane): They can grow and develop over 18-24 months.

Youth:

• Small breeds: usually adolescence lasts up to 2-3 years.
• Medium breeds: adolescence can last up to 3-4 years.
• Large breeds: their youth can last up to 5-6 years.

Adulthood:

• Adulthood in small, medium, and large breeds usually begins after adolescence ends and continues into middle age (7-8 years).

Maturity:

• Small breeds: usually this period begins at 7-8 years of age.
• Medium breeds: Maturity begins at around 6-7 years of age.
• Large breeds: their maturity ends at 5-6 years.

Age:

• Small breeds: a dog is considered old after 10-12 years of age.
• Medium breeds: old age begins after 9-11 years.
• Large breeds: old age can occur after 7-9 years.

Please note that these time frames are approximate and each dog is different. Factors such as genetics, quality of care, diet and health can affect how quickly a dog matures and ages. It is important to monitor your dog’s health and consult with your veterinarian to ensure they receive the best care at every stage of their life.