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

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    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.

    Table Of Contents

    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.

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    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.

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    This article was originally published by Caninejournal.com. Read the original article here.

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