As America’s most popular dog breed, it should come as no surprise that Labrador Retrievers are affectionate, friendly companions. Labs were originally bred in Newfoundland as duck retrievers and companions to fishermen. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home to England, where British breeders continued to refine the breed. Today, Labs are famous for their friendliness and adaptability, as well as being excellent family dogs that are great with children.
The Labrador is the epitome of the phrase “man’s best friend” with their kind and gentle nature and friendly disposition. These dogs are one of the most popular family dogs on the planet and for good reason: They are rarely, if ever, aggressive, are easy to train, and are as lovable and affectionate as they come.
Your Lab puppy might be too small if it weighs less than 12 lbs (5.4 kg), which is the average weight for a 6-week Lab puppy. Lab puppies generally weigh about 2 lbs (1 kg) with every week of growth. If your puppy weighs a lot less than that, he may be too small for his age.
How Much A Lab Puppy Should Weigh
This is one of the most common concerns and one of the most challenging to address directly. This is because a puppy’s weight and size may differ based on his gender, genetic composition, or underlying conditions. For this reason, it’s unrealistic to expect that all the puppies within a litter will have the same size and weight.
However, there’s a trick that may help you determine your pup’s weight range. In most cases, average puppies add about 2 lbs (1 kg) with every week of growth.
Factors That Affect Size And Weight In Lab Puppies
Another point of concern is a Lab puppy’s size. And just like the weight, Lab puppies have different sizes.
You may notice a huge size variance in a litter of Lab puppies. Some may appear too big or too small for their age.
Below are 3 factors that can affect a Lab puppy’s size and weight.
Genetic May Affect Size
A canine’s size is partially genetic. Therefore, a Lab puppy born of small parents may inherit the genes and appear smaller for his age. However, this isn’t always the case because some small-parents puppies sometimes grow into huge dogs. So, it’s possible to note a considerable size variance on puppies from the same litter.
Diet Greatly Influences Weight
A puppy’s diet also has a lot to do with his size and weight. Poorly fed puppies may fail to grow properly. Thus they may be low in weight and small in size. When feeding puppies, it isn’t always about the amount of food the pup consumes but rather the nutritional value. So, to be on the safe side, it’s advisable to consult your vet on the right foods for your pup based on his age.
Health Problems Can Inhibit Growth
Puppies that have been ill or have underlying conditions may portray slow growth. Their size and weight may be small compared to healthy pups within the same age limit. However, you shouldn’t worry about this because such puppies often catch up later after recovery.
What Is The Size Of A Full-Grown Labrador Retriever?
A Labrador Retriever should weigh between 65 and 80 pounds and stand about 22.5 to 24.5 inches tall as a mature male, according to the American Kennel Club Official Labrador Retriever Breed Standards. In contrast, a female Labrador Retriever should weigh about 55 to 70 pounds and stand at 21.5 to 23.5 inches tall. Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for their body size.
How To Weigh A Lab Puppy
If you’ve tried weighing a pup before, you know how overwhelming this can be because most puppies aren’t patient enough to stand still on the weighing scale.
Follow these steps to weigh your Lab pup:
- Take a weighing scale and weigh yourself on it.
- Write down your weight, say W1.
- Carry your puppy and stand on the scale again.
- Record the new weight, say W2.
- Calculate your puppy’s weight by deducting your weight from your weight with the dog (W2-W1).
At What Age Is A Labrador Retriever Fully Grown?
As medium- to large-sized dogs, Labrador Retrievers require a little more time to fill out than smaller breeds. Labs need at least a year to reach their full size, but pups with bigger bone structures may require up to 18 months to fill out their chest. As a rule of thumb, your Lab should be at or close to their full size by their first birthday.
How Big Should A 6-Month-Old Labrador Retriever Be?
A male six-month-old Labrador weighs roughly 40 to 55 pounds. Comparatively, female Labs will weigh slightly less at 35 to 45 pounds around six months of age. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate.
How Do I Make Sure My Labrador Retriever Is Healthy?
Labrador Retrievers are known as America’s sweetheart dog breed and for good reason. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members.
As cherished members of our families, our Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. This can be heartbreaking to think about as loving pet parents. However, prevention can go a long way in preventing and minimizing future health problems.
When Do Labs Stop Growing?
There is no perfect age that will mark when your puppy will stop growing. As far as height and body size go, your puppy should be done growing by his first birthday, but this is not always the case. It has been shown that labs will continue to gain weight between their first and second birthday, even if they are not getting any taller.
That is why it is important to monitor their weight to make sure they are not becoming overweight. Much of this depends on the dog himself, however, so just make sure your dog is staying on his growth curve.
How Much Should A Puppy Cost?
Adoption/purchase fees That being said, adopting may be a cheaper option. For example, according to the RSPCA, adoption fees are usually below $500, whereas the purchase of a dog could set you back up to $3,500 or beyond, according to a MoneySmart estimate.
Can You Walk A Puppy Too Much?
Your puppy needs exercise, but walking too much can be harmful for growing dogs. Too much exercise, or “forced exercise,” can overtire your puppy and potentially damage developing joints. When your puppy is fully grown, between 8-12 months old, you’ll be able to take much longer walks together.