Lab Puppy Weight - Help required please!

[CAJ1]

My lab puppy is 19 weeks old. She met her sister the other night who seemed quite a bit smaller than her. Curious, I weighed my lab and she was 32lb. Apparantly labs should be 10lbs at 8wks and rule of thumb says she should put on 2lb per week which would mean 32lb is perfect weight. However, I have noticed I have to press a little to feel her ribs, I don't know if this puppy fat or if I should cut back her food as her weight according to the system is fine.

Any advice would be appreciated!!

TIA

[royorb74]

dont worry about it caj1 just keep to what you are doing and try not to overfeed her,.plenty of excercise,good luck.

[CAJ1]

Thanks royorb74, its so complicated and if you google it there's no straight answer lol! I will keep it as it is then, I think the trouble if any will be from other people trying to give her treats all the time, I've had to request people don't give her anything as some people give her one and then she susses out they have treats and sits patiently at their feet and they say ahh, have another one lol...drives me nuts! She's running round like a lunatic at the moment, it will wear off a few calories!

[barb1314]

Hiya,labs come in all shapes and sizes. Is your pup show or working bred? They are totally different body shapes.Show are stockier and shorter in the leg,and often heavier.Working are leaner,longer legged and often lighter weight. My lab is from pure working parents,she is 3 and weighs 25kg (which is small) Some of the chunkier show labs can weigh up to 40kg so there is a massive difference!! It's said you should be able to feel the ribs but not see them.I can't remember what Lottie weighed at 19 weeks but I'm pretty sure it wasn't 32lb. Your pup will carry on growing and filling out until she is 18 months to 2 years old. I wouldn't worry too much if you are following the guide for feeding her and she is having exercise (but not too much) Lab owners often follow the 5 minute rule (5 minutes off lead for each month of age) because they are prone to joint problems.Too much exercise at a young age can lead to problems.Wait until she is a year before you take her on huge long walks :-) Hope that helps.

[divegirl]

Firstly...no to plenty of exercise!!!! I would suggest that if you are worried in any way shape or form you get in touch with your breeder. They will know what is expected of their lines!

Lisa x

[woofgang]

If you have to press to feel ribs then she might be a bit chubby. The simplest rule of thumb is that you should be able to feel hipbones with a gentle squeeze but not see them, and somewhere between see the ribs just and feel them easily depending on breed. If she has a fluffy coat, do you push your fingers into the coat before you feel for the ribs? if you try and feel over the top of the puppy coat its harder to feel the ribs.

[carmalee]

go with dive girls suggestions - too much exercise at an early age is not what growing pups need.

[CAJ1]

Thank you for the replies!
Hi barb, very informative, thanks! She is working bred. The 5 minute rule is good to know, I've not heard of that one before. She loves her off lead exercise and does lots of socialising!

That's a good idea Lisa, thanks.

Ahhh, woofgang just felt under her fur and I can feel her ribs easily with no pushing! Never thought of that!

[CAJ1]

Thanks carmalee :)

[woofgang]

lol i wish it was as easy for me to go from overweight to just right

[CAJ1]

Lol, it would be great wouldn't it! :D