It’s not hard to understand why Labrador Retrievers have become the most popular breed of dog in the United States. And you can use our Labrador size chart to help you navigate their development.
They have a pleasant demeanor, are patient with others, and like young people, making them ideal family pets.
Puppies’ growth in size and strength should be closely tracked at regular intervals. This is a great approach to give your dog the greatest opportunity it has at enjoying a long, healthy life.
While some Labradors may mature quickly, some may take a little longer.
Since Labs tend to be on the larger side of canine sizes, it’s important to monitor their development so we can see how they’re doing compared to the breed average.
This article tells you all you need to know about the size of your Labrador Retriever at various ages.
Everything from a monthly Labrador growth chart for your Lab puppy to an adult dog’s typical weight and height are discussed, along with the many elements that contribute to your Lab’s development.
When Do Labradors Stop Growing?
A Labrador will mature into a bigger dog than others at a steady yet rapid rate.
Despite the fact that your dog may continue to behave like a young pup for the duration of their lives, their physical development may slow or stop altogether between the ages of 18 months and two years.
Labradors achieve their full adult size by the time they are a year old, but they continue to put on weight even after they have reached their full height.
There’s no need to panic if your Lab hasn’t achieved a specific “milestone” in weight or height since every dog is different.
As long as a puppy’s rate of weight increase is not excessive, most doctors see little cause for worry during the second year, when they are mostly “filling out” rather than adding significant amounts of weight.
Labrador Size Chart
You may get a sense of what to anticipate from your Labrador puppy’s development by consulting a Labrador size chart.
Although birth weight is not a reliable predictor of adult growth, by the time your lab is two months old, you should have a very good sense of how large he will eventually become.
If you look at a growth chart for Labrador puppies, you may compare your dog’s weight to the typical gain or loss for its age.
In most cases, men will tower above their female counterparts in stature. From there, you ought to be able to speculate on how large your dog will get as he matures.
The Labrador weight chart might serve as a guide, but you should still keep an eye on your puppy.
In order to get the appropriate weight range for your Labrador, find its age in the left column and then read across the row.
Labrador Weight Chart
Age | Male Weight | Female Weight | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 Months | 22 - 30 lbs | 18 - 25 lbs | ||||
5 Months | 35 - 47 lbs | 30 - 40 lbs | ||||
7 Months | 51 - 59 lbs | 42 - 52 lbs | ||||
9 Months | 57 - 68 lbs | 46 - 60 lbs | ||||
11 Months | 62 - 75 lbs | 55 - 65 lbs | ||||
1 Year | 65 - 77 lbs | 55 - 67 lbs | ||||
2 Years | 65 - 80 lbs | 55 - 70 lbs |
Labrador Puppy Development Stages
Birth – 2 Weeks
From the moment of birth up until they are two weeks old, your puppy will be too young for most activities.
Since they are now both blind and deaf, they will not be particularly engaging. Your puppy will require her mother to provide all the necessary care right now.
You should make sure the mother is eating well so that she can continue to provide nutritious milk for her young if you are caring for her as well.
If your puppy needs more milk, don’t stop him from sucking. Your puppy will be able to hear and see more clearly at the two-week mark.
3 Weeks – 12 Weeks
Your puppy’s senses should have strengthened by one month. You’ll love seeing them interact with their littermates.
They start weaning at one month so introduce mushy food immediately. Early socializing is crucial, so let them play with their siblings.
Your two-month-old dog can thrive without its mother. At eight weeks, they should be totally weaned. You may feed them three puppy chow meals a day in proportion to their weight.
Start obedience training now. Young children are responsive. This establishes a well-behaved dog. Housetraining should be easy too.
Three-month-old Labradors should continue training and socializing. Leash training them now helps them become acclimated to the harness and leash.
To help them behave while grooming, consider grooming them more often.
4 Months – 9 Months
Four-month-old puppies are more energetic and lively. They are usually happy in your house by now. Positively encourage their socializing and obedience training.
Enrollment in training courses may be helpful for you both. Puppy kindergarten programs may also teach them how to behave with other dogs. Your Labrador must be confident and sociable, so do this.
Your five-month-old puppy will amaze you with its size. Playful kids may be hard to control. They’re learning fast, so be patient.
Labrador Retrievers are kind and loving. Your dog will act like a young pup for months.
Your six-month-old puppy will be tall and lanky. This difficult period shows their growth. Overexerting them during activity might cause damage and hip dysplasia.
Your dog will also have a solid routine. Keep being tough with them.
Your seven-month-old puppy should have routines and rapport with you. They may attempt to be bad to test if they can. Be strict yet praise excellent conduct.
Your nine-month-old dog may sometimes act more maturely. Even as they age, labradors remain puppy-like.
If you address their energy demands, the dog might well be calmer and behave better. Every day, exercise them gently to avoid injury.
Toys may intellectually and physically excite youngsters during downtime. This reduces harmful conduct.
10 Months – 18 Months
Your dog will keep growing strong at 10 months old. Your dog should respond to you more now that you have a good bond.
As they become stronger, you may start walking for 45 minutes a day and allow them additional time to entertain themselves at home. They can meet their energy demands without overexertion.
At over a year old, the dog should really be extremely comfortable living alongside you and the family. They will lavishly express their affection for your family.
You may try and give them 1 hour of walking time every day, ideally divided into two periods – the dawn and late afternoon. Labradors are lively canines and will love to play with the other animals at the park.
Adult
Your well-adjusted adult Labrador Retriever should exhibit all the amiability and extrovert nature for which the breed is known.
Throughout much of their puppyhood, female and male dogs typically weigh about the same, with just a little difference in their mature sizes.
Adult men typically weigh 72 pounds, while girls average around 62.5 pounds. Typically, men are 23.5 inches tall at the shoulder whereas women are just 22.5 inches tall.
How Big Do Labradors Get?
It’s possible to estimate how large Labs become by looking at a few standard features. For example, puppies with big paws will grow up to be big dogs.
Nonetheless, that won’t offer you a precise picture. You can get an estimate of how large your Lab puppy will be when he’s fully grown by using a growth chart.
Puppy weight isn’t really indicative of adult canine size.
You should really be able to determine your puppy’s ideal weight and height by referring to the Labrador puppy weight chart and using the data from the time he was 8 weeks old.
You can roughly predict how tall he will be provided as he follows the same development curve.
The parents of the puppy might also serve as a benchmark. A puppy born to bigger parents may reach adult sizes comparable to their own.
Further, a DNA test may identify any additional breeds that might be lurking in the bloodline, which could help you determine your dog’s true ancestry.
Labrador Growth Chart
The English Labrador and the American Labrador are two distinct varieties of the same breed.
English Labradors have a thick, waterproof coat and a stockier, more muscular frame than their American counterparts, who are often more slender and have a little finer coat.
While English Labs may reach a maximum height of around 22 inches, their burly and powerful build frequently causes them to be heavier than their American counterparts.
It’s been shown that English Labs may carry up to 20 lbs more than their American counterparts without being deemed overweight.
To the contrary, English Labs are noted for being more calm and reserved than their American counterparts.
However, despite their reputation, English Labs are far from sluggish and instead possess an abundance of vitality and drive.
Will Neutering/Spaying My Labrador Affect His Growth?
As a rule, neutering or spaying your dog shouldn’t slow down its development. Neutering a male dog may make him more laid back and peaceful, which can reduce his activity level and lead to weight gain.
Canine neutering before 37 weeks of age may lead to a greater weight increase, whereas canine neutering after 37 weeks of age led to a slower development trajectory.
Nonetheless, the variation was rather small, and there’s no reason to believe that these interventions had any appreciable impact on canine development.
It definitely should not be done before 1 year old to give your Labrador time to develop.
Preventing unwanted pregnancies, and certain cancers and reducing aggression are all positives of sterilization. Make sure that proper rest and recovery is completed.
Labradoodle Vs Labrador Size
As a hybrid of the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle, the size of a Labradoodle may range from that of either parent breed. However, Labradoodles, on average, are bigger than Labrador Retrievers.
A Labrador Retriever normally weighs 55-80 pounds and stands 21.5-24.5 inches at the shoulder, whereas a regular Labradoodle may weigh between 50 and 65 pounds and reach a height of 22-24 inches at the shoulder.
When compared to a full-grown Labradoodle, a miniature or toy Labradoodle is more like the size of a Labrador Retriever.
Factors That Affect Labrador Growth
Genetics & Gender
You may expect a huge dog from your Labrador Retriever. Their size and shape are determined by their genes, yet individual dogs may vary in this regard.
By seeing the parents, you may get a rough estimate of the final size of your puppy.
They might be carriers of genes that cause their progeny to be abnormally tall or short.
Nutrition
Your dog’s size, and hence your own, is largely dependent on its diet. This does not always indicate that overfeeding will result in a larger dog.
This often leads to weight gain and may exacerbate preexisting orthopedic conditions.
Once weaned, they need to consume meals designed for their age and size.
If you want your Lab puppy to have the greatest chance at a healthy and robust adulthood, feed him puppy food formulated specifically for Labs.
Physical Activity & Health
While your Labrador is still young, you should make sure they don’t exhaust themselves too much during play and exercise.
Allow them plenty of room to move about so they won’t damage themselves running into things or bumping into walls.
How Much To Feed A Growing Labrador Puppy?
Size, age, and activity level will affect Labrador puppy feeding. Instead of two big meals, a developing Labrador puppy should eat three to four little meals every day.
Labrador puppies aged 8-12 weeks should be given 1/2 to 3/4 cup of high-quality puppy chow every meal. You may increase to 3/4 to 1 cup every meal at 3-6 months. From 6-12 months, feed 1 to 1 1/4 cups every meal.
These are broad suggestions, so check your vet to decide the right quantity of food for your dog.
As they grow, Labrador puppies’ nutritional demands fluctuate, so modify their diet appropriately. If they’re overweight or underweight, modify their dietary intake.
How To Tell If Your Labrador Is Underweight Or Overweight?
There are many options open to you if you discover that your dog is too thin. Size always matters when it comes to determining your dog’s ideal weight. As they age, dogs often acquire weight.
Checking the dog’s ribs might help you determine whether he or she is at a healthy weight. If you can easily make out your dog’s ribs, it’s a red flag that he or she is too thin.
By applying a little amount of pressure, you should have been able to sense the ribs.
If you have to use too much force to feel your dog’s ribs, he or she is probably overweight and might benefit from a diet.
You should probably start feeding your dog something that helps it maintain a healthy weight.
More physical activity is required of them. Veterinarian care is critical for underweight pets. In the event of internal parasites, you may be required to have them dewormed.
If you think your dog may be overweight or underweight, you should schedule an appointment with your vet immediately.
Do Labradors Experience Growing Pain?
In contrast to popular belief, research shows that pups seldom, if ever, suffer any discomfort associated with normal growth.
In contrast, your dog may suffer from discomfort due to a variety of orthopedic disorders.
You should take them to the vet if you observe any strange symptoms, like as limping, swelling, an unusual stride, or unwillingness to participate in formerly enjoyable activities.
In little time at all, your puppy will be back to normal and able to resume its growth.
Injuries might occur from rough play or over-exertion, so be careful. In order to avoid unnecessary suffering, please restrict your dog’s self-management to appropriate and healthy methods.
What To Do If My Labrador Is Not The Right Weight?
There are ways to help your Labrador lose weight. Consult your vet beforehand.
Your vet may evaluate your dog’s health and propose weight decrease or increase. They may also rule out any weight-related health concerns.
Adjusting their diet after a plan is vital. Your doctor may suggest a weight-loss or weight-management diet for your dog.
Follow the food package’s feeding instructions and check your dog’s weight to ensure healthy weight loss.
Weight maintenance requires more workout. Make a canine exercise plan with your vet. Weight reduction or increase should be gradual to avoid health problems.
To avoid unnecessary calories, monitor meal intake and avoid treats and table leftovers. Weight loss or increase should be slow to avoid health problems. Before changing your dog’s food or activity, visit your vet.
How To Properly Weight My Labrador?
Keeping your Labrador healthy requires proper weighing. To accurately weigh your Labrador, weigh them at the same time, scale, and position each week.
This will let you track weight fluctuations and make adjustments.
Small weight fluctuations might affect your dog’s health, so weigh them monthly.
Even a minor weight decrease may lessen the risk of joint, diabetes, and heart disease in overweight dogs. Small weight increase might enhance your underweight dog’s health and vigor.
Monitor your dog’s weight to make nutrition, exercise, and healthcare choices. Before changing your dog’s food or activity, visit your vet.
Labrador Genetics And Common Health Problems
Americans love Labrador Retrievers. Their friendliness, flexibility, and outgoing nature make them perfect family members.
Labs are family members and deserve the finest. Labrador Retrievers, like other purebred canines, have health difficulties. Examples:
- Hip dysplasia
- Arthritis \Allergies
- Skin issues
- Bloat
- Cancers
Overfeeding and underexercising labs may lead to obesity and various joint diseases. Labs also suffer cruciate ligament injuries with weight gain.
Obesity, genetics, accident, and other factors may damage a healthy cruciate ligament, which supports the knee.
Finally, Labrador Retriever pups are naughty and may consume foreign materials like clothes, toys, and other household items, requiring emergency veterinarian care.
Final Words
If you choose a Labrador Retriever, he or she will mature into a gorgeous, rambunctious dog. You, as the pet parent, are responsible for ensuring the animals’ wellbeing.
You may have certain difficulties, but such are typical while caring for a dog.
Being well-informed may make life simpler for you and your dog. You can now provide the best possible care for your puppy.
There’s a lot riding on this, so it’s smart to do your homework and come in prepared. If you know what goes into your dog’s development, you won’t have to worry as much as you would otherwise.
Finally, we stress the need of regular veterinary exams for your canine companion. This manner, you can check to determine whether your dog is developing normally.