Why Is My Labrador So Big ?

Labrador Retriever is an incredibly popular dog breed, and with good reason.

The Labrador was originally bred as a hunting dog that was capable of tracking down and retrieving game animals from deep snow.

Today, they are known as some of the friendliest dogs on the planet.

They are also some of the biggest.

The Size of a Labrador

Male Labs can weigh up to 80 pounds (36 kg), while female Labs can reach 65 pounds (29 kg).

This makes them one of the largest dog breeds in the world.

This size comes from a combination of genetics and diet.

The Labrador has been selectively bred for its ability to track down game animals such as deer and moose over long distances.

The larger the animal, the easier it is for them to find.

Because of this, Labrador Retrievers have been bred to be big.

Their bodies are designed to carry heavy loads.

As a result, their muscles are extremely strong, which helps them move large objects without any effort.

Because of this, Labradors are often used by police departments and fire departments around the world.

And because of this, they’re also used by hunters to retrieve wounded or dead animals.

Labs are very intelligent dogs.

They are highly trainable and loyal.

They make great family pets and are excellent watchdogs.

However, if you want a Labrador that is more suitable for work than play, then you might not want to get the largest Labrador Retriever available.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a pet.

For example, you should know what your local laws are regarding keeping giant dogs indoors or outside.

Growth Spurts in Labradors

Male Labs can weigh up to 80 pounds (36 kilograms) and females can weigh up to 65 pounds (30 kilograms).

The average weight for male Labs is about 55 pounds (25 kilograms), while female Labs have an average weight of about 45 pounds (20 kilograms).

While there is no set height standard for Labs, both males and females typically stand between 22 and 24 inches at the shoulder.

Their faces are large, and their jaws are extremely powerful.

These attributes give them the ability to take down larger prey than your typical house cat or small dog.

They have thick, double coats, which help keep them warm.

Their ears are usually erect, but not always.

They do shed, so you might need to brush them occasionally, especially if you live somewhere with harsh winters.

Labs are a medium-sized dog, although they would be considered large by other breeds.

They are strong and muscular, yet agile enough to run and play fetch with a ball.

They love people, and are very affectionate and loyal.

In addition to their size, Labradors are well suited to living in apartments because they require little exercise.

They’re active indoors as well, and enjoy playing fetch and tug-of-war.

They are great around children, and will often follow you around the house, even when it’s time to go to bed.

If you live in a colder climate, however, you might want to consider getting a smaller dog.

A Lab will need more attention in cold weather, and may become too energetic for its own good.

If you don’t have much outdoor space, you may want to look into a shorter-haired breed like a Golden Retriever instead.

The Ideal Weight for a Labrador

Male Labs can weigh up to 80 pounds and female Labs can weigh up to 65 pounds.

That means that many Labs have trouble staying within the ideal weight range set by their breed standard.

In fact, there are even several Labrador rescue groups dedicated to helping owners keep their pets within the recommended weight guidelines.

If your Lab weighs too much, you may be wondering how to get him or her back into shape.

This article will explain why some Labs are bigger than others and what you should do if your pet is overweight.

Labrador Rescue of Greater Boston provides free advice and support to people who want to adopt a Labrador.

If you live in Massachusetts, contact them today at (617) 495-3300 or visit the website here for more information.

Why Your Labrador Might Be Overweight

Your Lab may be overweight because he has been overfed.

You might not realize it, but when you feed your dog treats, you are actually giving him far more calories than he needs.

Many dogs love eating treats, so they could easily eat far more than they need every day.

It’s best to give your dog only enough food to maintain his normal body condition.

Another possible cause of obesity in Labradors is that they are born big.

Even though the average Labrador puppy is between 9 and 12 pounds at birth, some puppies can grow up to three times that size before they reach adulthood.

These oversized pups will probably continue growing throughout their lives unless they are maintained within their ideal weight range.

Finally, a large percentage of Labradors are genetically predisposed to being fat.

While this doesn’t mean that your dog will always be obese, it does make it harder for him to stay fit and trim.

In general, the following factors contribute to increased risk of obesity in Labs:

• Breed history – Labs are descended from larger dogs which were bred for work rather than play. As a result, they are still working dogs and tend to be active. This makes them more likely to be overweight than other breeds.
• Genetics – Certain breeds are more prone to becoming obese than others. Labs are among these breeds.
• Feeding habits – Dogs that are fed treats regularly tend to overeat and gain weight.
• Activity levels – Labradors are naturally active animals whose bodies require plenty of exercise. Because of this, they are at greater risk of developing obesity.

Why Some Labradors Are Bigger Than Others

There are different reasons why some Labradors are larger than others.

For example, there are Labradors who are bigger due to genetics, while others are simply born big.

In this article, we’ll look at the biggest Labrador breeders and how they achieved their impressive size.

Genetics

We all know that your height or weight is partly determined by your genes.

If you have a tall father, then you probably will be taller too.

Likewise, if you have a short mother, then you might end up being shorter than average.

That’s because both parents contribute genes when you’re conceived.

In the case of Labradors, the same goes.

Dogs are able to choose between two parents during breeding.

This means that a Labradors’ traits can be influenced by either parent.

For instance, a male Labrador could inherit his size from his mother’s side of the family, while a female Labrador could receive her size from her father’s side.

Breeders use this fact to their advantage.

They often crossbreed Labs with other large breeds like Great Danes to create dogs who are much larger than what would normally come out of a purebred Labrador.

It’s not uncommon for a Labrador to weigh around 70 pounds (32 kilograms) in adulthood.

Hormones and Exercise

Another factor that affects the size of a Labrador is hormone levels.

As we mentioned before, dogs can choose which parent they want to pass along their genes to.

When a Labrador chooses its mother, it will produce more estrogen than testosterone.

This causes a Labrador to grow faster than normal, leading to a more obese dog.

On the flip side, a Labrador that chooses its dad will produce more testosterone than estrogen.

This leads to a slower growth rate and less fat storage overall.

This phenomenon is also true for human beings.

Humans who take birth control pills tend to gain weight faster than those who don’t.

This is because the body naturally produces more estrogen than testosterone when taking birth control pills, making them more likely to store excess calories as fat.

As you can see, hormones play a huge role in determining a Labrador’s size.

However, exercise is another important factor to consider.

A well-exercised Labrador has better muscle tone and fewer fat cells.

This makes it easier for him to burn off those extra calories.

Health Risks for Overweight Labradors

When it comes to health risks, there are more than just issues related to obesity.

There are risks associated with overweight labradors that include respiratory problems, heart disease, diabetes, joint pain, and even cancer.

The following is a list of health concerns that should be considered when your Labrador becomes overweight.

• Respiratory Problems – A lot of over weight labradors develop breathing problems because their chests have become too big. This makes it harder for them to breathe, which can cause coughing, sneezing, or wheezing. It’s important to note that this isn’t always due to the Labrador being obese. In fact, many dogs simply get into the habit of being overweight. If you notice that your Labrador is having trouble breathing, make sure you contact your vet immediately.
• Heart Disease – While obesity doesn’t directly affect the heart itself, it does put added stress on the rest of your body. As your Labrador gets heavier, his heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout his body. This puts extra strain on his heart, which may lead to heart failure at some point. Other possible causes for heart disease include high cholesterol and other cardiovascular diseases.
• Diabetes – Diabetes is another potential risk for overweight labradors. The condition can occur if your Labrador eats too much sugar or is not given enough exercise. It can also be caused by hereditary factors. Regardless of the cause, it’s best to keep your Labrador’s weight in check.
• Joint Pain – When your Labrador is overweight, he will experience a number of different joint pains. One of the most common problems is arthritis. This occurs when cartilage wears away in the joints, causing pain and stiffness. Additionally, overweight labradors often suffer from hip dysplasia, which causes their hips to be out of alignment.
• Cancer – Cancer is another common problem that is often associated with being overweight. The extra pressure on the organs can lead to tumors forming within those organs. This can be especially true for dogs who eat fatty foods.

It’s important to remember that all of these conditions are treatable, but they need to be addressed right away if you want to avoid any serious complications.

Make sure you take your Labrador to the vet regularly so that any issues can be caught early.

How to Help Your Labrador Maintain a Healthy Weight

With their large size comes a high risk for obesity.

Obesity is a serious health issue, especially among pets.

It has been linked to many chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, and even death.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends that overweight dogs be taken off their diets.

However, it’s usually difficult to do so without them getting upset or even aggressive towards you.

That’s why it’s important to take your pet’s weight into consideration when planning meals.

If you feed your pet too much, you will likely cause him or her to gain weight.

You want to avoid this at all costs.

There are several ways to help your Labrador maintain a healthy weight.

Keep reading below to learn more about how to keep your pet healthy.

Plan Your Own Meals

One of the easiest ways to help your dog lose weight is by planning his own meals instead of giving him what he wants when he wants it.

This is because it allows you to control the amount of food that goes into his mouth.

By doing this, you will know whether or not he is eating enough.

You will need to make sure that the foods you buy are low-calorie and low-fat.

You should also try to steer clear of processed foods like frozen dinners and snacks.

Instead, opt for homemade chicken soup, fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

It may seem like an inconvenience, but it’s worth it in the long run.

By planning out his meals, you will reduce the chances of overeating and thus causing him to become obese.

Don’t Feed Him Too Much

If you want to prevent your Labrador from becoming obese, you have to make sure that he doesn’t eat too much.

He needs to be fed a balanced diet that contains only the right amounts of nutrients.

This is something that you can accomplish by weighing your dog before feeding him.

Make sure that he gets the proper amount of calories every day.

This way, you won’t end up overfeeding him and creating a situation where he becomes obese.

Also, don’t forget to check if the amount of food that you give him is adequate.

If you find that he is still hungry after having eaten, then stop feeding him until the next scheduled meal time.

Keep a Track of His Weight

Another way to help your Labrador maintain a healthy weight is by keeping track of his weight.

This is important because you want to ensure that he does not get too heavy.

If you notice that he is gaining too much weight, you can either adjust his diet or simply remove him from it entirely.

Keep the following in mind when it comes to weighing your dog.

For starters, you shouldn’t weigh him before feeding him.

Doing so will create an inaccurate picture of his weight loss.

• For males, measure the circumference of their chest at the level of their shoulders. Write down the number in inches.
• For females, measure the circumference of their waist at the smallest part of their abdomen.
• You should also measure your dog’s height at the withers, which is the highest point between his shoulder blades. Take the measurement in centimeters.
• Use these measurements to calculate the ideal weight for your dog.

As long as you remember to weigh your Labrador on a regular basis, you will be able to determine if he is gaining too much weight.

Once you see that he is, you can either adjust his diet or simply stop feeding him altogether.

Get Some Exercise

Exercise is another factor that plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy weight.

Without any physical activity, your dog’s body will store fat instead of burning it.

When this happens, it can lead to obesity.

To avoid this, you need to make sure that your dog receives enough exercise.

It could be anything from running around the yard, playing fetch, or going for walks.

Make sure that you include these activities into your daily routine.

You can also consider enrolling your dog in a fitness program if you want to push him further than just walking.

This way, you can increase his overall fitness levels, and thus his ability to burn more calories.