How much should my dog weigh? It is one of the most common questions owners ask, and the answer is almost always a range, not a single number. A healthy weight depends on breed, size, sex, age, and build — a lean, leggy dog and a stocky dog of the same breed can both be healthy at weights several kilograms apart. This guide explains how to find your dog's healthy weight range, how to check body condition at home, how to weigh a dog that will not stand on scales, and what to do if the number is too high or too low.
The reason the question matters is that weight is the factor owners control most directly, and the one with the clearest effect on health. Dogs kept lean tend to live longer and stay mobile longer than overweight dogs of the same breed. A few kilograms too many is not a cosmetic issue: it strains joints, heart, and metabolism, and it shortens life. The good news is that weight is also fixable, with measured food and a monthly weigh-in.
Healthy weight by breed size
Breed weight ranges are published in breed standards, and the ranges on this site come from those standards where they were confidently known. As a rough guide by size, typical adult weights are: toy breeds under 5 kg, small breeds 5–10 kg, medium breeds 10–25 kg, large breeds 25–40 kg, and giant breeds 40 kg and over. Within those bands, individual breeds vary widely: a Labrador Retriever is typically 25–36 kg, a Golden Retriever 25–34 kg, a German Shepherd Dog 22–40 kg, a Beagle 9–11 kg, a French Bulldog 8–14 kg, a Dachshund 7–15 kg, a Border Collie 14–20 kg, and a Great Dane 50–90 kg. Check your breed's own page for its range — the dog breeds hub links to every breed — and remember that a range, not a single number, is the honest answer.
Sex and build move a dog within the range: males are often at the heavier end and females at the lighter end, and a tall, leggy dog of a breed may be healthy at a weight that would be overweight for a shorter, stockier dog of the same breed. Age matters too: a puppy is still growing, an adult should be stable, and a senior may lose muscle and weigh less while carrying more fat. That is why weight alone is not enough — body condition is the check that matters.
Body condition score: the check that matters
Body condition score (BCS) is a 9-point scale vets use, where 4–5 is ideal, below 4 is too thin, and above 5 is overweight. You can check it at home in a minute, and it is more useful than the scales because it measures fat, not just weight. Stand your dog up and do three things. First, feel the ribs: you should feel them easily under a thin layer of fat, without pressing hard. If you have to press to find them, the dog is overweight; if they stick out with no fat cover, the dog is too thin. Second, look from above: there should be a visible waist behind the ribs. If the body is straight or bulges out, the dog is overweight. Third, look from the side: the tummy should tuck up behind the ribs. If it hangs level or sags, the dog is overweight.
Check body condition monthly, at the same time as you weigh the dog, and keep a note of both. A photo from above once a month is a useful record, because slow weight gain is hard to see day to day. If you are unsure, ask your vet to score your dog and show you what ideal feels like — it is a five-minute lesson that pays off for the rest of the dog's life.
How to weigh your dog
The easiest way is at the vet, where the scales are accurate and the staff will help. At home, weigh yourself on bathroom scales, then weigh yourself holding the dog and subtract — that works for dogs up to about 25 kg. For larger dogs, use a vet's scales, a pet shop's scales, or a luggage scale with a sling if your vet approves. Weigh at the same time of day, on the same scales, and keep a note: a monthly weigh-in catches a slow drift of a kilogram or two before it becomes five kilograms.
Puppies should be weighed every two weeks while they are growing, so food can be adjusted to their growth. Adults should be weighed monthly. Seniors should be weighed monthly too, because weight loss in a senior dog can be the first sign of an underlying problem and should be checked by a vet before food is changed.
What to do if your dog is overweight
First, get a target weight from your vet — not a guess, but a number based on your dog's breed, size, and body condition. Then work out the food for that target weight, not the current weight: use the RER formula (70 × target weight in kg^0.75) multiplied by about 1.0 to 1.2 for weight loss, and measure the food with scales. Cut treats to under 10% of daily calories, stop table scraps, and increase exercise gradually — short, regular walks first, building up as the dog gets fitter, rather than a sudden long hike that strains stiff joints.
Aim for a slow loss of about 1–2% of body weight per month: a 30 kg dog should lose about 0.3–0.6 kg a month. Faster loss is not better and can be unhealthy. Weigh monthly, adjust food by about 10% if weight is not moving, and be patient — it took months to gain the weight, and it will take months to lose it. The dog ideal weight calculator gives a starting range, and the overweight dog signs guide covers the signs and the plan in more detail.
If your dog is underweight, the same rules apply in reverse, but with one difference: see a vet first. Weight loss without explanation can be the first sign of illness, and feeding more without knowing the cause can delay treatment. If the vet finds no medical cause, increase food gradually by about 10%, use a more energy-dense food if the vet recommends it, and weigh weekly until weight stabilises.
Why ranges, not single numbers
A single number — 'a Labrador weighs 30 kg' — is wrong for half of all Labradors. Females are often lighter than males, working lines are often leaner than show lines, and a tall dog is heavier than a short one at the same body condition. That is why breed standards give ranges, why this site gives ranges, and why your vet will give you a range or a target with a margin. The number on the scales is a data point; the ribs, the waist, and the tummy tuck are the judgement. Use both, and you will know whether your dog is at a healthy weight far more reliably than any chart alone can tell you.
For related reading, see the dog ideal weight calculator, the dog food calculator, the overweight dog signs guide, the Labrador Retriever food guide, the dog breeds hub, the senior dog diet guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a Labrador weigh?
Typically 25–36 kg as an adult, with males often at the heavier end. Use body condition as well as the scales: you should feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above. The Labrador Retriever food guide gives calories and portions by weight.
How do I know if my dog is overweight?
Feel the ribs — you should feel them easily under a thin layer of fat. Look from above for a waist behind the ribs, and from the side for a tummy tuck. If you cannot feel the ribs or there is no waist, the dog is probably overweight.
How can I weigh my dog at home?
Weigh yourself on bathroom scales, then weigh yourself holding the dog and subtract — that works for dogs up to about 25 kg. For larger dogs, use a vet's or pet shop's scales. Weigh monthly, at the same time of day.
How fast should an overweight dog lose weight?
Aim for about 1–2% of body weight per month — about 0.3–0.6 kg a month for a 30 kg dog. Faster loss is not better. Cut food by about 10% if weight is not moving, and be patient.
Is my dog too thin?
If the ribs, spine, or hip bones stick out with no fat cover, the dog is probably too thin. See a vet first — weight loss without explanation can be a sign of illness — and do not simply feed more until the cause is known.
Does neutering change how much my dog should weigh?
Neutering does not change the healthy weight range, but it usually lowers calorie needs by about 10–20%, so most dogs need less food after neutering to stay at the same weight. Weigh monthly after the operation and adjust food if weight drifts up.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.