We were recently asked for some advice on flying with dogs across the U.S. Clearly a large dog is not going to be able to fly with you in the plane cabin
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.
When choosing the right pup for you and your family, size matters!
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.
Let's look at:
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No matter what size you go for, loyalty and adorableness will be found in every dog. Here is a list of some of the tiniest to the largest furry pups you can adopt.
The epitome of cuteness and weighing less than 5 pounds, these furry flurries are pretty easy to manage and carry.
Usually, when these dogs reach the age of permanently shifting to a home, they weigh around 2 pounds or less and can be effortlessly picked up by kids.
Therefore, breeders tend to avoid giving these tiny pooches to large families with many small children because they keep carrying them around, making the dogs quite uncomfortable.
Some examples of these cute furries are:
Small dogs typically weigh anywhere between 3 to 20 pounds and stand no taller than 16 inches at the shoulder.
The most popular small breed is the Chihuahua, but other breeds in this category include Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzu, Pomeranians, Toy Poodles, and Beagles.
If you're looking for a smaller dog breed, there are plenty of options to choose from.
The Boston terrier is a good choice for those who live in apartments, as this breed only weighs 10-25 pounds.
Another popular small dog breed is the poodle, which comes in a variety of sizes and can be easily trained for different activities.
Some of the best advantages of adopting these balls of furs are:
Even though we love these tiny canines, some minor disadvantages that they have are:
If you can ignore the excessive barking from time to time but love to carry around a small dog and love the pooch, then there is no dog better for you.
Most medium dog breeds were bred to carry out specific tasks such as hunting, herding, and working as full-time farm dogs.
Therefore, these dogs are pretty athletic and sporty, making them the perfect choice for a family dog. These dogs are a little more expensive to manage but still are less expensive than larger dogs.
Some of the best medium sized dog breeds include:
Medium dog breeds usually weigh between 21 and 50 pounds and stand 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder.
Medium dogs typically have a chest measurement that is between 21 and 27 inches.
Some of the best medium dog breeds include the Welsh Corgi, Australian Shepherd, and the Shetland Sheepdog.
Some popular medium dog breeds at the top of the list include Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers.
Other dogs that are popular include Cocker Spaniels, Australian Cattle dogs, and Bull Terriers.
Medium dog breeds can be further divided into two categories: small medium dogs and other medium dog breeds that are on the larger side.
Other medium sized dog breeds include the Bulldog, Boxer, and Rottweiler.
These dogs are all known for their friendly personalities and are great with children. If you are looking for a medium sized dog that is
One example of a medium size breed that is on the smaller side is a Shiba Inu, and a medium sized dog breed on the larger side is a Bull Terrier that ranges from 50 to 70 pounds.
The benefits of adopting a medium dog breed include:
Some of the disadvantages of a medium sized dog, if you have a busy schedule are:
For a more detailed view of other medium dogs check out our posts on the Best Medium Dog Breeds
Large dog breeds weigh from 59 pounds up to 99 pounds. They are sporty and love running around if you have a backyard. Some of the biggest dogs that you can choose from are:
Here are some fun characteristics that many big dog breeds have in common:
Some disadvantages that you might experience are:
Find the best tips for handling shedding in big dogs!
There are a lot of popular dog breeds, but the Pomeranian is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world.
Pomeranians typically weigh between 3 and 7 pounds and they stand about 7 to 11 inches tall.
They are often called the 'Pom' and come in a range of colors including black, white, orange, red and sable.
The Pom is known for its playful and energetic temperament and makes a great family pet.
They are not as popular as other breeds, but they are definitely one of the most adorable dogs you'll ever see.
This dog breed is brave and smart, even though they might seem a bit ill-tempered at first glance.
They respond well to training because they're actually very fun-loving animals that love being around their owners all the time.
For this reason, it's recommended you adopt them when they're still puppies so that you can train them properly right from the start.
Another small-sized dog breed that is an affectionate companion is the Beagle.
Beagles typically weigh between 20 and 25 pounds and stand between 13 and 15 inches tall at the shoulder, They have a chest circumference of between 17 and 21 inches.
The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog breed that typically weighs between 4 and 7 pounds and stands 6 to 7 inches tall. They have a chest circumference of 12 to 14 inches.
The Yorkshire Terrier is known for its feisty personality and energetic nature. Yorkies make great pets for families with children and are also known to be very loyal to their owners.
Dachshunds are a popular small breed of dog that is known for its long and low body structure. They make wonderful companions and are bred in three different sizes: standard, miniature, and kaninchen.
The standard size is the largest of the three and can weigh up to 32 pounds and stand at 11 inches tall at the shoulder.
If you're looking for a dog that will accompany you almost everywhere then Toy dog breeds might be a good fit. They are affectionate, full of personality, and can adapt to almost any lifestyle!
The Brussels Griffon is a medium dog breed that is known for its wiry coat and beagle-like face.
They are typically 10-12 inches tall and weigh between 8-14 pounds. Griffons make great family pets and are known for being friendly, spunky, and intelligent.
The English Toy Spaniel is a small breed of dog that typically weighs between 6 and 9 pounds and stands about 10 inches tall at the shoulder. They have a chest circumference of about 12 to 14 inches.
They've been called the toy dog "par excellence" because of their gorgeous appearance and small size.
The King Charles Spaniel is a medium-sized dog breed that is best known for its friendly and playful personality.
This breed typically stands between 9 and 14 inches tall and weighs between 10 and 18 pounds.
They are a popular choice for families with small children due to their patient nature and gentle disposition.
King Charles Spaniels are typically 9 to 14 inches tall and have a chest measurement of between 18 and 30 inches.
The toy dog of choice for Renaissance courts, the Italian Greyhound originates from ancient Rome! They were originally used for hunting small game and birds, but can also make great family pets.
If you're looking for toy dog breeds that will constantly be by your side, then the Japanese Chin is for you. Known as the "chin" because of their tendency to sit on their owner's knee like a human, these toy dogs also have cat-like personalities.
They're incredibly smart and can be trained easily!
This breed is one of the most popular medium-sized dogs because they are very well-mannered around everyone else. The Border Collie is a friendly dog that enjoys being around people.
Border Collies don't require much attention or effort when it comes to taking care of themselves, which might be why they are so popular among pet owners.
If you want a dog mix breed, then Golden Doodle should be on top of your list since it's currently one of the most popular hybrids in this category because of its friendliness and overall nice behavior towards others.
A Golden Doodle is a medium-sized crossbreed dog. They can weigh anywhere from 30 to 70 pounds and stand up to 23 inches tall at the shoulder.
They have a medium-length coat that can be either straight or wavy.
The Labradoodle is also one of the most popular hybrids in this category because of its friendliness and overall nice behavior towards others.
Labradoodles are a medium-sized dog breed that typically weighs between 40 and 70 pounds.
They stand between 21 and 24 inches tall and have a chest circumference of between 22 and 30 inches.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a medium-sized dog that was bred to retrieve ducks from water. They are gentle, friendly, and good with children.
Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers typically weigh between 55 and 70 pounds and stand between 21 and 24 inches tall. They have a chest size of between 22 and 27 inches.
Other medium dogs that may not be on your radar:
Why do Terriers make great dogs?
The medium-sized Terrier breed generally doesn't take up a lot of space. They are a great dog breed for people who live in apartments or small homes.
Besides the more popular Boston Terrier, this breed type is very good with children and makes great family pets.
Large dogs typically weigh more than 50 pounds. Some common large breed dogs are Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, and Bulldogs.
These dogs are known for their friendly personalities and loving nature. They make great family pets and are perfect for people who have a lot of space to give their dog plenty of exercise.
German Shepherds are very active who enjoys running around and playing all day long, which is why they require a lot of attention and effort from their owners.
The German Shepherd makes a and make great guard dog and is often used as police service dogs.
This breed requires mental stimulation, so If you adopt this breed as your pet, then you'll have to take them for at least one walk per day and make sure that they always stay busy throughout the day.
Golden Retrievers weigh between 55 to 75 pounds, According to the American Kennel Club.
Goldens are consistently listed as one of the most popular large sized dogs because they are friendly, intelligent, and are great with children.
Golden Retrievers are very active animals who are frequently used in roles as guide and service dogs.
If you want a dog that won't require too much of your time and attention it's best you go with Golden Retriever because they can easily adapt inside your home without causing any trouble.
They might be big in size, but Saint Bernards are definitely gentle giants when it comes to their behavior towards kids and other pets. They enjoy being around people and won't hesitate to run up to new faces.
Just like Saint Bernard, Great Danes are also gentle and great around kids. They are very loyal creatures that enjoy staying by your side at all times.
Bullmastiffs enjoy being around kids and other pets so having them in your home will be a great experience for everyone in the family who enjoys their company.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a very big size dog breed. They are gentle creature and enjoy playing around with other pets and kids alike.
They love staying busy throughout the day which is why they require a lot of attention from their owners at all times.
A Boxer loves being by your side no matter where you go, which is why it's best if you have them as a pet for yourself or your family members.
Whether you have an interest in a Jack Russell Terrier or Border Collie, do your research about the different sizes available.
Even when searching for a family dog like a Labrador Retriever or a fun loving small breeds like the Bichon Frise ask questions.
You need to analyze your lifestyle and living situation if you can really take care of a dog.
Your choices will be more than just about finding a family dog, other important factors are:
Ideally, you should look for dog categories that are most suitable for your active lifestyle and living arrangement.
There are many dog sizes and breed categories to choose from. It's easy to select dogs that make great companions, but what other attributes are important to you?
Here are five other breed characteristics that you might want to consider.
Find out more size and breed information in our Ultimate Dog Size Guide
We were recently asked for some advice on flying with dogs across the U.S. Clearly a large dog is not going to be able to fly with you in the plane cabin
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