I live on Cape Cod in USA with my puppy Cooper who is now 4-1/2 months old. This past Monday he weighed in at 41.4 pounds.....how can I find out what a male lab should weigh at different ages? I tried Googling but there is all sorts of info but nothing "professional" by a vet, let's say. Does anyone know of a website that might have this? Thank you.
Re: How much should our puppies weigh? Hi Yvonne I wondered the same thing a few weeks ago, and asked people to start sending me the weights of their puppies. I've been doing a graph of them all - have a look at my other posts and find the string about how much does your puppy weigh. I'll be updating the graph again soon for the latest replies! The answer seems to be that puppies really do naturally vary a LOT in weight. Some are naturally heavy (like my Pongo - weighed 9.8kg at 10 weeks, and now weighs 27kg at 30 weeks, so he's consistently at the top of the range). Others naturally light (start off light, stay light). Your Cooper is 18.4kg at about 20 weeks (if I've converted it right!) so he's a stocky boy but not quite as stocky as my Pongo. All the best advice I've seen is to not worry too much about the 'right' weight, but focus on the 'right' shape. I've been told that you should check the following: (a) does he have a waist when you look at him from above? (b) does he have a tucked up tummy from the side (that is, does it go up nicely between ribs and back legs) (c) can you feel his ribs? They should feel as though they are under a blanket - not a sheet, and not a duvet! And they should not be visible normally. Does that help? Rosie (and a snoring Pongo)
Re: How much should our puppies weigh? Hi Rosie....yes, that helps a lot. I keep wondering if he is too heavy or too thin. He gets enough exercise and is ALWAYS hungry. He hears the crumpling of paper and he comes dashing up thinking it's something for him! I feed him 3/4 of a cup of kibble three times a day but vet said his weight is enough now that he could go twice a day 1-1/4 cups.....he will probably chew my hand off in between meals!!! I'm going to check your thread.....Thanks again.
Re: How much should our puppies weigh? Yup - labradors are permanently starving. Or so they'd have us believe. A guide dog trainer once told me that the reason that labradors and retrievers make the best assistance dogs is partly because they are so easy to train.... because their reward system is so very, very, very simple: FOOD! Bless 'em. Rosie
Re: How much should our puppies weigh? Hi Yvonne, you might find this helpful How much should my Labrador weigh
Re: How much should our puppies weigh? Yes, definitely check out the article, it's very helpful. I worried that my pup was too small when I got her but she grew up just fine. She is small for a Labrador but always has been. Add that to the fact that she's a female (generally smaller than males) and working type she's extra tiny! She was 2.6kg when I brought her home at 7 1/2 weeks and is now somewhere between 18.5 and 19kg fully grown at 18 months old. As long as your pup is active, eating well, you can't see or very easily feel his ribs or spine then I wouldn't worry too much. There's not really a 'normal' weight range as they're all so different.
Re: How much should our puppies weigh? Thanks All, again! This Forum is spectacular!!! I have read your thread, Rosie. Thanks for keeping up that chart. Also, Pippa, read the article you brought up. Just dont want Cooper to be overweight....he is going to be a big boy so dont want him to have even MORE weight than what is "normal"---although, there doesn't seem to be a "normal"....and that is OK. I have taken classes where female labs born one week after Cooper, were half his size! So we should not worry and enjoy our puppies!!!
