Many people think that whether a dog is still a puppy is based on their personality and their energy levels. It is easy to play a rousing round of fetch with your dog and think, “Man, he’s still a puppy.” But is that true? Are 2-year-old dogs still puppies?
Many people assign the “puppy label” to dogs based on their perception of the dog when, in reality, your dog’s life stage is primarily determined by their overall physical maturity. Two-year-old dogs have generally finished growing and are considered young adults rather than puppies.
Here is when dogs become adults and how their behavior plays a factor in people’s perceptions of dogs’ puppyhood.
Is a 2-Year-Old Dog Still a Puppy?
The answer is generally no. A 2-year-old dog will be finished growing and will be considered a young adult. Some large breed dogs will grow up until they are 2 years old but will usually be finished by their second birthday. Some giant breed dogs may grow a little after their second birthday, but the period of rapid growth would still have ended.
Image Credit: Artyom Gantsev, Shutterstock
When Do Puppies Become Dogs? What Science Says
What determines when dogs are no longer a puppy is their age, the cessation of their growth, and the completion of both physical and social maturation. However, the exact point at which a dog is no longer a puppy will depend on each individual dog, influenced by their size and breed.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine Life Stage Guidelines, revised in 2019, divide a dog’s lifespan into five stages:
Puppy
Young adult
Mature adult
Senior
End of life stage
Below is a breakdown of the four main life stages (minus the end of life stage).
Stage
Average Age Range
Milestone
Puppy
0–6 to 18 months
Still growing rapidly. Varies with breed and size
Young Adult
9–18 months to 4 years
End of rapid growth until completion of physical and social maturation (3-4 years of age in most dogs)
Mature Adult
4–9 years
Has settled into a general life pattern with few changes
Senior
9+ years
The last 25% of the estimated lifespan
The exact point at which a puppy becomes a young adult is different for each dog, and the transition from one life stage to the other is gradual. It can be challenging for a person to know for sure if their dog is at the end of this period of time, and your vet is the best person to ask.
Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
What About Our Perception of a Dog’s Age?
Some people might feel that their dog has matured enough to stop being a puppy, even if they have not stopped growing. This perception is based on a dog’s physical maturity and social maturity. It is possible for a dog to be physically done growing but still act or behave like a puppy.
Physical Maturity
Whether a dog is a still puppy or not is usually determined by their physical maturity. The reason for this simplified grouping is that their health needs change at this point, particularly in relation to nutrition, preventative care, and reproduction. A growing puppy requires more calories, protein, and calcium in their diet, but when the period of rapid growth has ended, they need to be transitioned onto an adult food to remain healthy and not gain excess weight.
The age at which a puppy is considered a young adult will depend on their breed and size. As a rough guide, your puppy will become a young adult approximately at the following ages:
Extra-small breed (10 pounds): 6–8 months
Small breed (10–25 pounds): 8–10 months
Medium breed (26–55 pounds): 10–12 months
Large breed (56–100 pounds): 15–18 months
Giant breed (>101 pounds) 18–24 months
Some giant breeds, such as Mastiffs and Great Danes, may continue to grow and fill out past their second birthday. If you are curious about whether your dog is still growing or not, you can consult your veterinarian for guidance and information.
Social Maturity
Mental maturity is another matter; some dogs will act puppy-like for many years after they have finished growing! Adolescence describes the period between sexual maturity and social maturity, and it happens between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, depending on the breed. This ‘teenage’ phase is a hormonal time for pups and requires understanding and continued positive training from you as they navigate the world as a young adult. Some dogs mature very quickly and will settle into adulthood naturally. Other dogs will be high-energy, mischievous, and playful for a long time, sometimes for their entire lives.
Image Credit: Eudyptula, Shutterstock
Conclusion
The answer to whether 2-year-old dogs are still puppies is technically no. Dogs are considered young adults by 2 years of age, as the end of puppyhood is determined by whether the dog has finished growing. Smaller dogs are done growing by 1 year old, but some very large dogs might grow until they are 2 years old. However, as most dogs will be grown by age two, it is safe to consider most 2-year-old dogs to be young adults, even if they still act like big puppies!
Grant is a freelance writer with a lot of experience writing about a diverse range of topics. He currently lives in Florida with his wife. His days are spent writing, raising a son, and caring for eight animals (two horses, two donkeys, two goats, and two dogs). In his free time he enjoys slowly carving out a quaint hobby farm from the Southern scrub.
