Thunder has been reading around the internet and noticed the word “senior” being used here and there.  He noticed that sometimes the word is used to describe a dog who is seven years old, (Thunder will be 8 next March).  Thunder wanted to know: Am I a senior dog?”

The Michigan State Veterinary Teaching Hospital helps to define a “senior” dog.

The term “senior” truly depends on the individual animal, as there are many different breeds and sizes of dogs. Although there is no formal definition, some veterinarians refer to “senior” or “geriatric” as the last 25% of an animal’s lifespan. For large and giant breeds that’s close to 7-10 years of age, while for small breeds, the last 25% of a lifespan could be between 14-18 years of age. One way to determine if your dog is becoming a senior is to look for physical signs of aging. Does your dog have gray or white hair around the muzzle? Does your dog seem less playful or have trouble seeing or hearing? These are just a few questions that may indicate advancing age in your dog.

Thunder is a fairly large dog, weighing in at around 95 pounds.  If we go by size and age, he may fall within the definition.  However, he still refuses to admit that he is a senior.  The definition also says that you have to look for physical signs of aging.  Thunder figured another demonstration was in order.

First, he demonstrated that he could run:

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Then he demonstrated that he could retrieve:

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Finally, he demonstrated that he could race a car:

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And win!

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What do you think?  Is Thunder a senior?

33 thoughts on “Am I A Senior Dog?

  1. Nah, age is just a number! I see a little white fur coming in on Finn and she’s only three! She is never going to admit being a senior when it’s her turn either!

  2. Your only as old as you think you are Thunder…and by the looks of it…you’re pretty young. 🙂

  3. We agree you are only as old as you feel. Yikes I have some grey furs…….I certainly don’t feel senior. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

  4. Heck no! He is one wild dude! Look at that speed! My sister is a senior as she has slowed down and has arthritis issues, but Thunder still seems pretty speedy! She is eleven too and those couple years can change things. She was much crazier at 8!

  5. OMG did I need this laugh this morning. Thunder is wild and crazy, I see no signs of aging on him. I love the photos of him racing the car, that proves beyond any doubt that he is NOT a senior!

  6. “Seniors” get more respect than Freshmen so there is nothing wrong with being a senior. It doesn’t mean that he is doddering just that he is experienced and worthy of respect.

  7. If the dog is healthy and active I would not call him a senior dog, senior is when he becomes lazy and starts smoking a pipe 😛

  8. Thunder is young at heart, and that’s all that really matters! Love that second photo of him running, and I was so surprised to read that he weighs 95 pounds. That must me solid muscle. Some definitions may say he’s a senior, but I say Thunder still has it. 🙂

    1. He is a large dog. 93-95 is his ideal weight. Much over 95 and he is pudgy. Under 93 and he is too thin. You can see his ribs. He has been as low as 86 and as high as 102, but as I say we try to keep him at 95. After his bloat surgery, we had a hard time keeping weight on him.

  9. He may be a senior by text book but he is as spry as a youngster. You just can’t keep those chessies down. They don’t act their age at all. Fabulous action shots. Thanks for the demo Thunder.

  10. Sweet Thunder we around here think this…we are as old as we feel…those numbers don’t mean a thing. Looks like you are still pretty young and active if you ask us. Hugs and nose kisses

  11. Hey Thunder

    I’ve never thought of you as a senior dog, I mean look at you go!!

    In my breed I sure wouldn’t be considered senior, I know of some Bearded Collies who are 18! That’s why at 3 years old I’m still considered a pup! 🙂

    Have fun

    Your pal Snoopy 🙂

  12. You know, I didn’t really consider Shiner a senior dog til this year maybe. I don’t know why, it just never dawned on me that she was getting older. I still think it hasn’t lol… I think you look just as young as every Thunder!

  13. Who dares to call a dog that races cars senior? Who? Donna is 4 years old and she has white hairs around her chin and little white hairs here and there…. poor thing old before her time… 😛 Have a good day 🙂

  14. If you’re a senior it’s OK, Boomer and Dottie are at ages 10 and 8. And, while they still have their moments where they like to go go go they also enjoy their down time napping in the sun and hanging out in comfy beds.

  15. I think with dogs it’s similar to with people….the more active you are, the better you will feel. Thunder looks like he feels great! Our beagle Kobi stayed pretty spry right up until he was 12 or so, he only started slowing down this last year. The girls are both 9 and just starting to show those white muzzles, and we are doing are best to keep them active too. I don’t see much white on Thunder, maybe just a little around his mouth?

  16. Oh Thunder, you’re nowhere near being a senior. Look at you go! Not only are you running at the speed of woof, but you’re clearly having a great time. Great action shots!

  17. Interesting questions. Bella {8 this past May} has a lot of grey/white hair around her muzzle, but is as playful as ever! She sees the tiniest crumbs that Bubba drops so am fairly sure her eyesight is fine. As for hearing … do you think selective hearing counts?

  18. Dakota is 8 1/2 years old and is just beginning to calm down a little, and if it wasn’t for Sophie’s arthritis, she’d be going strong at 11. I think a dog’s senior status has a lot to do with their health.

  19. I don’t think he’s a senior, but he’s heavier than I thought! How tall is Thunder?

  20. I don’t think of any animal or human as being a senior unless they act like it. A little gray hair doesn’t make you a senior. This dog still has alot of living, hunting and fishing to do. Go for it. Enjoy life.

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