The old adage of one year in a dog's life equals seven human years isn't necessarily true. In fact, the equivalent of human to dog years varies by breed and size. While a Saint Bernard may be considered a geriatric dog as early as six years, medium-sized dogs don't usually show signs of aging until nine to eleven years. And small breeds like toy poodles probably won't show signs of aging until they're at least eleven. As as for environment, indoor pets typically live longer than outdoor pets. The following table gives an approximate conversion; keep in mind your pet's breed when using this chart.
When a Human
is: A Canine is
Approximately: 8 Months ............... 13 Years 1 Year ............... 16 Years 2 Years ............... 24 Years 5 Years ............... 32 Years 7 Years ............... 44 Years 9 Years ............... 52 Years 11 Years ............... 60 Years 13 Years ............... 68 Years 15 Years ............... 76 Years
The common belief that one year equals seven dogs years is outdated, says Johnny Hoskins, DVM, a small-animal Internal Medicine consultant and author on the subject of geriatrics. Today, doctors use other factors, including the pet's weight and breed, to estimate its age in human years. Dr. Hoskins offers these guidelines to help determine when an animal becomes geriatric:
Small dogs (less than 20
pounds) ............... 9 to 13 Years Medium dogs (21 to 50
pounds) ............... 9 to 11.5
Years Large dogs (51 to 90
pounds) ............... 7.5 to 10.5
Years Giant dogs (greater than
90 pounds) ............... 6 to 9 Years
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