So adopted a puppy about 2.5 weeks ago. They say he’s about to be 6 months but he’s only 17 lbs! And he’s pretty healthy now, I’m just scared that he might be too small... any advice?
Are you worried that he’s too skinny or are you worried that he’s not tall enough? Labradors do vary a lot in size. I’ve seen some very small ones. Being small is not a problem as long as they are healthy, have enough muscle and are not too thin or skinny.
I’m worried he won’t be big or y’all I️ should say. I’ve been feeding him well so the skinny part went away!
He still has a fair bit of growing to do. He will keep growing for at least another 6 months. What are you feeding him?
He'll be the size he ends up, there's little you can do to influence that, assuming he has a good diet. Some Labradors are small, some are tall. It doesn't really matter, unless you intend on showing him, which I assume you're not.
"They say" seems to imply that no one really knows how old he is. As long as he is healthy it does not matter what his size is. He doesn't care, and like all dogs he has a heart that is bigger than his body. Which brings up a pet peeve of mine! Murphy is a really big boy, he is 100 lbs. Every now and then I run into someone and they announce "Oh, I (or someone they know) had a lab that was bigger than him." out of the blue. Who cares? I did not know there was a contest going on for who has the biggest labrador? One upmanship gets really old. On the bright side, the family down the street got a doberman a while ago. It is now 5 months old and just gorgeous. Very friendly, well mannered and they are making sure it is getting socialized. Fun to watch them walk by!
So what does your vet say? Saying " too skinny" suggests you think maybe something is wrong with him?
Hi there Just wondering how your lab is getting on? I also have a small lab pup. She’s 5 months old & currently weighs 11.5kg which is way less than the average. Whenever we meet other people on our walks everyone thinks she’s just out for her first walk or something! Lol We don’t care as long as she’s healthy which she seems to be; vet hasn’t found anything wrong & she’s a good eater, lots of energy etc. Would be interested in finding out if other people have small labs too!
Hi @GW, there are a few of us on the forum with smaller labs. My girl is almost 2 and 23 kgs. She's bang on the breed standard for height, but she's not long in the body so I'm constantly asked if she's a full lab (she is!) Having other dog walkers assume that your dog is younger than she really is is actually a blessing - people are much more forgiving of puppies than they are dogs who are clearly adults!
I second that. When my boy is bucking at the end of his lead like an excited puppy cos he just has to smell that other dog’s bum and people ask how old he is, they sometimes hear 6 months instead of 6 years!
My lab is well below breed standard height and 22kg was her normal healthy weight when young. Being small is no problem at all especially with a dog like mine who thinks she is mighty. I had a huge lab too and tiny Moo is much easier to carry whatever size they are wonderful but having a mini lab does have its benefits and they are totally labby
So odd, we have had Harley's size commented on so many times. She is probably medium size but as you say there is always a larger labrador mentioned or the person says "shes so small". To be honest I am not sure what I am supposed to reply? Strange comments out there.
I've never really understood the obsession with size in labs. I've had them small and large and i much prefer a nice medium to small lab.
Sam was at the opposite end of the spectrum , but I also suffered similar comments , too big, too long legged , what is he crossed with ? Not at all necessary , I would ( try ) to smile and walk on x
Exactly the same for me. Every single person I come across says something. I am asked all the time if Axel is mixed with Great Dane, I don’t overly like the looks of Great Danes so I get a bit offended (and super annoyed) but try not to show it as I know they aren’t trying to offend me.
Also, the same here. We have a Flat Coat that didn’t read the breed standard and carried on growing. He is not only tall, but also very long. Luckily, most people don’t know the breed very well so, apart from the usual “What a big dog”, we don’t get too many comments. Although, we did get one woman rush up to see him only to be very disappointed when our dog turned round because she thought he was going to be a Newfoundland. That’s interesting, because if I were to close my eyes and picture a Labrador, I would see a dog that looked like Sam. The pictures you have posted of him are just stunning.
I agree. We walk with a lot of Labs and there is quite a bit of variation in their appearance, especially size. Personally, I think this just adds to the interest of the breed. One thing they do all have in common though is their happy and friendly nature.
Poppy is a bit on the small size; Merlin is rather large. People used to ask me if there is "a bit of Labrador" in Poppy... Now they ask me if Merlin is a Ridgeback... I just try to smile, sometimes through gritted teeth. It really doesn't matter how big or small they are, they are all lovely, and each has their own special character, so much more important than size.
