Short Lab

Question
I was wondering if I might ask about my very short 10 month old unneutered male lab? When he was about 12 wks he developed puppy strangles and was put on steroids and antibiotic for about 2 to 3 weeks. We have tied be be careful of the calcium levels in the food, he has been on adult food since he was 4 months (Taste of the Wild-all stages)He seems to be an extremely slow grower as our other lab was fully grown at 10 months. His front legs just look so stumpy to me about 20" from the withers. He must weigh in at about 75 lbs not overweight just a really large frame. Do you think the steroids had some effect or could he just be a short lab?

Answer
Labs usually do have most of their growth by 10 months.  Check the ends of the leg bones.  If they are still much knobbier than an adult's, the growth plates are still open and it is still growing.  If not, do not expect much more growth.

You may find this link interesting,   http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/134/8/2027S

The early switch to an all life stages is one of the best things for a Lab.  You do need to watch the calcium, making sure that by typical analysis, not the minimum on the bag, is less than 1.5%.  I was thinking TOTW was higher than that, but perhaps it is one of their other formulas.  I don't think it affects growth rates, but can lead to joint problems.  

There are some lines of Labs that are quite short and sturdy, but I am having trouble picturing a lean one 20'' at the withers and 75 pounds.  How does he compare to  http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx  I wish I had figures for more labs.  My daughter has one that may be typical.  He runs about a lean 70 pounds and is no more than 22'' tall.  So a heavier boned than average Lab be as you describe yours.  His medical problems and medication could have lead to a heavier frame than his genetics would have lead to.