A dogs life, like a humans, is divided in several stages. Such stages are characterized by different processes and distinct physiological and behavioral changes. Generally, small dogs mature quite quickly an live longer, while larger dogs tend to mature slowly but have shorter lives. By knowing what to expect at each different life stage, you may be prepared better on what to expect and address potential problems in a timely matter.
Puppyhood
Depending on the dog breed, puppyhood takes place from birth until when the puppy is between six and 18 months of age. This is the shortest part of a dogs life and may be quite challenging. The puppy is generally allowed to live with its mother and litter mates until it is fully weaned around eight weeks of age. This is when most puppies are put up for adoption and start being effectively house trained. Puppyhood is mainly characterized by playfulness, exploration and some fear stages where the puppy goes through some periods of hesitancy. Socialization play a vital role in puppyhood that should not be ignored.
Adolescence
At the moment when owners start to relax because their puppy is well house trained and no longer chewing everything in sight, the puppy reaches the most challenging part of the dogs life: the teenager stages. This stage begins between six and eighteen months and ends between one and three years. Adolescent dogs will challenge their owners, test their limits and act as if they have never heard a command. Physically they are reaching sexual maturity if not spayed or neutered, they will become interested in the other sex.
Adulthood
Adulthood begins between one and three years of age and generally ends from six to to 10 years old depending on the breed. This is when the dogs personality finally settles after the unpredictable and turbulent adolescent stage. Often owners depict this stage as the light after the tunnel." At this stage dogs usually are no longer testing their boundaries and limits and are more relaxed once they are settled in a routine. They no longer exhibit the hyperactivity of the puppy and adolescent stages but still require daily exercise.
Seniority
Depending on the dog breed, seniority may start between seven to 10 years old. Dogs at this stage begin to slow down a bit. Larger breeds begin often exhibiting the first signs of joint pain and may be less tolerant of exercise. A dog at this stage is generally mellow and laid back; however, if he is in pain he may act grumpy. Depending on the breed, dogs generally tend to live 10 to 15 years.
Misconceptions
While the life stages of a dog can be somewhat similar to the life stages of humans, there is still an old wives tale that states that one year of a dogs life is the equivalent of seven human years. According to the website Dog Breed Info Center, a one-year-old dog is the equivalent of a 15-year-old adolescent. Veterinarians have created a much more accurate chart depicting the comparison between dog years and human years.
