In 2021, The American Kennel Club (AKC) dubbed Labrador Retrievers “America’s Most Popular Dog” for the 31st straight year. These friendly, playful pooches must maintain a certain size to remain healthy. While Labs come in various sizes, it’s important to know how small is too small.
A male Labrador Retriever weighing less than 65 pounds (29.48 kg) and a female weighing less than 55 pounds (24.95 kg) is too small. Physical indicators like visible bones help determine whether the dog is underweight.
This article provides tips to help determine if your Lab is naturally skinny or if their size is a cause for concern. It also discusses reasons the dogs may be underweight and suggests ways to fill your pet out.
How Large Is an Average Labrador?
Labrador Retrievers are medium to large dogs. They typically have lean but muscular frames.
There are two types of Labrador Retrievers, each with a distinct body type.
- American Labradors are sleek, long, and lean.
- English Labs are chunkier and stockier dogs.
The chart below provides the essential height and weight statistics for average, healthy Labrador Retrievers:
| American Male Labs | American Female Labs | English Male Labs | English Female Labs | |
| Height | 22.-24.5 inches (55.58-62.23 cm) tall at the shoulders | 21.5-23.5 inches (54.61-59.69 cm) tall at the shoulders | 21.5-22.5 inches (54.61-57.15 cm) tall at the shoulders | 21.5-22.5 inches(54.61-57.15 cm) tall at the shoulders |
| Weight | 65-80 pounds(29.48-36.29 kg) | 55-70 pounds(24.95-31.76 kg) | 70-80 pounds(31.75-36.29 kg) | 60-70 pounds(27.22-31.75 kg) |
Average Size for Labrador Retriever Puppies
The average 6-week Lab puppy weighs 12 pounds (5.44 kg).
Healthy puppies gain 2 pounds (0.91 kg) for each growth week over six months. After that point, pups gain one and a half pounds weekly for their first year.
Minor deviations above or below a healthy Lab weight range are normal and are no cause for concern. Growing pups often experience awkward, gangly phases (not unlike human children).
That said, you may want to keep a close eye on how your pup grows, as it can damage the dog’s development to an extent.
Signs a Labrador Retriever Is Too Skinny
A Lab’s body condition is the most reliable indicator of whether it’s too skinny.
Although some Labs are genetically smaller, you’ll still want to check with your veterinarian on whether their weight is dangerously below the minimum.
If your pup has always been petite, for example, they likely come from small stock. If, on the other hand, they show the following physical and behavioral characteristics, you may want to take measures to bulk your dog up.
Body Conditions Indicating a Lab Is Too Skinny
Visible bones are the first indicator that your Lab is underweight.
In particular, pay special attention to ribs and pelvic bones sticking out. On thin but healthy retrievers, the final two ribs are visible. Anything more than that is a bad sign.
If you can see your dog’s skeleton through their coat, they’re likely undernourished.
A healthy Lab has a thin layer of fat covering the ribs, so you can feel the bones if you push. On the other hand, an underweight dog’s bones are close to the surface and immediately discernible to the touch.
Healthy Labs have upward-slanted tummies, so the mass behind their ribs slopes up subtly. Underweight Labs have concave stomachs, arching dramatically inward.
Behavioral Signs of an Underweight Lab
Certain behaviors paired with low weight may also indicate that a Labrador Retriever is underweight and undernourished.
Labs are extremely energetic, lively dogs. If your thin pup tires out easily or collapses after a walk, there are likely health issues that need to be checked out by a veterinarian.
Why Is My Labrador Retriever Underweight?
Diet is the most common cause of too-skinny Labs. Labs need a certain amount of calories and nutrients to maintain a healthy size. Additionally, physical, emotional, or mental distress can cause a Lab to drop their weight.
Poor Diet
Most healthy Labradors consume between 1500 and 2150 calories daily. The precise requirements vary depending on their activity level. A skinny Lab may not be ingesting enough daily calories to maintain a healthy size.
An average-sized Lab that exercises for an hour daily needs either:
- Dry food: 15.16 ounces (0.43 kg)
- Wet food: 37 ounces (1.05 kg)
- A mix of dry and wet food: 10 ounces (0.28 kg) of dry food and 7 ounces (0.2 kg) of wet food
Since Labs are energetic breeds, they need lots of protein to fuel their muscles and maintain a healthy weight. You may need to add extra food to your Lab’s mealtime to ensure they get at least as many calories as they’re burning.
If you’re feeding your Lab the right amount of healthy, nourishing food and the dog still loses weight, take them to a vet. The food may contain something your dog is allergic to, preventing them from properly digesting the meal.
Physical Ailments
Physical illnesses that cause weight loss include:
- Cancer
- Infections
- Kidney disease
Watch for indicators of illness like:
- Vomiting
- Suddenly refusing to eat
- Lethargy
- Pain
As soon as you suspect your dog is sick, take them to a veterinarian immediately.
Psychological or Emotional Disturbances
Consider whether your Lab experienced a sudden change recently. Like people, when dogs experience any major upheavals in their lives, they tend to experience psychological or emotional disturbances.
Some things that can cause your Lab to feel upset include:
- Moving to a new home
- Losing a pet friend or owner
- Being re-homed
Labrador Retrievers are friendly, social breeds. That means if they’re used to having a companion, losing that companion can give them anxiety, leading to a whole host of issues (including the physical ailments mentioned above).
Helping a Labrador Retriever Gain Weight
Before attempting any weight-gain regimen, take your underweight Lab to a veterinarian first. This is to ensure the cause isn’t illness or allergies. Besides, a vet can guide you through the dietary changes necessary to facilitate weight gain while keeping your pet healthy.
You may also want to:
- Monitor your dog’s meals. It’s possible your Lab just doesn’t like the food you’re giving them, so consider switching to another high-quality brand.
- Give your pup plenty of exercise. Insufficiently exercised Labs can’t develop the muscle mass that adds to their weight and fills out their frames.
Conclusion
Labrador retrievers are playful, lively breeds that come in various sizes. So when you see that your Lab has visible bones and concave stomachs, they’re likely too skinny.
Labs become underweight for different reasons. In any case, if you suspect your dog is far below their healthy weight, take them to a veterinarian who can recommend the best course of action for them.