Growth & Weight Guide

Labrador Retriever Growth Chart — Weight by Age & Size Guide

Updated April 202610 min readVet-reviewed sources

How much should your Labrador Retriever weigh at each age? When do they stop growing? This guide covers month-by-month weight ranges for both male and female Labrador Retrievers, growth milestones, when growth plates close (and why that matters for exercise), feeding guidelines by stage, and the warning signs that something might be off — all backed by veterinary research including population-level data from over 6 million dogs.

Adult Weight65-80 lbs (29-36 kg)
52-64 lbs (24-29 kg)
Adult Height24-29 in
19-23 in
Full GrownHeight: 12-14 months
Weight: 14-18 months
Size Categorylarge
10-12 years

Labrador Retriever Weight Chart by Age

Weight ranges shown are for healthy Labrador Retrievers at ideal body condition. Your puppy should fall within these ranges — being slightly below the range is better than above for large breeds (reduces orthopedic disease risk).

♂ Male Labrador Retriever Weight

AgeWeight (lbs)Weight (kg)Notes
Birth1-10.4-0.5Born blind and deaf
1 month4-51.8-2.2
2 months9-114.1-5.1Typical adoption age
3 months18-228.0-9.8
4 months25-3011.2-13.8
5 months32-4014.7-18.1~50% of adult weight
6 months39-4817.7-21.8
7 months44-5420.0-24.7
8 months49-6022.1-27.2
9 months53-6523.9-29.4
10 months56-6925.4-31.2
11 months58-7226.5-32.7
12 months60-7427.4-33.7Near final weight
14 months63-7828.6-35.2Near final weight
18 months65-8029.5-36.3Fully mature
24 months65-8029.5-36.3Fully mature

♀ Female Labrador Retriever Weight

AgeWeight (lbs)Weight (kg)Notes
Birth1-10.3-0.4Born blind and deaf
1 month3-41.4-1.7
2 months7-93.3-4.1Typical adoption age
3 months14-176.4-7.8
4 months20-249.0-11.0
5 months26-3211.8-14.5~50% of adult weight
6 months31-3814.2-17.4
7 months35-4416.1-19.7
8 months39-4817.7-21.8
9 months42-5219.1-23.5
10 months45-5520.3-24.9
11 months47-5821.2-26.1
12 months48-6022.0-27.0Near final weight
14 months50-6222.9-28.2Near final weight
18 months52-6423.6-29.0Fully mature
24 months52-6423.6-29.0Fully mature

Labrador Retriever Growth Milestones

10-14 days
Eyes open

Initially blurry vision, full sight by 8 weeks

14-21 days
Ears open

Ear canals sealed at birth

3-6 weeks
Baby teeth erupt

28 deciduous teeth total

6-8 weeks
Fully weaned

Should be eating puppy food exclusively

3-4 months
Permanent teeth start

Adult teeth replacing baby teeth

6-7 months
All 42 adult teeth

Retained baby teeth need vet extraction

9-12 months
Sexual maturity

Females: first estrus. Males: producing sperm

14-18 months
Growth plates close

Safe for higher-impact exercise after this point

14-18 months
Full physical maturity

Final weight reached, fully developed

Growth Concerns for Labrador Retrievers

Monitor growth rate carefully

Large and giant breed puppies that grow too fast develop orthopedic disease (hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, OCD). The link between rapid growth and developmental orthopedic disease is well-established since Hedhammar et al. (1974).

Feed large-breed puppy formula with controlled calcium (0.7-1.2%). Never free-feed. Target BCS 4/9 (lean).

Exercise limits during growth

Growth plates are the weakest point in developing bones. High-impact exercise before they close can cause permanent damage. Growth plates close at approximately 14-18 months for Labrador Retrievers.

5 minutes per month of age. No jumping or forced running until growth plates close at 14-18 months.

Feeding Guide by Growth Stage

StageMeals/DayFood TypeAmount
8-12 weeks3xLarge-breed puppy formula with controlled calcium (0.7-1.2%)Follow label — divide daily amount into 3 meals
3-6 months3xLarge-breed puppy formulaPeak growth — do NOT exceed label recommendation
6-14 months2xLarge-breed puppy formulaGrowth slowing — reduce if gaining too fast
12-15 months2xTransition to adult formulaGradually mix over 7-10 days

See our full Labrador Retriever Diet & Nutrition Guide for detailed caloric needs, macros, and breed-specific dietary risks.

Exercise Guide by Growth Stage

0-3 months
Supervised free play only

Short play sessions on soft surfaces. No structured walks until vaccinations complete.

3-6 months
5 min per month of age

A 4-month-old gets 20 minutes of structured walking. Free play in yard is fine.

6-12 months
Moderate walks, swimming

30-45 min walks. Swimming is excellent low-impact exercise. No jumping, agility, or forced running until growth plates close.

14-18 months+
Full activity

Growth plates closed. Safe for running, hiking, agility, and all activities. Build endurance gradually.

When to Worry — Growth Red Flags

Not gaining weight for 2+ weeks

Could indicate parasites, illness, or inadequate nutrition. Vet check recommended — bring a stool sample.

Gaining too fast (above chart range)

Reduce food by 10%. Too-rapid growth in large breeds increases orthopedic disease risk. Reweigh in 2 weeks.

Limping or reluctance to play

Could be panosteitis (growing pains — self-limiting), or more serious joint issues. Vet exam needed.

Distended belly despite thin body

Classic sign of intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms). Vet visit for deworming.

Baby teeth not falling out by 7 months

Retained deciduous teeth cause dental crowding. Vet extraction may be needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Labrador Retrievers reach adult height by approximately 12-14 months when growth plates close, but continue filling out until 14-18 months. Males typically reach 65-80 lbs, females 52-64 lbs.

A rough predictor for large breeds: your puppy's weight at 4 months is approximately 40-50% of adult weight. Males typically reach 65-80 lbs; females reach 52-64 lbs.

Compare to the growth chart above, matching age and gender. More important than the number: you should feel ribs with light pressure (BCS 4-5/9). If you can't feel ribs, reduce food by 10%.

A large-breed puppy formula with controlled calcium (0.7-1.2%) from a reputable brand. Feed 3 meals/day until 6 months, then 2 meals/day. Switch to adult food at 12-15 months.

Wait until growth plates close — approximately 14-18 months. Before this, follow the 5-minute-per-month-of-age rule for structured walks.

Early spay/neuter delays growth plate closure (Root Kustritz, 2007), resulting in slightly taller dogs with longer limbs. However, neutered dogs have higher obesity risk — monitor food intake.

Lean is actually ideal during growth. BCS 4/9 (ribs easily felt, visible waist) is the target. The Purina LifeSpan Study proved lean dogs live 1.8 years longer with less arthritis.

Sources

AKC Breed StandardLabrador Retriever — official height and weight ranges (2024)

Salt C et al.Growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in dogs — PLOS ONE (6 million dogs) (2017)

Hawthorne AJ et al.Body-weight changes during growth in puppies — Journal of Nutrition (2004)

Kealy RD et al.Effects of diet restriction on life span in dogs — JAVMA (Purina LifeSpan Study) (2002)

Hedhammar A et al.Overnutrition and skeletal disease in growing dogs — Cornell Veterinarian (1974)

Growing Labrador Retrievers face real health risks

Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and other orthopedic conditions are common in Labrador Retrievers. Treatment can cost $3,000-$7,000+ per joint. Pet insurance covers these when diagnosed after enrollment.

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