Dog Age to Human Years Chart and Calculator with Breed Life Expectancy
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2021/07/03 - Updated: 2025/05/02
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Topic: Medical Calculators and Charts - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the correlation between dog and human ages, moving beyond the outdated "one dog year equals seven human years" model. It introduces a more nuanced approach, endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, which considers the dog's size and breed. For instance, the first year of a medium-sized dog's life is roughly equivalent to 15 human years, the second year to about nine, and each subsequent year to approximately five human years.
The resource includes an easy-to-read conversion chart and a calculator that factors in the dog's size, offering a more accurate age comparison. Additionally, it provides average life expectancies for various dog breeds, aiding pet owners in understanding their dog's aging process. This information is particularly valuable for seniors and individuals with disabilities, as it assists in making informed decisions about pet care, ensuring the well-being of both the pet and the owner - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
No one formula for dog-to-human age conversion is scientifically agreed on. A 2019 study suggests a new formula based on changes made to a dogs' DNA over time. The previous formula that had been used for many years was based on the calculation that 1 dog year equaled approximately 7 human years. Today, as a general rule, the American Veterinary Medical Association states:
Focus
- The first year of a medium-sized dog equals around 15 human years.
- The second year of a dog equates to approximately nine human years - which makes a 2 year old dog equal to a 24 year old human (15+9=24).
- After that every human year equals approximately five dog years.
World's Oldest Dog
The official holder of the world's oldest dog is held by an Australian Blue Heeler cattle dog named Bluey who died in 1939 at age 29. Guinness World Records says he was bought as a puppy in 1910 in Victoria, Australia, and worked among cattle and sheep for nearly 20 years before eventually being put to sleep.
Average Age for a Dog
The average age at death for dogs - all breeds, all causes - was 11 years and 1 month, but in dogs dying of natural causes it was 12 years and 8 months. Only 8% of dogs lived beyond 15, and 64%of dogs died of disease or were euthanized as a result of disease - (wikipedia.org/wiki/Aging_in_dogs).
Dog Age Equivalent in Human Years Calculator
Dog Years to Human Years Table
| Dog Years to Human Years Conversion Chart | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size of Dog = | Small | Medium | Large | X Large |
| Dog Age in Years | Equivalent Human Age in Years | |||
| 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
| 2 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
| 3 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 31 |
| 4 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 38 |
| 5 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 45 |
| 6 | 40 | 42 | 45 | 49 |
| 7 | 44 | 47 | 50 | 56 |
| 8 | 48 | 51 | 55 | 64 |
| 9 | 52 | 56 | 61 | 71 |
| 10 | 56 | 60 | 66 | 79 |
| 11 | 60 | 65 | 72 | 86 |
| 12 | 64 | 69 | 77 | 93 |
| 13 | 68 | 74 | 82 | 100 |
| 14 | 72 | 78 | 88 | 107 |
| 15 | 76 | 83 | 93 | 114 |
| 16 | 80 | 87 | 99 | 121 |
Dog Breed Average Life Expectancy in Years
| Breed of Dog | Average Life Expectancy in Years* |
|---|---|
| Afghan Hound | 12 |
| Airedale Terrier | 11.2 |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 12.3 |
| Basset Hound | 12.8 |
| Beagle | 13.3 |
| Bearded Collie | 12.3 |
| Bedlington Terrier | 14.3 |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | 7 |
| Border Collie | 13 |
| Border Terrier | 13.8 |
| Boston Terrier | 15 |
| Boxer | 10.4 |
| Bull Terrier | 12.9 |
| Bulldog | 6.7 |
| Bullmastiff | 8.6 |
| Cairn Terrier | 13.2 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 10.7 |
| Chihuahua | 15 |
| Chow Chow | 13.5 |
| American Cocker Spaniel | 12.5 |
| Dachshund | 12.2 |
| Dalmatian | 13 |
| Doberman Pinscher | 9.8 |
| English Cocker Spaniel | 11.8 |
| English Setter | 11.2 |
| English Springer Spaniel | 13 |
| English Toy Spaniel | 10.1 |
| Flat-Coated Retriever | 9.5 |
| German Shepherd | 10.3 |
| German Shorthaired Pointer | 12.3 |
| Golden Retrievers | 12 |
| Gordon Setter | 11.3 |
| Great Dane | 8.4 |
| Greyhound | 13.2 |
| Irish Red and White Setter | 12.9 |
| Irish Setter | 11.8 |
| Irish Wolfhound | 6.2 |
| Jack Russell Terrier | 13.6 |
| Labrador Retriever | 12.6 |
| Lurcher | 12.6 |
| Miniature Dachshund | 14.4 |
| Miniature Pinscher | 14.9 |
| Miniature Poodle | 14.8 |
| Random-bred/Mongrel | 13.2 |
| Newfoundland | 10 |
| Norfolk Terrier | 10 |
| Old English Sheepdog | 11.8 |
| Pekingese | 13.3 |
| Pomeranian | 14.5 |
| Pug | 16 |
| Rajapalayam hound | 11.2 |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | 9.1 |
| Rottweiler | 9.8 |
| Rough Collie | 12.2 |
| Samoyed | 11 |
| Scottish Deerhound | 9.5 |
| Scottish Terrier | 12 |
| Shetland Sheepdog | 13.3 |
| Shiba Inu | 14 |
| Shih Tzu | 13.4 |
| Siberian Husky | 13.5 |
| Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 13.2 |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 14 |
| Standard Poodle | 12 |
| Tibetan Terrier | 14.3 |
| Toy Poodle | 14.4 |
| Vizsla | 12.5 |
| Weimaraner | 10 |
| Welsh Corgi | 11.3 |
| Welsh Springer Spaniel | 11.5 |
| West Highland White Terrier | 12.8 |
| Wire Fox Terrier | 13 |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 12.8 |
Printable Dog Age Chart: Dog Years to Human Years Conversion Table
*Longevity of British breeds of dog and its relationships with-sex, size, cardiovascular variables and disease - A. R. Michell DSc, MRCVS
Convert Cat to Human Age Chart and Calculator: Our calculator and table provide quick conversion of a cats age in years to an approximate equivalent human age.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Understanding a dog's age in human terms is more than a curiosity; it's a crucial aspect of responsible pet ownership. By providing detailed, size- and breed-specific information, this resource empowers pet owners to tailor their care strategies effectively. This article stands out for its clarity and depth, offering both a modern perspective on canine aging and practical tools for everyday use. By moving beyond the simplistic "seven-year rule," it helps pet owners make more informed decisions about nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care, ultimately supporting the well-being of both dogs and their human families. Its focus on accessibility and detailed breed information makes it especially relevant for older adults and individuals with disabilities who may rely on pets for companionship and emotional support - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is an Australian-born writer, editor, and advocate who currently resides in Montreal, Canada. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.