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File photo Shutterstock/Pavlina Trauskeova

Dog years are a myth and puppies are middle-aged, scientists claim

‘Who’s a good man?’

THE IDEA THAT dogs age seven years for every human year is a myth, scientists have said.

University of California researchers said they have also found that puppies are middle-aged by the time they are two, although dogs tend to age more slowly than humans in later life.

By the time they get to three – and are possibly still getting away with things due to being considered young – dogs are closer in age to a 50-year-old human, according to the university’s research.

The study looked at how dogs aged by focusing on the DNA methylation in 104 Labradors aged between four weeks and 16 years.

The DNA contains marks that change over time as a cell matures, allowing scientists to track the animal’s biological age.

After assessing the results, the researchers compared their findings to those from 300 humans.

By the age of two, the Labrador DNA was equivalent to a human in their early 40s, rather than the 14-year-old, which the traditional formula would suggest.

Ageing slows over time 

However, ageing slows in dogs over time, meaning that by the age of 10, a Labrador is similar to a person aged 68.

This ties in with the long-held formula for calculating the age of dogs, which was developed on the assumption that most canines lived until around 10, while humans lived until around 70.

“The expected lifespan of Labrador retrievers, 12 years, correctly translated to the worldwide lifetime expectancy of humans, 70 years,” the researchers said.

But if anyone thinks this research makes puppies any less lovable, the scientists also observed similarities in the ageing process whereby eight-week-old puppies resembled nine-month-old babies.

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    Mute Fachtna Roe
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 11:25 AM

    Brought to you by the Information Office of the Feline Liberation Front…

    193
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    Mute thomas patrick
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 1:46 PM

    @Fachtna Roe: f..k of… we’re the liberation front of felines.

    48
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    Mute Fachtna Roe
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 1:58 PM

    @thomas patrick: Splitters!

    40
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    Mute Kian David Griffin
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 1:21 PM

    Dogs are the best thing on this earth and I won’t hear any argument to the contrary.

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    Mute Martin Harte
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 2:24 PM

    @Kian David Griffin: and cats are assh0les

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    Mute Tom Seagrave
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 11:48 AM

    Spend years on degrees and masters, become a Scientist. I’ll cure cancer says you.. eh no, I’ll do this stuff instead.

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    Mute Peter
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 3:20 PM

    @Tom Seagrave:

    They can learn from stuff like this

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    Mute EillieEs
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 7:02 PM

    @Tom Seagrave: there are different branches of science not all focused on cancer cures. Having said that, this study focused on the ageing process or DNA methylation which also plays a major role in the development of chronic diseases and cancer.

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    Mute Colm
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 7:47 PM

    @Tom Seagrave: you’re a redneck clown.

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    Mute Peter Mulligan
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 12:39 PM

    I’m in my 50s, and I am still considered a pup by some who know me !

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    Mute Mr.Misery
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 1:00 PM

    @Peter Mulligan: clap. clap. clap.

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 11:37 AM

    Wish I could move like my fella.

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    Mute STOIC SAVAGE
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 11:39 AM

    @Logan Shepherd: grow another 2 legs and you’ll be able

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    Mute Kev
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 12:07 PM

    @Logan Shepherd: Lol, Same,my cocker spaniel is 9 yrs old and still flying around like a puppy.

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 12:14 PM

    @STOIC SAVAGE: If I had 6 legs, I don’t think I could.

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    Mute MunsterPI
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 12:45 PM

    @Logan Shepherd: Springer Spaniels should be put on the dangerous breed list. The feckers are so lively that their very dangerous to an unfit middle aged man!

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 1:21 PM

    @MunsterPI: Try entertaining a 40kg german shepherd that thinks everything is a game. That’s how I know how unfit I am.

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    Mute Ding Ding Denny
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 4:03 PM

    @Logan Shepherd: Are you anything to German?

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 6:03 PM

    @Ding Ding Denny: Nein ..

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    Mute Elma Phudd
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 11:30 AM

    Middle aged puppies you say?

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    Mute Martin Harte
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 2:23 PM

    @Elma Phudd: to shreds you say

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    Mute Mill Lane
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 12:20 PM

    “researchers said they have also found that puppies are middle-aged by the time they are two”

    And then a boxer dog walked into the room and laughed at their findings.

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    Mute sinead foley-coleman
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 11:25 AM

    Well I’ll be doggone…..dog gone.

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    Mute Jonny Chip
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 12:12 PM

    @sinead foley-coleman: dogging?

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    Mute Joan Doyle
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 2:34 PM

    This sounds whacky also labradors dont age well arthritis particularly should have sampled a variety of dogs and I’m no scientist

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    Mute sandra grehan
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    Nov 24th 2019, 2:25 PM

    Regardless of age, size, breed ALL animals are a GIFT to us. They give 100% PURE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE no matter the age and does not change regardless of their age or breed. We need to respect all animals and learn from them. Nothing is clksenyo man than an animal and all animals are a humans BEST FRIEND. Please remember though ANIMALS ARE FOR LIFE AND NOT JUST CHRISTMAS…. please don’t buy ANY animal as a present because most end up abondened and in shelters!!!

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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 11:34 AM

    Scientist are bulls**t

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    Mute yell cub
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 11:59 AM

    @Brian Flavin: poster on the journal are wank*rs

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    Mute jamesdecay
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 12:28 PM

    @yell cub: ha ha. I think a little wee came out…

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    Mute Conall
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 12:57 PM

    @Brian Flavin: A little ironic considering the technology you’re using to make your comment

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    Mute paul kelly
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 6:27 PM

    Nice couple of puppies

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    Mute Niall Power
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    Nov 23rd 2019, 12:23 PM

    My Springer Spaniel says this is bullshit!
    He doesn’t feel a day over 35!

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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Nov 24th 2019, 9:42 AM

    so basically dog years are NOT a myth – we just have the math wrong. So the article says the opposite to that headline ? They are smarter than most of the humans these days.

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