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Written by Paul
Dr Paul Manktelow is a vet who’s worked for almost 20 years on the front line in some of the UK’s busiest veterinary hospitals. As Chief Vet in the Charity Sector, he leads a team of vets and nurses that treat thousands of pets every year. Paul also appears regularly in the media as a TV and radio presenter, writer, public speaker and podcast producer.
Do you know how old your dog really is?
A surprising number of owners underestimate their dog’s true biological age – and that can have a big impact on their health and wellbeing.
Why Guesswork Can Hurt
The old 7-year rule leads people to believe their dog is “younger” than they actually are.
But dogs age quickly in their early years. A one-year-old dog is biologically around 31 in human terms. By age two, they’re 42. That means by the time your dog turns three or four, they could already be middle-aged.
Large dogs, in particular, can be seniors by age six or seven.
What This Means for Care
If you think your dog is younger than they really are, you might delay essential care.
Senior dogs benefit from:
- More frequent vet check-ups
- Routine blood tests and dental care
- Diets tailored to ageing bodies
- Early screening for disease
By the time they “look old,” it could be too late to catch certain conditions early.
How to Know Their True Age
Use this simple guide:
- First year = 15 human years
- Second year = 9 human years
- Each year after that =
- 4 human years (small breeds)
- 5 (medium breeds)
- 6–7 (large and giant breeds)
A Simple Change That Can Add Years
Adjusting your dog’s care to their true life stage can help them live longer and healthier.
It’s about understanding that a seven-year-old Great Dane might be the equivalent of 60 in human years, while a seven-year-old Chihuahua might only be in their 40s.
Knowing where your dog is in their life stage helps you give them the care they need, when they need it.
Listen for More
I unpack this in my latest episode of The Consult Room: How Old Is Your Dog in Human Years? Why the 7-Year Rule Is Wrong.
🎧 Listen to the episode here
