Your Dog Heart Rate Guide: What’s Normal & What’s Not

You love your dog and would do anything to keep them healthy and safe. (If the bags of premium kibble are anything to go by!) So you might be staying on top of their vet visits, taking them on regular walks, and feeding them just right…while missing out on other, harder to catch signs like what counts as a normal dog heart rate.

But what IS a normal heart rate for dogs in the first place? 

• Does it matter THAT much – especially if your buddy’s already an active, energetic dog?
• Or is it only something you need to watch out for if your buddy’s packed on a few pounds over the years?

Here’s a deep dive into all of your questions, what’s normal, what’s not, when to drop by your vet – and how keeping track of your dog’s activity can help you take an active role in their health and well-being. Let’s get started.

Why figuring out a normal dog heart rate is a big deal

Much like in us humans, your dog’s heart rate can signal whether they’re doing okay, health-wise – or not so well. A pulse that’s unusually high or low might be cause for concern – and reason to drop by your vet.¹

Because as it turns out, a whole bunch of medical reasons can cause an otherwise normal dog heart rate to speed up (including blood loss or heat stroke) or slow down (including seizures or even neurological diseases.)

But before we all panic, your buddy’s heart rate might also:

• Speed up due to a vigorous walk, run, or hike in the woods with you – or just excitement from meeting new people or exploring new places.
• Slow down because they’re relaxed and comfy all snuggled up next to you on the couch – or they’re about to fall asleep.

What’s important is that your dog’s heart rate returns to normal after all these activities. (Without remaining persistently higher or lower, which might signal a cause for concern.)

That’s why it’s smart to establish a baseline – i.e., what’s a normal heart rate for your dog – so you can catch on to an abnormal spike or drop more quickly and easily.

Especially keeping in mind what your buddy’s been up to all day. Which includes: 

• Whether they’ve been getting enough sleep,
• How active they’ve been

💡 (Both of which you can check via your trusty Tractive device’s Sleep Tracking and Activity Monitoring data – both of which we’ll cover in detail a little further below.)

What’s a normal heart rate for dogs?

In general, most adult dogs have heartbeats ranging from 60-140 beats per minute. Though it does help to keep in mind that a normal dog heart rate can vary depending on a whole bunch of factors.

Including:

Age

Puppies tend to have faster heartbeats than adult dogs, clocking in at 160-200 beats per minute! This is mainly because of their fast metabolic rates, which helps them grow.

Size

In general, the bigger your dog, the lower their heart rate – and vice versa.² 

• Smaller dogs can have heart rates as high as 180 beats per minute. (While normally ranging between 90-140 beats per minute.)
• Medium-sized dogs tend to clock in at 80-120 beats per minute.
• Larger dogs tend to have 60-90 beats per minute.

Activity level

If both you and your dog are on the active side, it can show up as an elevated heartbeat as you both stay on the move.

But on the flip side, a physically fit dog might actually register a lower heartbeat on the regular.³ Their hearts simply don’t need to work as hard to pump oxygen into their blood as they run around and play all day. (It’s just their athletic conditioning at work – just like it is for physically fit humans.)

Genetic predisposition

Some dog breeds are vulnerable to lower heart rates, despite their smaller size. Including Miniature Schnauzers, Daschunds, small Terrier breeds, and some Spaniel breeds.

On the other hand, some larger dog breeds tend to register higher heart rates, including Irish Wolfhounds, Great Danes, and Dobermans.

Still others, like Whippets, tend to have naturally irregular heartbeats – even while at rest.⁴

Your dog’ emotional state

A dog that’s relaxed, comfortable, or sleepy will naturally have a slower pulse than one that’s excited, ready for a run, or anxious.

So keeping your dog’s age, size, breed, and habits in mind, here’s…

How to check a dog’s pulse

Luckily, picking up on your dog’s heart rate isn’t much different from how we might test ourselves for it. 

First, get them comfortable in a quiet, familiar environment. You want to ensure there isn’t anything around that might spook or excite them or trigger any anxiety. (Like loud noises, for example.)

• Put your hand on the inside of your dog’s rear leg – around mid-thigh level. (Easier if your buddy’s standing.) Here’s where their femoral artery is. It’s a large blood vessel that supplies blood to your dog’s legs and has a noticeable pulse when you touch it.
• Avoid using your thumb around this area, since your own pulse might confuse you while counting.
• Set a timer on your phone for around 15 seconds.
• Count the number of beats you pick up during these 15 seconds.
• Multiply this number by 4 to get your dog’s heart rate per minute.

Repeat these steps every day for at least a week or two to establish a baseline.

• Your dog’s heart rate might vary a bit from day to day – but what’s important is keeping track of their heart rate over the long term.
• It’s also a good idea to keep an ear out for your dog’s heart rhythm. A healthy heart has a regular pattern. In other cases, if the beats feel irregular, it’s a good idea to drop by your vet for a checkup.
• Also be mindful WHEN you check your dog’s heart rate. If you’re checking right after a burst of zoomies in the yard, it’ll naturally be higher. If you’re checking right after your dog wakes up from a nap, it’ll naturally be lower. So try and check around the same time every day to keep it routine.

Why is my dog’s heart rate higher than usual?

Now we do understand – it can be scary hearing your dog’s heartbeat thudding away faster than normal. But always remember: it’s important that their heart rate returns to normal after a few minutes. If it persists, drop by your vet.

Because as it turns out, your dog’s heart could be working a bit extra because of:

Exercise

Whether with you or otherwise, your buddy might’ve just kept themselves busy running, jumping, playing, chasing a ball, or digging around outdoors. Or they could’ve been chasing a bird or squirrel around your backyard, befriended a neighborhood dog (or person), or just gotten the zoomies.

In these cases, a higher heart beat can be a good thing and means your buddy is getting a healthy amount of exercise. Which, for most adult dogs, should be at least around 30 minutes per day, according to the experts.

💡Here’s where your trusty Tractive device can help you figure out whether your dog’s gotten enough activity throughout the day – or if they could benefit from one last game of fetch.

(All of which can help keep their hearts healthy for the long run.)

🐶 With its built-in motion detector, your Tractive device logs in your dog’s movements throughout the day as active minutes.

So you could:

• Check your buddy’s Activity Monitoring data to set them a target of active minutes to hit per day.
• Or better yet, check how active your buddy is compared to other, similar dogs around the world – with your very own community leaderboard!

Because what’s better than a bit of healthy competition to keep you motivated, right?

Discover Activity Tracking

Just be mindful when your dog is spending time outdoors. Because if it’s hot and sunny overhead, their rapid heartbeat could also be because of…

The heat

If you’ve ever noticed your dog panting more than usual on a hot summer day, that’s how they cool down their bodies.

• But if it’s extra hot outdoors, your dog’s heart might need to work harder to help them cool down – resulting in an elevated heartbeat.
• Brachycephalic dog breeds, like Pugs, Boxers, and Bulldogs, tend to overheat easier than others. The shape of their faces makes it difficult for them to breathe properly, which means they need to work harder to cool down.

⚠️ Watch out for the signs of heat stroke in dogs. Left unattended, this condition can be deadly. Make sure your buddy has plenty of shade and cool water to drink throughout the day, especially when it’s hot outdoors.

Stress & anxiety

Dogs can get excited – or stressed out – by a whole bunch of things. Whether that’s meeting new people, moving houses, hearing fireworks, heading to the vet, or just hearing the jingle of their harness and leash.

Now it doesn’t matter whether this is a “positive” or “scary” experience. Both can actually end up increasing your dog’s heart rate, even if for very different reasons.

So while some occasional stress is normal, it’s a different story altogether if your buddy tends to be anxiety-prone. (Especially if in the case of separation anxiety.) Keep an eye out for other signs like:

• Excessive pacing and restlessness
• Increased vocalization, like barking, whining, or even howling
• Hiding, cowering, or trembling
• Escape attempts – especially if your dog tends to spook easily. Some dogs might struggle to escape to the point of injuring themselves if it means finding somewhere “safe”!

Setting up your buddy a calm, quiet indoor space can go a long way in helping them relax. Spend some time cuddling them before taking them out to the vet – and keep them distracted throughout with one of their favorite toys, plenty of praise, and a few treats.

Read more: 

• How to handle separation anxiety in dogs
• How to treat noise anxiety in dogs
• Why is my dog scared of everything? Our expert’s take

Medical conditions

If your dog’s heart rate consistently spikes – and remains high – it might be time to drop by your vet. (Especially if your dog isn’t active or excited.) This might signal an underlying health issue, including:

• Heart disease
• Dehydration
• Infection
• Respiratory problems
• Heat stroke 
• Blood loss
• Fever

Besides an elevated heart rate, keep an eye out for other signs of illness – like:

• If your dog seems more sluggish or lethargic than usual, 
• Appetite loss
• Not drinking water
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
  

Drop by your vet right away for a checkup if you notice one or more of these signs.

Why is my dog’s heart rate lower than usual?

While a spike in your dog’s heart rate might catch your attention, it’s also smart to keep an eye out for one that’s lower than normal. Because while it’s not always a cause for concern, it’s helpful to understand what might be triggering it.

• Certain medications – especially those to treat heart conditions or anxiety – can naturally slow down your dog’s heart rate. 
• Likewise, dogs that are physically fit or actively training might score lower heart rates because of their athletic conditioning. (Like working dogs, herding dogs, and dog sports competitors.) Just like human athletes, these dogs’ hearts have learned to pump blood more efficiently. So they naturally have lower heart rates compared to other, more sedentary dogs.

Besides, here are some common reasons a dog heart rate might register as lower than normal.

It’s cold outdoors

As it gets colder outdoors, your dog’s heart might slow down a bit to help your buddy conserve body heat. This is a natural response and 100% normal. (In fact, our bodies work much the same way.)

However, it can be a cause for concern if your dog’s exposed to the cold for too long. (Where they might be at risk for developing hypothermia, which can cause their heart rate to drop dangerously low.)

So make sure you: 

• Keep them warm on your walks in the colder months with a dog jacket and booties (especially if they’re on the smaller side.) 
• Don’t let them stay outdoors for too long, especially on cold, snowy days. Yes, some snow-loving dogs (like Malamutes and Huskies) love diving into snow piles, but every dog needs a warm, comfortable indoor space in the winter months.

Read more: Dogs & Cold Weather: How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?

Your dog’s relaxed – or about to fall asleep

Just like with us humans, a calm dog usually registers a lower heart rate as their muscles relax and they drift off to sleep. Even if it’s not bedtime, your dog’s heart rate might slow down if they’re winding down for the day or after playtime.

However, in more serious cases, your dog’s heart rate might also slow down due to…

Medical conditions

Including:

• Hypothyroidism, which generally slows down your dog’s metabolism 
• Heart disease, including sinus bradycardia, heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or even a heart attack⁵
• A chemical imbalance in the blood, including from potassium or calcium
• Breathing difficulties during sleep, including from sleep apnea
• Inflammatory diseases, like from lupus and other autoimmune conditions

Dogs with heart disease might not be the most enthusiastic exercisers. They might tire out more quickly on walks or during playtime – and sleep more than usual.⁶

💡 Which is where monitoring your dog’s sleep via your Tractive device can go a long way.

😴 Specifically, your dog’s Sleep Tracking data can help you figure out:

• What’s a normal amount of sleep for your dog
• How much quality sleep your dog’s gotten over a period of time
• How many sleep disturbances your dog tends to get

All of which can help you pick up on an abnormal change in your dog’s sleep patterns much in advance.

(Which could signal a whole range of health conditions, especially as your dog grows older.)

Read more: Dog Dementia: Recognizing & Treating It

Start Sleep Tracking

If your buddy’s heart rate is consistently low – and you also notice other, concerning signs like weakness, labored breathing, fainting, or lethargy – drop by your vet for a checkup.

Ready to take an active role in your dog’s heart health?

Your dog’s heart rate isn’t just a number – it’s a window into their overall health, fitness, and even emotional state. 

• A normal dog heart rate can depend on factors like their size, age, activity level, and genetic background.
• Younger dogs tend to have faster heart rates due to their high metabolism.
• The bigger the dog, the lower the heart rate – and vice versa. Though, some dogs may be vulnerable to conditions that speed up or slow down their heart rates, regardless of their size.

Besides, a whole range of factors can cause a normal dog heart rate to:

With these factors in mind, you can have a more productive conversation with your vet with:

• Your dog’s habits, age, size, and breed in mind
• Any existing health conditions your dog might have
• How active your dog is on the regular
• Your dog’s quality of sleep

💡 The last two of which you can go equipped with the actionable data you get from an Activity & Sleep Tracker for dogs – built with love for pets and for your peace of mind as a pet parent.

Stay on top of your dog’s wellness

Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.

Discover Tractive GPS

Want to check your dog’s pulse – but not sure how to get started? Here’s Dr. Greg McDonald walking you through the process:

And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.