The tags, known as methyl groups, act like little switches that can turn on or off particular genes in that DNA. The marks determine how different genes in the DNA get used to make proteins. As an animal ages, so does its methylome. How it changes is very predictable. Most adolescent humans will have DNA marks that are in one pattern, while humans nearing 65 or 70 show a different pattern of DNA marks. The same is true for dogs.
If there were, would finding that pattern in one species point to an equivalent age in the other? To test this, her team looked at the methylomes from purebred Labrador retrievers. And it worked.
By comparing the patterns, they scientists found they could figure out how dog years relate to human years.
Early in life, puppies develop much faster than people do. But as dogs get older, their aging curve begins to flatten. Ostrander and her colleagues published their new formula online July 2 in Cell Systems.
The new formula relies on the mathematical concept known as logarithms. Then add This graph compares Labrador retrievers at different ages with humans at different ages. It shows a 1-year-old dog is biologically closer to a 31 year-old human second dot from left. For example, in Japan had an overall life expectancy of 83 years and Sierra Leone had a life expectancy of See List of countries by life expectancy for more values. The worldwide average human life expectancy in was This calculator allows the user to adjust human life expectancy used in the calculations.
This calculator defaults to sixty-eight years for human life expectancy. The operator can adjust this parameter under the options tab. This is helpful for determining equivalent dog ages in different regions of the world. If you do not see a breed, please send an email to with the missing breed.
Additional Resources AKC. Clubs Offering: Training Classes. Nov 20, 4 Minutes. Key Points. Year two for a dog equals about nine years for a human. And after that, each human year would be approximately five years for a dog. Did You Know? Evidently, people have been comparing human-to-dog years for centuries. Life with a Senior Dog As your dog ages his needs will start to change.
Download this e-book to learn what to expect and get helpful tips on caring for your senior dog. AKC Privacy Policy. Founded in , the not-for-profit AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for all dogs.
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