How Much Should My Labrador Weigh? Welcome to our complete guide to Labrador weight. Including the best Labrador weight chart online. In this article we will be letting you know the average Labrador weight at different stages of their lives, and helping you to work out how much your Labrador should weigh. Taking a look at the right size for a fit and healthy dog. And how to spot when he’s piling on the pounds. Let’s take a look at the facts that you need to know when it comes to your Labrador’s weight. Do you have an old Labrador? Is your lively friend starting to slow down and look a little grey around the chin?
Labrador Weight Chart. A puppy’s weight is something that concerns most new dog owners. I’ve had my 8 yr old yorkie to our vet 2 timwa IN Last 3 weeks hair is getting matted up and she iches and scratches allot and some of the spots shes pull hair out. And Lab owners are no different. So on our popular Labrador forum there is a very regularly updated thread all about different pet owner’s Labrador puppy weights. We have taken the information in this thread and compiled it for you. Here is a graph showing over 2. Lab puppy’s weights and at different ages. As you can see, there is quite a range. There are a few anomalies, we have less data to go from as the pup’s get older and at some certain ages. We used the averages of these weights, removed anomalies and used the data to create the Labrador weight chart below: If you want a rough idea of how much your pup should weigh at different stages of their young life, just compare them to this chart and see how they match up. But remember, average Labrador weight is not totally straight forward. Let’s take a look at why. Average Labrador Weight. Labradors come in a wide variety of sizes. You can expect English Lab weight to be around 6. English Labs are fairly broad and can be heavier than American Labs. Some of our chunkier, show bred Labs can be a good twenty pounds or more heavier than their field bred cousins, without necessarily being overweight. Whereas the American Lab who is field bred is likely to be at the lower end of average. Working bred American Labs tend to be more lightly built. A naturally big (not fat) Labrador may have a larger overall . For example the chocolates. Chocolate Lab Weight. Chocolate Labs are more likely to be show bred than field bred. English Labs weigh more than American Labs in general, and may therefore be at the higher end of average when it comes to weight. Yellow Lab Weight. Yellow Labrador weight is more likely to be widely spread, as with the black Lab. This is because yellow Labs are commonly found in both categories. But if you don’t know anything about your Lab’s lineage, his color might give you a clue. White Labs are more likely to be English Labs, and will therefore probably be at the heavier end of the scale. Fox red Labs are normally American Labs, and will often be thinner in build and therefore lighter in weight. Labrador Puppy Weight. Labrador puppies are growing fast, and their weight is constantly changing. You can find an idea of how much puppies weigh at two, three and six months, in our Labrador puppy feeding guide. Labrador Ideal Weight. This Lab really needs to shed a few pounds. The way to effectively judge whether your Lab is at an ideal weight is not through the scales. It is by feel and appearance. Your dog should have a . You may want to check your progress with regular weigh- ins for a while to make sure they are sufficiently gaining weight. Trying to help your adult Labrador weight decrease? Checking their weight each week will help you to know that you are succeeding, along with visual checks. How to weigh a dog. If you need to weigh a puppy, and he is small enough to hold in your arms, you can do this at home. Just weigh yourself on the bathroom scales without him, then weigh yourself again whilst holding the dog, and subtract the first weight from the second. This is accurate enough for most purposes. Larger dogs will need to be weighed on purpose built scales. Most vet surgeries have one in the waiting room but you can buy them online too. Really tiny dogs can be weighed accurately on a good sized set of kitchen scales. Or by using fishing scales to weigh a puppy placed carefully in a shoulder bag (don’t forget to weigh the bag first and subtract its weight from your total)Labrador Weight – How Much Should My Lab Weigh? For once, this is a situation where appearances really do count. Try to get into the habit of looking at your dog objectively and of avoiding comparing with other dogs, many of whom will be overweight. You may find that some other dog owners will tell you your nice slim Labrador is actually too thin. This happens a lot, largely because people are simply getting used to so many dogs being fat, including some of those receiving the highest accolades in our show rings. Again, if you are worried, check with your vet, but the chances are if someone is telling you this that actually your dog is healthy, and it is really their dog who is overweight. Healthy Labradors. Want to know the right ways to keep your Labrador fit and healthy? Then check out The Labrador Handbook. A complete guide for Lab owners. Everything you need to know to keep your pup happy and in the best shape possible. Buy your copy of The Labrador Handbook on Amazon here. Caring For An Old Labrador. Do you have an old Labrador? Is your lively friend starting to slow down and look a little grey around the chin? In this article we’re going to take a look at some of the challenges your senior Lab could face. Giving you the best ways to keep your aging Labrador Retriever fit, comfortable and happy. If you are looking for information on how long Labradors live for, read our in- depth article on Labrador Life Span here. Is My Labrador Old? It may surprise you as it did me, to find out that the pet food companies classify a dog as young as seven years as . However, some forms of incontinence can be treated with medication. Giving both you and your senior Labrador improved quality of life. Arthritis is a common condition amongst elderly Labradors, but it can be helped with the right pain medication and on occasions surgical intervention. There are also various ways you can make your arthritic Lab more comfortable at home, which we will look at a little later on. It is always worth having a chat with your vet to find out what can be done before you accept the new situation as a definite part of life for your Labrador senior. Sudden Changes. If a previously active or greedy dog suddenly starts to slow down or go off his food, don’t just put it down to old age. Sudden changes can be a warning that something is wrong. Other signs that a visit to the vets is in order include persistent coughs, reluctance to walk, unexplained whining or barking, and reduced apetite. Remember that many dogs give only very subtle signs that they are in pain, and a trip to the vet may be in order. Lumps and Bumps In Old Dogs. Older dogs are more likely to suffer from some serious health concerns, so it’s good to know what to look out for. You may notice your older Lab start to get a bit lumpy in his old age! Routinely give him a good rub along his flanks, belly, neck, shoulders and legs. Checking for anything new. Best Dog Food For Senior Labradors. Senior dog foods are often designed for dogs with reduced calorie needs. Just like older people, dogs that are getting on in years do not require as much energy in their diet. However, be cautious when picking a new food straight off the shelf purely based on his age. If your dog is working or exercised hard he will probably benefit from staying on his current feeding regime. Some of the . Carrying extra pounds is especially harmful to older dogs, as it puts a strain on their joints and exacerbates problems such as arthritis. Keeping your dog slim can buy him months and even years of extra happy life. Helping Old Labs Slim Down. Don’t forget, even if he is not as active as he used to be, there is no reason for your senior Labrador to get fat. You control the food, so if he is piling on the pounds, give him less of it. If you suspect your dog is already overweight and are struggling to cut down his food, check out are tips and advice in this article: Fat Labrador! Senior Dog Supplements. Glucosamine and chondroitin are popular senior dog supplements. There is some good evidence that they may delay the joint problems associated with old age. Namely slowing down the progression of arthritis. Old Labrador Training. As perhaps you would expect, elderly dogs are less inclined to race around and leave you behind when you are out and about. This assists us in dealing with the potential problems of hearing loss, as the closer he is to you the more likely he is to pick up your command. A word of warning though – don’t be too quick though to put a failed recall down to hearing. It is always worth doing a bit of top up recall training every so often, as many dogs get . If your older dog is really finding an hour’s walk a bit much, then its ok to cut down a little. Breaking his exercise into two or three smaller walks may be just what he needs. If he is reluctant to go on longer walks, it could be that he is suffering from aches and pains. Old Lab Pain Relief. A lot of people are understandably reluctant to give their dogs daily pain medication. However, this can drastically improve some Labradors’ quality of life. It is therefore worth talking to your vet about this option. Never give dogs human pain analgesics like aspirin or paracetamol, they are not safe for canine use. Remember, dogs can’t tell us when they are in pain or discomfort. It’s our job to read their signs through changes in their behaviour. Senior dog care starts at home. Additional padding on an elderly dog’s bed, or a thicker mattress could give them a much better rest. Raised feeders can make it easier for your dog to eat his dinner, although you will need to chat with your vet before using one if your dog is a fast eater. Your aging Labrador might also benefit for some help getting about. For example, if you have any high steps up to your front door or he is showing signs of struggling to get in the car. Ramps can be a handy addition, and you can make or buy removable ramp for his use. Geriatric dog care can extend to changing your home routine a little too. If his bladder is not what it used to be, you might have to wake up and let him outside a little earlier than you used to. But these small adjustments are a tiny price to pay for the years of companionship he. Does My Lab Look Old? It is curious how differently some dogs visibly age. Some dogs have barely changed since they were puppies, so it is very hard for anyone that does not know them to guess exactly how old they are. Apart from the tiniest hint of grey under the chin, some dogs of eight or nine look identical to how they did five or six years ago. On the other hand others of a similar age are almost unrecognisable from photos of them aged two or three. We had a female Labrador whose fox red coat was ticked all over with silver hairs and her face was almost entirely white by the time she was six. Whilst she was still very fit, her premature greying made her look like a little old lady. Regardless of how your Lab looks, when they get older they will probably need a little more care and attention from you. Caring For Your Old Labrador. Getting old is an unavoidably part of life, and most Labradors stay fit and active for most of their days. However, they will inevitably become a bit less mobile, have more aches and pains, and be less resilient in the face of illnesses. As loyal and devoted members of our families, we owe it to them to ensure that they are well cared for and comfortable in their old age. Fortunately, there is a lot we can do to support them at this time. And in turn, they will continue to give us the companionship and love that we have so treasured throughout their time with us. Don’t forget to read our in- depth article on Life Expectancy in Labradors. This article has been extensively revised and updated for 2.
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