[jurhoonee]

Hello everyone, I haven't been on here a lot lately. I've been working on getting Harmony in perfect shape. I was just wondering what your opinions are. Shes a pure bred Labrador Retriever. She's quite small.I'll give all the measurements I can so you kind of imagine her size.

from her back leg to chest shes about 22 inches. (her length I guess)

Her chest is about 7 1/2 inches

Her height is about 21 1/2 inches

her head is about 16 inches.

so for a lab, I think she's pretty small, compared to show labs.


My question is, do you think it's okay for a Lab to be 57 pounds, and showing a little rib? She's not completely showing, but when shes stacked, or in an action position, you can see slight rib.

[mikelangr]

Post some Photos of the dog but working labs are not as big as most of the show labs and a lab does not need to be fat. Your dog sounds like it is healthy and conditioned. and a 57lbs lab is not that small just most that you see are not working labs and are overweight

[MinisuipGaicai]

I posted something about getting my lab to loose weight in the heath section. Which also prompted me to start doing some breed specific reasearch on labs. I found a lab forum and was asking them (some very knowledgable people responded to my post, remided me of being here, unlike some other dog forums out there) But the members there said seeing a little rib IS ok for a lab. My girl is at 77lbs right now and my guess (and people agree from seeing pictures) she should be around 60lbs. Im not sure on her measurments in comparrison to your dogs but my girl, Indy is a smaller lab (I assumed she as a mix but as I found out working labs are smaller than the show labs that Im used to seeing) So from what I have learned over the last couple day I would say it sounds like your lab is in the condition I hope mine will be in eventually... once she looses the extra 20lbs

[jurhoonee]

I will snap some photos right now. Btw Harmony is only a year and 2 months, if that matters.

Harleys momma- thanks for the info. I'm on a lab forum too, but they are all about fat show dogs. So I don't know how much of the information from them is worthy. lol

[violalmina]

I think she should be fine.. female labs are a lot smaller than the males. 57 lbs. is to me not really small and I hate seeing fat labs or fat dogs in general so she should be good.

Show labs are usually fat. I am on that lab board too have been for years and there are a few people on there that show labs and they are fat. Even people who don't show them have some chunky monkey dogs. I rarely go there anymore.

[Anaedilla]

I think she should be fine.. female labs are a lot smaller than the males. 57 lbs. is to me not really small and I hate seeing fat labs or fat dogs in general so she should be good.

Show labs are usually fat. I am on that lab board too have been for years and there are a few people on there that show labs and they are fat. Even people who don't show them have some chunky monkey dogs. I rarely go there anymore.

Yeah, I've only known a couple true working labs, but they were all pretty skinny.

Sinead is a chunky monkey right now, and I need to work on that.

Mick is downright emaciated by show Border Collie standards, but he's just about standard weight for a working one. He shows some rib in the right light (hard to tell on a black dog), and I honestly can't pinch anything extra on him, but his hind legs are obviously RIPPED. I wish I could get some good current pics, but he thinks cameras steal his soul.

[sadgpokx]

I never measured our Labs. But as our Labs were field Labs and bred solely for such, I will say that Snowflake was about 56-60 lbs, but with nice bone, and Hershey was about 65-68 lbs and also with nice bone structure. They were not "dainty".

[hujdrftgkas]

its completely fine for your lab to show rib, working labs are actually about the size of APBTs conditioned as well if youve seen one.

[jurhoonee]

Thanks everyone, I talked to her breeder. He said she looks great, and I should keep doing what I'm doing and don't listen to the people saying "fatten her up." But he did say, compared to "everyday" labs, shes way smaller. I'm gonna post some pics now

[Muramoursuard]

Unless the dog is covered in thick THICK fur, I think a little rib is ideal for all dogs.

Unless there are some breeds I don't know about that are supposed to be fat...

[jurhoonee]

Here are some pictures of her from last night and today. The first picture is what makes me think she might be too skinny. She's fed properly though.

[9wQlZkIj]

I wouldn't consider her small, even by show standards. Breed standard calls for bitches to be 21 1/2"- 23 1/2" and 55 to 70lbs. I can't see the pictures so I don't know if your girl is bred to standard or from field lines, but by poorly bred female is just under 24" and 79 lbs and my female from champion parents is 21 1/2" and 70lbs. Both have ribs that are easily felt and justttt about showing. There's no fat at all on any of my show breeder's dogs.

[Progniusis]

I'd say that is an okay size for a lab. Most labs I have known have been around 60lbs. Except I know of two that were 110lbs most of their adult life (and the owner was proud of that) But they were fat.

[jurhoonee]

heres the link to her pictures. By the measurements, she doesn't seem small. But I've compared her to every other Lab I see and shes tiny. Her heads tiny, and her body is slim and long instead of stocky.

My skinny dog - Photography, Artwork Videos

[Progniusis]

She looks to be at a very healthy weight.

[popsicesHoupe]

She looks good!

[hujdrftgkas]

check out hunting forums, most are long lanky and small, very trim. most show lab dogs are a bit stockier, its like comparing an APBT to an AmStaff.

[hygtfrdes]

That dog looks great!!

[joeyCanada]

She looks good!

Jesus Christ xdogs... Are you the champion of everything?

[vintsqyuid]

Looks good to me!