What is the normal pulse range for an MWD?

• A. 60-90 BPM
• B. 80-110 BPM
• C. 70-120 BPM
• D. 90-130 BPM

Answer: (C)

Understanding resting heart rate in dogs helps you gauge conditioning and general health. For a healthy adult military working dog at rest, a pulse in the range of about 70 to 120 beats per minute is typical. This range accounts for individual differences in size, fitness, and stress level, providing a realistic baseline for well-conditioned MWDs.

Why this range fits best: large working dogs have faster metabolism than humans, but they aren’t at rest like a sedentary pet; their heart rate sits higher than humans yet remains within a comfortable, efficient range for recovery and endurance. If the pulse drops significantly below 70, it may indicate unusually high fitness or, in some cases, bradycardia; if it climbs above 120, it could reflect excitement, recent activity, heat stress, pain, or illness. The other options are either narrower or shifted toward values that are less representative for a typical resting MWD across a range of individual conditions.

To measure accurately, rest the dog quietly for several minutes, then palpate the femoral artery and count beats for 15 seconds, multiplying by four (or count for 30 seconds and multiply by two) to get BPM.