We’ve all heard that ‘one year in dog years is equivalent to seven human years’.
This ‘fun fact’ has been floating around for decades, often taken as gospel by many a canine lover.
But recently scientists have debunked this common myth, concluding that the trajectory of a dog's age is actually a lot more complex than previously thought.
Let’s dig in…
How can I calculate my dog’s age in human years?
In 2019, new research into Labrador retrievers found that there is actually no direct correlation between the rate of ageing in humans and the rate of ageing in dogs—or at least for Labradors.
They found that dogs appear to age much faster in their primitive years (ages 0 - 4 years) than we previously thought. This means they reach maturity far quicker than humans do.
In fact, when your dog is just one year old, it’s roughly the equivalent of a 10 - 15 year old human. And when your dog is four years old, it’s the equivalent of a 40 - 50 year-old human.
After that, their rate of ageing slows down, with each year of the rest of their lives equaling the equivalent of around 5 human years.
Do some dog breeds age faster?
Unfortunately, yes. Not all dog breeds age at the same rate, with life expectancies varying between smaller and larger breeds.
Small dog breeds tend to live longer than large breeds, with giant breeds like Great Danes having the lowest life expectancy.
Whilst there hasn’t been specific research done on all dog breeds, it’s thought that they roughly all follow the same pattern we mentioned above — reaching maturity much quicker than previously thought.
Your dog's life stages
Whilst it’s only natural to want to compare our pets' lives to our own, a more productive way to make sure we’re caring for our canine buddies is to learn more about their particular life stages.
Dogs have four main life stages you should be aware of (note that these are estimates and timescales do vary with different breeds).
Puppies: Age 0 - 6 months
This is your dogs’ formative months when all of their senses, brains and bones are developing. This is when your dog needs to be socialised with people and other animals, have all of its health checks and vaccinations, and to start training.
Adolescence: Age 6 - 18 months
This is your dog's teenage years. They haven’t fully developed yet and still have some growing (and training) to do. This is around the time when you may want to start thinking about doggy supplements to help them with their joints and general health.
Adult Dog: Age 18 - 6 years
This is your dog’s prime. They’ll still be developing until age 3 or 4 and be fully grown after that. It’s normal for them to calm down and settle into their adult rhythm. Maintaining your dogs' good health should be a top concern and priority, with you making sure they get plenty of exercise and have a diet to support it.
Senior Dog: Age 6 - 10 years
This is your dog's later life, when things start to slow down and you may start to notice signs of ageing. It’s important to carefully monitor your dog during this stage of their lives and take regular trips to the vet for checkups. They’ll need less exercise and if your dog begins to show signs of joint stiffness, consider a joint supplement to help them out.
Keeping your dog healthy at any age
So there you have it, the seven-year myth busted! Whilst our beloved pals may age faster than we previously thought, there are many things we can do to help keep them young.
One of the biggest issues for ageing dogs (and even some younger dogs) is deteriorating joints. Specialist dog supplements can be a great preventative care measure for stopping the onset of stiff, sore and immobile joints in your dog.
Check out our JOINTSURE range for scientifically backed formulas containing green-lipped mussel and glucosamine, and make sure your dog stays active and fit, no matter how old they are.