How Old is My Dog? Dog Years to Human Years Conversion

Oct 7, 2010
Roberta Goli

Dog Years to Human Years - wsilver

It is a common misconception that 1 human year equates to 7 dog years but this is untrue. Read on to learn how to convert dog years to human years.

The average life expectancy for a domestic dog varies greatly depending on size and breed. Smaller breeds live for longer than larger breeds. With many small breeds of dog, the life expectancy is approximately 15-17 years in comparison to large breeds whose life expectancy is around 12-14 years.

There are several factors that can affect a dog’s lifespan in addition to its breed and size, some that are within the owner’s control and some that aren’t. These include:

Intelligence
Environment
Nutrition
Heredity
Physical/Medical care

Converting Dog Years to Human Years

Dog owners who know how to convert dog years to human years gain a better understanding of their dog’s development. As stated, breed and size can determine dog’s life expectancy, but though smaller breeds generally live longer than large breeds, there are some larger breeds that outlive medium breeds. For example a Doberman pinscher, a breed that can reach 77 pounds (35kg) can live to 15 years; in comparison, a smaller boxer may only live to around to 12 years.

Regardless of breed and size, these dog years to human years charts should give owners a pretty good idea of their dog’s age.

Human Years to Dog’s Age Reference Chart: Small Breeds

1 human years = 15 dog years
2 human years = 24 dog years
3 human years = 28 dog years
4 human years = 32 dog years
5 human years = 36 dog years
6 human years = 40 dog years
7 human years = 44 dog years
8 human years = 48 dog years
9 human years = 52 dog years
10 human years = 56 dog years
11 human years = 60 dog years
12 human years = 64 dog years
13 human years = 68 dog years
14 human years = 72 dog years
15 human years = 76 dog years
16 human years = 80 dog years
17 human years = 84 dog years
18 human years = 88 dog years
19 human years = 92 dog years

Human Years to Dog’s Age Reference Chart: Medium Breeds

1 human years = 15 dog years
2 human years = 24 dog years
3 human years = 28 dog years
4 human years = 32 dog years
5 human years = 36 dog years
6 human years = 42 dog years
7 human years = 47 dog years
8 human years = 51 dog years
9 human years = 56 dog years
10 human years = 60 dog years
11 human years = 65 dog years
12 human years = 69 dog years
13 human years = 74 dog years
14 human years = 78 dog years
15 human years = 83 dog years
16 human years = 87 dog years
17 human years = 92 dog years
18 human years = 96 dog years
19 human years = 101 dog years

Human Years to Dog’s Age Reference Chart: Large Breeds

1 human years = 15 dog years
2 human years = 24 dog years
3 human years = 28 dog years
4 human years = 32 dog years
5 human years = 36 dog years
6 human years = 45 dog years
7 human years = 50 dog years
8 human years = 55 dog years
9 human years = 61 dog years
10 human years = 66 dog years
11 human years = 72 dog years
12 human years = 77 dog years
13 human years = 82 dog years
14 human years = 88 dog years
15 human years = 93 dog years
16 human years = 120 dog years

Things Owners can do to Maximize Dog Years

There are certain factors, such as heredity and intelligence that are out of the owner's control, however there are some things he can do to hopefully extend his dog’s years.

Diet – It is important for owners to feed a good quality premium dog food, such as those available from veterinary clinics. This will ensure that their dog gets all the nutrients it needs, and by feeding premium dry food, the potential to decrease the risk of dental disease.

Medical care – Providing proper medical care such as vaccinations and prevention of intestinal worms and heartworm as well as dealing with any medical issues that arise is the best thing owners can do for their pets.

Spaying/Neutering – For both male and female dogs, neutering or spaying reduces the risk of certain types of cancer (eg: breast), and prevent pregnancy and unwanted litters. For male dogs, neutering can reduce fighting, aggression and other behaviors, particularly if desexed before 6 months of age.

Dog owners can do a lot to provide a healthy lifestyle for their dog, but dogs are individuals and there are no guarantees for life expectancy. Either way, knowing how to convert dog years to human years will help to understand their dog’s development and real age. You may also be interested in reading How Old is my Cat?

Reference: Purina

Roberta Goli - Roberta has a Bachelor of Science Degree (Zoology), has worked with animals for over 10 years and enjoys writing short stories and flash ...