Dog Ideal Weight Calculator
Look up the healthy weight range for 48 dog breeds at Body Condition Score 4–5 out of 9. Separate male/female ranges, obesity-prone and brachycephalic callouts, and a quick comparison against your dog's current weight.
By Paws & Pounds Research Team — reviewed against WSAVA/AAHA guidelines. Last updated .
Quick answer
Healthy adult weight varies by breed from around 3 lb (1.4 kg) for a Pomeranian to over 150 lb (68 kg) for a Newfoundland. For a mid-size Labrador Retriever male, 65–80 lb (29–36 kg) is the healthy range. Males are typically 15–25% heavier than females of the same breed. Brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs) must stay in the lower half of the range to protect their compromised airway.
Ideal weight range · Labrador Retriever · male
63.9 – 79.4lb
Healthy adult at Body Condition Score 4–5 of 9. Rounded to one decimal place.
Obesity-prone breed. Labrador Retrievers are prone to weight gain — often due to slower metabolism, food motivation, or low exercise drive. Aim for the lower end of the range and re-check BCS monthly.
lb
Next step: assess BCS visually →
A 9-point body-condition check is more reliable than the scale alone.
Calculate daily calories →
Feed-plan in grams based on RER × breed life factor.
Estimate only — consult your vet before changing your dog's diet.
How to use this tool
- Pick your breed. Select from the grouped dropdown (toy / small / medium / large / giant). If you have a mix, pick the closest visual match.
- Pick the sex. Male ranges are typically higher. Neutered/spayed dogs keep the same ideal range but need ~20% fewer calories — see our Dog Calorie Calculator for portion adjustment.
- Enter current weight (optional). The visual bar shows where your dog sits relative to the breed ideal. The verdict block tells you whether action is warranted.
- Confirm with a BCS check. A breed-standard number is a guide, not a diagnosis. Use our 9-point Body Condition Score tool for the decisive assessment.
All 48 breed ideal weights
Healthy adult weight ranges (BCS 4–5 / 9) sourced from AKC and FCI breed standards cross-referenced with WSAVA/AAHA clinical guidelines. Males / females listed in kg.
| Breed | Male (kg) | Female (kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akita | 32 – 45 | 25 – 36 | — |
| Australian Shepherd | 23 – 29 | 18 – 25 | — |
| Basset Hound | 23 – 29 | 20 – 27 | Obesity-prone |
| Beagle | 10 – 13 | 9 – 12 | Obesity-prone |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | 38 – 50 | 32 – 44 | — |
| Bichon Frise | 3 – 5 | 3 – 5 | — |
| Border Collie | 14 – 20 | 12 – 18 | — |
| Boston Terrier | 7 – 11 | 5 – 10 | Obesity-proneBrachycephalic |
| Boxer | 27 – 32 | 22 – 27 | Brachycephalic |
| Bulldog | 23 – 25 | 18 – 23 | Obesity-proneBrachycephalic |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 5.5 – 8 | 5 – 7.5 | Obesity-prone |
| Chihuahua | 1.5 – 3 | 1.5 – 3 | — |
| Cocker Spaniel | 12 – 15 | 11 – 14 | Obesity-prone |
| Dachshund | 7 – 15 | 7 – 14 | Obesity-prone |
| Dalmatian | 23 – 32 | 20 – 27 | — |
| Doberman Pinscher | 34 – 45 | 27 – 36 | — |
| English Bulldog | 23 – 25 | 18 – 23 | Obesity-proneBrachycephalic |
| English Springer Spaniel | 20 – 25 | 18 – 23 | Obesity-prone |
| French Bulldog | 9 – 13 | 8 – 12 | Obesity-proneBrachycephalic |
| German Shepherd | 30 – 40 | 22 – 32 | — |
| Golden Retriever | 30 – 34 | 25 – 30 | Obesity-prone |
| Great Dane | 54 – 90 | 45 – 59 | — |
| Havanese | 3.5 – 6 | 3.5 – 6 | — |
| Jack Russell Terrier | 5.5 – 8 | 5 – 7 | — |
| Labrador Retriever | 29 – 36 | 25 – 32 | Obesity-prone |
| Lhasa Apso | 6 – 8 | 5 – 7 | — |
| Maltese | 2 – 3.6 | 2 – 3.6 | — |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 5 – 9 | 5 – 8 | Obesity-prone |
| Newfoundland | 59 – 68 | 45 – 54 | — |
| Papillon | 3 – 5 | 2.5 – 4.5 | — |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 10 – 14 | 10 – 13 | Obesity-prone |
| Pomeranian | 1.4 – 3.2 | 1.4 – 3.2 | — |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 5 – 7 | 4.5 – 6.5 | — |
| Poodle (Standard) | 20 – 32 | 18 – 27 | — |
| Pug | 6 – 8 | 6 – 8 | Obesity-proneBrachycephalic |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | 36 – 41 | 29 – 34 | — |
| Rottweiler | 43 – 61 | 36 – 45 | — |
| Samoyed | 20 – 30 | 16 – 22 | — |
| Shetland Sheepdog | 8 – 12 | 7 – 11 | — |
| Shiba Inu | 8 – 11 | 6.5 – 9 | — |
| Shih Tzu | 4 – 7 | 4 – 7 | Obesity-proneBrachycephalic |
| Siberian Husky | 20 – 27 | 16 – 23 | — |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 13 – 17 | 11 – 15 | — |
| Vizsla | 20 – 29 | 18 – 25 | — |
| Weimaraner | 30 – 40 | 25 – 35 | — |
| West Highland White Terrier | 7 – 10 | 6 – 9 | — |
| Whippet | 9 – 14 | 8 – 13 | — |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 2 – 3.2 | 2 – 3.2 | — |
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know if my dog is overweight?
- Look up your breed's ideal range in the tool above, then do a Body Condition Score check: you should feel your dog's ribs easily with a thin fat covering, see a clear waist from above, and see an upward tummy tuck from the side. If ribs are hard to find, the waist is lost, or the belly sags, your dog is likely above ideal weight. The AAHA 2014 guideline estimates 55–60% of US dogs are overweight — owner perception runs well behind clinical reality.
- What's the healthiest weight for an adult dog?
- It depends enormously on breed. A Chihuahua male lives lean at 3–7 lb (1.5–3 kg); a Great Dane male lives lean at 120–200 lb (54–90 kg). Use the breed selector above. If your dog is a mix, pick the nearest visual match or use 'Mixed / Unknown' and rely on a BCS check instead of the number.
- Why does my male dog weigh more than my female dog?
- Sexual dimorphism in dogs is larger than in cats — adult males are typically 15–25% heavier than females of the same breed. Working and giant breeds show the biggest gap (e.g. Great Dane males 120–200 lb vs females 100–130 lb). The tool splits the range so you're not comparing your female Labrador against a male reference.
- What does 'brachycephalic' mean and why does it matter for weight?
- Brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzu, Pekingese) have shortened skulls that compress the airway — a condition called Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Even mild excess weight worsens breathing difficulty, exercise intolerance, and heat stress. For these breeds, stay in the lower half of the ideal range and avoid exercise in heat/humidity. AAHA recommends BOAS screening as part of routine weight management.
- My dog is a mix — which breed should I pick?
- Pick the breed your dog most visually resembles (watch size, coat, body shape, not just colour). Alternatively, use the 'Mixed / Unknown' option with a 10–25 kg range as a starting point for a medium mix. Mixed-breed dogs vary more than purebreds, so a Body Condition Score check matters more than the scale number.
- My dog is above the range but my vet isn't concerned — should I worry?
- A 5–10% excess is common and usually manageable with portion control plus added walks. A 20%+ excess is clinical obesity per AAHA 2014, correlating with a ~2-year reduction in lifespan (Kealy et al., 2002, Purina Life Span Study). Ask your vet to assign a specific Body Condition Score — that's the decisive assessment, not the scale alone.
- How fast should my dog lose weight?
- Target 1–2% body weight loss per week — faster loss risks muscle wasting and rebound. A 30 kg (66 lb) Labrador carrying 6 kg of excess should plan on 12–16 weeks of structured restriction plus added exercise. Crash diets are unsafe. Use a prescription weight-loss diet or a vet-calculated calorie target — generic 'light' foods are often inadequate.
- What if my breed isn't listed?
- We currently cover 49 breeds from the Paws & Pounds database. If yours isn't listed, pick the closest visual match (same size category and body type) or use 'Mixed / Unknown' and rely on a BCS check. We add breeds quarterly based on demand — email [email protected] if yours is missing.
Track weight trends over months, not moments
The Paws & Pounds app logs every weigh-in, auto-adjusts the calorie target as you approach the ideal range, and charts the full trend so you can share it with your vet. Multi-walker households log treats together to stop accidental over-supplementation — a common cause of stalled weight loss in dogs.
Sources & further reading
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Toolkit — Body Condition Score & Ideal Weight Assessment — World Small Animal Veterinary Association, 2021
- 2014 AAHA Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats — American Animal Hospital Association, 2014
- AKC Breed Standards & Weight Guidelines — American Kennel Club, 2024
- Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs (Kealy et al. — Purina Life Span Study) — JAVMA, 2002