AnimalsDetails

Dog age

3 Dog Years in Human Years

A 3-year-old dog is about 28 to 31 in human years, depending on size: 28 for a small dog, 28 for a medium dog, 28 for a large dog and 31 for a giant breed.

In human years

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3 dog years to human years by size

Dog sizeHuman ageLife stage
Small (20 lb or less)28mature adult
Medium (21 to 50 lb)28mature adult
Large (51 to 100 lb)28mature adult
Giant (over 100 lb)31mature adult

The old "multiply by seven" rule would say 21. The DNA-based formula from UC San Diego (16 × ln(3) + 31) gives 49. That formula was built on Labradors, so it fits medium and large dogs best.

What 3 looks like for a dog

Three is prime of life. Up to 80% of dogs show some dental disease by this age, so it’s a good time to start a tooth-brushing habit.

Frequently asked questions

How old is a 3 year old dog in human years?

Between 28 and 31 human years. Small dogs (under 20 lb) are about 28, medium dogs 28, large dogs 28 and giant breeds 31.

Is a 3 year old dog a senior?

For a small dog, no (mature adult). For a large dog it is not yet, and for a giant breed it is not yet.

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