Just as babies have different developmental stages, the same is true for canines. There are 6 stages in the canine life cycle. Listed below are the average lifecycle stages a canine goes through as it ages. There are some varying differences depending on the breed.
Puppy Age (6 weeks to 6 months)
- Rapid growth phase
- Explores their environment
- Fast learning curve
- Best time to begin training
- Time good and bad habits are learned
- Have fearful periods and are very impressionable – try to minimize scary situations
- Vaccines at 8, 12 and 16 weeks
Medical Requirements:
1. Screen for birth defects, behavioral counseling and other puppy medical issues
2. Spay/neuter to prevent reproduction and decrease later in life risks and health diseases
3.Heartworm and fecal checks
4. For some breeds, X-ray hips for early detection of hip dysplasia (if necessary)
Adolescent dog (ages 6 months to 18 months)
- Continues growing
- Sexually mature and can reproduce
- Continue with rapid learning curve
Medical Requirements:
1. Annual examinations
2. Vaccinations
3. Fecal and heartworm check and flea control
Adult Dog (18 months to 3 to 6 years depending on breed)
- Continues growing
- Sexually mature and can reproduce
- Continued learning curve
Medical Requirements:
1. Annual examinations
2. Vaccinations
3. Fecal and heartworm checks and flea control
Middles Aged Dogs (3 years to 10 years depending on breed)
- Become more sedentary
- Tend to gain weight more easily
- Some breed become affected with early signs of disease:
-Large breeds may show evidence of arthritis
-Early changes may occur in some organs
Medical Requirements:
1. Annual wellness exams and vaccines as recommended by veterinarian
2. Some breed will begin to require early screening test such as blood work and urine samples
Early Senior Dog (ages 2 to 10 years)
- Begins to show signs of age: slowing down, occasional aches and pains
- May shows signs of change: increased or decreased drinking, change in appetite, soreness getting up, deafness, loss of vision, other signs out of the ordinary
Medical Requirements:
1. Annual and sometimes semi-annual wellness exams recommended
2. Senior wellness blood work, urine sample and in some cases more in-depth look at certain health issues
Late Senior Dog (Over 10 years of age)
- Begin to require more care
- Some changes may require special needs: type of bedding, medication and more routine veterinarian exams
Medical Requirements:
1. Semi-annual wellness exams, blood work as recommended (at least annually), urine check and heart check.
Owning a dog is a lifelong commitment. From puppy to senior age, the companionship and unconditional love a dog provides is a gift owners give themselves but it is important to acknowledge there are needs and care necessary to provide the dog a healthy life.
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