No, the "multiply by 7" rule is a common myth. In reality, dogs and cats mature much faster during their first two years of life than humans do. After that, their aging process slows down. We base our pet age calculator on the latest veterinary guidelines (AVMA) which use a non-linear calculation for accuracy.
It's based on breed size and species:
Yes. Generally, larger dog breeds tend to have shorter lifespans and age faster than smaller breeds. That's why our dog age calculator requires you to specify if your dog is Small, Medium, or Large for accurate results.