Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Converting Rhodesian Ridgeback Age to Human Age
- How to Convert Your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s Age to Human Age
- How Long Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Live in Human Years?
- Your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s Age to Human Age (UCSD Method)
- How Old Are You in Rhodesian Ridgeback Years?
- Conclusion on Rhodesian Ridgeback Age to Human Age
Converting Rhodesian Ridgeback Age to Human Age
A very long time ago, people thought that one year in a dog`s life was equal to 9 human years. A record of this assumption could be found on a 1268 inscription on the floor of Westminister Abby in the United Kingdom.
Then, an update happened, and people started believing that one year in a dog`s life was equivalent to 7 human years.
However, if you think about it really well, converting your dog`s age to its human age by multiplying your dog`s age by 7 or by 9 does not make any sense.
To debunk the 1 dog-year to 7 human-years myth, let us take a 1-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback as an example. A one-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback is mature enough to make puppies. However, a seven-year-old human is nowhere close to being capable of having babies.
The moral of this is that the relationship between aging in Rhodesian Ridgebacks and aging in humans is not simple. In scientific terms, the aging relationship between Rhodesian Ridgebacks and humans is not linear. So, you cannot just convert your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s age to its equivalent human age by just multiplying by a single number.
You need a special table or calculator to convert your Rhodesian Ridgebacks age to its human age. This article provides you with the table/calculator that you need for this conversion.
A Brief History of the Science behind Dog Age to Human Age Conversion
In 1953, a French researcher by the name A. Lebeau published a paper to show that the relationship between a dog`s age and a human`s age is not constant over the lifespan of the dog. Lebeau`s paper was titled “L`age du Chien et celui de l`Homme. Essai de statistique sur la mortalite canine“ (The age of the Dog and that of the Man. Canine Mortality Statistical Essay).
To convert a dog`s age to its human age, Lebeau divided the stages of a dog`s life roughly into puberty, adulthood, old age, and end of life. He then proposed a series of numbers (multipliers) that can be used to multiply a dog at each of these different life stages to obtain the dog`s equivalent human age. This means there is a multiplier for converting a dog`s age at puberty to its equivalent human age, a different multiplier for converting a dog`s age at adulthood to its human age, and so on.
Building on Lebeau`s work, scientists also realized that one size does not fit all when it comes to converting a dog`s age to its equivalent human age. This is because small-sized dog breeds live longer than giant-sized dog breeds. Hence, smaller dog breeds age slower than giant breeds. Thus converting a small-sized dog breed age to its human age requires a formula that is different from the formula for a giant-sized breed.
Therefore, in 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a dog age to human age conversion method that extended Lebeau`s work. Their method took dog breed size into account in converting a dog`s age to its human age equivalent.
In this article, we have developed a dog-age-to-human-age calculator and table that lets you convert your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s age to its human age based on the method developed by Purdue University veterinarians.
Also, recently in 2020, researchers from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) developed what they called “a better method” for converting a dog`s age to its human age.
These scientists at UCSD compared the DNAs of humans and the DNAs of Labrador Retrievers at different ages to develop a mathematical relationship between a dog`s age and a human`s age.
In this article, we have also developed a table and a calculator that lets you convert your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s age to its human age based on the method developed by the scientists from UCSD.
Finally, we developed our method and its calculator that lets your convert your human age to your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s age. You are definitely not as ‘old’ as you think (in Rhodesian Ridgeback`s years).
In summary, this article contains:- Rhodesian Ridgeback-age-to-human-age calculator based on the method developed by Purdue University Researchers.
- Rhodesian Ridgeback-age-to-human-age calculator based on the method developed by UCSD Researchers.
- Human-age-to-Rhodesian Ridgeback-age calculator based on the method developed by us.
How to Convert Your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s Age to Human Age
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 11.0 years.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are large-sized dogs. Rhodesian Ridgebacks weigh 70 to 85 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Rhodesian Ridgeback in converting Rhodesian Ridgeback age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s human age. If you do not know your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Rhodesian Ridgeback is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s up-to-date human age.
Rhodesian Ridgeback Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Rhodesian Ridgeback age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s human age based on your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Rhodesian Ridgeback Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 16 |
| 2 | 22 |
| 3 | 28 |
| 4 | 34 |
| 5 | 39 |
| 6 | 43 |
| 7 | 48 |
| 8 | 52 |
| 9 | 57 |
| 10 | 61 |
| 11 | 66 |
| 12 | 70 |
| 13 | 75 |
| 14 | 80 |
| 15 | 86 |
| 16 | 92 |
How Long Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 11.0 years. In human years, the Rhodesian Ridgeback lives for 66 years.
How Old is 1-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback in Human Years?
A 1-year old Rhodesian Ridgeback is 16 years old in human years.
How Old is 4-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback in Human Years?
A 4-year old Rhodesian Ridgeback is 34 years old in human years.
How Old is 6-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback in Human Years?
A 6-year old Rhodesian Ridgeback is 43 years old in human years.
How Old is 10-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback in Human Years?
A 10-year old Rhodesian Ridgeback is 61 years old in human years.
Your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s Age to Human Age (UCSD Method)
The limitation of this method is that it was derived from a study of Labrador Retrievers. This method is accurate if applied to a dog breed with a similar lifespan as the Labrador Retrievers. Labrador Retrievers have a lifespan of 12 years.
In 2020, the researchers from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age is based on what is called “epigenetics”. Epigenetics is the study of “how the way an animal lives changes the animal`s DNA”.
Using the methods of epigenetics, one can learn about a person`s life or a dog`s life simply by ‘scrolling’ through the DNA of the dog or the human (take that Instagram!).
With the techniques of epigenetics, scientists can look at a man`s, a dog`s, or a mouse`s DNA to figure out how old the man, the dog, or the mouse is, without anyone telling the scientist when the man, dog, or mouse was born. This is pretty cool.
This is kind of similar to counting the teeth of a horse to determine the age of a horse or counting the rings in a tree to determine the age of the tree, etc. However, the techniques used in epigenetics are way more accurate than crude methods of estimating age by counting teeth or rings. This is because the methods of epigenetics look at a dog`s DNA.
Furthermore, one can match the signatures of aging seen in a dog`s DNA to the signature of aging seen in a human`s DNA to convert a dog`s age to its equivalent human age.
According to the researchers, converting a dog age to human age makes sense because dogs (especially Rhodesian Ridgebacks) and humans live together and share similar lifestyles. Our Rhodesian Ridgebacks are exposed to the same environment as we do. We treat our Rhodesian Ridgebacks as we treat ourselves.
We take our Rhodesian Ridgebacks to the animal doctors just as we humans take ourselves to doctors for health checkups or treatment when sick. We give our Rhodesian Ridgebacks vaccines and medications, human-style. In short, Rhodesian Ridgebacks have similar lifestyles as humans do. Therefore, a dog`s life and human life will definitely mirror each other.
No other animal species has such an intimate relationship with humans as dogs do. Dogs and humans have come a long way together.
Furthermore, dogs and humans go through similar well-defined life stages: birth, baby stage, young age stage, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Therefore, converting a dog`s age to a human age is not a wild idea.
Based on their study of 104 Labrador Retrievers, the UCSD researchers came up with a neat formula for converting dog age to human age. Interestingly, this formula applies to aging in mice as well, and the researcher believes that the formula will apply to all dog breeds, and just not the Labrador dog breed that they used in their study.
The formula they came up with is this: human_age = 16 ln(dog_age) + 31
Use the calculator or table below to convert your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s age to its human age based on this formula. For the calculator, simply enter your Rhodesian Ridgeback age in the calculator to get its human age and its human birthday.
Rhodesian Ridgeback Age to Human Age Calculator (UCSD Method)
Below is a Rhodesian Ridgeback age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from UCSD.
| Rhodesian Ridgeback Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 31 |
| 2 | 42 |
| 3 | 48 |
| 4 | 53 |
| 5 | 56 |
| 6 | 59 |
| 7 | 62 |
| 8 | 64 |
| 9 | 66 |
| 10 | 67 |
| 11 | 69 |
| 12 | 70 |
| 13 | 72 |
| 14 | 73 |
| 15 | 74 |
| 16 | 75 |
| 17 | 76 |
| 18 | 77 |
How Old Are You in Rhodesian Ridgeback Years?
Since new research from UCSD has given us the formula to convert Rhodesian Ridgeback age to human equivalent age, then it is possible to reverse this formula to convert human age to Rhodesian Ridgeback age. Therefore, here, we have developed the reverse formula that allows you to convert your age to your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s equivalent age. Enter your age below to calculate your age in Rhodesian Ridgeback years.
Human Age to Rhodesian Ridgeback Age Calculator
| Your Human Age (Years) | Rhodesian Ridgeback Age Equivalent (Months) |
|---|---|
| 2 | 0 years, 1 months |
| 6 | 0 years, 2 months |
| 10 | 0 years, 3 months |
| 14 | 0 years, 4 months |
| 18 | 0 years, 5 months |
| 22 | 0 years, 6 months |
| 26 | 0 years, 8 months |
| 30 | 0 years, 11 months |
| 34 | 1 years, 2 months |
| 38 | 1 years, 6 months |
| 42 | 1 years, 11 months |
| 46 | 2 years, 6 months |
| 50 | 3 years, 3 months |
| 54 | 4 years, 2 months |
| 58 | 5 years, 4 months |
| 62 | 6 years, 11 months |
| 66 | 8 years, 10 months |
| 70 | 11 years, 5 months |
| 74 | 14 years, 8 months |
| 78 | 18 years, 10 months |
| 82 | 24 years, 2 months |
Conclusion on Rhodesian Ridgeback Age to Human Age
As your Rhodesian Ridgeback grows older, you will start seeing changes in your Rhodesian Ridgeback. Some of the common signs of aging in Rhodesian Ridgeback are Fading of Rhodesian Ridgeback Coat Color, Graying of hair, health problems like hearing loss and loss of sight, lower activity level, bad Rhodesian Ridgeback behavior like having accidents in the house, irritability, etc.
When your Rhodesian Ridgeback starts to show signs of aging, make sure you empathize with your Rhodesian Ridgeback. You may also consider getting health insurance for your Rhodesian Ridgeback so that you can better handle the cost associated with taking care of a senior Rhodesian Ridgeback.