Labrador retrievers are among the most popular large-breed dogs, in part because of the breed's generally friendly disposition and highly trainable nature. Estimating your Labrador puppy's adult size can help you budget for food and supplies and confirm that your puppy is growing properly.
Ask your puppy's breeder about the size of the dam and sire. Female puppies generally will be closer in size to their mothers, while male puppies will be closer in size to their fathers. Compare your puppy to her brothers and sisters if you meet them. Puppies who are larger than their siblings may also grow to be larger than their parents and larger than average.
Weigh your puppy at 14 weeks, then multiply that number by two. Add half of the weight at 14 weeks to the total number. For example, if your dog is 24 pounds at 14 weeks, multiply by two to get 48. Then divide 24 in half and add 12 to 48. Your dog will be around 60 pounds in adulthood. This formula provides an estimate of adult size, according to the Lakeside Animal Clinic in Texas.
Estimate your puppy's total weekly growth by dividing her current weight in pounds by her age in weeks. For example, if she is 10 pounds and 10 weeks, divide by 10 to get one. Then multiply that number by 52. The result is your puppy's weight at one year, according to the Lakeside Animal Clinic. This formula is more useful for Labrador retrievers and other large-breed dogs than for smaller dogs, because large dogs tend to continue growing throughout their first year of life.
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- According to the AKC breed standard, female Labrador retrievers may weigh from 55 to 70 pounds, while males may weigh from 65 to 80 pounds.
- No formula can predict a puppy's weight with complete accuracy.
- Early illness and nutritional deficits can cause a puppy not to grow to her genetic potential.
- American Kennel Club: AKC Meet the Breeds: Labrador Retriever
- The Labrador Retriever; Diane Morgan
- labrador image by JEAN-MARC MEDINA from Fotolia.com