At what age can you consider a dog an "adult"? (Please give me citations...)?

Well, since dogs and cats age in well- dog years. The ratio is seven to one. So seven is still a child, fourteen's a kid, twenty-one or mabye twenty-eight would be an adult (3 or four human years.) Hope this helps! -question001

2 or 3 years

According to AKC rules for showing, Puppy Class is under 12 months> http://www.onofrio.com/jodstwo/fyi/akcqst.html

http://www.barayevents.com/show_data.phtml?action=...

After that, they are shown as, and compete with, adults.

However, different breeds, and individuals within each breed mature at different rates...My own breed isn't mature until 3 years old.

You can tell when structural growth is completed by feeling your dog's long ribs. run your finger the length of the rib. If it is knobby, the growth plates are not mature. If it is smooth (all but the last 'bent' section) then your dog has reached skeletal maturity. After that, it is just a matter of filling out and conditioning.

2+ years.

It really depends on the breed of dog. Typically dogs are not physically or mentally mature at 8-12 months, but since I don't know the breed of your dog, I have attached a Dog-Calculator from Pedigree in the link below. Just click on the link and type in your dog's age and then type your dog's breed and it will tell you if your dog is still a pup or an adult.

4 years

Dogs are considered adult at the time of sexual maturity. Females usually have their first heat cycle between 6 months and 1 year. Males also become sexually mature between 6 months and 1 year, but it's not visible (as females). Smaller breeds often tend to "grow up faster" than larger breeds.

Eight - nine month old puppies that make babies, are no longer "puppies".

You may have kicked the dog a bit too hard, but it wasn't animal abuse. You weren't being abusive to YOUR animals, you were protecting yourself from the neighbor's dog. Hopefully you misunderstood the policeman and the rescue will be picking up the NEIGHBOR'S animals. You need to check your local leash law, but talk with your parents about what you should do tomorrow. (Just in case the rescue group comes to you in error.) Maybe mom or dad could stay home tomorrow?

Smaller breeds mature earlier than large breed. Then there are some dogs that refuse to grow up. I have a 4 year old APBT that still acts like a puppy, she is never going to grow up.

It all depends on the breed of dog that you have. For instance I have Am. Pit Bull Terriers and they aren't fully mentally mature until they are about 2-3yrs old. It all depends on your breed of dog. If your looking in regards to dog food, I suggest that you read the lables of the foods that you are considering.