No, the 7:1 ratio is a myth! Dogs mature much faster in early years. A 1-year-old dog is ~15 human years (sexually mature adult). A 2-year-old is ~24. After that, aging slows to 4-7 years per dog year depending on size.
- 7:1 ratio is oversimplified
- First year = rapid development to adulthood
- After age 2: Larger dogs age faster
- Small dogs: Live longer, age slower after maturity
| Dog Age | Small (<20 lbs) | Medium (20-50 lbs) | Large (50-90 lbs) | Giant (>90 lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
| 2 years | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
| 5 years | 36 | 37 | 40 | 45 |
| 10 years | 56 | 60 | 66 | 80 |
| 15 years | 76 | 83 | 93 | Rare |