Can you tell a dog's age by their teeth?

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When I got Augie from the pound, they said he was 4-6yrs old. When I brought him out to our country place, it was like he had a whole new lease on life, so it was hard to imagine him being that old, the way he was running & tearing around with other buddy dogs and racing after coyotes. But now, (I've had him 3&1/2 years) his teeth are worn down, you can see a darker core in the center of his incisors. He is a big dog (107lbs), and though he is slowing down, he is is excellent shape. Is there a rule of thumb on judging a dog's age by their teeth's condition?

-- snoozy (bunny@northsound.net), December 10, 2001

Answers

You're meant to be able to look at their teeth and guess their age - it's not very reliable.

My big 110 lb Shepherd will be 10 next month and he still races around like an idiot and loves to play fetch.

-- anita in nc (anitaholton@mindspring.com), December 11, 2001.


I don't remember where I heard this (call it a senior moment if you will), but I heard that you are more apt to be able to tell a dog's age by looking at (no kidding, now!) the dog's "elbows." Supposedly, like our body parts, these show more wear and tear than other anatomical parts....... MissJudi

-- MissJudi (jselig@clemson.edu), December 11, 2001.

Do you know what breed(s) your dog is? Keep in mind that large breeds usually do not live as long as smaller breeds. That's not set in stone, but is a general rule of thumb. A friend of mine raised Mastiffs and told me that over 7 yrs in considered old for one of these and living to 10yrs is fairly rare! Compare with toy breeds where 14 yrs is pretty common. Also, if your dog has any other health issues or is overweight that could take it's toll as well. Maybe he needs a physical?

-- ellie (eagle-quest@juno.com), December 11, 2001.

MissJudi, not really sure about this one. Typically the wear and tear that shows on elbows of a dog, i.e. as callous buildup is a function of what surface they are laying on. Those dogs that sleep on cement or hardwood floors will build up callousing on their elbows whereas those dogs that sleep on nice soft bedding will show minimal callousing or none at all. My older dogs show no callousing just as do my young dogs but that is because they are all pampered babies that sleep on our beds and couches or on multiple comforters on the floor.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), December 11, 2001.

A good observant vet with many years of small animal experience can usually guesstimate the age of a dog by their teeth, if you need to know for sure.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), December 11, 2001.


Once you determine the age of the teeth, the age of the dog will be slightly less! Sorry (to Colleen as well) - couldn't help myself. GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), December 11, 2001.

Augie has the colouring of a lion, the size of a bear and the fur, smile and personality of a Samoyed. He is not overweight, and I can't even find his elbows under all that fur. He is the most wonderful doggie that ever was and I want him to live forever!

-- snoozy (bunny@northsound.net), December 11, 2001.

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