1. Teeth

A dog’s teeth are like the rings of a tree and are the most important source of information for judging its age. Therefore, owners can open the dog's mouth while ensuring their own safety, check the condition of its teeth (number and wear, color, gum condition), and then roughly calculate the dog's age by comparing it to the table below.

Deciduous teeth appear within ten days after birth. After two months, the incisors, canines, and molars begin to be gradually replaced by permanent teeth. The permanent teeth are replaced at 8 to 10 months, but it takes one and a half years for the teeth to grow solidly. It doesn't matter if the puppy swallows the replaced baby teeth, because the baby teeth are soft and the dog's gastrointestinal tract can digest them. Table for estimating dog age based on teeth.

If all its teeth should be replaced by permanent teeth, and the teeth are relatively sharp (peaks), it proves that they have just reached adulthood (about 1 year old);

If the peak of the second incisor of the lower jaw is ground flat (peak obliterated), it is about 1.5-2.5 years old;

If the cusp of the first maxillary incisor is worn out, it is about 3.5 years old, and the second incisor is worn out, about 4.5 years old;

If the peak of the third mandibular incisor is slightly worn, the first and second mandibular incisors have been worn flat, about 5 years old;

If the mandibular third incisor is worn to the point of blunt roundness, it is about 6 years old; if the mandibular first incisor is worn to the root, the wear surface is a vertical oval, it is about 7 years old;

If the first incisor of the mandible is worn and tilts forward, it is about 8 years old;

Dogs over 10 years old will basically start to lose their teeth. The incisors will become very small due to wear and tear, and the teeth will turn yellow. If old dogs do not take good oral care, they may even have bad breath, a lot of dental calculus, and red and swollen gums. Even periodontitis.

2. Coat color and nose

Just like people, people will have gray hair when they get old, and so will dogs. Especially for dogs with darker coats, such as golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers, their hair will turn white as they age, and their originally black noses will gradually become lighter in color, or even turn white.

The appearance of gray and white hair (that is, the original non-gray hair of the dog turns into gray and white hair) first occurs in the lip area and mandibular area. Dogs aged 4-5 years old begin to see a few white hairs, and the number increases significantly at the age of 5-6 years old, and then spreads to the back, around the nose, eyelids, eyebrows, etc., and then further extends to the forehead and external auditory canal, and even The hair on the entire head turns white. Dogs over 10 years old have a lot of white hair on their forehead, face and front of their head. Over the age of 13, the entire head turns white (some dogs still have the same coat color when they are 10-14 years old). For dogs with white, yellow and white hair or chestnut hair with white spots, coat color change cannot be used as an auxiliary means to judge age.

3. Skin condition

Just like people, of course the skin can be broken by blows when they are young, and it is pink and elastic. However, the skin elasticity of older dogs will become worse, and some dogs will haveMelanin pigmentation (age spots). The hair becomes brittle.

4. Posture and movements

Old dogs have less agile legs and feet, and their amount of exercise is greatly reduced. Young dogs are light and nimble when moving. When they are 2-5 years old, their movements are somewhat clumsy, but stable, safe and reliable. Elderly dogs over 10 years old have sluggish behavior, crooked or bent backs, and walk slowly.

5. Facial expression

Dogs aged about 1 year old have active expressions, bright eyes and active movements. Dogs aged 2-4 years old are approachable, energetic and enthusiastic. Old dogs older than 7 years old have sluggish energy, slow response to stimulation, unwillingness to move much, and dull eyes.