How Big is a Small Dog?
Experts seem to agree that small dogs weigh 22lbs or less.
The general consensus in the pet community is that the weight requirement can stretch to 25lbs.
Small dogs typically stand 10 inches tall, or under, at the shoulders.
This is the breakdown of how canine weight categories are normally separated:
It’s important to consider the difference between small dog breeds, and dogs that are small.
For example; a Great Dane puppy may be small, but it’s definitely not a small dog breed!
Breed isn’t always the best indication of whether or not your dog can be labeled as a small or medium dog.
People often consider weight the best indicator of how small a dog is.
Small dogs are those that weigh 22lbs or less as full grown adults.
Dog parents and professional opinions would argue that as soon as your dog weighs more than 22lbs, it’s no longer considered a small dog, despite age and breed.
Some of the most popular small dog breeds include:
The popular “toy” and “teacup” subcategories fall under the small dog specification.
So, what about dogs that can fluctuate over and under 22lbs?
Dachshunds are a popular small dog breed, but technically they can stretch past that weight guideline.
Standard Dachshunds can weigh as much as 32lbs! And sometimes even more.
The Dachshund breed classifications say that a Standard Dachshund typically weighs anywhere from 16 to 32lbs.
Does that mean they are small or medium dogs?
It just depends on how much YOUR dog weighs! Is your Dachshund 30lbs (or over 22lbs)? If so, they are considered to be a medium sized dog.
According to the AKC, a dog such as the Dachshund is considered to be a small dog breed, but weight does technically play a factor.
Here is a general guide that can help you determine what size category your dog belongs to:
It has been thought that the size of a dog correlates directly to its lifespan, which is why large dogs tend to live for very short periods of time compared to small dogs. The rule of thumb is for every four pounds of weight a dog has, you take about a month off the lifespan. When your dog weighs about 200 pounds, that’s a lot of months to remove.
Speaking of working dogs, large dogs can be great sled dogs. These dogs might not always be the best service animals, though, given their inherently friendly nature. Depending on the breed of dog, you can expect to have a terrifying guard dog if you choose a dog such as a pit bull.
There is no specific agreement on the classification of dog sizes. Depending on the source that is consulted, the weight ranges vary.
If you are looking for a work dog, medium dog breeds are ones to look at. Some of them will be better at guarding and watching, whereas others can make excellent service or emotional support animals. These dogs are not always the best for hard, heavy labor though, depending on where they come from.
Are pitbulls medium or large dogs?
The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a dog breed recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), but not the American Kennel Club (AKC). It is a medium-sized, intelligent, short-haired dog, of a solid build, whose early ancestors came from the British Isles.
How Much Does a Small, Medium and Large Breed Dog Weigh? (and why it matters!)
There are three sizes of dogs – small, medium, and large. Our dog size chart below expands the basic outlook into six categories of dog sizes: teacup, toy, small dog breeds, medium sized dog breeds, and large dog breeds and giant dogs.
There are a wide variety of dog breeds available in different sizes. Each size has a general range of weights they fall under.
Though there is some variation between the weight cut-off points for each size category, most experts agree that the dog size ranges.
Our dog size guide and chart is compiled from the insights of multiple sources to give the best indication of the growth range that dog owners can expect for their dog breed based on its size.