Is My Dog Overweight?

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.

BREEDWEIGHT
Affenpinscher7-9 lbs
Afghan HoundMale: 60 lbs; Female: 50 lbs
African Boerboels154-200 lbs
Airedale Terrier55 lbs
AkbashMale: 90-140 lbs; Female: 75-105 lbs
AkitaMale: 85-115 lbs; Female: 65-90 lbs
Alapaha Blue Blood BulldogsMale: 70-90 lbs; Female: 55-75 lbs
Alaskan Klee Kais23 lbs
Alaskan MalamuteMale: 85 lbs; Female: 75 lbs
American BulldogMale: 75-125 lbs; Female: 60-100 lbs
American Eskimo Dog20-40 lbs
American Foxhound55-75 lbs
American Staffordshire Terrier57-67 lbs
American Water SpanielMale: 30-45 lbs; Female: 25-40 lbs
Anatolian Shepherd Dog90-150 lbs
Australian Cattle Dog35-45 lbs
Australian Kelpie31-46 lbs
Australian ShepherdMale: 50-65 lbs; Female: 40-55 lbs
Australian Silky Terrier8-11 lbs
Australian Terrier12-14 lbs
BasenjiMale: 24 lbs; Female: 22 lbs
Basset Hound40-60 lbs
Beagle18-30 lbs
Bearded Collie45-55 lbs
Beauceron65-85 lbs
Bedlington Terrier17-23 lbs
Belgian Malinois60-65 lbs
Belgian Shepherd DogMale: 55-66 lb; Female: 44-55 lb
Belgian TervurenMale: 55-65 lb; Female: 40-50 lb
Bernese Mountain DogMale: 90-120 lb; Female: 70-100 lb
Bichon FriseMales: 11-16 lb; Females: 10-15 lb
Black and Tan Coonhound55-75 lbs
Black Russian Terrier80-145 lbs
BloodhoundMale: 65-75 lbs; Female: 55-65 lbs
Border Collie30-45 lbs
Border Terrier11.5-15.5 lbs
BorzoiMale: 75-105 lbs; Female: 60-85 lbs
Boston Terrier10-25 lbs
Bouvier des Flandres60-90 lbs
BoxerMale: 65-80 lbs; Female: 50-65 lbs
BriardMale: 75-100 lbs; Female 50-65 lbs
Brittany30-40 lbs
Brussels Griffon8-10 lbs
Bull TerrierMale: 62-70 lbs; Female: 50-60 lbs
BullmastiffMale: 110-130 lbs; Female: 100-120 lbs
Cairn TerrierMale: 14 lbs; Female: 13 lbs
Canaan DogMale: 45-55 lbs; Female: 35-45 lbs
Cane Corso88-110 lbs
Cardigan Welsh CorgiMale: 30-38 lbs; Female: 25-34 lbs
Carolina Dog30-65 lbs
Catahoula Leopard Dogs40-90 lbs
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel13-18 lbs
Central Asian OvtcharkasMale: 121-176 lbs; Female: 88-143 lbs
Cesky Terrier16-22 lbs
Chesapeake Bay RetrieverMale: 65-80 lbs; Female: 55-70 lbs
ChihuahuaNot to exceed 6 lbs
Chinese Crested5-12 lbs
Chinese FooSmall: Under 20 lbs; Medium: 21-50 lbs; Large: 51 lbs and up
Chinese Shar-Pei45-60 lbs
Chipoo3-12 lbs
Chow Chow45-70 lbs
Clumber SpanielMale: 70-85 lbs; Female: 55-70 lbs
CollieMale: 60-70 lbs; Female: 50-65 lbs
Coton De TulearsMale: 9-13 lbs; Female: 8-11 lbs
Curly-Coated Retriever60-70 lbs
DachshundMiniature: 11 lbs and under; Standard: over 11 lbs (usually 16-32 lbs)
Dalmatian40-60 lbs
Dandie Dinmont Terrier18-24 lbs
Doberman Pinscher65-90 lbs
Dogue de BordeauxsMale: 110 lbs; Female: 99 lbs
English BulldogsMale: 50 lbs; Female: 40 lbs
English Cocker SpanielsMale: 28-34 lbs; Female: 26-32 lbs
English Foxhound55-75 lbs
English SetterMale: 60-65 lbs; Female: 50-55 lbs
English ShepherdMale: 45-60 lbs; Females: 40-50 lbs
English Springer SpanielMale: about 50 lbs; Female: about 40 lbs
English Toy Spaniel8-14 lbs
Estrela Mountain DogsMale: 88-110 lbs; Female: 66-88 lbs
Field Spaniel35-50 lbs
Fila BrasileirosMale: 110 lbs; Female: 90 lbs
Finnish SpitzMale: 47-53 lbs; Female: 40-47 lbs
Flat-Coated Retriever60-70 lbs
Fox Terrier (Smooth)Male: 17-19 lbs; Female: 15-17 lbs
Fox Terrier (Wire)Male: 17-19 lbs; Female: 15-17 lbs
French BulldogNot to exceed 28 lbs
German Pinscher25-35 lbs
German Shepherd 75-95 lbs
German Shorthaired PointerMale: 55-70 lbs; Female: 45-60 lbs
German Wirehaired Pointer45-75 lbs
Giant SchnauzerMale: 60-105 lbs; Female: 55-75 lbs
Glen of Imaal TerrierMales: about 35 lbs;  Female: less 
Golden RetrieverMale: 65-75 lbs; Female: 55-65 lbs
GoldendoodleMiniature: 15-30 lbs; Medium: 30-45 lbs; Standard: 45 and over lbs
Gordon SetterMale: 55-80 lbs; Female: 45-70 lbs
Great DaneMale: 130-180 lbs; Female: 110-150 lbs
Great PyreneesMale: 115 lbs; Female: 85-90 lbs
Greater Swiss Mountain DogMale: 105-140 lbs; Female: 85-110 lbs
GreyhoundMale: 65-70 lbs; Female: 60-65 lbs
HarrierMale: 45-60 lbs; Female: 35-45 lbs
Havanese7-13 lbs
Hungarian VizslaMale: 45-66 lbs; Female: 40-55 lbs
Ibizan HoundMale: 50 lbs; Female: 45 lbs
Irish SetterMale: about 70 lbs; Female: about 60 lbs
Irish TerrierMale: around 27 lbs; Female: around 25 lbs
Irish Water SpanielMale: 55-65 lbs; Female: 45-58 lbs
Irish WolfhoundMale: at least 120 lbs; Female: at least 105 lbs
Italian Greyhound7-14 lbs
Jack Russell Terrier14-18 lbs
Japanese Chin4-7 lbs
KeeshondMale: about 45 lbs; Female: about 35 lbs
Kerry Blue TerrierMale: 33-40 lbs; Female: less
KomondorMale: average 80 lbs; Female: average 70 lbs
Kooikerhondjes20-24 lbs
KuvaszMale: 100-115 lbs; Female: 70-90 lbs
LabradoodleMiniature: 26-40; Medium: 40-55 lbs; Standard: 55-77 lbs
Labrador RetrieverMale: 65-80 lbs; Female: 55-70 lbs
Laekenois55-65 lbs
Lakeland Terrier16-17 lbs
Lancashire Heeler6-13 lbs
Lhasa Apso13-15 lbs
Löwchen8-18 lbs
Maltese4-7 lbs
Maltipoo5-20 lbs
Manchester TerrierUnder 12 lbs (usually 6-8 lbs)
Maremma Sheepdogs66-100 lbs
Mastiff175-190 lbs
Miniature Bull Terrier25-33 lbs
Miniature Pinscher8-10 lbs
Miniature Poodle4-8 lbs
Miniature Schnauzer13-15 lbs
Neapolitan MastiffMale: 150 lbs; Female: 110 lbs 
NewfoundlandMale: 130-150 lbs; Female: 100-120 lbs
Norfolk Terrier11-12 lbs
Norwegian BuhundsMale: 31-40 lbs; Female: 26-35 lbs
Norwegian ElkhoundMale: 55 lbs: Female: 48 lbs
Norwich TerrierAround 12 lbs
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling RetrieverMale: 45-52 lbs; Female: 35-42 lbs
Old English SheepdogMale: 70-90 lbs; Female 60-80 lbs
OtterhoundMale: 115 lbs; Female: 80 lbs
Papillon4-9 lbs
Parson Russell Terrier13-17 lbs
Peekapoo4-20 lbs
PekingeseNot to exceed 14 lbs
Pembroke Welsh CorgiMale: 27 lbs; Female: 25 lbs
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen25-35 lbs
Pharaoh Hound45-55 lbs
Pit Bull30-60 lbs
PlottMale: 50-60 lbs; Female: 40-55 lbs
PointerMale: 55-75 lbs; Female: 45-65 lbs
Polish Lowland Sheepdog30-35 lbs
Pomapoo3-14 lbs
Pomeranian3-7 lbs; preferably 4-5 lbs
Poodle4-8 lbs
Portuguese Water Dog42-60 lbs; Female: 35-50 lbs
Pug14-18 lbs
Puli25-35 lbs
Rat TerrierToy: 4-6 lbs; Mid-sized: 6-8 lbs; Standard: 12-35 lbs
Redbone Coonhounds45-70 lbs
Rhodesian RidgebackMale: 85 lbs; Female: 70 lbs
RottweilerMale: 85-135 lbs; Female: 80-100 lbs
Saint Bernard120-200 lbs
Saluki35-65 lbs
SamoyedMale: 45-65 lbs; Female: 35-50 lbs
SchipperkeMale: 12-16 lbs; Female: 10-14 lbs
SchnoodleToy: 6-10 lbs; Miniature: 13-20 lbs; Standard: 20-75 lbs
Scottish DeerhoundMale: 85-110 lbs; Female: 75-95 lbs
Scottish TerrierMale: 19-22 lbs; Female: 18-21 lbs
Sealyham TerrierMale: 23-24 lbs; Female: 18-22 lbs
Shetland SheepdogAbout 20 lbs
Shiba InuMale: average 23 lbs; Female: average 17 lbs
Shih Tzu9-16 lbs
Siberian HuskyMale: 45-60 lbs; Female: 35-50 lbs
Silky Terrier8-11 lbs
Skye TerrierMale: 35-40 lbs; Female: 25-30 lbs
Snorkie6-14 lbs
Soft-coated Wheaten TerrierMale: 35-40 lbs; Female: 30-35 lbs
Spinone ItalianoMale: 71-82 lbs; Female: 62-71 lbs
Staffordshire Bull TerrierMale: 35-40 lbs; Female: 30-35 lbs
Standard SchnauzerMale: 40-45 lbs; Female: 35-40 lbs
Sussex Spaniel35-45 lbs
Swedish Vallhund19-30 lbs
Thai RidgebackMale: 40-60 lbs; Female: 35-55 lbs
Tibetan MastiffMale: 90-150 lbs or more; Female: 80-110 lbs
Tibetan Spaniel9-15 lbs
Tibetan Terrier18-30 lbs
Toy Fox Terrier3.5-7 lbs
Toy Manchester Terriersunder 12 lbs (usually 6-8 lbs)
Toy Poodles4-8 lbs
Vizsla45-65 lbs
Weimaraner55-90 lbs
Welsh Springer Spaniel35-50 lbs
Welsh Terrier20-22 lbs
West Highland White Terrier15-21 lbs
Whippet15-30 lbs
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon50-60 lbs
XoloitzcuintleToy: 5-15 lbs; Miniature: 15-30 lbs; Standard: 25-40 lb
Yorkie-Poo4-15 lbs
Yorkshire 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.

Rebecca Chesonis

Rebecca Chesonis is a business professional with a lifelong love for dogs. She has owned and worked around dogs since she was a child. She has a love for all breeds, and a particular fondness for large dogs. She loves to write articles and create videos that will help you take care of your dog and find activities to make life with your dog even more fun!

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