What is a dog's normal respiratory rate?

The normal respiratory rate for a dog at rest is 10-40 breaths per minute. Dogs breathe faster in hotter climates, when they exercise, or are stressed or agitated. It is important to know that dogs can not sweat like humans do and regulate their body temperature through panting.

A dog that is sleeping peacefully usually takes about 30 breaths per minute. It can be a good idea to count the number of breaths your dog takes in a minute while it is sleeping. That way you will know if its respiratory rate is faster than usual which can be a sign of disease. (A breath in and out counts as one breath).