How Much Should A Pitbull Weigh?
While some adult pit bulls are larger and heavier than others, they all fit into the medium-sized dogs category.
So even when considering the different bloodlines - which also affect their physical makeup and size difference, most pit bulls will look more or less the same size when fully grown.
Keep that in mind when considering how much your pit bull should weigh.
That being said, there are a few things that will distinguish one pit bull type from another, one of the most prominent factors being their mix. That’s right, pitbull is just a term that is commonly used to refer to a certain type of dog.
American Staffordshire Terriers, American Bullies, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and the American Pit Bull Terrier all fall into the same category. Other than that, there is also the gender of the dog that you need to consider when thinking of the weight they will reach when fully grown.
A male dog will almost always be bigger and sturdier than its female counterpart. They have more muscle, larger skeletal structures, and are built more robust. So they’ll be heavier.
But, for this discussion, we will focus on a healthy American Pit Bull Terrier.
The American Pit Bull Terrier
Expect the average full-grown male pit bull to weigh anywhere between 35 and 60 pounds. The average full-grown female should weigh between 30 and 50 pounds.
Their weight is also dependent on the diet they’re on.
Dog owners who want their dogs to bulk and put on a bit of extra muscle weight would want to feed them a diet that has a high concentration of protein, carbs, and a mixture of healthy fats.
If you want your dog to build up some fat reserves, you could even consider feeding it some human food. Anything from cooked chicken to lean beef, sweet potato, and pumpkin would do.
Note that this isn’t always the best method for healthily bulking your dog, so please speak to your vet before deciding on a diet.
Other than specialized diets, a dog's weight is also often influenced by their health. Pit bulls, like most other dog breeds, are susceptible to various diseases or even food allergies that will hinder their weight gain.
For a more comprehensive breakdown of the various allergies that your pit bull can expect to contend with during its lifetime, check out this article:
Pit Bull Allergies - Common Skin and Food Allergies You Should Know About
The American Pit Bull Terrier is one of the best-known of all terrier breeds, and they deserve the spotlight, but not for many of the ominous reasons that they gain notoriety for.
They’re a loyal dog breed that will serve as a faithful companion for as long as their owners care for them and show them the love they deserve.
They love spending as much time with their pet parents as they can get - whether that means a walk in the park or a cuddle on the couch.
To keep your pitbull fit, healthy, and in shape, take it for regular walks. Sparkpaws sells a dog harness made for heavy pullers such as the American Pit Bull Terrier. The straps are adjustable and it’s been designed for a snug fit.
Whether you have a male, a female, a chunky pup that needs some exercise, or a lean purebred, the Sparkpaws harness is sure to suit your needs.
Is My Pit Bull Undersized?
When comparing the size of your pit bull to another, make sure to compare only within the same sex, age, and breed or type of dog.
It would be a mistake to compare an adolescent dog to a full-grown one, or a female to a male, or even more so a larger breed with a smaller one, and so on.
A healthy pit bull should have a reasonable amount of body fat. Their ribs shouldn’t be visible from a distance, but you should still be able to feel them without too much effort.
Looking from above, your dog should have a defined waist that starts just after its ribcage, and it shouldn’t have any excess fat around the stomach area.
Pit bulls are lean yet muscular dogs. So keep that in mind when checking whether or not your dog is a good weight.
A good rule to remember is that they should look healthy rather than be a specific weight. Your dog should look good to you and others rather than look hungry, too muscular, or too bulky.
Don’t overfeed your dog just to bulk it up, and don’t starve it to achieve a specific look. If they look good, they probably feel good. And a dog that feels good is a happy family pet.
That said, most pit bulls will reach their adult weight at about 24 months old. If, at this age, your adult male dog is under 35 pounds, you’d have to take it for a vet checkup. A vet would be able to tell you if your dog has any underlying health conditions that you’re unaware of.
Your vet would probably also be able to tell if genetics has caused your pup to stop growing sooner than other dogs.
Difference Between Male And Female Pit Bulls
As previously mentioned, male pit bulls are larger than their female counterparts.
A full-grown male will stand 18 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder while a female will stand about 17 to 20 inches tall.
But while they’re more or less the same height, males are noticeably bulkier than females. They have more muscles and slightly longer legs. You can tell by their neck and upper body muscle development that they are the dominant sex.
A male pit bull also has a larger head with well-defined jaw muscles. It shouldn’t be too difficult to see the difference between a full-grown male and a female pit bull.
If you’re considering adopting one of these beautiful dogs and feel unsure about whether you should get a male or female, check this article that will give you all the ins and outs of both sexes.
The above pitbull weight chart shows the correct weight for both genders throughout their lifetimes, taking into consideration some of their main growth spurts coming in 6-month intervals.
Pit Bull Puppy Growth Stages
Pit Bull puppies weigh about 3 to 5 pounds when they’re born.
They develop relatively quickly and can walk and explore their surroundings at about 4 weeks old. Some will develop a little quicker and start walking just after learning to stand at 2 weeks old.
Their first growth spurt comes around 4-6 months of age. During this time they will pack on a considerable amount of weight and grow to approximately 90% of their total weight when fully grown.
Expect your pit bull puppy to weigh a little more or a little less than 30 pounds at 6 months of age, depending on their gender.
When they get to about 12 months old, your pit bull puppy will have developed all the characteristics of a loving, yet serious mid-sized terrier.
During this time, you want to make sure that you feed them this so that they can develop a strong skeletal structure that will serve them well as they learn through playing with others their size.
Puppies will stop growing in height at about 18 months old. At this stage, they will continue to bulk and form the strong upper body muscles that pit bulls are generally known for.
This is also the perfect age to train them for regular walks. You can now purchase a good walking harness as they won’t outgrow it.
Choose a harness over a collar for these dogs as they are known for their strong pulling ability on walks. The harness doesn’t attach around their necks. Rather, it fits around their upper bodies and chest area, making them perfect for pit bulls.
How Important Is Diet In A Puppie Development?
Helping your pit bull puppy grow into a robust, healthy dog is all about the choices you make as pet parents, especially regarding their diet.
In those crucial early months, the food you pick for your pup can make a real difference in their growth. Opting for good-quality puppy food is key because it's packed with the essential nutrients needed for your puppy's development.
Keep a close eye on your pit bull puppy's weight during the first few months. Compare it to the expected weight for their age to make sure they're on the right track. Slow and steady weight gain is what you're aiming for to avoid problems like excessive weight gain or stunted growth.
The right nutrition affects your pit bull puppy's weight and plays a big role in shaping their skeletal structure. With the proper balance of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, you're supporting the development of your puppy's paws and overall bone structure.
It's good to know that pit bulls usually finish growing around 12 to 18 months of age. So, giving them the right food during this crucial time is vital for them to reach a healthy weight and build a strong, sturdy physique.
By choosing the best puppy food and keeping a close watch on your pup's growth, you're actively contributing to their overall well-being.
Regular check-ups with the vet and adjustments to the diet as needed are all part of being a responsible pet parent, ensuring that your pit bull puppy not only grows but thrives into a healthy, lively adult dog.
Other Factors To Keep In Mind
Following a Pitbull growth chart and applying the exact numbers to your pup doesn’t always work out. These dogs are individuals and have a unique makeup.
Your dog’s adult weight is also impacted by the mental and physical stimulation it gets, so provide it with a loving family home and give it your time and attention if you want it to grow into a healthy, happy adult dog.
If you insist on tracking your puppy’s growth, weigh them every few months but use the 12 monthly weight as an accurate gauge to see if their development is on track. At 12 months you can expect a male pup to weigh around 50 pounds and a female about 40 pounds.
This weight would put your pitbull puppy on track to become the correct adult size, according to its breed standard.
Conclusion
Pit bulls aren’t small dogs by any means. But they aren’t big either. They fall into the mid-sized category and will thus not weigh more than 60 pounds fully grown.
A pit bull male will almost always weigh more than a female unless there are some genetic defects or health problems that have stunted growth.
Their size and weight make them perfect family dogs - small enough to run around the house and not break everything, but large enough to offer protection to everyone in the family.
Keep your dog active by taking it on regular walks, feed it a healthy and balanced diet and you’ll have a loyal family pet that will live a long and happy life.
If you’re a pet parent, keep a close eye on your pup’s weight and make sure that they have a healthy, happy life. Keep them active and display as much love and affection to your dog as possible.
There’s nothing wrong with spoiling your pitbull with some high-quality dog wear from time to time. They’ll love you for it.