One of the most amazing things about owning dogs is raising one of them from being a tiny young puppy into a full-grown adult dog.
Watching them grow physically and mentally is a fascinating and highly rewarding process.
One of the saddest things about owning dogs is that they grow up so fast and live so much shorter lives than humans do
Sadly we have to say goodbye to our beloved pets too many times.
So, what is going on here? Why do dogs grow so fast and age so quickly compared to humans?
Let’s find out.
Why is it That Dogs Grow So Fast?
Dogs grow so fast compared to humans because they have much faster metabolisms and much shorter life spans.
From a biological perspective, the purpose of life is to recreate.
Therefore, dogs need to grow faster than humans to sexually mature and reproduce before they die of old age.
Why Do Dogs Age So Much Faster Than Humans?
Dogs age much faster than humans because they live much shorter lives, and so they need to grow from puppyhood into adulthood much faster than humans so that they have time to reproduce and successfully raise their offspring.
Dogs are sexually mature around six to twelve months of age and, even at the latest, are considered fully grown adults at three years old.
However, humans are still basically babies (some would say toddlers) at three years old.
Why Do Puppies Grow Into Adult Dogs So Fast?
Puppies grow into adult dogs so fast compared to humans because of their genetic makeup. Dogs are mammals, and so are humans.
This means they have many similarities, but there are still many differences, which is why there can be such a difference in growth rates.
Of all animal species, humans take the longest to grow into fully matured adults (in fact, some of us never quite seem to get there!).
Humans grow and mature slowly because we are so complex. We have massive brains that use a lot of energy, slowing down the growth process.
Dogs are less complex. Puppies are born much more advanced than humans.
Because dogs live much shorter lives, they need to grow faster to reach maturity with enough time to breed their own puppies.
Dogs are sexually mature around six to twelve months of age and, even at the latest, are considered fully grown adults at three years old.
However, human infants are still basically babies at three years old.
But dogs only live from roughly eight to fifteen years, and the worldwide average human lifespan is approximately seventy.
Can Puppies Grow Too Fast?
Yes, puppies can grow too fast, which can cause medical issues in later life. However, this is a risk only for larger dog breeds.
It can occur if they are fed too much of the wrong types of food which causes them to grow too fast for their bodies to cope with.
This then leads to problems such as canine hip dysplasia in canine adulthood.
So, if you have a young puppy of a large breed, you should speak to your vet to ensure their diet is appropriate and that you don’t overfeed them.
If you are in financial difficulty and are worried about vet bills, this site lists helpful resources for charities to help you pay your bills.
(If you don’t live in the US, you can use Google to find similar help in your country, there is a lot of support for dog owners who are in difficulty).
How Does Ageing Vary Between Dog Breeds?
Aging can vary extensively between dog breeds, with larger breeds tending to mature more slowly and live shorter lives.
Smaller breeds tend to be fully mature around one year old, whereas some larger breeds don’t reach full maturity until three years old.
Larger breeds will live around eight to ten years, but smaller breeds are more likely to live twelve to fifteen years.
Why Do Dogs Grow So Fast? Final Thoughts
Dogs grow so fast compared to humans because they live much shorter lives and need to reach maturity more quickly to breed and reproduce.
The growth and maturation rate can vary significantly between different breeds, with smaller breeds tending to mature faster and live longer.
Before you go, you might also like to watch this video comparing human and dog life spans.
Just click on the video to start watching:
Tim is a proud, vetted, and experienced dog foster carer for a charity helping dog owners escape domestic abuse.
He has years of experience training and caring for dogs, both his own and other people’s.
He is an expert in canine behavior and is highly skilled in dealing with all dogs but specializes in the difficult ones that other people may struggle with.
When he isn’t fostering dogs, he is making friends with other people’s pups!