Dog Care

Puppy Weight Chart by Breed Size: What's Normal at Every Age?

By PetPawCalc Team · May 14, 2026 · 9 min read · How we write

Puppy growth happens fast — and it’s easy to wonder whether your pup is on track. Too little weight gain can signal health issues; too much can stress developing joints, especially in large breeds.

Here’s what normal growth looks like by breed size, how to estimate your dog’s adult weight, and how to tell if your puppy is developing well.

Why Breed Size Matters So Much

A Chihuahua and a Great Dane are both puppies, but their growth trajectories are completely different. Small breeds reach their adult weight by around 8–10 months. Giant breeds are still growing at 18–24 months. Using the wrong chart for your dog’s size will give you meaningless numbers.

Beyond just timing, the risks associated with abnormal growth differ by size. For giant breeds, overfeeding during puppyhood is one of the primary risk factors for developmental orthopedic disease — conditions like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and osteochondrosis that can cause lifelong joint problems. The growth plate in a Great Dane puppy is under far more stress than in a Chihuahua puppy. Keeping large-breed puppies lean during growth is genuinely important.

Puppy Weight Chart by Breed Size

These are approximate ranges based on typical growth curves, grouped by adult size because that is what drives the timeline. The age rows are the same in every group, so you can read down one column to follow a single size through the first year, or across a row to compare sizes at the same age. Individual dogs vary — use this as a guide rather than a standard.

Toy Breeds (Adult weight under 12 lbs / 5.4 kg)

Examples: Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian

Age Expected Weight Range
8 weeks 1–2.5 lbs (0.45–1.1 kg)
12 weeks 1.5–3.5 lbs (0.68–1.6 kg)
16 weeks 2–5 lbs (0.91–2.3 kg)
6 months 3–7 lbs (1.4–3.2 kg)
12 months 4–12 lbs (1.8–5.4 kg), near adult

Small Breeds (Adult weight 12–25 lbs / 5.4–11 kg)

Examples: Beagle, Shih Tzu, French Bulldog

Age Expected Weight Range
8 weeks 3–5 lbs (1.4–2.3 kg)
12 weeks 5–8 lbs (2.3–3.6 kg)
16 weeks 7–12 lbs (3.2–5.4 kg)
6 months 10–18 lbs (4.5–8.2 kg)
12 months 12–25 lbs (5.4–11 kg), near adult

Medium Breeds (Adult weight 25–50 lbs / 11–23 kg)

Examples: Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel, Bulldog

Age Expected Weight Range
8 weeks 5–10 lbs (2.3–4.5 kg)
12 weeks 8–16 lbs (3.6–7.3 kg)
16 weeks 12–22 lbs (5.4–10 kg)
6 months 18–35 lbs (8.2–16 kg)
12 months 25–50 lbs (11–23 kg), near adult

Large Breeds (Adult weight 50–100 lbs / 23–45 kg)

Examples: Labrador, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever

Age Expected Weight Range
8 weeks 8–16 lbs (3.6–7.3 kg)
12 weeks 14–26 lbs (6.4–12 kg)
16 weeks 20–38 lbs (9.1–17 kg)
6 months 35–60 lbs (16–27 kg)
12 months 45–85 lbs (20–39 kg)
18 months 50–100 lbs (23–45 kg), near adult

Giant Breeds (Adult weight over 100 lbs / 45 kg)

Examples: Great Dane, Mastiff, Saint Bernard

Age Expected Weight Range
8 weeks 10–20 lbs (4.5–9.1 kg)
12 weeks 18–35 lbs (8.2–16 kg)
16 weeks 27–50 lbs (12–23 kg)
6 months 50–90 lbs (23–41 kg)
12 months 75–130 lbs (34–59 kg)
24 months 100–180 lbs (45–82 kg), near adult

The Two Ages People Look Up Most

Almost every search for a puppy weight chart is really one of two questions, so here they are pulled out of the tables above.

How much should a puppy weigh at 8 weeks? It depends entirely on breed size, which is why a single number is useless: toy 1–2.5 lbs (0.45–1.1 kg), small 3–5 lbs (1.4–2.3 kg), medium 5–10 lbs (2.3–4.5 kg), large 8–16 lbs (3.6–7.3 kg). Eight weeks is when most puppies go home, so this is the figure people check on day one.

How much should a 12 week old puppy weigh? Toy 1.5–3.5 lbs (0.68–1.6 kg), small 5–8 lbs (2.3–3.6 kg), medium 8–16 lbs (3.6–7.3 kg), large 14–26 lbs (6.4–12 kg). A 12 week old puppy has usually doubled or more since coming home.

Puppy birth weight varies far more than either of these and is a poor predictor on its own — a large-breed puppy is typically born around 1 lb, a toy-breed puppy at only a few ounces. What matters in the first fortnight is not the starting number but that it climbs steadily every day; a newborn that is not gaining needs a vet the same day.

Large and giant breeds: for a large breed specifically, use the large and giant tables above rather than scaling a medium-breed curve up. Large and giant breeds grow for considerably longer — 18 months rather than 12 — and pushing weight on early is actively harmful to developing joints. A large-breed puppy that looks slightly lean at six months is usually where it should be.

Is there a puppy height chart? Not a useful one, and this is worth saying plainly. Height at the withers varies so much within a breed, and is so awkward to measure on a wriggling puppy, that veterinary practice tracks weight instead. If you want a growth measure, weigh — it is more repeatable and it is what your vet will ask for.

How to Estimate Your Puppy’s Adult Weight

A rough formula that works for most breeds:

Adult weight ≈ (current weight ÷ current age in weeks) × maturity age in weeks

It needs an honest current weight, so weigh rather than estimate — for a small puppy, stand on the bathroom scale holding them and subtract your own weight. Our Dog Weight Calculator runs the same arithmetic against breed-size curves, which handles the large-breed timeline better than the raw formula does. It needs an honest current weight, so weigh rather than estimate — for a small puppy, stand on the bathroom scale holding them and subtract your own weight.

Maturity ages by size:

So a 10 lb medium-breed puppy at 16 weeks: (10 ÷ 16) × 52 = ~32.5 lbs adult weight

This formula is most accurate when used during the active growth phase (not the final few months before maturity, when growth slows significantly). For mixed-breed dogs, estimate size based on physical build and paw size if breed composition is unknown.

Try Our Dog Weight Calculator

Enter your puppy's current age and weight for an instant adult weight estimate.

Calculate now →

Growth Rate: What’s Normal Week to Week

Knowing the big-picture weight ranges is useful, but understanding week-to-week growth rates helps you catch problems earlier.

Toy and small breeds typically gain 5–10% of their body weight per week during the first 12 weeks, then growth slows. A toy-breed puppy who isn’t gaining at least a few ounces per week in the first month should be evaluated by a vet.

Medium breeds gain steadily through the first 6 months, then growth slows noticeably. A medium-breed puppy who plateaus before 6 months without an obvious dietary explanation is worth checking out.

Large and giant breeds grow most rapidly between 4–6 months — this is the highest-risk period for overfeeding. Growth plates are under maximum stress during rapid growth, and calorie excess during this window is the most directly linked to developmental orthopedic disease. The goal for large breeds during this phase is steady but not rapid growth.

Rule of thumb for any puppy: if they gain more than 10% of their current body weight in a single week over several consecutive weeks, re-evaluate their diet. If they go more than 7–10 days without any weight gain in the first 3 months, contact your vet.

Signs Your Puppy’s Growth Is Off Track

Possible underweight:

Possible overweight:

Both extremes warrant a vet visit. For large and giant breeds especially, overfeeding during puppyhood can accelerate bone growth and increase the risk of joint problems later in life. The old idea that “a fat puppy is a healthy puppy” is genuinely harmful for large breeds.

Puppy Nutrition: What Actually Matters

The label on the food bag matters more than the brand. Look for:

“Complete and balanced” statement: This means the food meets AAFCO nutritional standards for the stated life stage.

“All life stages” or “Growth”: Puppy food should be formulated for growth or all life stages. Adult food is not appropriate for puppies — it doesn’t have the right nutrient ratios for development.

Large breed puppy formula: For breeds expected to exceed 50 lbs, look specifically for large-breed puppy food. These formulas have controlled calcium and phosphorus levels designed to support slower, more even bone growth — reducing the risk of developmental orthopedic disease.

Avoid: Grain-free diets for puppies unless specifically recommended by your vet. The FDA has investigated a potential link between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, and the research is still ongoing.

How Much to Feed a Growing Puppy

Most puppy food bags have feeding guides — but these are starting points, not exact prescriptions. Puppies have high calorie needs relative to adult dogs (typically 2–3× more per pound of body weight), and those needs decrease as they approach adulthood.

General feeding frequency by age:

Large and giant breed puppies should NOT be fed to maximum appetite during the rapid growth phase. Controlled growth — keeping them lean without underfeeding — significantly reduces the risk of joint problems. Ask your vet what a healthy body condition looks like for your specific breed at each growth stage.

When to Transition to Adult Food

The timing depends on size:

Transition gradually over 7–10 days by mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old. Abrupt switches commonly cause digestive upset — loose stools, gas, or vomiting — that has nothing to do with food quality.

When to Stop Tracking Growth

Once your puppy reaches their expected adult weight and isn’t gaining anymore, the puppy phase is over nutritionally. Weight shouldn’t be completely ignored after this point — adult dogs can become overweight just as easily as humans — but the rapid growth phase that requires careful monitoring is behind you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should my puppy weigh at 8 weeks? It depends entirely on breed size. Toy breeds (Chihuahua, Pomeranian) typically weigh 1–2.5 lbs at 8 weeks. Small breeds (Beagle, Shih Tzu) weigh 3–5 lbs. Medium breeds (Border Collie, Bulldog) weigh 5–10 lbs. Large breeds (Labrador, German Shepherd) weigh 8–16 lbs. Giant breeds (Great Dane, Mastiff) weigh 10–20 lbs.

How do I know if my puppy is at a healthy weight? Use the rib check: run your fingers along your puppy’s sides. You should feel the ribs easily with light pressure but they should not be visibly prominent. View from above — there should be a slight waist visible behind the ribs. These physical checks are more reliable than comparing to a chart, since individual variation within breed sizes is significant.

Can puppies be overweight? Yes — and for large and giant breeds, overfeeding during puppyhood is a genuine health risk. Excess weight during rapid growth phases stresses developing joints and growth plates, increasing the risk of orthopedic conditions like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. For small breeds, the main risk of puppy obesity is setting up habits that carry into adulthood.

When do puppies gain weight the fastest? The fastest growth occurs in the first 6 months, with large breeds growing most rapidly between 3–6 months. After 6 months, growth continues but slows significantly. Giant breeds continue growing until 18–24 months, but the most rapid weight gain is concentrated in the first year.

What if my puppy isn’t gaining weight? A puppy who fails to gain weight over 7–10 days in the first few months, or who loses weight, should see a veterinarian. Common causes include intestinal parasites (extremely common in puppies), inadequate food quantity, poor-quality food, and underlying illness. Puppies are more vulnerable to rapid deterioration than adult dogs — don’t wait it out.

Is there a puppy growth chart in kg? The tables above are in pounds, but the conversion is straightforward: 1 lb is about 0.45 kg, so a 10 lb puppy is roughly 4.5 kg and a 50 lb puppy about 22.7 kg. A puppy growth chart kg readers can use directly is simply these ranges multiplied by 0.45. The growth pattern itself does not change with the unit — what matters is that the weight is climbing steadily along the curve for your puppy’s breed size.

How do I track my dog’s weight by age? Weigh at the same time of day on the same scale, roughly weekly while they are growing and monthly once they are past their fastest phase, and write it down. A dog weight tracker by age does not need to be anything fancier than a note on your phone with the date and the number. What you are watching for is the shape of the line rather than any single reading — steady climb is normal, a plateau during a growth phase or any loss is worth a vet call.

What is the weight of a small dog? It depends where you draw the line. Toy breeds are generally under 12 lbs as adults, small breeds roughly 12 to 25 lbs, and medium breeds around 25 to 50 lbs. So the weight of a small dog usually means somewhere between about 12 and 25 lbs — a Beagle, a French Bulldog or a Cocker Spaniel sits in that band, while a Chihuahua or Yorkshire Terrier falls into the toy group below it.

Always consult your veterinarian with concerns about your puppy’s growth or nutrition. Individual genetics play a large role, and these charts are averages — not guarantees for any specific dog.