lab/retriever cross

Question
hi there,

i have a gorgeous big 4 month old lab/golden retriever boy called troy. At 13 weeks old he weight in at 33lbs. He is a big dog, with huge paws, but not fat (though he is solid). he also has a large head and face. Do you have any idea what size he will grow to?

He is a very obedient fast learning boy, cant wait to watch him grow!

Answer
Dogs are very inconsistent about how much more they grow after any given age.  My guess is that he is on track to be a fairly big Lab, 70-80 pounds.  

You should have been feeding a puppy chow until now.  Switching to an adult chow for the larger breeds at 4 months, slows growth and helps develop sturdier joints.

Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them.  Each dog is different.  Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food and exercise adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx  Too much and too rich of a diet the the worst thing for growing puppy's joints.  They need a chance to develop under as little stress as possible.