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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.
Labrador Puppy Weight Chart By Age
To give you a clear outline of your puppy's weight range, here’s an easy-to-understand weight chart for both male and female average Labs based on different ages.
Note that this chart only gives a weight limit, and it doesn't mean your puppy should weigh precisely that. It's only meant to help you protect your pup's weight and easily point out when he's seriously under or overweight.
Remember, not all Labs are average dogs. The healthy lot may weigh slightly above the weight range, and the less average ones may be slightly below the range. So, don't worry about slight deviations in the weight readings.
If your Lab's weight lies on the lower side, consider monitoring him visually. Observe and feel his ribs.
Your Lab may be naturally small-bodied if you can't see his ribs and he's active and happy. But if you suspect that your pup is unwell, consult a vet immediately.
Besides, if your Lab is too thin or too big but doesn't have an underlying issue, consider changing his diet.
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).
The weight tends to be more accurate if you have a digital scale. And if you have access to a vet scale, the better.
It's advisable to weigh your pup regularly to monitor his weight journey and determine whether he's overweight or underweight.
How To Increase Head Size of a Labrador
Besides weight and size, you can also use a Lab's head size to determine if he's too small for his age or not. A Lab's head size has a lot to do with his genetic composition, and generally, the most distinguishing aspect about a Lab's facial appearance is a clean-cut head free from fleshy cheeks.
However, if you feel that his head shape and size make your Lab appear smaller, there are some things you can do to change that.
For starters, you can increase your pup's size and weight by changing his diet and deworming regularly.
The most popular way to increase a Lab's head size is through chewable toys. When a Lab chews continuously or regularly, his mouth muscles start stretching. And since the mouth muscles are connected with the head, the stretching causes a direct impact on your Lab's head.
You can also use dog-friendly toys such as wood bones, soft plastic bones, hard plastic bones, and calcium bones.
If you aren't sure of the right bones for your pup, consult a pet for advice on the best toys depending on your Lab's age.
Wrapping It Up
You can out rightly determine whether your Lab puppy is too small. You have to consider his weight and size. And to help you do this, you can use the weight chart illustrated above as a gauge.
Furthermore, it isn't advisable to compare your pup with others. Different labs have different weights and sizes depending on gender, genetic disposition, diet, and underlying issues.
