How Big Do Labrador Retrievers Get?

A lovable Labrador retriever is a dog that a lot of families love to bring into their homes. 

This is a great dog breed that has lots of energy, is easy to train, and is sure to wear out the children.

Before you bring this type of dog into your home, you will need to consider how big this dog can get. 

While this dog breed is able to get larger than many types of breeds, you will need to know the sizing before you decide if this pet is the right one for you. 

How Big Do Labrador Retrievers Get?

Adult Labrador Retrievers weigh between 55 to 80 pounds and are 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall. Males tend to be larger than females, so keep that in mind when you’re puppy shopping. 3-month-old Lab puppies may already weigh 20 pounds and stand 15 inches tall. 

While this is smaller than some of the other dog breeds, the Lab may be too big for some families. 

There are many things to love about a Lab, but you need to make sure that you have the space to help take care of the dog and give them the love that they deserve.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the things to consider when it comes to the size of this dog. 

There are a lot of ways that you can describe the Labrador Retriever. 

They are outgoing, friendly, and playful.

 They are one of the most popular types of dogs for families because of all of these different characteristics. 

But they are not a lapdog and if you are looking for a smaller dog who will sit on the couch and cuddle all day long, this is not the dog breed for you. 

This is a medium-size dog according to the American Kennel Club. 

And because they are so active and rambunctious, the dog is going to feel even bigger. 

Knowing how big this dog breed will be is important to make sure that you are able to plan out their daily care now and in the future. 

This will also allow you to make sure that you have the right space in the home for them to grow. 

This dog is fairly large from a young age, so you need to be prepared in order to help make a good decision. 

When the dog is a puppy at three months old, which is shortly after you would bring them home, they will be around 20 pounds and at a height of 15 inches. 

By three months later, when they are six months old, the puppy will be at 45 pounds and 20 inches tall. 

As an adult, the Lab will be between 55 to 80 pounds and can range between 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall. 

This is a tall type of dog for many families.

There are a lot of different options out there for bigger dogs, but with all of the energy that a Lab can bring to the table, you will need to be careful about this size.

If you still want a Lab but are worried about their size, you will need to consider getting a female Lab since these are a little bit smaller. 

Are There Different Sizes of Labs?

If you are looking at the official sizing of a Lab, there is only one size that you will find. 

The AKC will provide an outline on what size this breed is typically, but each puppy can be different so you may need to pay attention to how big your dog is getting. 

There are several factors that will contribute to how big the Lab is able to get when they become an adult. 

To start, there are two types of Labrador retrievers that you will encounter. 

This will include the American Lab and the English lab. 

There are some differences between these two dogs because they went through decades of breeding to be used a specific way.

 The English Lab was the one that people bred for showing. 

They tend to be heavier, stockier, and a little bit shorter due to the way that they like to be shown by their owners. 

On the other hand, the American Lab was more of a working dog. 

They are bred for enhanced speed and agility to get the work done. 

This means that they are often going to be taller, slimmer, and more athletic compared to the British dog. 

The American dog is also going to have more energy and be ready to bounce around all the time too.

If you don’t mind the extra energy, the American Lab is a good choice, but be ready to go hard each day. 

The sex of the dog is going to be important when it comes to the size of your dog.

A female lab, whether they are English or American, are often shorter than the males.

They are more likely to stay under 23.5 inches rather than going to the full height. 

They are also more likely to be somewhere between 55 to 70 pounds rather than the up to 80 pounds that the males do.

This is not a huge amount, but it may make a difference if the size is important to you. 

How Much Will the Lab Grow After 6 Months

By the time that your Lab is able to get to six months old, it is likely that they will already be big, about 2/3 of their adult weight. 

At this time, they are about double what they were four months before. 

The good news is that they are getting close to the end of all that rapid growth so you will not end up with a giant dog in your home. 

Most of the rest of the growth that this dog breed is going to do will happen at a steadier pace and will take place over the next six months until the dog is a year old. 

While the Lab may look like they are really big and they are an adult in appearance when they get to this age, they are still a puppy in many ways and you have to remember they are not adults until they get to a year old. 

When Will the Lab Get to be Full Grown?

Many pet owners worry about how big their dogs will get and how long they are able to grow. 

This will depend on the individual dog and what their parents are like. 

You will be able to take a look at the parents to see whether the dog is going to be on the bigger side or the smaller side when they get to be an adult.

This can help you make a good decision about the dog when you bring them home. 

Most Labs will be considered full-grown when they get to be a year old. 

This is when they start to be an adult and their growth will be done.

Some will go a little longer and take closer to 15 to 18 months, but this is not as common for this kind of dog as it is for some of the other breeds. 

They will be pretty close to their full size by the time they get to be one year old. 

Pet owners will notice that this dog breed will slow down with their growth when they get close to six months old.

The first half of a year will seem a little bit crazy, meaning that the dog is going to grow almost overnight sometimes, which will make some pet owners nervous about how things are going. 

The good news is that the Lab is going to slow down when they are six months so they will not become a giant. 

You will still see some growth for this dog breed between six months and a year, but it will slow down quite a bit.

This will ensure that the dog is able to become an adult and many times they will spend that time filling out a little bit.

By the time most Labs will get to a year old though, the pet owner will find that they slow down in the growth department and will stay that size. 

Taking Care of Your Labrador Retriever

A Lab is a great type of dog breed that you are able to bring into your home. 

They will have a lot of fun with the kids, love to play with everyone, and are good dogs. 

They just have a lot of energy and have a big personality compared to some of the other dog breeds that you would like to bring home. 

With a bit of time to wear them out and lots of love, you will find that the Lab is a great dog to keep in your home.