How Heavy Should My Dog Be? (Plus A Dog Weight Chart)


To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Our review process.

Domestic pet sitting on scale in clinic

You may not realize how important it is to keep your dog at a healthy weight. Even a few extra pounds, especially in small to medium-sized dogs, can make your pup much more vulnerable to many canine diseases. And underweight dogs may be suffering from health conditions or an insufficient diet.

If you’re concerned that your dog isn’t at a healthy weight, we’ll help you figure out how much your furry friend should weigh, tips on how to help your pup get to a healthy weight, and more.

How Much Should My Dog Weigh?

Several factors play into a dog’s ideal weight, including body type, size, and gender. Breeds have so many various body types and sizes that it’s difficult to determine an exact ideal weight. And mixed breeds can make it even harder. If you have a purebred, it’s easier to find out what your dog breed’s average weight should be by looking at a weight chart (see below). However, even weight charts have a wide range of average weights.

Use The Body Condition Scoring System (BCS)

That’s why most veterinary clinics use a body condition scoring system (BCS) like the one below to determine if a dog is too thin, at a healthy weight, or overweight. You can evaluate your pup’s BCS by examining his ribs, abdomen, and waistline by sight and touch. If your dog’s score is a 4-5, then weigh him to know his ideal weight. If he falls between a 1-3, he likely needs to gain weight, and a 6-9 means he needs to shed pounds.

Dog Body Condition Score

How To Check Your Dog’s Body Condition At Home (Video)

Confused about how to determine your dog’s body condition as we explained above? Watch the video below from The Farmer’s Dog, a popular fresh dog food delivery service. It gives you a visual tutorial for several different dog sizes and coat lengths to help you figure out your pup’s body condition. We’ve found it extremely helpful.

How Heavy Should My Dog Be? (By Breed)

Using a BCS system is the best way to tell if your furry friend is at a healthy weight. But it can help to start with a weight chart just to give you a general idea. Typical dog weight charts like the one below are by breed. Keep in mind, that many of these ranges are very wide and don’t account for gender. In general, females should fall to the lower end of the range, while males weigh more.

Dog Weight Chart

This alphabetical chart doesn’t cover all breeds by any means, but it includes many of the popular breeds in the U.S. We’ve also included several popular designer breeds.

Breed Average Weight Range
Afghan Hounds 50-60 lbs
Airdale Terriers 40- 65 lbs
Akitas 70-120 lbs
Alaskan Malamutes 75-85 lbs
American Staffordshire Terriers 55-65 lbs
Australian Cattle Dogs 30-35 lbs
Australian Shepherds 40-65 lbs
Basenjis 20-25 lbs
Basset Hounds 40-60 lbs
Beagles 18-30 lbs
Bearded Collies 45-55 lbs
Belgian Malinois 55-75 lbs
Bernese Mountain Dogs 75-110 lbs
Bichon Frises 10-16 lb
Black And Tan Coonhounds 65-110 lbs
Bloodhounds 80-110 lbs
Border Collies 30-45 lbs
Border Terriers 11-15 lbs
Boston Terriers 10-25 lbs
Bouvier Des Flanders 70-110 lbs
Boxers 50-75 lbs
Brittany Spaniels 30-40 lbs
Brussels Griffons 8-10 lbs
Bulldogs 40-50 lbs
Bullmastiffs 100-130 lbs
Bull Terriers 50-70 lbs
Bull Terriers (Miniature) 24-32 lbs
Cairn Terriers 12-16 lbs
Cardigan Welsh Corgis 24-38 lbs
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 13-18 lbs
Chihuahuas 4-6 lbs
Chinese Crested 8-12 lbs
Chinese Shar-Peis 45-60 lbs
Chow Chows 45-70 lbs
Cockapoos 12-24 lbs
Cocker Spaniels 26-34 lbs
Collies 50-75 lbs
Dachshunds (Standard) 16-32 lbs
Dachshunds (Miniature) 8-10 lbs
Dalmatians 45-75 lbs
Doberman Pinschers 60-95 lbs
English Cocker Spaniels 26-34 lbs
English Setters 45-80 lbs
English Springer Spaniels 40-50 lbs
Flat-Coated Retrievers 60-70 lbs
Fox Terriers 16-18 lbs
French Bulldogs 19-28 lbs
German Shepherds 50-90 lbs
German Shorthair Pointers 45-75 lbs
Goldendoodles (Miniature) 15-30 lbs
Goldendoodles (Standard) 40-50 lbs
Golden Retrievers 55-75 lbs
Gordon Setters 45-80 lbs
Great Danes 110-175 lbs
Great Pyrenees 85-125 lbs
Greyhounds 60-70 lbs
Havanese 7-13 lbs
Irish Setters 60-70 lbs
Irish Terriers 25-27 lbs
Irish Wolfhounds 105-120 lbs
Italian Greyhounds 7-14 lbs
Jack Russell Terriers 14-18 lbs
Keeshonds 35-45 lbs
Labrador Retrievers 55-80 lbs
Labradoodles 50-65 lbs
Labradoodles (Miniature) 15-25 lbs
Lhasa Apsos 12-18 lbs
Maltese 4-6 lbs
Mastiffs 120-200 lbs
Miniature Pinschers 8-10 lbs
Newfoundlands 100-150 lbs
Norwegian Elkhounds 48-55 lbs
Norwich Terriers 10-12 lbs
Old English Sheepdogs 60-100 lbs
Papillons 7-10 lbs
Pekingese 6-10 lbs
Pembroke Welsh Corgis 25-30 lbs
Pomeranians 3-7 lbs
Pomsky 20-30 lbs
Poodle (Standard) 45-70 lbs
Poodle (Miniature) 10-15 lbs
Poodle (Toy) 4-6 lbs
Portuguese Water Dogs 35-60 lbs
Pugs 14-18 lbs
Puggles 15-30 lbs
Rat Terriers 10-25 lbs
Rhodesian Ridgebacks 70-85 lbs
Rottweilers 80-130 lbs
St. Bernards 120-180 lbs
Samoyeds 35-65 lbs
Schipperkes 10-16 lbs
Schnauzer (Giant) 55-85 lbs
Schnauzer (Standard) 30-45 lbs
Schnauzer (Miniature) 12-15 lbs
Scottish Terriers 18-22 lbs
Shetland Sheep Dogs 18-20 lbs
Shiba Inus 17-23 lbs
Shih Tzus 9-16 lbs
Siberian Huskies 35-60 lbs
Silky Terriers 8-10 lbs
Staffordshire Bull Terriers 24-38 lbs
Tibetan Terriers 18-30 lbs
Toy Fox Terriers 4-7 lbs
Vizslas 45-60 lbs
Weimaraners 55-85 lbs
Welsh Terriers 18-20 lbs
West Highland Terriers 15-21 lbs
Whippets 25-40 lbs
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons 40-60 lbs
Yorkshire Terriers 4-7 lbs
Yorkshire Terriers (Teacup) 1-3 lbs

Why Is Maintaining Your Dog’s Weight So Important?

Many pet parents don’t even realize that their pups are overweight. In a 2021 survey of pet parents by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), only 39% of pet parents said they considered their dog overweight or obese. However, statistics tell a different story.

APOP’s 2018 Veterinary Clinic Prevalence Survey found that an alarming 55.8% of dogs were classified as clinically overweight or obese. And Banfield Pet Hospital revealed in its 2020 VET Report that 51% of the 1.9 million adult dogs seen at Banfield’s clinics nationwide in 2018 were overweight. 

If you suspect that your canine companion is heavier than he should be, you should be concerned. What makes a pudgy dog adorably cute can actually be putting him at a much higher risk for serious health consequences, including:

  • Orthopedic diseases, like osteoarthritis
  • Kidney dysfunction
  • Heart problems
  • Respiratory disorders
  • Cancer
  • Skin problems
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Reduced life expectancy
  • Diminished quality of life

What If My Dog Is Underweight?

If you think your canine companion is too thin based on the BCS score above or if you think he isn’t eating enough, consult your veterinarian. A much lower-than-average weight or weight loss requires an expert opinion. Your vet can help determine if it’s due to an underlying health problem or other issues. These could include:

  • Underlying health issues: many problems can cause dogs to lose weight, including intestinal parasites, gastrointestinal problems, diabetes, cancer, Addison’s disease, kidney disease, dental disease, stress, and more.
  • Insufficient diet: dogs can be underweight if they’re not getting the necessary nutrients and calories they need. Make sure you’re giving your pup high-quality dog food. You may want to consider a fresh dog food company that can customize your dog’s diet if he needs to gain weight. Some even give you pre-portioned meals based on your pup’s caloric needs.
  • Your dog is a picky eater: some dogs simply aren’t interested in the food you’ve chosen for them, so try switching your pup’s dog food. See our reviews of the best dog food delivery services for many different all-natural options, including fresh meals, personalized premium kibble, and more.

Tips For Overweight Dogs

Whether your dog is obese or just packing on a few extra pounds, it’s crucial to take action to get your pup to a healthy weight. You can help your dog lose weight by putting him on a diet and getting more exercise. See our reviews of the best dog food for overweight pooches for some premium options you may want to consider. It’s still important to consult your veterinarian to check for any underlying health conditions and help you develop a plan for your pup’s specific weight loss needs.

Tagged With:



Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.