09/01/2026
For anyone wondering what the ideal weight is for a dog, here is the BCS (Body Condition Score) to go off of.
Some people tell me my dogs are “skinny” when they are actually at an ideal body condition. On the other hand, I tell a majority of customers that their dogs are overweight and could benefit from losing some weight, and a lot of people don’t take me seriously.
Please don’t take that as an attack or me judging how you care for your dog. Take it as, “I care so much about your dog that I want you to be aware of something that can seriously affect their quality of life.”
Being able to feel your dog’s ribs does not automatically mean they are too skinny. At an ideal weight, you should generally be able to easily feel the ribs with a thin layer of fat covering them. When looking down from above, your dog should have a visible waist, and from the side, you should see an abdominal tuck.
A dog being “chunky” might look cute, but extra weight puts additional stress on their joints, heart, respiratory system and overall body. It can make arthritis and mobility issues worse, decrease stamina, make exercise harder and contribute to other health problems. Obesity can also shorten a dog’s lifespan.
For example, a well-bred Lab is not supposed to be a massive dog yet they are the most overweight dog in the world. Why? Because people always think they need to feed them MORE because they are always hungry. There’s reasoning behind that, A lot of Labrador Retrievers carry a mutation in a gene called POMC, which is involved in appetite and feeling full. Dogs with that mutation can feel hungrier, be more food motivated. This does not mean they need to eat more. A male will generally stay around 80 lbs or under, while females are typically around 60 lbs or under. The same goes for German Shepherds. A well-bred male is generally around 90 lbs or less, with females closer to 70 lbs or less. Belgian Malinois are even leaner and more athletic, with males typically staying around 80 lbs or under and females around 60 lbs or under.
I get told all the time that my Belgians are “tiny.” That’s kind of the point!!! They are supposed to be lean, athletic, functional dogs, not oversized.
My Zena is a pitbull mixed with bulldog & boxer and is 48 lbs at a perfect weight. Some people drop their jaws when they hear that… but do you know how small the purebred American Pit Bull Terrier actually is? SMALL! Males generally stay around 60 lbs or under, while females stay around 50 lbs or under.
Now take a pitbull mix with some XL breeds in her DNA and the story changes. Sasha, for example, is over half APBT but is also Neapolitan Mastiff & Dogue De Bordeaux… GIANT BREEDS! She is 63 lbs and at a perfect weight because of her genetics.
Different breeds are built completely differently. Bigger does not automatically mean healthier, better bred, or more impressive. We have become so used to seeing overweight dogs that an appropriately lean dog can sometimes look “too skinny” to people.
Of course, every dog is different. Breed, body structure, age, muscle mass and medical conditions can all play a role. I’m not a veterinarian, but as a dog trainer who works hands on with dogs constantly, I can recognize when a dog’s body condition is concerning.
If I mention your dog’s weight, it isn’t meant to embarrass you. It’s because I care about their mobility, comfort, quality of life and hopefully keeping them healthy and with you for as many years as possible. Please put your dog on a diet if I recommend it.
Keeping a dog at a healthy weight is one of the simplest things we can do to protect their joints and give their body the best chance at staying healthy.
Use the BCS chart, not just the number on the scale. ❤️
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. Even if it’s “my dog skips meals sometimes, the only way to get them to eat is if I add stuff to it and sometimes they won’t even eat that, what do I do?” I’ll always have questions to ask to make sure it’s not health related first and answers to help!
