It is essential that your pet maintains an ideal body condition throughout life for optimum health and to try to minimise the risk and impact of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. To see if your dogs fall into a healthy body size try using PFMA's 'Pet Size-O-Meter'. Use regularly to check that your pet is maintaining the right weight throughout life.
The following guide provides weight ranges for common UK dog breeds. If your pet appears to be under or overweight then food quantities, and possibly diet type, will need to be adjusted to correct this. Your vet will always be the best person to advise you for your dog’s own individual health and nutrition needs as he/she will be able to assess them directly.
Small Dog Breeds
| Breed | Average ideal adult body weight (kgs) |
Weight Range Female (kgs) |
Weight Range Male (kgs) |
| Papillion | 4 | 3.2 - 4.1 | 3.6 - 4.5 |
| Bichon Frise | 4 | 3.1 - 5.1 | 3.1 - 5.1 |
| Pug | 7 | 6.35 - 8.16 | 6.35 - 8.16 |
| Shih Tzu | 7 | 4 - 7.2 | 4 - 7.2 |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 3 | 1.81 - 3.71 | 1.81 - 3.71 |
| Toy Poodle | 5 | 3.1 - 6.1 | 3.1 - 6.1 |
| French Bulldog | 11 | 9.1 - 10.1 | 10.1 - 13.1 |
| Miniature Dachshund | 5 | 3.6 - 5.1 | 3.6 - 5.1 |
| Pomeranian | 2 | 1.36 - 3.17 | 1.36 - 3.17 |
| Chihuahua | 2 | 1.5 - 3 | 1.5 - 3 |
| Pekingese | 3 | 2.7 - 4.5 | 2.7 - 4.5 |
Medium Dog Breeds
| Breed | Average ideal adult body weight (kgs) |
Weight Range Female (kgs) |
Weight Range Male (kgs) |
| Basset Hound | 26 | 20 - 27 | 23 - 29 |
| German Pointer | 25 | 20 - 30 | 20 - 30 |
| Labrador | 28 | 25 - 32 | 29 - 34 |
| Airedale Terrier | 21 | 19 - 20 | 20 - 30 |
| Boxer | 29 | 22 - 30 | 30 - 35 |
| Cocker Spaniel | 13 | 12.5 - 14.5 | 12.5 - 15.5 |
| Border Collie | 16 | 14 - 20 | 14 - 20 |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 13 | 10.5 - 16 | 11.5 - 17 |
| Golden Retriever | 28 | 25-29 | 29-34 |
| Bulldog | 23 | 18 - 23 | 23 - 25 |
| Shar Pei | 25 | 18 - 25 | 25 - 29 |
| Chow Chow | 28 | 25 - 32 | 25 - 32 |
| Dalmation | 22 | 16 - 24 | 15 - 32 |
| Springer Spaniel | 21 | 18 - 23 | 20 - 25 |
| Samoyed | 26 | 23 - 29 | 23 - 29 |
| Hungarian Vizsla | 23 | 18 - 25 | 20 - 30 |
| Welsh Springer | 19 | 18 - 20 | 18 - 20 |
| Whippet | 15 | 10 - 12.5 | 11 -20.1 |
| Standard Poodle | 26 | 20 -31 | 20 - 31 |
| Irish Setter | 28 | 24 - 29 | 27 - 32 |
| Standard Dachshund | 12 | 8.5 - 15 | 8.5 - 15 |
Large Dog Breeds
| Breed | Average ideal adult body weight (kgs) |
Weight Range Female (kgs) |
Weight Range Male (kgs) |
| Rottweiler | 43 | 35 - 48 | 45 - 50 |
| American Bulldog | 40 | 27 - 41 | 30 - 50 |
| German Shepherd | 30 | 22 - 32 | 30 - 40 |
| Doberman | 38 | 32 - 35 | 40 - 45 |
| Akita | 42 | 33 - 50 | 33 - 60 |
| Alaskan Malamute | 36 | 32 - 38 | 36 - 43 |
| Weimaraner | 33 | 25 - 35 | 30 - 40 |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | 33 | 30 - 35 | 30- 35 |
| Bernese Mountain dog | 42 | 36 - 48 | 38 - 50 |
| Old English Sheepdog | 33 | 27- 36 | 32 - 45 |
| Flat Coat retriever | 30 | 25 - 32 | 27 - 36 |
| Bloodhound | 43 | 36 - 45 | 41 - 50 |
| Greyhound | 30 | 26 - 34 | 27 - 40 |
Giant Dog Breeds
| Breed | Average ideal adult body weight (kgs) |
Weight Range Female (kgs) |
Weight Range Male (kgs) |
| Saint Bernard | 60 | 50 - 63 | 60 - 80 |
| Newfoundland | 50/65 | 45 - 55 | 60 - 70 |
| Dogue de Bordeaux | 60 | 54 - 65 | 54 - 65 |
| Great Daine | 58/70 | 45 - 60 | 55 - 80 |