When is a dog considered a senior?

It is important to be aware of our dog’s age when it comes to taking care of them. Only by knowing where they are in their life, can we create the best environment for them.

Let’s see when a dog is considered to be of senior age and what signs indicate that your four-legged companion may be getting older.

When is a dog considered to be of senior age?

There is no exact definition of the years when a dog is considered to be of senior age, as this number depends greatly on the breed and size. However, if we want to make a general estimate, we could define the age as being around 5-7 years old, from which point onwards you should take your dog for 2 routine check-ups a year. A slightly different approach, old age is the last quarter or third of a dog’s life expectancy.

Let’s now look at how size influences the issue:

Small dogs

Dogs weighing less than 9 kg or so will reach adulthood more quickly than larger breeds, often reaching full maturity by 6-8 months of age. However, they age more slowly thereafter. Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs – up to 16+ years. So a small, healthy dog may not be considered old until they are 12 years old.

However, there are exceptions, such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, which have a shorter life expectancy and are considered old at around 8 years of age.

Large dogs

Large breeds have a shorter life span, which means that they enter seniority more quickly than smaller breeds. Labrador retrievers are a good benchmark for larger dogs. Their typical lifespan is around 12 years, so they can be considered mature at 8-9 years of age.

Giant breeds such as the Bernese Mountain Dog, have a significantly shorter life span, averaging 6-8 years, so they can be considered to be of advanced age at 4-5 years of age.

Characteristics of older dogs

Just like us, our four-legged friends are more likely to show signs of illness or health problems (such as arthritis, vision loss, etc.) as they enter old age. You may notice that your puppy is slowing down, becoming less playful and perhaps a little more impatient with younger dogs. In addition to this, they will probably start to go grey, first all-around their cheeks. Unfortunately, in some cases, cognitive function may also start to deteriorate, with signs including interrupted sleep, loss of sense of smell, unusual nocturnal activity and anxiety.

As mentioned in the introduction, it is very important to watch out for these signs!
This is both so that any health problems that arise can be dealt with immediately, and so that we can make the necessary changes to the housing conditions.