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Puppy weight chart: how much should my puppy weigh?
Puppy growth is fast, non-linear, and heavily breed-dependent. A healthy Chihuahua at 12 weeks might weigh 1–2 lb; a healthy Great Dane at the same age could weigh 30 lb. Weight charts by breed size give you a reference range to aim for — and the body condition check below tells you whether your individual puppy is hitting that target.
Puppy weight chart by age and breed size
The ranges below are typical for healthy puppies in each size class. Use the adult weight estimate column to find where your puppy lands.
| Age | Toy (adult <10 lb) | Small (adult 10–20 lb) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 1–2 lb | 2–4 lb |
| 10 weeks | 1.5–2.5 lb | 3–5 lb |
| 3 months | 2–3 lb | 3.5–6 lb |
| 4 months | 2.5–4 lb | 5–8 lb |
| 5 months | 3–5 lb | 6–10 lb |
| 6 months | 3.5–6 lb | 7–13 lb |
| 8 months | 4–7 lb | 8–16 lb |
| 10 months | 4.5–8 lb | 9–18 lb |
| 12 months (adult) | 5–9 lb | 10–20 lb |
Toy examples: Chihuahua, Maltese, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier. Small examples: Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Beagle (under 13 lb type).
| Age | Medium (adult 20–55 lb) | Large (adult 55–90 lb) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 4–9 lb | 10–18 lb |
| 10 weeks | 6–13 lb | 14–24 lb |
| 3 months | 8–16 lb | 18–30 lb |
| 4 months | 12–22 lb | 24–40 lb |
| 5 months | 15–28 lb | 30–50 lb |
| 6 months | 18–33 lb | 36–60 lb |
| 8 months | 22–42 lb | 44–72 lb |
| 10 months | 24–48 lb | 50–80 lb |
| 12 months | 26–52 lb | 55–88 lb |
| 15 months (adult) | 28–55 lb | 58–90 lb |
Medium examples: Border Collie, Brittany Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Basenji. Large examples: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky.
| Age | Giant breed (adult 90–175+ lb) |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 15–30 lb |
| 3 months | 30–50 lb |
| 4 months | 42–65 lb |
| 6 months | 60–90 lb |
| 9 months | 75–115 lb |
| 12 months | 85–135 lb |
| 18–24 months (adult) | 90–175+ lb |
Giant examples: Great Dane, Bernese Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard, Mastiff, Newfoundland.
All ranges are approximations from published breed-standard references and veterinary growth studies. Individual dogs vary. Mixed-breed puppies are harder to chart without a DNA breed test. Always confirm growth concerns with your veterinarian.
How to use this chart
The most useful thing a chart tells you is the direction of travel, not the exact number. A puppy who is consistently tracking the 25th percentile of the medium-breed column — and staying there — is far healthier than one who was at the 75th percentile two months ago and has now dropped to the 10th. The trend matters more than any single weigh-in.
To use the chart effectively:
- Establish your puppy’s size class. If you know the breed, look up the expected adult weight. If you have a mixed breed, your vet can often estimate adult size by looking at paw size and body frame at the 8-week visit.
- Weigh consistently. Use the same scale at the same time of day (before the first meal of the day is standard). A kitchen scale works for toy breeds; a bathroom scale with you holding the puppy — then subtracting your weight — works for larger puppies.
- Log the number. Write it down or use an app. A trend line over 4–6 data points is far more useful than one reading.
- Do the rib check. The number on the scale is context; the body condition score (below) is the actual assessment tool.
Body condition score: the rib check and beyond
Veterinarians use a Body Condition Score (BCS) from 1 to 9 to evaluate a dog’s weight relative to their individual frame — not just a number on a chart. Most healthy puppies should score 4–5 out of 9.
| BCS | What you see and feel | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Ribs visible from across the room; no muscle fill; bony spine and hip points obvious | Severely underweight — vet urgently |
| 3 | Ribs easily visible; slight waist and abdominal tuck; minimal muscle | Underweight — increase calories or vet check |
| 4–5 | Ribs felt easily with light pressure but not visible; waist visible from above; slight abdominal tuck; good muscle tone | Ideal |
| 6–7 | Ribs felt only with firm pressure; waist barely visible; tummy may be slightly rounded | Overweight — reduce portions and increase activity |
| 8–9 | Ribs not palpable under thick fat; no waist visible; obvious abdominal distension; neck fatty | Obese — vet-guided weight management needed |
How to do the rib check at home
- Place both hands on your puppy’s sides, thumbs along the spine.
- Slide your fingers along the ribcage without pressing firmly.
- You should be able to count each rib individually, the way you can count your own knuckles through the skin on the back of your hand.
- If you need to push hard to find them, the puppy is carrying extra weight. If they are visible without touching, the puppy is underweight.
The rib check takes five seconds and tells you more than a weight number alone. Do it at every meal preparation during the growth period and you will catch trends before they become problems.
Why your puppy might weigh more or less than the chart
Weight charts are population averages, and every puppy is an individual. Common legitimate reasons for being outside the range:
- Mixed breed. A “medium” mixed breed with some Great Dane ancestry may grow faster and heavier than the medium column suggests.
- Litter position and birth weight. The smallest puppy in the litter often catches up, but sometimes stays naturally lighter than breed averages.
- Feeding schedule and food quality. A puppy eating age-appropriate puppy food at the right calorie density and frequency (3–4 times daily until 6 months) will grow differently from one fed once a day or given adult food. See our puppy feeding schedule for meal timing by age.
- Exercise level. Puppies doing appropriate exercise build lean muscle, which is heavier than fat. A muscular puppy at 55 lb may look and feel leaner than a sedentary puppy at 50 lb. See our puppy exercise schedule for safe activity by age.
- Spay/neuter timing. Early spay/neuter (before 6 months) can slow growth plate closure in large breeds, sometimes resulting in slightly taller dogs than breed averages. Discuss timing with your vet, especially for large and giant breeds.
- Illness or parasites. Intestinal parasites are common in puppies and can suppress growth even when the puppy is eating well. This is one reason the puppy worming schedule is part of routine early care.
Month-by-month weight milestones and what they signal
8–12 weeks
The puppy should be gaining weight steadily every day — a toy puppy might gain a few ounces per week; a giant breed might gain 1–2 lb every few days. The main concern at this age is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in toy breeds: a tiny puppy that goes more than 4–5 hours without eating can crash quickly. Feed at minimum three times a day.
3–5 months
Growth rate is highest. Puppies going through teething between 12–16 weeks may briefly eat less enthusiastically. A slight slowdown in weight gain for a few days is normal. If it lasts a week or more or comes with other symptoms, see your vet.
5–7 months
Large and giant breeds go through rapid bone growth before muscle catches up. Many look “too tall and thin” at this stage — this is normal. The body condition score, not appearance alone, is the correct measure. Resist the urge to add extra calories to fill the puppy out prematurely; over-supplementation of calcium in large breeds at this stage has been linked to developmental orthopedic problems.
7–12 months
Small and medium breeds approach adult weight. Growth slows significantly. This is often when owners accidentally overfeed because portion sizes don’t shrink as the puppy stops growing. Check BCS every month and reduce portions slightly if the puppy is trending toward a 6 or higher.
When to call your vet about weight
Most weight variation is benign, but these situations need a vet conversation:
- Sudden weight loss. More than 5% of body weight in a week without a change in feeding is a red flag. Potential causes include parasites, infections, pain, or metabolic issues.
- No weight gain for 2+ weeks in a puppy under 6 months who is eating normally.
- Visible ribs and spine in a puppy eating appropriate amounts on schedule.
- Puppy is consistently at the top or bottom of its size class and the BCS does not match — some breeds have weight standards worth verifying against breed-specific charts.
- Swollen or distended abdomen in a thin puppy — possible sign of worm burden.
PupSchedule content is general care-planning information, not veterinary advice. Your veterinarian is the best source of guidance for your individual puppy.
Track your puppy’s weight with PupSchedule
Weight logs are most useful when they’re tied to feeding times, vaccine dates, and developmental milestones — so you can see the whole picture at once. PupSchedule lets you add weight entries alongside your puppy’s daily schedule so you have a complete health record to share with your vet.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my puppy is the right weight?
The most reliable field test is the rib check: run your hands along your puppy’s ribcage. You should be able to feel each rib easily, with a thin layer of padding, but ribs should not be prominently visible. If you can see ribs without touching, the puppy is likely underweight. If you press firmly and still cannot feel individual ribs, the puppy may be overweight. A breed-adjusted weight chart gives you a number range; the rib check tells you where your specific puppy sits within that range.
When do puppies stop growing?
Toy and small breeds reach adult weight at around 10–12 months. Medium breeds finish growing at 12–15 months. Large breeds continue adding muscle and frame until 15–18 months. Giant breeds like Great Danes and Saint Bernards may not fully fill out until 18–24 months. Growth plates close after the dog stops growing in height; weight and muscle can shift for another 6–12 months beyond that.
Should I weigh my puppy every week?
For puppies under 3 months, weekly weigh-ins are worthwhile — weight gain is fast and a minor illness shows up quickly on the scale. From 3–6 months, every two weeks is appropriate. After 6 months, once a month is enough for most healthy puppies. Sudden drops (more than 5% in a week) or plateaus longer than 3 weeks at any age are worth a vet call.
My puppy is heavier than the chart. Should I be worried?
Not necessarily. Weight charts use averages across many dogs in each size class, so healthy outliers are common. Mixed-breed dogs are especially hard to chart without a DNA breed test. Focus on body condition: visible waist from above, ribs felt but not seen, comfortable gait and energy level. If the puppy passes the rib check and BCS is 4–5 out of 9, a number that exceeds the chart average is not automatically a problem. Confirm with your vet at the next wellness visit.
Can I track my puppy’s weight in an app?
Yes — PupSchedule lets you log weight entries alongside feeding times, vaccine dates, and daily schedule notes so everything is in one place. You can see the growth trend over time and share it with your vet. Download the free app from Google Play, or join the waitlist for iOS above.