When is a dog considered old? Senior age by size and breed

At what age is a dog considered a senior?

A dog is a senior once he enters the last 25% of his life. The LICG, the Dutch national information centre for companion animals, bases this on how long the average dog lives: around 10 to 12 years across all breeds. That is why an average dog counts as a senior at around 7 years.

Size makes a big difference. Large breeds live shorter lives on average than small ones, so they become seniors sooner. For very large, heavy dogs such as the Great Dane or the Bernese mountain dog, the LICG says you can speak of a senior from 4 to 6 years. Small dogs only get there from 8 to 9 years.

Breeds of the same size differ too: some live longer, others shorter than breeds of the same build. So look at your dog's breed as well.

When does a vet consider a dog old?

Often later than the LICG's senior age. Researchers at the University of Liverpool looked at when vets started noting old age in British veterinary records: that typically happened at 12.5 years, though it varied by breed. The researchers describe it as the point at which vets start to consider a dog 'elderly' or 'senior'.

Size counts here too. Smaller breeds tend to age more slowly: in Jack Russell terriers, old age began closer to 14 years. Labradors, a much larger breed, were considered old at around 12 years.

That often leaves years between the senior age and the note in the record, and those are the years when regular check-ups pay off. Many health problems in older dogs don't show on the outside at first, so they are found late, the LICG writes. The LICG adds that the sooner something is found, the more can almost always still be done.

How long do dogs live by breed?

Dogs in the UK live for 12.5 years on average, according to research by the British dog welfare charity Dogs Trust covering over half a million dogs. Small and medium-sized breeds came out at 12.7 and 12.5 years. Large breeds reached 11.9 years and had a 20% increased risk of a shorter life than small breeds.

Head shape plays a part too. Flat-faced dogs such as the French bulldog (9.8 years) had a 40% increased risk of a shorter life than dogs with a typical head shape, such as the border collie (13.1 years) or the golden retriever (13.2 years).

Another British study arrives at very different figures for some breeds. The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London analysed a random sample of 30,563 dogs that had died, from 18 breeds and crossbreeds. Average life expectancy from birth was 11.2 years. Jack Russell terriers came out highest at 12.7 years, followed by border collies at 12.1 years. For French bulldogs it was 4.5 years.

How can the same bulldog come out at 9.8 years in one study and 4.5 in the other? The studies calculate differently. For purebred dogs, Dogs Trust gives a median life expectancy, based on over half a million dogs from data from 18 organisations. The RVC used so-called life tables to calculate an average life expectancy from birth, based on 30,563 dogs that had died. The notes on the RVC study also say that some breeds have only recently become popular, so there might not yet be a full picture of how long they live. Dogs Trust adds that its results apply to dogs in the UK and may not apply to other countries.

How can you tell your dog is getting older?

You notice it in small things: tiring sooner on walks, less keen to run, grey hairs around the muzzle, poorer hearing or sight. But such a change is often not down to age alone, the LICG warns. Several diseases are seen more often in older animals, and many conditions can be treated.

In the Liverpool study, these were the five most common health concerns in old dogs:

• Weight (35%): overweight, underweight or weight loss.
• Muscles and joints (33%): stiffness and trouble moving.
• Teeth (31%): from tartar to periodontal disease, an inflammation of the gums and jaw.
• Skin (28%): lumps, infections or hair loss.
• Digestion (22%): for example vomiting or diarrhoea.

A smaller British interview study suggests one reason problems go unchecked. The researchers interviewed 15 owners of 21 dogs and 11 people from veterinary practice. The owners mostly saw changes in their older dog as 'just old age', and only thought vaccinations and check-ups mattered once a problem had been found.

How often should an older dog see the vet?

The LICG advises a senior check at least 1 or 2 times a year, depending on your dog's age and breed. The Flemish government goes further and, for older pets in general, recommends a senior check every 6 months, with regular blood tests. Start around the senior age that fits your dog's size.

At such a check, the LICG says, the vet looks at the joints, heart and lungs, blood pressure, eyes and ears, and body weight. Add blood and urine tests and many conditions can be caught early.

At home you can keep track of a lot yourself:

• Weigh your dog regularly and write it down. Losing or gaining weight can mean something is wrong.
• Look at his shape too. The LICG points to a body condition score: a series of pictures you compare your dog's body with.
• Note what he is less keen to do, such as jumping, climbing the stairs or a long walk, and take it to the appointment.
• Use a checklist. The Liverpool findings were used to develop the Ageing Canine Toolkit, which includes a free checklist of signs to look out for as your dog ages that might require veterinary advice. Search online for 'Ageing Canine Toolkit'.
• Ask about vaccinations or a titre test. In older dogs, vaccines sometimes work less well because their immune system is ageing.

Getting up stiffly or walking more slowly can point to arthritis. How to recognise and record those signs is covered in recognising arthritis in dogs.

What changes about walking a senior dog?

Your dog still needs walks; they just look different. For older dogs the LICG recommends more short walks instead of a few long ones, at the dog's pace. Daily exercise still matters. Even a dog who can't go far any more usually still loves a slow sniff around.

Swap wild chasing and tug games for search and scent work. It keeps his mind busy, and it's something you do together. How much walking suits which age is covered in how often should you walk your dog.

If someone else walks your senior during the week, pass on what your vet advises about distance and pace. On our private walks your dog walks one-to-one and sets the pace himself.

Frequently asked questions about when a dog is old