Did you hear someone say, “One dog year is seven human years?”
This is one of the most common misconceptions regarding pets. Personally, when my dog turned one, someone said, “That means he’s seven in human years now!”
Well, that is not quite accurate.
This is day 4 of Debunking Common Pet Myths—or not? Let's find out!
The 1 Dog Year = 7 Human Years Myth
The ratio of one dog year equating to seven human years has long been accepted. But where does this myth come from?
Some think that it originated from the fact that the average lifespan of a human was around seventy years, while the average lifespan of a dog was ten. Therefore, out of 70 years of age in a human, one dog year equals 70 human years divided by 10 dog years gives us the ratio of 7 human years per dog year.
Regardless of the fact that this calculation appears logical, in reality, it is overly simplistic to apply to dogs.
Dogs Age Differently
Unlike the perfect mathematical ratio which can be applied to humans and dogs, dogs do not age in said ratio. Rather, the breeds, size, and genetics dictate the ratio, making the aging process much more intricate.
All Dogs Are Not Created Equal
It's common that not every dog will age at the same rate, particularly for Chihuahuas and Great Danes.
✔ Dogs like Chihuahuas and Pomeranians that are slightly smaller in size do, in fact, live longer. Other dog breeds require a longer time to fully mature, sometimes reaching up to 16 years of age.
✔ Larger breeds like Great Danes and Saint Bernards mature faster but have a shorter lifespan, averaging between 8-10 years.
To put it differently, claiming that all dogs age at the same rate is inaccurate. A one year old Great Dane will look and live like a geriatric compared to a one year old Chihuahua.
One Year Does Not Equate To Seven Years
People will also claim that the one year mark of having a pet dog automatically makes it seven in human years, which is highly inaccurate.
In truth:
🐶 The first few years of life for a dog is more accurately represented by a 15 year old human teenager, possessing a seemingly endless amount of energy.
🐶 They'll also lose self-control in social situations, but be fully imbalanced which means on the right track to development.
The long residing dog will now feel like they are in their early 20’s which is alongside being fully matured to 24 while entering adulthood.
Beyond that mark, smaller dogs slow down the aging process while larger dogs speed up.
A More Precise Method for Determining Your Dog’s Age in Dog Years
Dogs age rapidly, but instead of using the classic method of 1:7, Michael McCullough, a behavioral scientist and veterinarian, together with other scientists made a more accurate formula.
The new formula, which is based on DNA molecular changes, was formulated by the University of California San Diego. This was the result of hours of study into dogs’ ages. Here is the formula:
📌 Human Age = 16 × ln(dog age) + 31
It’s true that most people’s idea of “calculating” their dog’s age is not picking up a pencil to complex logarithms. For ease, let’s categorize based on breed and size.
Chart of Dog Age Compared To Human Age
Forget the old rule of multiplying a dog’s age by seven; consider this more accurate guideline:
Small Dogs (Under 20 lbs)
Dog Age Human Equivalent
1 Year - 15 Years
2 Years - 24 Years
3 Years - 28 Years
5 Years - 36 Years
7 Years - 44 Years
10 Years - 56 Years
12 Years - 64 Years
Medium Dogs (20-50 Lbs)
Dog Age Human Equivalent
1 Year - 15 Years
2 Years - 24 Years
3 Years - 28 Years
5 Years - 38 Years
7 Years - 48 Years
10 Yeas - 60 Years
12 Years - 68 Years
Large Dogs (Over 50lbs)
Dog Age Human Equivalent
1 Year - 12 Years
2 Years - 22 Years
3 Years - 30 Years
5 Years - 42 Years
7 Years - 55 Years
10 Years - 75 Years
12 Years - 85 Years
The chart depicts how a dog’s aging process isn’t uniform throughout its lifespan. Dogs age much faster during the first two years compared to the later years.
Why Understanding Dog Aging is Important
Understanding how a dog actually ages helps in numerous ways for the dog owner:
✔ Improved Health Care – Getting to know your dog’s life stage helps you know how to manage their diet, exercise, and even checkups with the vet.
✔ Correct Training – A seven-year-old child is not the same as a one year old, and a one-year-old dog is not the same as a seven-year-old dog. It’s more like a teenager who requires guidance and patience.
✔ Senior Dog Understanding – Some dog owners mistakenly consider that their ten-year dog which in other words means has cluelessly turned 70, assuming by the 1:7 rule. But for some larger breeds they could already be very close to 80 or 90 in human years!
Finally, Conclusion: The 1:7 Rule is a Myth
So, is “1 dog year = 7 human years” a fact or a myth?
✅ Myth.
It’s a myth simply because it is still incorrect to assume 1 dog year equals 7 human years without doing careful consideration. Dogs do not undergo that simpler aging process, and this is the reasoning why quote differs between breeds and sizes. Smaller dogs tend to live longer, while larger dogs will age faster.
Translating a dog's years to human years is also not as straightforward. The best route would be looking at their growth stages instead of trying to match them.
So next time someone comments, “Your dog is already seven human years old!” you will be able to respond with full confidence:
“Surprisingly, that’s not true! Here, let me explain…” 😉🐶