Approximately 56 percent of dogs are obese or suffer overweight in the U.S.*
Here is how to find a healthy weight for your dog:
The internet might seem like a good place to go to find an average dog weight or range. However because all dogs are different you need a little more resources.
Every dog breed has a wide range of weight and you have to take into account if it is a female or a male. Mixed breeds might be a little more complicated. The Body Condition System (BCS) by Purina was created to help veterinarians eliminate confusion when it comes to assessing a dog’s weight.
“The BCS is a 9 point scale that can help your veterinarian assess your dog’s body condition and the severity of her weight problem” according to Dr. Callie Harris, DVM.
One way you can help your dog to achieve and maintain his ideal weight is by feeding him healthy weight dog food.
Here are the problems when identifying an average dog weight:
It’s nearly impossible to identify an average weight for all dogs, since there are some different breeds and sizes. Other factors that might affect the weight of a dog is their sex and if they are spayed or neutered.
Here is an example, for a Labrador Retriever the typical weight range is 55 to 80 pounds. That’s a big range and if it’s a female she shouldn’t weigh 80 pounds, they should be on the lower end of the range.
When talking about weight ranges another factor usually not accounted for is the many mixed breed dogs out there. If the typical range for a Lab is 55 to 80 pounds necessarily mean that your Lab mixed will or should fall within that range. The other breed he is mixed with is a factor to consider.
If you don’t know the breed makeup of your mixed-breed makes it even more difficult to determine the average dog weight or range.
The Body Condition System (BCS) by Purina, a better solution for determining healthy dog weight.
With the Body Condition System, veterinarians use physical and visual observations of your dog to assess his current body condition and whether she’s too heavy or too thin.
If you think your dog is overweight or obese, you should consider a weight management dog food and it’s also a good idea to consult with your veterinarian to check for potential medical problems that could cause weight gain. Make sure to help your dog get enough daily exercise.
*According to the 2018 Pet Obesity Survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention