Normal Pulse Rate
The normal pulse or heart rate for dogs can vary depending on the dog’s age and size. The resting heart rates of small dogs and puppies are faster than the heart rates of large or adult dogs.
Puppies can have resting pulse rates of 160 to 200 beats per minute when they are born, which can go as high as 220 beats per minute at two weeks of age. Up to 180 beats per minute may be normal until a year of age.
Large adult dogs can have a resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute, while small adult dogs can have a normal heart rate of 100 to 140 beats per minute.
Measuring your dog’s pulse
To measure your dog’s heart rate, you’ll need a stopwatch or clock that can show you a count in seconds.
Place the ball of two fingers (not your thumb) on the depression found in your dog’s inner upper thigh, over the Femoral artery. It may take a little searching around to find it the first time – don’t give up!
For smaller pets, placing your hand over the left side of the dog’s chest just behind the elbow also allows you to feel the heartbeat
Count the beats you feel for 15 seconds and multiply the result by four or for 30 seconds and multiple the result by two to get the beats per minute .
