Puppy growth calculator
How big will your puppy get? Enter today's weight and age for a predicted adult weight and a growth curve for your puppy's size class.
- Percent of adult weight now—
- Half of adult weight reached at about—
- Growth mostly finished by about—
- Breed standard adult range—
Estimates from typical growth curves by breed size (Hawthorne et al. 2004). Large and giant puppies should grow slowly on a large-breed puppy food: fast growth raises the risk of hip and elbow disease.
Growth by breed size
| Size | 50% of adult weight | 90% | Growth done | Adult weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | 12 weeks | 26 weeks | 9–10 months | under 12 lb |
| Small | 13 weeks | 28 weeks | 10–11 months | 12–28 lb |
| Medium | 16 weeks | 36 weeks | 12 months | 28–55 lb |
| Large | 19 weeks | 44 weeks | 14–15 months | 55–100 lb |
| Giant | 24 weeks | 60 weeks | 18–24 months | over 100 lb |
Pick a breed and the calculator shows the breed's standard adult range next to the prediction, which is a useful sanity check: if a "Labrador" puppy is predicted to reach 120 lb, either the age is wrong or there is another breed in the mix. A DNA test settles it.
Frequently asked questions
How big will my puppy get?
Divide today's weight by the fraction of adult weight a puppy of that size usually has at that age. A medium-breed puppy at 16 weeks is around half grown, so a 20 lb puppy will be about 40 lb. Small breeds finish growing by 9 to 11 months, large by 12 to 15, giant by 18 to 24.
Is the "double the weight at 16 weeks" rule accurate?
Only for medium breeds. Toy breeds are already about two-thirds grown at 16 weeks, so doubling overshoots; giant breeds are about a third grown, so doubling undershoots. This calculator uses size-specific curves instead.
Why does a large-breed puppy need special food?
Large-breed puppy foods limit calcium and calories so bones grow at a steady pace. Rapid growth and excess calcium raise the risk of hip dysplasia, elbow disease and osteochondrosis. Keep large and giant puppies lean; a slightly slow grower ends up the same adult size with better joints.
What is a puppy growth chart?
A curve of body weight against age. Puppies of every size follow the same S-shape: fast gains in the first months, then a taper. The curve here is drawn from breed-size growth data; your puppy's point should sit near the line if the size class is right.
Sources
- Hawthorne AJ, Booles D, Nugent PA, Gettinby G, Wilkinson J. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition. 2004;134(8):2027S-2030S. doi.org/10.1093/jn/134.8.2027S
- American Kennel Club. Breed standards and breed pages: height, weight and life expectancy ranges. www.akc.org/dog-breeds/
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee. Global Nutrition Guidelines and calorie requirement charts. wsava.org/global-guidelines/global-nutrition-guidelines/