The old belief that one dog year equals seven human years is outdated. Dogs age rapidly in their first two years, and the aging rate varies by size.
Canine Life Stages
- Small Breeds: Age slower in later years and often have longer lifespans.
- Large and Giant Breeds: Age faster after maturity and enter senior stages earlier.
Using veterinary equations based on weight groups provides a much closer estimate of your dog's physiological age.