At what age is a Labrador fully grown

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

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 ownerssay they can afford a$5,000 veterinaryexpense 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 byreimbursing 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.

When Do Labradors Mature?

When do Labradors mature? Most Labrador Retrievers are considered fully grown somewhere from 11 to 18 months. There is quite a lot of room for variation in this timeframe, so dont expect all Labs to mature at the same time. Labs reach sexual maturity somewhere between 6 and 9 months old. But mental maturity can take the longest of all, with boisterous puppy behavior lasting as long as two years.

Contents

Dogs, even those that arent fully mature, dont purposefully act naughty or stubborn to infuriate their owners. If your Lab seems to be acting out, or is refusing to follow commands, you may need to reflect on their training. Training can take a long time, and it isnt necessarily just a case of waiting for your Lab to mature. Sometimes you need to go back to the beginning to move forward.

When Do Labradors Mature Physical Maturity

Large breeds like the Labrador Retriever will reach physical maturity somewhere between the ages of 11 and 18 months. This can vary based on genetics, sex, and more. So, its hard to give an exact answer to when any specific Lab will reach physical maturity. Physical maturity can affect a lot of things, including, the type of food your dog eats. Lets take a closer look.

When are Labradors Fully Grown?

This question will depend a little on the size of your Lab when fully grown. Even within one breed, adult sizes can vary a lot. Fully grown Labs can range from 55 to 80 pounds in weight, and from 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall. Females are usually smaller than males.

Your Lab will usually reach their full grown height and weight at some point between 11 and 18 months old. But, the exact time will depend on their adult size. It can also depend on whether or not theyve been neutered.

When Should I Neuter my Lab?

If you neuter your dog before he stops growing, he may carry on growing for longer than he wouldve originally. This is because, after being neutered, your dog lacks the hormones that would switch off his growth.

This can have a negative affect on your dogs health. Studies have shown that early neutering or spaying Labradors (before 6 months old) can increase their risk of developing joint problems like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cranial cruciate ligament tear. Speak to your vet to get the latest information on this topic. Neutering or spaying your dog can have a number of health benefits, including the obvious birth control. But its important to do it at the right time.

This 2014 study suggests that neutering a Lab before 6 months old can significantly increase their risk of joint problems. So, you may choose to wait until your Lab is physically mature before you neuter or spay them.

When Should I Transition to Adult Food?

Puppy food and adult dog food have very different balances of nutrients. This is because puppy food is designed to support your puppys intense period of growth. Puppy food will contain higher levels of protein than adult dog food. When your pups growth has finished, they no longer need this higher level of protein.

Generally, its safe to switch your Lab to adult food at around 1 year old. But, this can vary from dog to dog. Some dogs will still be growing at this age, so should wait a little longer. The best person to advise you about this is your vet. They will be able to offer advice tailored to your specific Lab.

When Do Labradors Mature Sexual Maturity

Sexual maturity is another stage that is of interest to most dog owners. Its important to learn when your Lab will be sexually mature so you know when they will be at risk of getting pregnant, or impregnating another dog.

Generally, Labradors will usually reach sexual maturity somewhere between 6 and 9 months old. Although, this stage could be later. Youll notice that this is well before theyve reached physical maturity. This means it is very possible for your Lab to get pregnant whilst she is still a puppy.

When Can my Labrador Breed?

As Labradors can reach sexual maturity from as early as 6 months, some Labradors can technically mate from this young age. But, this doesnt mean your Labrador should mate this young.

When your female Lab has her first heat, it is possible for her to get pregnant. Male Labs will usually start showing interest to females at around this age, so you should assume they can impregnate another dog from this age. Whether you have a male or female Lab, you should avoid breeding them at this age.

Female dogs need to be both physically and sexually mature before they are bred. But, they also should not be too old. Ideally, somewhere between 2 and 4 years old is the right age for breeding your Labrador.

If you are not looking to breed your Lab, you may wish to talk to your vet about spaying or neutering them after they reach sexual maturity. Just remember the affect this can have on their physical growth, and the risk of joint problems.

When do Labradors Mature Mentally?

The third type of maturity that will be of interest to Labrador owners is mental maturity. Labs have a reputation for being friendly, affectionate, and eager to please. But, when theyre puppies, you might think people have been lying to you!

Lab puppies, like any puppies, can be boisterous, destructive, and bitey. This can lead to stress, exhaustion, and hopelessness in puppy owners. But, dont worry! Even if it doesnt seem like it, Labs will pass this stage when they reach mental maturity. The bad news is that this stage of maturity takes the longest to reach. In fact, some Labs can take up to two years to reach full mental maturity.

When Do Labradors Stop Biting and Chewing?

Labrador puppies are known for their biting phase. During this stage, it can seem like theyre never going to turn into the friendly, loving dog you were promised! But, this stage does pass as your Labrador puppy matures. Some of this biting is down to teething. Lab puppies will usually start teething from around 3 or 4 months old.

This stage can last until around 7 months old, when your Lab will have their full set of adult teeth. But, not all biting is due to teething. Puppies will also bite during play. So, practice calm behavior and ignore any biting that does happen. Dont reward bitey play times with attention, just remove yourself and your attention from the puppy. These steps can help to shorten the bitey period. But, its impossible to avoid it altogether!

When do Labradors Calm Down?

Along with biting, Labrador puppies can seem very boisterous and over-excited, particularly when they are playing with you. So when do Labradors mature and settle down? It can take up to 2 years for Labs to completely mature mentally. This means, boisterous and excitable play can last up to two years. But, there are things you can do whilst your puppy is growing to reduce this boisterous behavior.

(paid link)

Make sure to reward your puppy when he or she is calm. This could be when they are entertaining themselves with a toy, or just when they are chilling around your house. This way, your puppy will learn that calm behavior earns them great things! And, they will be more likely to act this way in the future.

There may still be times when your Lab seems boisterous, noisy, or over-excitable, even with this tactic. But, it will help calm your pup down before they reach their full mental maturity.

The Labrador Site Founder

Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.

She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program

Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website

When Is A Lab Full Grown and How Quickly Will Your Pup Turn Into A Dog?

Last Updated on November 11, 2023 by Linda Richard

If you look at a litter of baby retrievers its natural to wonder when is a lab full-grown and how quickly will your pup turn into an actual dog. The puppy phase for most dogs is as precious as it is short. Fortunately, if you take good care of your pup youll end up with an awesome dog too.

So, when are the main growth spurts of your Labrador retriever and what do you need to know?

When Is A Lab Full Grown and When Do Labs Stop Growing?

Broadly speaking, almost all dogs get to their fully grown size somewhere between the 1 and 2-year mark. Smaller breeds grow faster and can reach their maximum height and (close to) max weight before their 1-year birthday. Giant dog breeds are the opposite and can take up to 3 years to reach full size.

As a mid-sized breed, Labradors usually reach their full size soon after their first birthday typically between the eleventh and thirteenth months. In addition, male labs are a bit larger than females but not by much usually an inch of height and 5-10 pounds of weight.

Of course, always keep in mind that each dog is unique and can grow a bit smaller or larger than the norm. Its perfectly ok if your dog takes a month or two more to reach full size or if its a bit smaller than average.

If the growth delay or size difference is a bit too significant (more than two months and more than two inches) you may want to consult with your vet. Malnutrition and certain health issues may be causing an issue but those are rare. With proper care, your lab should be perfectly healthy and a bit of size difference isnt a problem.

When Will Be The Biggest Growth Spurt Of Your Lab?

The most significant growth period for this breed is between the 3 and 6-month marks. After the half-a-year birthday, the height growth will slow down substantially. This goes for both height and weight, although the weight will also depend on how much you feed your pup. Studies show that a lab can keep gaining a bit of weight up to its fourth year.

Lab Retriever Growth Chart

For a more accurate picture, heres a full chart of the weight and height growth of both male and female labs. As you can see, the average height growth grinds to a halt around the 1-year mark.

The weight can keep going on after that and your lab can keep gaining pounds up to its second birthday. Besides, this is more a matter of filling out rather than growing. Also, the weight is very individual and will also depend on the physical exercise levels and the diet.

Labrador Retriever Age	Male Lab Average Height	Male Lab Average Weight	Female Lab Average Height	Female Lab Average Weight
2 months	8 to 12 in (20 to 30 cm)	10 to 14 lbs (4.5 to 6.3 kg)	7 to 10 in (18 to 25 cm)	10 to 13 lbs (4.5 to 6 kg)
3 months	12 to 15 in (30 to 38 cm)	22 to 26 lbs (10 to 12 kg)	10 to 14 in (25 to 35 cm)	20 to 26 lbs (9 to 12 kg)
5 months	15 to 18 in (38 to 46 cm)	33 to 49 lbs (15 to 19 kg)	12 to 15 in (30 to 38 cm)	35 to 49 lbs (16 to 19 kg)
7 months	16 to 19 in (40 to 48 cm)	51 to 59 lbs (23 to 27 kg)	15 to 18 in (38 to 46 cm)	40 to 55 lbs (20 to 25 kg)
9 months	20 to 23 in (51 to 58 cm)	57 to 68 lbs (26 to 31 kg)	20 to 22 in (51 to 56 cm)	48 to 62 lbs (22 to 28 kg)
11 months	22 to 25 in (56 to 63.5 cm)	62 to 75 lbs (28 to 34 kg)	21 to 23 in (53 to 58 cm)	53 to 66 lbs (24 to 30 kg)
13 months	22 to 25 in (56 to 63.5 cm)	64 to 77 lbs (29 to 35 kg)	22 to 23.5 in (53 to 59 cm)	55 to 68 lbs (25 to 31 kg)
15 months	22 to 25 in (56 to 63.5 cm)	64 to 80 lbs (29 to 36 kg)	22 to 23.5 in (53 to 59 cm)	55 to 70 lbs (25 to 32 kg)

Read more about:Labrador Weight Chart By Age and Its Many Advantages

Does The Coat Color Matter As Far As When Is A Lab Full Grown?

Whether black, chocolate, silver or yellow, Labrador retrievers tend to grow at the same rate and up to the same size. Therefore, we wont bother with a chocolate or black lab growth chart you can just refer to the general growth chart above. When is a lab full-grown simply doesnt seem to vary depending on the dogs coat.

If we are talking about a Golden Retriever does tend to be a little bit shorter and lighter than labs but not by much. Then again, they are a different breed too.

Read more about:Champagne Lab vs Yellow Lab Differences You Need To Know

Does Neutering A Lab Slow Down Growth?

One of the common questions people have is when should they spray/neuter their labs. Some studies indicate that neutering before the 37-week mark (~8 months) can quicken the dogs growth. Consequently, neutering the pup after that can slow down the growth a bit too. However, the difference is so insignificant that most experts dont recommend paying any attention to it.

Can You Tell How Big A Lab Pup Is Going To Get?

Generally, no. Just as it is with people, a pup can be born small but grow to be extra tall and vice versa. However, it is worth comparing your pup with the rest of its litter. Usually, youll be able to identify one or two larger-than-average and one smaller pup. Most experts recommend getting a mid-sized pup but that is mostly just important for ensuring a well-balanced personality.

So, When Are Labs Fully Grown Exactly?

Height-wise, you can expect your lab to reach its adult size at around the 1-year mark or a little after that. In terms of weight generally up to the second year or even a year or two after that, depending on myriad factors. You can expect some variation from the averages too as long as the dogs diet, exercise, and routine vet check-ups are in order, everything should be fine.

Learn more about:

When Is A Mini Lab Full Grown and How Big Does A Miniature Labrador Get?