Understanding how much your dog should weigh

## Why does my dog’s weight matter?

Just like in people, overweight and obese dogs are more prone to several diseases such as arthritis, heart and breathing problems, diabetes and some cancers. They have a shorter lifespan and a reduced quality of life, so keeping your dog fit and trim is pretty important! Yet the UK’s dogs are getting fatter; according to vets, nearly 1 in 2 of the dogs they see are now overweight or obese [(1)](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/pdsa-animal-wellbeing-report/paw-report-2023/dogs).

Knowing if your dog is overweight enables you to proactively change it, yet nearly 1/3 of UK dog owners don’t know their dog’s current weight. We have a handy average weight chart by breed below. Remember these charts are just general guides, every dog is different. If you have any particular concerns about your dog’s weight or body condition then have a chat with your vet for more personalised advice.

## How much should my dog weigh?

Your dog’s weight will fluctuate depending on the season, stress levels, and activity, as well as factors individual to them. You can read more about [why your dog might be overweight](https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/expert-advice/dog-health/obesity-in-dogs/) and find out [how much exercise your dog needs](https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/expert-advice/dog-health/how-much-exercise-do-dogs-need/).

It is important to be aware of the above and tailor your four-legged friend’s food intake to suit their needs. As a general rule, we suggest feeding your adult dog 2% to 3% of their ideal body weight daily. For example, a dog whose ideal weight is 10kg requires around 200g – 300g per day. You can use our [raw dog food calculator](https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/raw-dog-food-calculator/) to get an estimate for your dog.

Feeding advice should be taken as guidance though. The best thing you can do is keep a close eye on your dog’s weight and body condition, to determine if you are feeding them the right amount.

## Find out your Dog’s Body Condition Score (BCS)

Body Condition Scoring was first discussed in a 1997 study. It was developed to create a practical method to assess and discuss obesity in dogs. BCS helps you to know if your dog is at their optimum weight through sight and touch, and can be helpful to use alongside their actual weight. Your dog should have a defined waist when you look from the side and above, and you should be able to feel their ribs as you run your hands along their chest. If you can’t feel your dog’s ribs, they are carrying a few extra pounds, while if you can easily see your dog’s individual ribs, they may be underweight.


Perhaps an easier way for owners to assess body condition at home is to use the knuckle test:

homepage\_knuckle\_test\_video


With your hand, open your palm and trace your fingers across your knuckles on the back of your hand. If your dog’s ribs feel like this then they are most likely an ideal weight which would be a body condition score of 3 using the chart above.

Turn your hand over and trace your finger over the knuckle area on your palm. If your dog’s ribs feel like this then your dog is most likely to be overweight. This would be a body condition score of 4 or 5 using the chart above.

_If your dog is overweight, you must take steps to help them shed the pounds to maximise their overall health. Read our_ [_dog weight loss guide_](https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/expert-advice/dog-health/obesity-in-dogs/) _._

Make your hand into a fist and trace your finger over the knuckle area. If your dog’s ribs feel bony like this then they’re most likely to be underweight. This is a body condition score of 1 to 2 using the chart above.

## Weight Chart for Dogs by Breed and Gender

Here, you’ll find an extensive table of the average weight of male and female adult dogs by breed. Please remember that these are just general guidelines, every dog is different.

The breeds are ordered alphabetically but if you want to find your dog’s breed quickly, just use the Control Find – CTRL+F – keyboard shortcut on desktop or use your mobile’s browser’s Find on Page function, and type the breed in the search bar that appears.

| **Breed Name** | **Male** **Weight (Kg)** | **Female** **Weight (Kg)** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Affenpinscher | 3 – 4 | 3 – 3.5 |
| Afghan Hound | 23 – 27 | 23 – 27 |
| Airedale Terrier | 25 – 28 | 21 – 23 |
| Alaskan Malamute | 34 -39 | 34 – 39 |
| American Cocker Spaniel | 11 – 15 | 10 – 13 |
| Anatolian Shepherd Dog | 50 – 64 | 41 – 59 |
| Australian Cattle Dog | 17 – 23 | 15 – 22 |
| Australian Silky Terrier | 4 – 5 | 3.5 – 4.5 |
| Australian Terrier | 6.5 – 7.3 | 5.4 – 7 |
| Basenji | 11 – 12 | 9 – 10 |
| Basset Fauve de Bretagne | 16 – 18 | 16 – 18 |
| Basset Hound | 20 – 34 | 18 – 25 |
| Bavarian Mountain Hound | 20 – 25 | 20 – 25 |
| Beagle | 10 – 11 | 9 – 11 |
| Bedlington Terrier | 8 – 10 | 8 – 10 |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | 40 – 50 | 40 – 44 |
| Bichon Frise | 5 – 10 | 3 – 6 |
| Bloodhound | 41 – 50 | 38 – 42 |
| Bolognese | 4 – 6 | 3 – 5 |
| Border Collie | 16 – 24 | 14 – 20 |
| Border Terrier | 5 – 7 | 5 – 7 |
| Borzoi | 34 – 41 | 27 – 34 |
| Boston Terrier | 4.5 – 11 | 4.5 – 8 |
| Bouvier Des Flandres | 29 – 40 | 27 – 35 |
| Boxer | 25 – 32 | 25 – 32 |
| Bracco Italiano | 25 – 40 | 25 – 40 |
| Braque D’Auvergne | 22 – 28 | 22 – 28 |
| Briard | 34 – 38.5 | 23 – 34 |
| Brittany Spaniel | 20 – 23 | 14 – 18 |
| Bull Terrier | 22 – 38 | 30 – 30 |
| Bulldog | 23 – 25 | 23 – 25 |
| Bullmastiff | 50 – 59 | 41 – 50 |
| Cairn Terrier | 6 – 7.5 | 6 – 7 |
| Canadian Eskimo Dog | 30 – 40 | 18 – 30 |
| Catalan Sheepdog | 17 – 23 | 16 – 20 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 5.9 – 8.2 | 5.4 – 8 |
| Cesky Terrier | 8 – 10 | 6 – 8 |
| Chesapeake Bay Retriever | 28 – 36 | 25 – 32 |
| Chihuahua | 2 – 3 | 1.7 – 2.4 |
| Chinese Crested | 5.4 – 6 | 2.3 – 5.4 |
| Chow Chow | 20 – 32 | 18 – 30 |
| Clumber Spaniel | 25 – 34 | 22 – 28 |
| Coton de Tulear | 5 – 6 | 4- 6 |
| Curly Coated Retriever | 28 – 45 | 23 – 36 |
| Long Haired Dachshund (Standard) | 9 – 12 | 9 – 11 |
| Wire Haired Dachshund (Standard) | 9 – 12 | 9 – 11 |
| Smooth Haired Dachshund (Miniature) | 4 – 5 | 3.6 – 5 |
| Wire Haired Dachshund (Miniature) | 4 – 5 | 3.6 – 5 |
| Long Haired Dachshund (Miniature) | 4 – 5 | 3.6 – 5 |
| Dalmatian | 25 – 28 | 23 – 25 |
| Dandie Dinmont Terrier | 8 – 11 | 8 – 10 |
| Deerhound | 40 – 50 | 34 – 40 |
| Dobermann | 32 – 45 | 27 – 35 |
| Dogue de Bordeaux | 50 – 68 | 45 – 54 |
| English Cocker Spaniel | 13 – 14.5 | 12 – 14 |
| English Setter | 28 – 32 | 27 – 30 |
| English Springer Spaniel | 18 – 25 | 16 – 22 |
| Eurasier | 22 – 32 | 18 – 26 |
| Field Spaniel | 20 – 25 | 18 – 22 |
| Finnish Lapphund | 17 – 24 | 15 – 19 |
| Finnish Spitz | 14 – 16 | 14 – 16 |
| Flat Coated Retriever | 27 – 36 | 25 – 32 |
| Fox Terrier | 7 – 8 | 7 – 8 |
| Foxhound | 29 – 32 | 29 – 32 |
| French Bulldog | 11 – 12.5 | 7.5 – 11 |
| German Longhaired Pointer | 30 – 35 | 28 – 30 |
| German Shepherd | 30 – 40 | 22 – 35 |
| German Shorthaired Pointer | 25 – 32 | 20 – 26 |
| German Wirehaired Pointer | 25 – 34 | 20.5 – 29 |
| Glen Of Imaal Terrier | 16 – 18 | 14 – 16 |
| Golden Retriever | 27 – 34 | 27 – 30 |
| Gordon Setter | 29 – 33 | 25 – 30 |
| Great Dane | 50 – 54 | 44 – 48 |
| Great Swiss Mountain Dog | 55 – 70 | 50 – 60 |
| Greyhound | 30 – 32 | 27 – 30 |
| Griffon Bruxellois | 3.2 – 5 | 2 – 5 |
| Havanese | 4.5 – 7 | 3 – 6 |
| Hovawart | 30 – 40 | 25 – 35 |
| Hungarian Vizsla | 20 – 30 | 18 – 25 |
| Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla | 20 – 30 | 18 – 25 |
| Ibizan Hound | 20 – 28 | 19 – 25 |
| Irish Red & White Setter | 27 – 32 | 23 – 30 |
| Irish Setter | 26 – 32 | 24 – 27 |
| Irish Terrier | 13 – 15 | 11 – 12 |
| Irish Wolfhound | 64 – 82 | 40 – 50 |
| Italian Greyhound | 4 – 5 | 3.5 – 4.5 |
| Italian Spinone | 34 – 39 | 29 – 34 |
| Jack Russell Terrier | 7 – 8 | 6 – 8 |
| Japanese Akita | 40 – 50 | 34 – 40 |
| Japanese Chin | 2 – 5 | 1.8 – 3.2 |
| Japanese Shiba Inu | 7.5 – 11 | 6.8 – 10 |
| Keeshond | 16 – 20 | 15 – 18 |
| Kerry Blue Terrier | 15 – 17 | 12 – 16 |
| Komondor | 50 – 61 | 36 – 50 |
| Labrador Retriever | 28 – 36 | 25 – 32 |
| Lagotto Romagnolo | 13 – 16 | 11 – 14 |
| Lakeland Terrier | 7 – 8 | 7 – 8 |
| Lancashire Heeler | 4 – 6 | 3 – 6 |
| Leonberger | 54 – 77 | 45 – 61 |
| Lhasa Apso | 7 – 8 | 6 – 7 |
| Maltese | 1.5 – 3.5 | 0.9 – 2 |
| Miniature Pinscher | 4.5 – 6 | 4 – 5 |
| Newfoundland | 55 – 69 | 50 – 60 |
| Norfolk Terrier | 5 – 5.4 | 4 – 5 |
| Norwegian Elkhound | 23 – 27 | 20 – 24 |
| Norwich Terrier | 5 – 5.5 | 4 – 5 |
| Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 20 – 23 | 17 – 20 |
| Old English Sheepdog | 30 – 45 | 27 – 40 |
| Otterhound | 40 – 54 | 36 – 45 |
| Papillon | 3 – 5 | 3 – 4 |
| Pharaoh Hound | 20 – 25 | 20 – 25 |
| Pointer | 28 – 34 | 26 – 30 |
| Polish Lowland Sheepdog | 20 – 23 | 18 – 20 |
| Pomeranian | 2 – 3.5 | 1.8 – 3 |
| Poodle (miniature) | 12 -14 | 12 – 13 |
| Poodle (Standard) | 24 – 32 | 20 – 26 |
| Poodle (Toy) | 4 – 7.5 | 3 – 5 |
| Portuguese Podengo | 4 – 5 | 4 – 5 |
| Portuguese Pointer | 20 – 27 | 16 – 24 |
| Portuguese Water Dog | 20 – 25 | 16 – 22 |
| Pug | 7 – 9 | 6.5 – 8 |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | 35 – 39 | 30 – 35 |
| Rottweiler | 40 – 60 | 35 – 45 |
| Rough Collie | 27 – 34 | 23 – 30 |
| Russian Black Terrier | 45 – 68 | 36 – 59 |
| Saluki | 18 – 30 | 13 – 22 |
| Samoyed | 25 – 30 | 23 – 28 |
| Schnauzer (Giant) | 27 – 48 | 25 – 34 |
| Schnauzer (Miniature) | 7 – 9 | 5.4 – 8 |
| Scottish Terrier | 8.5 – 10.5 | 8 – 10 |
| Sealyham Terrier | 8 – 9 | 7 – 8 |
| Shar Pei | 18 – 29 | 16 – 24 |
| Shetland Sheepdog | 6.4 – 12.3 | 6 – 12 |
| Shih Tzu | 4 – 7.25 | 4 – 6 |
| Siberian Husky | 18 – 27 | 16 – 24 |
| Skye Terrier | 16 – 18 | 11.5 – 14 |
| Sloughi | 20 – 29 | 18 – 25 |
| Smooth Collie | 20.5 – 29.5 | 18 – 25 |
| Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier | 16 – 20 | 14 – 18 |
| St. Bernard | 63 – 81 | 54 – 63 |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 13 – 17 | 11 – 15.4 |
| Sussex Spaniel | 18 – 23 | 16 – 20 |
| Tibetan Spaniel | 8 – 9 | 7 – 8 |
| Tibetan Terrier | 10 -14 | 8 – 12 |
| Turkish Kangal Dog | 41 – 66 | 40 – 50 |
| Weimaraner | 27 – 35 | 22.5 – 27 |
| Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) | 15 – 18 | 13 – 15 |
| Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) | 10 – 14 | 9 – 12 |
| Welsh Springer Spaniel | 18 – 20 | 16 – 18 |
| Welsh Terrier | 9 – 9.5 | 9 – 9.5 |
| West Highland White Terrier | 8 – 10 | 7 – 8 |
| Whippet | 13 – 15 | 12 – 13 |
| Wire Fox Terrier | 6 – 9 | 6 – 8 |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 3 – 3.5 | 3 – 3.2 |

## How to weigh a dog

The easiest way to weigh your dog is to take them to a vet or a pet shop that has walk-on scales. Get your dog to stand on the scales until the numbers stop moving and take note of the weight. If you have a small dog you can also place them on bathroom scales at home to get their current weight.

If you’re finding it difficult to do this you can weigh yourself and then weigh yourself holding the dog, the difference in the two numbers will tell you approximately how much your dog weighs.


## How to know if your dog is overweight?

All dogs are different but you can find out what an “ideal” weight is for your dog. Use breed weight charts like the one above, but also check with your vet next time you are there.

Overweight dogs can often get out of breath more quickly on walks, they may have a bit of extra padding over the rib cage and have a rounder tummy than before. If you think your pet is overweight then take a look at our [5 tips for helping your dogs lose weight](https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/expert-advice/dog-health/obesity-in-dogs/) article.

## Is your dog underweight?

As above, get to know what is normal for your dog. A dog that is underweight will look a bit skinnier all over but it might be more noticeable around their ribs and abdomen. They may also become less energetic, be off their food or, they could be ravenously hungry. If you are concerned about your dog’s weight loss then we’d recommend having them checked by a vet as there can be clinical reasons for this. Once your pet has the all clear medically then you can look at how nutrition can help your pet gain weight safely.

Read our guide on [how to help underweight dogs to gain weight](https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/expert-advice/dog-health/underweight-dogs-a-complete-guide-and-the-best-food-for-them/).

## The best dog food for weight management

We believe feeding a species-appropriate, biologically available [raw dog food](https://www.bellaandduke.com/shop/raw-dog-food/) is the best way to help your pet maintain a healthy weight. The nutrients in commercially prepared raw dog food like Bella and Duke are easily digestible with high-quality proteins and added “superfoods” to give your dog everything they need to live their best life.

## The best dog food for weight loss

A good quality prepared [raw dog food](https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/raw-dog-food/) like Bella+Duke is the ideal way to help your overweight dog lose weight. This is because raw food is very low in carbohydrates but the protein quality is high which will make your podgy pooch feel more satisfied between meals.

The important thing to remember when helping your dog to lose weight is that you should feed them for the weight you want them to be, not the weight they are just now. Try reducing their current portion by 10% to start with and wait at least 2 weeks before weighing them again. If they seem to be losing weight then keep going with that until the weight loss plateaus then reduce by another 10%. If this isn’t working and you’d like some extra help with your dog’s weight loss plan you can contact customer care for an appointment with our nutrition advisor or one of our vet nurses. In the meantime, here are some more handy tips [5 tips to help your dog lose weight](https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/expert-advice/dog-health/obesity-in-dogs/)

## The best dog food for weight gain

Make sure you check with your vet that there are no clinical reasons that your pet has lost weight before you start to change their feeding regime. The best type of food to help your dog gain weight and maintain that weight is a good quality [raw dog food](https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/raw-dog-food/) that will give them all the nutrition they need along with vitamins and minerals to help them stay healthy.

Have a weight in mind that you’d like your dog to be and then start to feed the portions they should be on for that weight. If they don’t look like they are starting to gain weight (filling out around the ribs or abdomen), increase this portion by 10% then weigh your pet again in 2 weeks.

If your pet has been given the all clear from the vet and you’d like some extra help getting some weight back on them then just get in contact with customer care who can make an appointment for you to speak to one our “experts”. Here is some more further reading on [how you can help your pet gain weight safely](https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/expert-advice/dog-health/underweight-dogs-a-complete-guide-and-the-best-food-for-them/).


## Weight guide for dogs FAQs

### What is a healthy weight for a dog?

Every dog is different, there are guides for weight ranges by breed but there are always going to be variations in these too. [Check the weigth guidelines for your dog’s breed and sex in our table](https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/expert-advice/dog-health/how-much-should-my-dog-weigh/#weightchart).

It’s usually more effective to [check the body condition score of your dog](https://www.bellaandduke.com/dogs/expert-advice/dog-health/how-much-should-my-dog-weigh/#BCS) alongside their weight to make sure they seem healthy.

### How to calculate ideal body weight for a dog?

There’s no calculation for the ideal body weight – check with your vet next time you’re in the clinic and ask them what the ideal weight would be for your pet.

### Are dog weight calculators accurate?

Most weight calculators will also ask you to choose their body condition score giving a more overall general answer rather than an accurate weight. It’s always best to check with a pet professional about the ideal weight for your dog.

### How can I check my dog’s weight at home?

You can use bathroom scales to weigh your dog. Either get them to step onto the scales themselves or carry your dog while standing on the scales. You’d then weigh yourself on your own and take this figure away from the total weight of you and your dog to give you the dog’s weight. If your dog is too big to stand on the scales or to carry then you could pop to a local pet store or vet clinic who should have walked on scales you could use.

### How much should I feed my dog per their weight?

The average feeding guide is approximately 2 – 3% of their body weight but this can change depending on age, body condition and breed size. You can find more information about feeding guides for raw feeding [here.](https://www.bellaandduke.com/raw-feeding/our-complete-guide-to-raw-dog-feeding-with-charts-weights-and-schedules/)

We hope this article helped you to understand the importance of keeping your pet a healthy weight and how to take action when your dog’s weight changes. If you’d like to hear from other like minded pet parents or our expert team then why not join our friendly [Pack](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1256622134456323) over on Facebook.

_Bella+Duke works proactively with the veterinary professions to support pet-centred wellness and recommend discussing any health concerns with your vet._