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Sunday, August 30, 2026

Life Stages and Years for Dogs

Canine Aging

Approximate Dog Years

The "multiply by seven" rule is a myth. Dogs mature fast in year one, keep aging quickly in year two, then their pace splits by size with bigger dogs aging faster in their adult years. Pick a size and drag the slider to see their approximate age as compared to human lifespan.

Adult size
Dog's actual age
3 yrs
28
human years
3-year-old small dog is about 28 in human terms.
Adult
Aging curve
Small Medium Large Giant
Based on commonly cited veterinary aging charts (AVMA / AKC-style size breakdowns). All dogs age at roughly the same fast pace through year two, then aging curves diverge. Small and medium dogs level off; large and giant breeds keep climbing. Each slider's outer edge is stretched to fit real-world longevity outliers where small dogs are the ones most likely to reach their late teens or early 20s, while giant breeds rarely see much past their early-to-mid teens. As such, the giant breed curve ends stops sooner. Treat this as a rough estimate, not a diagnosis, since genetics, breed, and health matter as much as size.

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