Bald eagles are powerful birds of prey found throughout North America. With wingspans up to 7 feet, these majestic raptors are capable of taking down prey much larger than themselves. A common question that arises is how big of a dog can a bald eagle realistically pick up and fly away with?
The Strength and Size of Bald Eagles
With thick, muscular legs and oversized talons, bald eagles are equipped for seizing and carrying large prey. Their gripping strength has been measured at over 400 pounds-force, which is strong enough to lock onto large fish, birds, and mammals. However, the amount of weight an eagle can lift into the air is limited by its flight muscles and wingspan.
The largest bald eagles have wingspans approaching 90 inches. Considering a typical wingspan is between 60-70 inches, that gives them a massive flight surface area relative to their body size. Their broad wings allow them to generate enough lift for becoming airborne while carrying sizable prey items.
Bald eagles typically weigh 8-14 lbs. The largest on record weighed 20 lbs, demonstrating their potential for massive size. However, average males weigh around 9 lbs, while females are larger at 11 lbs. Overall, their strength and wingspan enable them to lift prey roughly equal to their own body weight.
Prey Items
Bald eagles are opportunistic predators, feeding on a variety of prey based on availability. Their diet normally consists of fish, waterfowl, seabirds, smaller mammals, turtles, and carrion. When hunting on the wing, they can snatch up animals weighing 3-4 lbs. However, eagles utilize various techniques to secure heavier prey:
- Wading in water – Allows them to get closer to and more easily lift fish, waterfowl, turtles, etc.
- Grasping prey on the ground – Permits them to use their full grip and leg strength when taking mammals and other land animals.
- Team lifting – Male and female eagles work cooperatively to carry large carcasses between 5-8 lbs.
Some of the heaviest items recorded being carried by bald eagles include:
- 15 lb mule deer fawns
- 13 lb coyote pups
- 12 lb house cats
- 10 lb foxes
- 8 lb swans or geese
When working as a team, eagle pairs have been documented transporting weights up to 15 lbs between them. However, these represent the extreme upper limits of what they can lift and fly with from the ground. Transporting the heaviest prey items requires open habitats and good winds for takeoff.
Average Dog Sizes
The average dog in the United States weighs between 45-55 lbs according to the American Kennel Club. However, there is tremendous variation across dog breeds, ranging from tiny 2 lb chihuahuas to 150 lb mastiffs. For the purposes of determining what bald eagles can realistically carry, it is useful to break down dog sizes into categories:
- Small Dogs – Under 25 lbs
- Medium Dogs – 26-60 lbs
- Large Dogs – 61-100 lbs
- Giant Dogs – Over 100 lbs
The most common pet dogs in the U.S. are generally medium-sized, averaging 40-50 lbs. These include popular breeds like Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, beagles, and bulldogs. On the other hand, wild canids like coyotes average around 25 lbs. Given these weights, small to some medium dogs would fall within the potential prey size range of bald eagles under the right conditions.
Small Dogs
Very small dogs weighing less than 10 lbs stand a fair chance of being carried off by bald eagles. These include breeds like:
Breed | Average Weight |
Toy poodle | 6-9 lbs |
Yorkshire terrier | 7 lbs |
Pomeranian | 3-7 lbs |
Chihuahua | 4-6 lbs |
Miniature pinschers, papillons, toy fox terriers, and other petite breeds are also potential targets. Wild canids like young red foxes and Arctic foxes fall within this size class as well. Since these diminutive dogs and foxes weigh only a quarter of an eagle’s body mass, they could be carried away under the right conditions.
Medium Dogs
Medium dogs in the 20-40 lb range could be vulnerable under certain circumstances. Example medium-sized breeds include:
Breed | Average Weight |
Cocker spaniel | 25-30 lbs |
Beagle | 25 lbs |
Border terrier | 15-16 lbs |
Foxhound | 32-34 lbs |
Similar-sized natural prey like coyotes, snowshoe hares, raccoons, and ringtails fall into the capabilities of bald eagles as well. Smaller medium dogs and animals towards 20 lbs are well within an eagle’s lift capacity. Larger mid-sized dogs approaching 40 lbs would be more difficult, but possible if the eagle can utilize an ambush attack strategy and wind assistance.
Large Dogs
Once dogs reach the 50+ lb range, it becomes increasingly unrealistic for a bald eagle to lift and carry them away. Some examples of large dog breeds include:
Breed | Average Weight |
Labrador retriever | 55-80 lbs |
German shepherd | 50-90 lbs |
Siberian husky | 35-60 lbs |
Golden retriever | 55-75 lbs |
While eagles can theoretically lift dogs in this upper weight range, wind and habitat conditions would have to be ideal. More realistically, large dogs exceed the routine carrying capacity of bald eagles.
Giant Dogs
For giant dog breeds weighing 100+ lbs, the chances of a bald eagle trying to pick one up are essentially zero. Some examples of giant dogs include:
Breed | Average Weight |
Saint Bernard | 120-200 lbs |
Great Dane | 100-200 lbs |
Mastiff | 120-230 lbs |
Newfoundland | 100-150 lbs |
These dogs are far too heavy for an eagle to lift off the ground. While eagles can theoretically kill and eat dogs of this size through prolonged attacks, carrying them away whole is physically impossible barring severe obesity in the eagle.
Eagle Attack Capabilities on Dogs
For small dogs under 10-15 lbs, bald eagles can pose a serious predatory threat. With ambush attacks and the element of surprise, they stand a real chance of seizing a toy breed dog and flying off with it. This is most likely in wilderness cabins and open habitats near waterways where the eagles hunt.
Medium dogs up to 40 lbs may be targeted in some cases as well. Eagles that live in areas with few natural prey items may become habituated to trying dogs in this size class. Attacks are most likely against unattended pets, farm dogs, and hunting hounds. Small children have even been attacked on rare occasions.
However, dogs over 50 lbs are generally too heavy for a bald eagle to routinely pick up and carry. While predation isn’t impossible, it becomes increasingly impractical the larger in size dogs get. Caution should still be exercised outdoors as eagles can potentially cause harm and death through prolonged attacks rather than airlifting. But giant breed dogs over 100 lbs essentially pose no tempting prey prospect to them.
Observed Examples
There are a number of real-world examples demonstrating the carrying capacities of bald eagles on dogs and other animals:
- In Michigan 2019, a bald eagle was recorded carrying off a 6 lb Pomeranian.
- A YouTube video from Canada shows a bald eagle trying unsuccessfully to lift a large German shepherd despite multiple attempts.
- Alaska air taxi pilots observed a bald eagle carrying a 3 lb cat through the air.
- Wildlife photographers in Washington state photographed an eagle flying with a 15 lb fox that was likely roadkill.
- In British Columbia, a bald eagle attempted to attack a dog on a suburban property but was unable to lift it and finally let go after being struck by the owner.
These examples help illustrate how smaller dogs are vulnerable while large breed dogs prove too challenging for the limits of bald eagles’ flight capabilities.
Conclusion
Bald eagles are powerful predators capable of exploiting a range of prey items under favorable conditions. Small dogs under 10-15 lbs stand the highest risk of predation since they fall well within the lifting capacity of eagles. Medium dogs up to 40 lbs may potentially be attacked as well, but successfully carrying them is less likely. Large and giant breed dogs over 50 lbs essentially exceed what bald eagles can realistically pick up and fly away with from the ground.
However, eagles can still pose a danger through prolonged attacks rather than airlifting. They also tend to target unattended pets and animals. Caution should be exercised with any size dog in areas with nesting bald eagles. But the largest breeds have little to fear from being carried off except under rare or unusual circumstances. Identifying and properly contextualizing the predatory capabilities and limits of bald eagles allows dog owners to assess risk while appreciating the magnificence of these iconic raptors.