Health & Medical – Page 2

One major factor in determining the health of your dog is to find out just how much your dog weighs. Ensuring that your dog is well within the weight range of their given breed will not only make them healthy, but will extend the life of your dog as well. In this article, we will show you what your dog should weight, and discuss what you should do if your dog is overweight, or underweight for that matter. Finally, will will offer some practical advice on how often you should feed them, which is determined by the age of your dog. What Should My Dog Weigh? To answer this question directly, below you will find your dog's breed listed in alphabetical order in the left hand column. In the right column, you will find the healthy weight of your dog breed. If their is a difference between the weight of a male and female dog, the different weight for each will be displayed. If you find only one weight listed, that is the healthy weight for both the male and female of that given dog breed. There are some instances where you will find "Toy," "Miniature," "Small," "Mid-sized," or "Standard," listed in the WEIGHT column, and we have indicated as such for the purpose of clarity. Please note that below this chart, we discuss what you can do if your dog is overweight, or underweight, and how often you should feed your dog. BREEDWEIGHTAffenpinscher7-9 lbsAfghan HoundMale: 60 lbs; Female: 50 lbsAfrican Boerboels154-200 lbsAiredale Terrier55 lbsAkbashMale: 90-140 lbs; Female: 75-105 lbsAkitaMale: 85-115 lbs; Female: 65-90 lbsAlapaha Blue Blood BulldogsMale: 70-90 lbs; Female: 55-75 lbsAlaskan Klee Kais23 lbsAlaskan MalamuteMale: 85 lbs; Female: 75 lbsAmerican BulldogMale: 75-125 lbs; Female: 60-100 lbsAmerican Eskimo Dog20-40 lbsAmerican Foxhound55-75 lbsAmerican Staffordshire Terrier57-67 lbsAmerican Water SpanielMale: 30-45 lbs; Female: 25-40 lbsAnatolian Shepherd Dog90-150 lbsAustralian Cattle Dog35-45 lbsAustralian Kelpie31-46 lbsAustralian ShepherdMale: 50-65 lbs; Female: 40-55 lbsAustralian Silky Terrier8-11 lbsAustralian Terrier12-14 lbsBasenjiMale: 24 lbs; Female: 22 lbsBasset Hound40-60 lbsBeagle18-30 lbsBearded Collie45-55 lbsBeauceron65-85 lbsBedlington Terrier17-23 lbsBelgian Malinois60-65 lbsBelgian Shepherd DogMale: 55-66 lb; Female: 44-55 lbBelgian TervurenMale: 55-65 lb; Female: 40-50 lbBernese Mountain DogMale: 90-120 lb; Female: 70-100 lbBichon FriseMales: 11-16 lb; Females: 10-15 lbBlack and Tan Coonhound55-75 lbsBlack Russian Terrier80-145 lbsBloodhoundMale: 65-75 lbs; Female: 55-65 lbsBorder Collie30-45 lbsBorder Terrier11.5-15.5 lbsBorzoiMale: 75-105 lbs; Female: 60-85 lbsBoston Terrier10-25 lbsBouvier des Flandres60-90 lbsBoxerMale: 65-80 lbs; Female: 50-65 lbsBriardMale: 75-100 lbs; Female 50-65 lbsBrittany30-40 lbsBrussels Griffon8-10 lbsBull TerrierMale: 62-70 lbs; Female: 50-60 lbsBullmastiffMale: 110-130 lbs; Female: 100-120 lbsCairn TerrierMale: 14 lbs; Female: 13 lbsCanaan DogMale: 45-55 lbs; Female: 35-45 lbsCane Corso88-110 lbsCardigan Welsh CorgiMale: 30-38 lbs; Female: 25-34 lbsCarolina Dog30-65 lbsCatahoula Leopard Dogs40-90 lbsCavalier King Charles Spaniel13-18 lbsCentral Asian OvtcharkasMale: 121-176 lbs; Female: 88-143 lbsCesky Terrier16-22 lbsChesapeake Bay RetrieverMale: 65-80 lbs; Female: 55-70 lbsChihuahuaNot to exceed 6 lbsChinese Crested5-12 lbsChinese FooSmall: Under 20 lbs; Medium: 21-50 lbs; Large: 51 lbs and upChinese Shar-Pei45-60 lbsChipoo3-12 lbsChow Chow45-70 lbsClumber SpanielMale: 70-85 lbs; Female: 55-70 lbsCollieMale: 60-70 lbs; Female: 50-65 lbsCoton De TulearsMale: 9-13 lbs; Female: 8-11 lbsCurly-Coated Retriever60-70 lbsDachshundMiniature: 11 lbs and under; Standard: over 11 lbs (usually 16-32 lbs)Dalmatian40-60 lbsDandie Dinmont Terrier18-24 lbsDoberman Pinscher65-90 lbsDogue de BordeauxsMale: 110 lbs; Female: 99 lbsEnglish BulldogsMale: 50 lbs; Female: 40 lbsEnglish Cocker SpanielsMale: 28-34 lbs; Female: 26-32 lbsEnglish Foxhound55-75 lbsEnglish SetterMale: 60-65 lbs; Female: 50-55 lbsEnglish ShepherdMale: 45-60 lbs; Females: 40-50 lbsEnglish Springer SpanielMale: about 50 lbs; Female: about 40 lbsEnglish Toy Spaniel8-14 lbsEstrela Mountain DogsMale: 88-110 lbs; Female: 66-88 lbsField Spaniel35-50 lbsFila BrasileirosMale: 110 lbs; Female: 90 lbsFinnish SpitzMale: 47-53 lbs; Female: 40-47 lbsFlat-Coated Retriever60-70 lbsFox Terrier (Smooth)Male: 17-19 lbs; Female: 15-17 lbsFox Terrier (Wire)Male: 17-19 lbs; Female: 15-17 lbsFrench BulldogNot to exceed 28 lbsGerman Pinscher25-35 lbsGerman Shepherd 75-95 lbsGerman Shorthaired PointerMale: 55-70 lbs; Female: 45-60 lbsGerman Wirehaired Pointer45-75 lbsGiant SchnauzerMale: 60-105 lbs; Female: 55-75 lbsGlen of Imaal TerrierMales: about 35 lbs; Female: less Golden RetrieverMale: 65-75 lbs; Female: 55-65 lbsGoldendoodleMiniature: 15-30 lbs; Medium: 30-45 lbs; Standard: 45 and over lbsGordon SetterMale: 55-80 lbs; Female: 45-70 lbsGreat DaneMale: 130-180 lbs; Female: 110-150 lbsGreat PyreneesMale: 115 lbs; Female: 85-90 lbsGreater Swiss Mountain DogMale: 105-140 lbs; Female: 85-110 lbsGreyhoundMale: 65-70 lbs; Female: 60-65 lbsHarrierMale: 45-60 lbs; Female: 35-45 lbsHavanese7-13 lbsHungarian VizslaMale: 45-66 lbs; Female: 40-55 lbsIbizan HoundMale: 50 lbs; Female: 45 lbsIrish SetterMale: about 70 lbs; Female: about 60 lbsIrish TerrierMale: around 27 lbs; Female: around 25 lbsIrish Water SpanielMale: 55-65 lbs; Female: 45-58 lbsIrish WolfhoundMale: at least 120 lbs; Female: at least 105 lbsItalian Greyhound7-14 lbsJack Russell Terrier14-18 lbsJapanese Chin4-7 lbsKeeshondMale: about 45 lbs; Female: about 35 lbsKerry Blue TerrierMale: 33-40 lbs; Female: lessKomondorMale: average 80 lbs; Female: average 70 lbsKooikerhondjes20-24 lbsKuvaszMale: 100-115 lbs; Female: 70-90 lbsLabradoodleMiniature: 26-40; Medium: 40-55 lbs; Standard: 55-77 lbsLabrador RetrieverMale: 65-80 lbs; Female: 55-70 lbsLaekenois55-65 lbsLakeland Terrier16-17 lbsLancashire Heeler6-13 lbsLhasa Apso13-15 lbsLöwchen8-18 lbsMaltese4-7 lbsMaltipoo5-20 lbsManchester TerrierUnder 12 lbs (usually 6-8 lbs)Maremma Sheepdogs66-100 lbsMastiff175-190 lbsMiniature Bull Terrier25-33 lbsMiniature Pinscher8-10 lbsMiniature Poodle4-8 lbsMiniature Schnauzer13-15 lbsNeapolitan MastiffMale: 150 lbs; Female: 110 lbs NewfoundlandMale: 130-150 lbs; Female: 100-120 lbsNorfolk Terrier11-12 lbsNorwegian BuhundsMale: 31-40 lbs; Female: 26-35 lbsNorwegian ElkhoundMale: 55 lbs: Female: 48 lbsNorwich TerrierAround 12 lbsNova Scotia Duck Tolling RetrieverMale: 45-52 lbs; Female: 35-42 lbsOld English SheepdogMale: 70-90 lbs; Female 60-80 lbsOtterhoundMale: 115 lbs; Female: 80 lbsPapillon4-9 lbsParson Russell Terrier13-17 lbsPeekapoo4-20 lbsPekingeseNot to exceed 14 lbsPembroke Welsh CorgiMale: 27 lbs; Female: 25 lbsPetit Basset Griffon Vendeen25-35 lbsPharaoh Hound45-55 lbsPit Bull30-60 lbsPlottMale: 50-60 lbs; Female: 40-55 lbsPointerMale: 55-75 lbs; Female: 45-65 lbsPolish Lowland Sheepdog30-35 lbsPomapoo3-14 lbsPomeranian3-7 lbs; preferably 4-5 lbsPoodle4-8 lbsPortuguese Water Dog42-60 lbs; Female: 35-50 lbsPug14-18 lbsPuli25-35 lbsRat TerrierToy: 4-6 lbs; Mid-sized: 6-8 lbs; Standard: 12-35 lbsRedbone Coonhounds45-70 lbsRhodesian RidgebackMale: 85 lbs; Female: 70 lbsRottweilerMale: 85-135 lbs; Female: 80-100 lbsSaint Bernard120-200 lbsSaluki35-65 lbsSamoyedMale: 45-65 lbs; Female: 35-50 lbsSchipperkeMale: 12-16 lbs; Female: 10-14 lbsSchnoodleToy: 6-10 lbs; Miniature: 13-20 lbs; Standard: 20-75 lbsScottish DeerhoundMale: 85-110 lbs; Female: 75-95 lbsScottish TerrierMale: 19-22 lbs; Female: 18-21 lbsSealyham TerrierMale: 23-24 lbs; Female: 18-22 lbsShetland SheepdogAbout 20 lbsShiba InuMale: average 23 lbs; Female: average 17 lbsShih Tzu9-16 lbsSiberian HuskyMale: 45-60 lbs; Female: 35-50 lbsSilky Terrier8-11 lbsSkye TerrierMale: 35-40 lbs; Female: 25-30 lbsSnorkie6-14 lbsSoft-coated Wheaten TerrierMale: 35-40 lbs; Female: 30-35 lbsSpinone ItalianoMale: 71-82 lbs; Female: 62-71 lbsStaffordshire Bull TerrierMale: 35-40 lbs; Female: 30-35 lbsStandard SchnauzerMale: 40-45 lbs; Female: 35-40 lbsSussex Spaniel35-45 lbsSwedish Vallhund19-30 lbsThai RidgebackMale: 40-60 lbs; Female: 35-55 lbsTibetan MastiffMale: 90-150 lbs or more; Female: 80-110 lbsTibetan Spaniel9-15 lbsTibetan Terrier18-30 lbsToy Fox Terrier3.5-7 lbsToy Manchester Terriersunder 12 lbs (usually 6-8 lbs)Toy Poodles4-8 lbsVizsla45-65 lbsWeimaraner55-90 lbsWelsh Springer Spaniel35-50 lbsWelsh Terrier20-22 lbsWest Highland White Terrier15-21 lbsWhippet15-30 lbsWirehaired Pointing Griffon50-60 lbsXoloitzcuintleToy: 5-15 lbs; Miniature: 15-30 lbs; Standard: 25-40 lbYorkie-Poo4-15 lbsYorkshire TerrierNot to exceed 7 lbs The source of the information in the chart listed above can be found here. Now, let's discuss what steps you should take should you find that your dog is either overweight or underweight. What to Do if Your Dog is Overweight If you find that your dog is overweight, you have to ask yourself a few questions. Why is my dog overweight?How am I or members of my family responsible? As much as we might not want to admit it, you determine when your dog eats, what he eats, and how much he eats. Fortunately, you have the power to bring your dog back into a healthy lifestyle. So let's discuss the path to healthy living for your dog. Step 1: Stick to a Schedule In the United States, people eat at least three times a day, (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). If we were honest, we also snack between meals, and might have a heavy evening "snack" while watching TV at night. Is all this food healthy for us? More often than not, the answer is emphatically, "No." We tend to eat "comfort food" whenever we want. We don't eat out of necessity, but rather, we eat because it tastes good. If it tastes really good, we will eat a lot of it. Unfortunately, we have a tendency to carry this attitude over to the animals we care for. We let them eat when we eat, even if it's not "meal time." This, attitude, of course, is not specific to Americans, but as an American, I can tell you that most people in America think this way, and I'm betting that it's a prevalent attitude in your community as well. Be consistent, and don't spoil your dog with "snacks" that are designed for people. Step 2: Stop Offering Your Dog People Food People enjoy the taste of food far more than dogs do. This is because we have about 9,000 taste buds, while the average dog has about 1,700. Why then do dogs "beg" for food while we eat? They love the smell of the food that we are eating. They are not hungry, they just like people food. The smell of the food tries to convince the dog that he is hungry. You can tell that they are not really hungry because chances are that when they "beg" for food, you can probably still find dog food in their bowl. The real problem is that we tend to spoil our dogs and "feel sorry" for them because they sit patiently staring at us with their puppy eyes. That tactic has been used for thousands of years, but honestly, if you care about getting your dog back to a healthy weight, stop feeding them table food, or the snacks that you eat while sitting on the couch watching TV. Instead, offer them a chew toy or a dog bone that has some taste to it. Step 3: Take Your Dog for Longer Walks You have heard it said that people loose weight by focusing on their diet and exercise. The same is true for dogs. However, let me emphasize, the majority of weight loss (by far), is lost when you feed your dog healthy food on a schedule.Walking your dog is good for him, but it is also good for you. Don't just walk your dog down the street. Take him around a block or two. It will do you both good, and your dog will love it. What to Do if Your Dog is Underweight? Again, because you are responsible for feeding your dog, we have to ask the hard questions: Why is your dog underweight? Do you make it a priority? Do you forget to feed your dog? Who is responsible for feeding the dog each day? Here are some steps you can take to bring your dog back to health. Make Feeding Time a Priority This is a discipline that requires consistency on your part. When you get up in the morning, before you go through your morning routine of getting ready for work, take your dog out to use the "facilities," and then feed your dog. While your dog is eating, you can go take a shower and get ready for work. By the time you finish, your dog will be ready to go out again, but this time, he will want to "do his business." When you get home from work, (assuming that your dog is over a year old), after greeting your dog, take him outside, as he will no doubt have to use the facilities. As soon as you come into the house, get his dinner ready, and then get your dinner ready. By the time you have finished dinner, he will probably be ready to go out again. This is a great time to take your dog out for an evening walk, one he will welcome and most likely take care of “business” once again. Who is Responsible For Feeding Your Dog? In most families, this responsibility typically ends up being Mom's responsibility. Even if the responsibility is shared with other family members, it's typically Mom who enforces the chores, the one who has to follow up to ensure that the dog has been fed. If this responsibility is shared among family members, I would encourage you (yes you, because clearly you care about this as you are the one reading this article), to take ownership of this. Clearly, you care about your dog, so it makes sense that you own their feeding schedule. How Many Times a Day Should I Feed My Dog? Generally speaking, after your dog has reached 1 year old, you should only feed your dog twice a day. Once in the morning, and once in the evening . . . early evening. Be sure to take them out for a walk around the block after they have had time to digest their food. Keep in mind that puppies are going to need to eat more often because they are growing. How much and how often you feed them depends on the breed of dog and how old they are, so be sure to consult your veterinarian for your dog's feeding schedule. I knew of a woman who would regularly take her dogs through the McDonald’s drive-through to buy each of them a cheeseburger as a “treat." Because she did this fairly regularly, her dogs were a bit chunky. Obviously, the dogs wanted the cheeseburgers, (wouldn’t you?), but that’s not healthy for the dog. Be consistent in what you feed them, and how often you feed them. You, however, have to be disciplined with this. Your dog is always going to beg for food, but they don't need it. Don't allow your dog eat to more often than they should. Additionally, don't allow your dog to eat more than they should at each setting. When you feed your dog, be sure that you use some measuring device, be it a small cereal bowl, or a literal measuring cup. Give them the same amount of food every time, and don't cheat. Closing Thoughts Are there times when you spoil you dog with a snack? Of course there are times when we spoil our dogs with a snack, (even people food), but for the health of your dog, let alone life expectancy, you can’t afford to feed them off schedule or constantly be sharing your food with them. The chart provided in this article serves as a general weight guide for your breed of dog. However, always respect the advice of your veterinarian.