How to Calculate a Puppy's Weight

Measuring the weight of a young puppy can be difficult to accomplish with a home scale, as many scales are not precise enough to record a small weight. Puppies are prone to being active and can be difficult to keep on a scale long enough to get a reading. By using a person or box to keep the dog on the scale, you can calculate your puppy's weight, which can in turn be used to calculate an approximate adult size.

Things You'll Need

  • Digital scale
  • Calculator (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Calculating the Puppy's Weight

    • 1

      Use a digital scale which measures to the 1/10-pound or more accurately. Small changes in the weight of a puppy can be significant when they're tiny to begin with.

    • 2

      Place the puppy on the scale and observe its weight. If your puppy is calm enough for the scale to give a reading, this is the simplest method.

    • 3

      Place the puppy in an open box with high enough sides to keep him in if you cannot keep the puppy on the scale. Weigh the puppy in the box. If the scale is able to accurately record human weights, step on the scale yourself while holding the puppy.

    • 4

      Weigh yourself or the box again, this time without holding the puppy.

    • 5

      Subtract the weight from Step 4 from the weight from Step 3 to find the weight of the puppy.

    Calculations with the Weight

    • 6

      Multiply the weight of your puppy at 6 weeks by 4 to get a rough estimate of its adult size for small breed dogs, such as chihuahuas.

    • 7

      Estimate the adult size of medium size breeds, like Labrador retrievers, at 14 weeks by multiplying their weight by 2.5. Estimate their full-grown size at six months by multiplying it by 1.5.

    • 8

      Estimate the adult size of large breeds, like Rottweilers or Great Danes, by multiplying their weight at six months by 2.