How can you tell a dog's age?

Answer 1

Determining the age of a puppy is relatively simple - puppies have deciduous teeth (also called baby teeth or milk teeth) that erupt through the gums then are lost at fairly standard times over the course of the puppy's first two years of life. After this, it becomes something of a guessing game - different dogs have different wear patterns on their teeth, and there are genetic and breed differences in the strength of the teeth. However, a veterinarian can generally give a reasonable estimate based upon body condition, size, coat color and overall impression.

Answer 2

The most accurate way is to examine the condition of the dog's teeth. This should be done by a veterinarian, who is trained in interpreting wearing and staining patterns, damage, plaque, tooth loss and other dental details. Even then, a vet can only provide an estimate of the animal's age.

Also, as they become older, dogs' fur will become gray, especially around the face, and their general body condition will deteriorate. Their movements will be stiffer because of Arthritis and joint problems, and the features of the face will appear sunken.