Time flies when you have a puppy running around in the house. And before you know it, your puppy starts to look like a fully-grown adult dog. But when exactly is that? This article talks about a very important question. When do Labs stop growing?
The size of a fully-grown Labrador is between 22 to 25 inches in height. And weight is around 65 to 80 pounds in weight. There is a difference between male and female size and weight. And it falls right in between the height and weight range I just mentioned.
But more important than this is the question of when do Labs stop growing? Read more to find out.
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When Do Labs Stop Growing?
I’ll get right into the details. According to their growth chart, Labs stop growing at around 9 months of age. This is when their skeletal growth is finally complete. If your dog continues to grow, it’s not going to be in height but weight.
When it comes to their muscular growth, you should know this. Labs aren’t fully grown by the age of 7 to 9 months. Your Labrador’s muscles start to develop between 12 to 18 months of age. To reach complete maturity, it may even take longer than 18 months.
How big will your Labrador be?
If you have a female Lab, expect an average height of 21 to 24 inches. However, for purebred dogs, there is a possibility of your Lab growing either taller or shorter. For a male Lab, the average height is between 22 to 25 inches.
By the 9th month, expect a fully-grown Labrador running around the house. And as usual, your dog’s behavior changes as they grow bigger. This has to do with their hormonal changes as well. Regular training, physical and mental stimulation, etc. all factor in.
In terms of weight, female dogs weigh 55 to 70 lbs. A male dog will weigh more… perhaps 10 pounds more than females.
So when your Lab starts to “fill out” it’s both muscular and fatty tissues.
This brings me to another important question. What factors influence dog growth?
Factors that Influence Physical Growth
You bring up two Labradors together, they will not grow the same. Especially if both Labradors have distinct hereditary and genetics features.
This begs a common debate: Nature vs Nurture. However, with dogs, you may not be able to control the genetic and hereditary factors. But you are in control of how you choose to raise your Lab.
Here’s what you can do.
1. Diet
Say you have two Labs of the same genes and pedigree. But you choose to feed one Labrador high-quality and nutritious food. And you choose to feed the other Labrador average dog food. There will be a major difference in their physical and cognitive growth.
That’s because food and nutrition are important factors of consideration. Labradors need a balance of healthy nutrients that caters growth and development. Underfeeding and overfeeding may lead to other health conditions. Which may stunt their natural height and build.
Factors like vaccination, rabies shot, and regular health checkups are necessary. If your Labrador has food allergies, it may lead to breathing and skin problems. Not taking your dog out for a walk can cause obesity in puppyhood.
Even you feed your dog enough diet, worm infestation can strip your dog’s essential nutrients. Buying protein, fiber, and vitamin-rich foods is necessary to prevent infections, allergies, and stomach indigestion.
2. Spaying
Operating on your Labrador, during an early age, can influence his optimal growth. This is because you’re removing his sexual hormones before they reach maturation. Not only does he feel a sexual urge upon reaching maturity, but these hormones also regulate optimal growth.
Most doctors will recommend you to get your dog neutered at a young age. Neutering adult dogs may cause hip dysplasia. It is a condition that causes extra long bone growth. Leading to joint conformation and other growth issues.
Facts About Spaying and Neutering | Teacher’s Pet With Victoria Stilwell
3. Exercise
By regularly exercising your puppy, you’re aiding his optimal growth. He’s less likely to gain a lot of weight and more likely to develop a muscular build. It improves stamina, relieves anxiety, and promotes better digestion and heart health.
Just as in humans, exercise can solve many problems. The same lifestyle change can affect your Labrador’s life.
However, in one recent study, too much exercise may cause a growth deformity. It’s when the growth plates of a dog may get damaged partially. Causing only undamaged cells to grow to a healthy size while the damaged cells freeze in time.
Final Thoughts – When Do Labs Stop Growing!!!
When do Labs stop growing? Your dog may grow to full height by the age of 9 months. But he still has a long way to go. Muscular growth is just as important a factor as skeletal growth. And this article tells you why.
By now you know the maximum height and weight of a male and female Labrador. So when you do decide to get a puppy, you know what to expect. And look for out birth defects or deformities were they to show up.
Taking care of your puppy can significantly impact his growth. Food, diet, nutrition, exercise, and neutering. These factors contribute to the overall health and behavior of your dog. But what most people often don’t talk about is how it also influences body growth.
Before you celebrate your dog’s first birthday, he will have grown to his full size. So he can only become lighter or heavier depending upon his genetic factors. And how well you feed and exercise him.
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