One year may FEEL like seven to your dog if you're dressing
him up like a baby and pushing him around in a carriage,
but that's the closest you can come to making the seven
year rule true. Originally a dog food marketing ploy, this
common misconception is flawed in two important ways.

First, and I hope this doesn't come as a shock to you, dogs
develop differently than people. For instance, many puppies
reach their adult height by six months of age, which in
human years would make for some very dangerous toddlers.

Second, dogs mature at different rates. With over 130
breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club weighing in
at anywhere from one pound to two hundred, it's easy to see
why no hard and fast rule can be applied. If you really
need to compare Rover to your kids, some scientists believe
that 4 to 6 years per human year is a little more accurate.