How much should a puppy weigh at each age, by size? The answer is a share of its expected adult weight: a puppy is about a fifth to a quarter of its adult weight at 8 weeks, about a third at 12 weeks, about half at 6 months, and about four-fifths or more at 12 months, when small breeds are near-adult and large breeds are still growing. This guide is the puppy growth chart by size: the shares for toy, small, medium, large, and giant breeds, how to use them, and what to do if your puppy is above or below the chart. Every figure is a rough share, not a measurement: individual puppies vary, and the line over weeks matters more than any single reading. The puppy weight predictor estimates adult weight from a puppy's current weight and age.
The short version is: weigh your puppy every two weeks, work out what share of its expected adult weight it is, and compare it to the chart. A puppy that is gaining weight steadily is growing well; a puppy that is not gaining weight at all over two weeks, or that is losing weight, needs a vet check. A puppy that is a little above or below the chart is usually fine, as long as it is gaining steadily and is bright, eating, and active. The puppy weight chart by age guide gives the growth shares by age in full, and the puppy age calculator by weeks guide gives the development at each age.
Puppy growth chart by size
The table below gives the share of expected adult weight a puppy is usually at each age, by size. Use it to judge your puppy's growth — and to know that the shares are rough, not exact: a puppy that is a little above or below the share for its size is usually fine, as long as it is gaining weight steadily.
| Size | 8 weeks | 12 weeks | 6 months | 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | About 20–25% | About 40–50% | About 60–70% | About 85–95% |
| Small | About 20–25% | About 35–45% | About 55–65% | About 80–90% |
| Medium | About 20–25% | About 30–40% | About 50–60% | About 75–85% |
| Large | About 15–20% | About 25–35% | About 45–55% | About 70–80% |
| Giant | About 15–20% | About 25–35% | About 40–50% | About 60–70% |
Read the table from top to bottom and the pattern is clear: small breeds reach a larger share of their adult weight sooner, because they finish growing sooner, while giant breeds reach a smaller share, because they keep growing for longer. A toy puppy is about 85 to 95 percent of its adult weight at 12 months, while a giant puppy is about 60 to 70 percent. The dog growth chart by breed guide gives the growth ages breed by breed.
How to use the chart
First, work out your puppy's expected adult weight: use the puppy weight predictor, or ask your vet, or look at the typical adult weight for the breed. Then weigh your puppy, divide its weight by the expected adult weight, and compare the result to the chart. A toy puppy that will be 4 kg as an adult and weighs 1 kg at 8 weeks is at 25 percent, which is in the range for a toy breed. A giant puppy that will be 50 kg as an adult and weighs 8 kg at 8 weeks is at 16 percent, which is in the range for a giant breed.
Weigh your puppy every two weeks, and write the result down: a single reading matters less than the line over weeks. A puppy that is gaining weight steadily is growing well; a puppy that is not gaining weight at all over two weeks, or that is losing weight, needs a vet check. A puppy that is growing much faster than the chart may be overfed, and a puppy that is growing much slower may be underfed or ill. The how much food should a puppy eat guide gives the calorie tables for puppies, and the puppy feeding schedule by age guide gives the feeding schedule.
Growth by size
A toy puppy finishes growing at about 9 to 12 months, a small puppy at about 9 to 12 months, a medium puppy at about 12 months, a large puppy at 12 to 18 months, and a giant puppy at 18 months to 2 years. A puppy that is a large breed will grow for longer than one that is a small breed, and a puppy with a heavy frame will fill out for longer than one with a light frame. A puppy that is a crossbreed will grow at a pace between its parents' breeds, and its adult weight will be between theirs — so a crossbreed's growth is harder to predict.
A puppy grows fastest in its first few months, and the growth slows down as it approaches adulthood. A puppy that is 8 weeks old is about a fifth to a quarter of its adult weight; a puppy that is 6 months old is about half; and a puppy that is 12 months old is about four-fifths or more, when small breeds are near-adult and large breeds are still growing. The when is a dog fully grown guide gives the growth ages by size, and the dog age chart by size guide gives the age conversions by size.
When the chart says your puppy is off track
If your puppy is well above the chart, it may be overfed: reduce the food by a tenth, and re-check in two weeks. A puppy that grows too fast can develop joint problems, especially in large breeds, and a puppy that is overweight will carry the extra weight into adulthood. If your puppy is well below the chart, it may be underfed or ill: increase the food by a tenth, and ask your vet if it is not gaining weight at all over two weeks.
If your puppy is limping, stiff, or in pain, ask a vet: joint problems in a growing puppy can be treated, but they need to be found early. A vet can work out whether the growth is normal, and what to do about it. The puppy too skinny — what to do guide covers a puppy that is too thin, and the how often should you feed a puppy guide gives the feeding schedule.
How to weigh a puppy at home
For a small puppy, put it in a basket on the kitchen scales and subtract the basket's weight. For a larger puppy, weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the puppy, and take the difference — or use the scales at the vet, which are more accurate. Do it on a hard, flat floor, with the scales in the same place each time, and weigh the puppy at the same time of day.
Weigh your puppy every two weeks, and write the result down: the line over weeks matters more than any single reading. A puppy that is gaining weight steadily is growing well; a puppy that is not gaining weight at all over two weeks, or that is losing weight, needs a vet check. The how to weigh your dog at home guide gives the method in full, and the dog calorie calculator guide works out how much to feed.
For related reading, see the puppy weight predictor, the puppy weight chart by age guide, the puppy age calculator by weeks guide, the dog growth chart by breed guide, the when is a dog fully grown guide, the how to weigh your dog at home guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a puppy weigh at 8 weeks?
As a very rough guide, about a fifth to a quarter of its expected adult weight. A puppy that will be 10 kg as an adult is roughly 2 to 2.5 kg at 8 weeks, and a puppy that will be 30 kg as an adult is roughly 5 to 7.5 kg at 8 weeks. Those are rough shares, not measurements — the line over weeks matters more than any single reading.
How much should a puppy weigh at 6 months?
About half its expected adult weight. A toy puppy is about 60 to 70 percent of its adult weight at 6 months, a small puppy about 55 to 65 percent, a medium puppy about 50 to 60 percent, a large puppy about 45 to 55 percent, and a giant puppy about 40 to 50 percent. The table above gives the shares by size.
How do I use the puppy growth chart?
Work out your puppy's expected adult weight, weigh your puppy, divide its weight by the expected adult weight, and compare the result to the chart. Weigh your puppy every two weeks, and write the result down: the line over weeks matters more than any single reading.
When is a puppy fully grown?
A toy or small dog is usually fully grown at about 9 to 12 months, a medium dog at about 12 months, a large dog at 12 to 18 months, and a giant dog at 18 months to 2 years. A puppy that has stopped growing taller may still fill out for months afterwards.
My puppy is above the chart. Should I worry?
Not necessarily — a puppy that is a little above the chart is usually fine, as long as it is gaining weight steadily and is bright, eating, and active. If it is well above the chart, it may be overfed: reduce the food by a tenth, and re-check in two weeks. A puppy that grows too fast can develop joint problems, especially in large breeds.
My puppy is below the chart. Should I worry?
Not necessarily — a puppy that is a little below the chart is usually fine, as long as it is gaining weight steadily. If it is well below the chart, or not gaining weight at all over two weeks, ask your vet: it may be underfed or ill. A puppy that is losing weight needs a vet check.
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.