When Do Labs Stop Growing? How Big Do They Get?

Devangana Rathore
Mar 07, 2023 By Devangana Rathore
Originally Published on Oct 29, 2021
Edited by Lara Simpson
Fact-checked by Sakshi Raturi
Cute big white dog lies on a sofa.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 8.7 Min

Most individuals who adopt a Labrador Retriever dog understand that they are not getting a little dog.

Labradors are tiny and lovely as puppies, but they grow swiftly in their first year or so of life. You'll have many questions after getting your new Lab, and you'll soon wonder when do labs stop growing?

Your Labs' growth can be influenced by genetic characteristics, hunger, and sexual maturity. Labradors are moderate dogs who attain their peak size at an early age.

When considering whether or not a Labrador Retriever is suitable for you, it's critical to know and grasp the dog's size. And before you realize it, your puppy has grown into a fully grown mature dog. This article sheds light on a significant question, when do Labs stop growing?

A fully mature Labrador stands between 22-25 in (55.8-63.5 cm) long and weighs between 65-80 lb (29.4-36.2 kg). There is a disparity in height and weight between males and females.

It is also in the middle of the height and weight range. Labrador Retrievers are undeniably one of the most adaptable dog breeds on the planet. Are you wondering how long it will take for Labs to reach full maturity?

They can achieve adult height between six to 12 months of age. Even yet, some of these dogs may be able to fill out till they get two years old.

You can also know more about why do dogs follow you to the bathroom andwhy do dogs eat dirt here, and learn more about your canine friends! 

Factors That Influence Labrador Physical Growth

Due to various factors, the growth rate and growth time for all Labradors are not the same.  There are both pre-birth factors and post-birth factors to consider. In nature, pre-birth factors like the dog's DNA and other hereditary characteristics are uncontrollable.

Even though your Labrador's growth is defined by its genes, nutrition and food play a significant role in its growth. Other health problems might result from both underfeeding and overfeeding. Labs require a healthy nutritional balance that supports their growth and development. This may cause their standard height and weight to be stunted.

This does not imply that you should overfeed your Labrador puppy in terms of food and nutrition. For healthy growth, your Labrador puppy should eat a well-balanced diet.

Your Lab should be given nutritious food in the appropriate quantity and quality. According to its genetics, the food should assist the puppy in achieving its desired growth. Factors such as Rabies vaccination, vaccination, and regular health examinations are all important.

Your dog's general health might have a significant impact on its growth. Several health conditions might have a huge effect on the growth of your dog.

You can help your Labrador puppy develop to his optimal growth by exercising regularly. It boosts endurance, reduces anxiety, and supports heart health and digestion. If you're concerned about your puppy's growth rate or overall health, don't hesitate to seek guidance from your veterinarian.

Unless you notice your Lab puppy losing or gaining a lot of weight, or if you notice any other health difficulties, your puppy is likely to expand normally. A Labrador's weight gain can be avoided with appropriate training, plenty of activity, and a well-balanced diet. As a result, the puppy must be healthy enough to reach its total growth.

Operating on a Labrador puppy when he is young can affect his growth. This is since you are eliminating his reproductive hormones before they mature. Most veterinarians would advise you to get your dog spayed at an early age.

Older dogs who are neutered may develop hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a disease that causes abnormally long bone growth.

Growth isn't solely measured in terms of physical appearance. A fully grown Labrador has finished its physical, psychological, and emotional growth. A Labrador must be at least 18 months of age to be considered fully grown.

When do Labs stop growing in height?

When do Labs stop growing?  By the age of nine months, your dog may have reached full height.

Muscle growth is just as crucial as bone development. In their first year, giant breed dogs acquire weight and grow quickly.

It makes no difference whether the dog is a yellow Lab or a black Lab; their growth will be similar. There is a categorization of Labrador growth stages that they go through as they mature into fully grown Labs.

Let's have a look at the many stages of Labrador growth. The neonatal stage is when a Labrador Retriever puppy is between the ages of one and two weeks.

At this age, puppies are entirely reliant on their mother. For example, a new puppy cannot regulate its own heat and will require the mother's assistance in keeping them comfortable. In addition, to keep her nesting space clean, the mother Lab will encourage them to excrete and eat their excrements.

Two to four weeks old Labrador Retriever puppy is about their transitional stage. These puppies will start to react to their surroundings.

At two weeks of age, usually, Lab puppies will have their eyes wide open, and their ears will begin to open as well. Your puppy will start to recognize routines and people at the age of four weeks.

Extreme changes or loud noises should be avoided because they may harm the puppy's development and cause them to be traumatized. They will begin to test mama dog's food, and the socialization period will start.

Around the seven-week point, the socializing period comes to an end. They must be introduced to humans between the ages of five and seven.

Spend a bit of time with each puppy daily to ensure that they are accustomed to being touched. They should not be separated from their brood for more than 10 minutes at a time since they may miss out on critical life skills.

The eight-week-old Labrador Retriever begins its second socialization period. Your Lab puppy will be ready to sleep longer and have reasonable control over the bowel motions in the span of eight weeks.

Labrador Retriever puppies as young as three-month-old may reject commands they are accustomed to. The juvenile stage begins concurrently with the ranking period.

The three-month-old pup will start to put you on trial to determine their place in the family. It's a good idea to begin your Labrador Retriever puppy on a training program and continue socialization at the time of 12 weeks.

Cute chocolate labrador retriever dog.

When do Labs' heads stop growing?

The adult coat and face of a six-month-old Labrador Retriever puppy will begin to mature, and your pup will start to resemble a little adult dog. Your Lab pup will grow quickly over the first six months of its life, completing nearly all of its bone development.

At this time, some dogs will go through a scared stage. After all, they still are puppies at this age. However, throughout this stage, your pup strives to investigate everything in its environment. A six-month-old male Labrador's weight is between 40-55 lb (18-25 kg). On the other hand, female Labradors will be slightly lighter, weighing 35-45 lb (15.8-20.4 kg).

Around the age of nine months, Labs stop growing. This is the point at which their skeletal growth is complete. If your dog keeps growing, it will be in weight rather than height.

You should be aware of this when it pertains to their muscle growth. By the age of seven to nine months, Labs aren't fully formed.

Between 12 and 18 months of age, your Labrador's muscles begin to mature. It may take more than 18 months to achieve full maturity. Owners must take precautions to keep their dog's healthy weight and structure once they have reached mature height and weight.

Considering all of the many stages of growth, Labs attain their final size and weight in around a year till 18 months. Around their first birthday, typically, young Labradors learn to settle down with proper handling skills.

After that, a healthy Lab should gain roughly 2 lb (1 kg) for every week it has been living until it achieves two-thirds of its mature body weight, which is around six months old.

Male Vs. Female Lab: Average Physical Growth Rate

If you own a female Lab, you can expect her to be between 21-24 in (53.3-61 cm) high on average. For purebred dogs, however, there is a chance that your Lab will grow bigger or smaller. Expect the fully-grown Labrador walking around the house by the ninth month.

A male Lab will weigh more than a female dog, perhaps by 10 lb (4.5 kg). A mature male Lab can be anywhere between 22.5-24.5 in (57-62.2 cm) tall and weigh around 65-80 lb (29.4-36.2 kg), on average, as per the Labrador breed standard.

A female Labrador stands typically about 21.5-23.5 in (54.6-59.6 cm) tall and weighs 55-70 lb (25-31.7 kg).

Although most female Labrador Retrievers may give birth when still puppies, it is not healthy for the dog and must not be allowed. Most female Labradors reach sexual maturity between five and ten months of age, but others do not reach sexual maturity until after one year of age.

Before they turn one year old, most male Labrador retrievers will breed with their female partner. Although most of your Labrador Retrievers can attain sexual maturity before they turn a year old, they are not cognitively adult dogs.

Now we know when do Labs stop growing. In short, typical Labradors will be fully grown adults with their first birthday, and they will stop growing entirely by their second birthday.

Labrador retrievers range in size from medium to giant. The majority of this dog's breed will grow close to 2 ft (0.6 m) tall and weigh up to 80 lb (36.2 kg). Labrador Retriever puppies will continue to develop until they are roughly two years of age.

When your Labrador attains two years of age, then the Labrador is considered fully developed and is termed an adult dog. Usually, black Labrador dogs can grow to be pretty huge.

Despite this being a rule of thumb, each dog is unique, and no two dogs are alike. If your dog is developing faster or slower than the chart suggests but is otherwise healthy, it's probably fine. If you think your dog isn't growing fast enough either is growing too quickly, take him to the vet for a checkup.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly factsfor everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for when do Labs stop growing,then why not take a look at why do dogs scratch the carpet or are pigs goo

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Written by Devangana Rathore

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language, Master of Philosophy

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Devangana RathoreBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language, Master of Philosophy

Devangana is a highly accomplished content writer and a deep thinker with a Master's degree in Philosophy from Trinity College, Dublin. With a wealth of experience in copywriting, she has worked with The Career Coach in Dublin and is constantly looking to enhance her skills through online courses from some of the world's leading universities. Devangana has a strong background in computer science and is also an accomplished editor and social media manager. Her leadership skills were honed during her time as the literacy society president and student president at the University of Delhi.

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Fact-checked by Sakshi Raturi

Postgraduate Diploma in Management

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Sakshi RaturiPostgraduate Diploma in Management

Sakshi has experience in marketing strategy, social media planning, and recruiting industry experts for capstone projects, she has displayed a commitment to enhancing their skills and knowledge. She has won multiple awards, including a Certificate of Appreciation for Creative Writing and a Certificate of Merit for Immaculate Turut, and is always seeking new opportunities to grow and develop.

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