When do dogs mentally mature?

[nowicki2005]

I think that I remember reading somewhere that brittanys are mature mentally at 1.5 years old and labs at something like 3 years. Is this true? What is it for other dogs?

[Sharon]

I don't put much stake in those numbers.
Depends on the dog.
I've seen young derby dogs ( field trials) win shooting dog stakes with tremendous maturity and CH written all over them.
I have a 7 yearold who can't find a cookie on the carpet.

[kninebirddog]

1st and foremost depends on the individual Dog

then toss in the breeding some lines mature slower then others

then add that some breeds are more known for slower maturing then others


basically you have to take the individual dog and then accept what that dog the breeding and the breed has to work with as it matures and work with it

[crackerd]

Not only depends on the dog, but on about a dozen other variants foremost amongst them one's own interpretation of maturity. Is a retriever inherently "mature" at the age it begins competing in all-age stakes in field trials? If so, the average age is 5+ years. But I've run them in open stakes before they turned two knowing they weren't necessarily "mature" but could take on the stakes just by dint of having been trained for it. I've got an 8-mo. old debuting in derby next week that mentally *and* physically resembles a stick dog, but loves her work and is capable of it. Does that give her maturity? No, her immaturity equates to having enthusiasm to burn. Is a spaniel mature when it's steadied to flush, shot and fall? That has come as early as 6 mos. and a MH title not long afterward, but the dog needed three more years to "mature" as I interpet it. Or is maturity attained only when a dog's biddable afield all day knowing how to pace itself whilst hunting? Or do you let them acquire "maturity" as do the Brits and not hunt over them or let them handle birds till they're 2 years old? Or when they can sit quietly in a duck blind with anticipation and attention, or can relocate themselves on a runner with your confidence that they won't crowd the bird and put it up? Really a rhetorical deal.

MG

[bobman]

I say 4-5 years old for most dogs

[ezzy333]

What is the definition of "mentally mature"?

Ezzy

[nowicki2005]

What is the definition of "mentally mature"?

Ezzy

Well I just remember reading it somewhere and thought it was interesting in the age gap. I guess mentally mature would be a generalization for a breed much as when your 18 years old your legally an adult. You can no longer be considered a juvenille and are assumed to have the mental capacity to handle any situation.