I’m sure we have all heard about the math when it comes to figuring out a dog’s age; that is, one human year equals seven dogs years. Needless to say, there are other factors associated with this. For instance, large breeds are considered a senior at 6 or 7 years of age – and smaller breeds may not be considered the lovely senior title until their teen years.

There are studies suggesting that certain breeds are more long-lived than others. The most important thing when it comes to your best friend and their age is to make sure you’re taking proper care for when each Birthday passes. My Cane Corso—Italian Mastiff is now 5, so based upon the dog food she gets I’m now buying her Senior food. The old lady is now getting extra nutrients that go along with her aging body. There are some things that we should expect as our canines get older. We must remember that each dog is different – just as with humans. Few-things to keep your eyes on:

•Slowing down - You may notice that your dog slows down some with aging. This isn't always the case, but look for subtle changes in how s/he gets up, lays down, and uses stairs. Is there any hesitation or stiffness? Does a change in the weather (rainy, cold) make it worse? Arthritis is common in dogs as they age, particularly large breeds. Arthritis can occur in any joint, most commonly the legs and back (spine). There are many different medications available to help ease the discomfort of arthritis -- see your vet if you notice any signs of slowing down in your dog. Another potential cause of slowing down is hypothyroidism, an endocrine disorder common in dogs. This condition is easily diagnosed and treated with proper veterinary care.

•Graying around the face, muzzle - One of my dogs went prematurely gray at two years of age, but most dogs commonly show a bit of gray starting at middle age (5-6 years).

•Reduced hearing - Is your dog hard to wake up after sleeping or does s/he become startled easily if you approach from behind? Hearing loss or deafness may be a reason for this. There isn't a lot that can be done for age-related hearing loss, but a vet exam should be done first to rule out other medical problems, such as an infection, growth, or foreign body in the ear. If your dog does experience hearing loss, take care to protect him/her from hazards, such as cars and kids that s/he may not hear (or see). Dogs do learn and adapt well using hand signals to come, stay, sit, and so on. It is a good idea to "cross train" your dog early in life to recognize basic hand signals.

•Cloudy or "bluish" eyes - As they age, dog's eyes often show a bluish transparent "haze" in the pupil area. This is a normal effect of aging, and the medical term for this is lenticular sclerosis. Vision does not appear to be affected. This is NOT the same as cataracts. Cataracts are white and opaque. Vision can be affected by cataracts, and your vet needs to be consulted.