Labrador study proves our dogs are much older than we think.
Multiply the age of his faithful companion by seven and you will determine his age in human years. Well no ! This is "woufment" wrong. According to a study published in the journal Cells Systems, this summer, the ratio to determine the age "human" of a dog evolves over time. Scientists have thus studied the evolution of dog genomes over the course of their lives to find the exact calculation of the old age of our favorite animal.
The result: an eight week old puppy is about the age of a nine month old human baby. Both being at that same famous stage where teeth grow. When he celebrates his first year, he is already in his thirties. Let time pass quickly … A 6-year-old dog, stay hooked, as for him sixty in human years, according to the new formula. By following these new data, a Labrador, for example, who has an average life expectancy of 12 years, would be 70 years old, which is the world's human life expectancy. Thank you therefore to the chemical marks present on the DNA which correspond to the different phases of life: birth, childhood, youth, puberty, adulthood and death.
"To me, it's like looking at someone's face and trying to guess their age based on their wrinkles, gray hair, or other characteristics.", said Trey Ideker, of the University of San Diego, who led the study, relayed by AFP. "I like to walk my dog while running, and I have more empathy for him who is 6 years old now", he added, specifying that his pet is in fact a valiant sexagenarian.
For now, this data applies to Labradors, the researchers note. Further research on other dog breeds with longer and shorter lifespans may take place. To be continued …