Labrador Retriever Growth & Weight Chart: Everything You Need To Know

Dr. Kate Boatright
Associate Veterinarian, Speaker, Author - Penn-Ohio Veterinary Services and KMB Veterinary Media LLC

Brown Labrador Retriever puppy laying on grass

Consistently ranked as America’s most popular dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are big, affectionate, companions. Labs, as they're commonly called, are famous for their friendliness and adaptability, as well as being excellent family dogs that are great with children.

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If you’re the lucky pet parent to one of these sweet-faced dogs, you may be wondering how big will my Lab puppy get and when will they stop growing? Use our Labrador Retriever growth chart to see their estimated size and track your pup’s development below.

Here’s everything you need to know about Labrador Retriever weight, size, and growth rate:

Labrador Retriever Growth & Weight Chart

Age	Male Weight	Female Weight
1 month old	3 - 5 lb	2 - 6 lb
2 months old	10 - 15 lb	5 - 10 lb
3 months old	20 - 30 lb	20 - 25 lb
4 months old	30 - 40 lb	25 - 35 lb
5 months old	35 - 45 lb	30 - 40 lb
6 months old	40 - 55 lb	35 - 45 lb
7 months old	50 - 60 lb	40 - 50 lb
8 months old	50 - 65 lb	40 - 55 lb
9 months old	55 - 70 lb	45 - 60 lb
10 months old	55 - 70 lb	50 - 60 lb
11 months old	60 - 75 lb	55 - 65 lb
12 months old	65 - 80 lb	55 - 70 lb
2 years old	65 - 80 lb	55 - 70 lb

Please keep in mind that the above numbers are estimates of the average Labrador Retriever weight by age. If your pup is a little above or below these figures, don’t worry! All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Continue taking your Lab to regular veterinary appointments and discuss any concerns you may have about your puppy’s health with your veterinarian.

Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start.

How to Take Care of a Puppy: 10-Step Guide

When do Labs stop growing?

As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old.

How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be?

The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate.

How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get?

There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity:

Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size.
Paw Size. You can also take a look at your Labrador Retriever’s paws. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature.
Genetics. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. Your breeder can provide you with your puppy’s parents’ height and weight, along with the adult sizes of previous litters to give you an idea of your puppy’s final size.

What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever?

A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about 22.5 to 24.5 inches tall as a mature male, according to the American Kennel Club Official Labrador Retriever Breed Standards. The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at 21.5 to 23.5 inches tall. Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size.

The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. They are longer than they are tall, with a large, tapering tail known as an “otter tail”.

Did you know ..?

Labs were initially bred by design in Newfoundland as water dogs to accompany fishermen. Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation.

Labrador Retriever Breed Guide: History, Traits & More

How do I make sure my Labrador Retriever is healthy?

Labrador Retrievers are known as America’s sweetheart — and for good reason. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members.

As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:

Hip dysplasia
Arthritis
Allergies
Skin issues
Bloat
Some types of cancer

Labs can quickly become overweight or obese if they are overfed or under-exercised, contributing to or exacerbating many joint disorders and secondary health issues. Weight gain often leads to cruciate ligament tears, another common injury in Labs. A healthy cruciate ligament supports the knee joint but can tear due to genetic predisposition, obesity, injury, or other causes.

Finally, the Labrador Retriever breed can be mischievous, especially as puppies, and are known to ingest foreign objects such as clothing, toys, and other items around the house, which may require emergency veterinary care.

Preventive pet care can go a long way in minimizing future health problems. It gives your veterinarian the chance to regularly monitor your Labrador's weight and growth rate, screen for diseases, assess their current health, and give you personalized recommendations to keep your pup healthy.

Pro Tip: New pet parents can get reimbursed for up to 100% of veterinary bills by enrolling in a pet insurance plan. Pawlicy Advisor can help you compare policies with recommendations customized for Labrador Retrievers.

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Labrador Retriever Veterinary Costs

Labrador Retrievers can be expensive pets given their propensity to health issues. For instance, if you need to go to the pet emergency room for a foreign object ingestion, the injury costs an average of $1,502 to $1,967 to treat. Hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia in Labs can range from $1,200 and $7,000 per hip, while the average surgery for a cruciate ligament tear costs $3,500 to $5,500.

Without treatment, dogs often experience pain, lameness, and significant arthritis. With treatment, however, the prognosis is favorable, and many dogs can return to their normal activities post-recovery.

Unfortunately, less than 20% of pet owners say they can afford a $5,000 veterinary expense out-of-pocket, which could leave many people in a pinch should their beloved pet require such care — especially for an urgent emergency.

If you have a pet insurance policy for your Labrador Retriever, you'll always be able to focus on what's most important — their health and well-being — should a new injury or illness ever arise. Pet insurance offers you and your veterinarian the chance to focus on getting your pup the best treatment, rather than worrying about the finances.

It works by reimbursing you for up to 100% of out-of-pocket veterinary costs for services like surgery, hospitalization, lab work, diagnostics, and more. Find a great plan with customized recommendations based on your puppy's needs at Pawlicy Advisor to provide your pup with a long, vibrant life by your side.

Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance.

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Key Takeaways

Our Labrador Retriever weight chart predicts the growth of your puppy until they stop growing between 12 to 18 months old.
Official American Kennel Club standards state that female Labs should weigh between 55 and 70 pounds, while male Labs should weigh between 65 and 80 pounds.
Labrador Retrievers are more prone to a variety of hereditary and acquired conditions.
Pet insurance can protect your Lab and provide a financial safety net for unexpected veterinary expenses throughout their life.

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Dr. Kate Boatright
Associate Veterinarian, Speaker, Author - Penn-Ohio Veterinary Services and KMB Veterinary Media LLC

Dr. Kate Boatright, VMD, works as a small animal general practitioner, freelance speaker, and author in western Pennsylvania. Since graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with her veterinary degree in 2013, she has worked throughout Pennsylvania as both a general practice and emergency veterinarian. Both in the clinic and outside of it, Dr. Boatright enjoys building relationships with her clients and educating pet owners on how they can keep their pets as healthy as possible. She loves being a veterinarian and educating students and colleagues on wellness, communication, and the unique challenges facing recent graduates. Outside of the clinic, she is active in many veterinary organizations, enjoys running, watching movies, and playing games with her husband, son, and cats.