What is the ideal weight for a dog? The honest answer is that there is no single ideal weight for a dog — there is a typical range for its breed and size, and within that range the right weight is the one where the ribs are easy to feel, the waist is visible from above, and the dog moves well. This guide is the ideal dog weight chart by breed: the typical adult weight ranges for twelve well-known breeds, the daily calories at the middle of each range, and how to use the chart for your own dog. Every figure is a range from published breed-standard data, not a prescription for an individual dog.
The short version is: find your dog's breed in the table, take the weight range as a starting point, and then check the dog with your hands — you should be able to feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat, see a waist from above, and see a tummy tuck from the side. If the dog is inside its breed's range and passes the hands-on check, it is at a healthy weight. If it is outside the range, or fails the check, the amount of food needs adjusting, not the breed. The dog ideal weight calculator works out a target range for any breed and weight, and the dog body condition score chart shows the nine-point scale vets use.
Ideal dog weight chart by breed
The table below gives the typical adult weight range for twelve well-known dog breeds, from the published breed-standard ranges on this site, and the daily calories for a typical neutered adult at the middle of each range. The calories use the resting energy requirement (RER) formula vets use — RER equals 70 times body weight in kg to the power of 0.75 — multiplied by 1.6 for a typical neutered adult dog. Find your dog's breed, or the breed nearest its size, and read across.
| Breed | Typical adult weight | Daily calories, neutered adult (about) |
|---|---|---|
| Labrador Retriever | 25–36 kg (55.1–79.4 lb) | About 1455 |
| Golden Retriever | 25–34 kg (55.1–75.0 lb) | About 1420 |
| German Shepherd Dog | 22–40 kg (48.5–88.2 lb) | About 1470 |
| French Bulldog | 8–14 kg (17.6–30.9 lb) | About 675 |
| Chihuahua | 1–3 kg (2.2–6.6 lb) | About 190 |
| Beagle | 9–11 kg (19.8–24.3 lb) | About 630 |
| Siberian Husky | 16–27 kg (35.3–59.5 lb) | About 1120 |
| Pug | 6–8 kg (13.2–17.6 lb) | About 480 |
| Poodle (Standard) | 20–32 kg (44.1–70.5 lb) | About 1290 |
| Rottweiler | 35–60 kg (77.2–132.3 lb) | About 2025 |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lb) | About 225 |
| Boxer | 25–32 kg (55.1–70.5 lb) | About 1380 |
Read the table from top to bottom and the pattern is clear: weight follows size, and calories follow weight. A Labrador Retriever at the middle of its range needs roughly twice the calories of a Chihuahua at the middle of its range, and a dog that is fed the same amount as a much larger breed will gain weight fast. But the table is a starting point, not a verdict: individual dogs vary within their breed's range, and a dog at the top of its range that is lean and muscular is healthier than a dog at the bottom of its range that is carrying fat. Hands beat charts for this job, and the chart is there to tell you where to start looking.
How to use the chart for your dog
First, weigh the dog — monthly, at the same time of day, on the same scales — and write the number down. Then find the breed in the table and compare: is the dog inside its breed's typical range, above it, or below it? Then do the hands-on check: feel the ribs, look for a waist from above, and look for a tummy tuck from the side. If the dog is inside its range and passes the check, it is at a healthy weight, and the job is to keep it there with measured food and daily exercise. If it is above its range and fails the check, it needs less food; if it is below its range and its ribs are easy to see, it needs more food or a vet check.
If your dog is a crossbreed or a mix, use the size rather than the breed: a toy breed is typically 1 to 5 kg, a small breed 5 to 10 kg, a medium breed 10 to 25 kg, a large breed 25 to 40 kg, and a giant breed 40 to 90 kg for dogs — and for cats, a small breed is typically 2 to 4 kg, a medium breed 3 to 6 kg, and a large breed 5 to 11 kg. The average dog weight by breed size guide gives the full size tables, and the ideal dog weight chart by breed size guide gives the same ranges by size rather than by breed.
Why the breed range is not the whole story
A breed range is a range, not a target: a Labrador Retriever at the bottom of its range and a Labrador Retriever at the top of its range are both normal Labrador Retrievers, and the right weight for an individual dog depends on its build, its muscle, its age, and its health. A muscular dog weighs more than a slim dog of the same height, and a senior dog that has lost muscle weighs less than it did as an adult — both can be healthy at weights that look wrong on the chart. That is why the hands-on check matters more than the number: ribs that are easy to feel, a waist that is visible, and a dog that moves well are worth more than a number inside a range.
Age matters too. A puppy is still growing, so its weight should be judged against its growth, not against the adult range — a puppy at half its expected adult weight at six months is growing well, even though it is far below the adult range. A senior dog may lose muscle and weight even when it is eating well, and that needs a vet check, not just more food. The puppy weight chart by age guide covers growth, and the senior dog weight loss causes guide covers weight loss in older dogs.
Ideal weight and calories
The calories in the table are for a typical neutered adult at the middle of its breed's weight range. An intact adult needs about 10 to 20% more, a very active or working dog needs more again, and a senior or a dog that needs to lose weight needs less. The right amount is the one that keeps weight steady inside the breed's range: weigh the dog monthly, and if weight drifts up, cut food by about 10% and re-weigh in a month rather than changing everything at once. If weight drifts down without a change in food, mention it to your vet promptly — unexplained weight loss is always worth checking.
Note that calories are the real target and cups are only a translation: different foods have very different calorie densities, so always check the kcal per cup or per 100 g on your own bag or tin and work from that. The cups figures in this site's guides assume a typical dry food at around 350 kcal per cup, but your food may differ by a wide margin, and the bag's number always wins over this guide's. The dog food calculator converts calories into cups and grams for any food, and the dog feeding chart by weight guide gives the daily amounts by weight.
When the chart says to see a vet
See a vet if the dog is well outside its breed's range, if it is losing weight without a change in food, if it is lethargic or off its food, if it is a senior that is losing weight, or if it is a young animal that is not growing. A vet check first is sensible because some medical conditions cause weight change, and those need treating, not just more or less food. Bring the numbers: the dog's weight over the last few months, what it eats, how much, and any treats — that information helps the vet far more than a guess about the breed.
At the vet, expect a weigh-in, a body condition score, and questions about food, treats, exercise, and other pets in the house. The vet may also check the teeth, because dental pain is a common cause of weight loss, and may run a blood test if the weight change is unexplained. Do not try to put weight on a dog or take weight off a dog with a crash diet or a sudden large increase in food — both are risky, and both need a plan set with a vet. The how to help a dog lose weight safely guide and the how to help a dog gain weight safely guide give the safe plans for both directions.
For related reading, see the dog ideal weight calculator, the dog body condition score chart, the average dog weight by breed size guide, the ideal dog weight chart by breed size guide, the how to weigh your dog at home guide, the dog food calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal weight for a dog?
There is no single ideal weight — there is a typical range for the breed and size, and within that range the right weight is the one where the ribs are easy to feel, the waist is visible from above, and the dog moves well. Find your dog's breed in the table above, then check with your hands: ribs easy to feel under a thin layer of fat, waist visible from above, tummy tuck visible from the side.
How much should a Labrador Retriever weigh?
A typical adult Labrador Retriever weighs 25–36 kg. At the middle of that range it needs about 1455 calories a day as a typical neutered adult. Individual dogs vary within the range, so check with your hands as well as with the chart.
How do I know if my dog is at a healthy weight?
Feel the ribs — you should feel them easily under a thin layer of fat — look for a waist from above, and look for a tummy tuck from the side. A dog that passes all three checks and sits inside its breed's typical range is at a healthy weight. The body condition score chart gives the full nine-point scale, with 4 to 5 as ideal.
My dog is a crossbreed — which row do I use?
Use the size rather than the breed: for dogs, toy is typically 1 to 5 kg, small 5 to 10 kg, medium 10 to 25 kg, large 25 to 40 kg, and giant 40 to 90 kg; for cats, small is typically 2 to 4 kg, medium 3 to 6 kg, and large 5 to 11 kg. The average weight by breed size guide gives the full size tables.
How many calories does my dog need?
It depends on weight, age, and activity. A typical neutered adult dog needs about 1.6 times its resting energy requirement, where RER equals 70 times body weight in kg to the power of 0.75. Use the table above for the breed's middle weight, or the dog food calculator for your dog's exact weight.
When should I see a vet about my dog's weight?
See a vet if the dog is well outside its breed's range, if it is losing weight without a change in food, if it is lethargic or off its food, if it is a senior that is losing weight, or if it is a young animal that is not growing. Bring the weight record and the food details — they help the vet far more than a guess.
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.