7 week Lab. weight

Question
I don't know if we have a problem with our new puppies weight. He is a Black Lab that just turned 7 weeks old and weighs 16 pounds. My sister owns the dogs mother and unfortunately only 2 puppies survived birth. Our pup is noticeably larger than the second pup but doesn't appear overly fat. Could the reason it is large be because it didn't have to fight for food?

Answer
Even one litter mate maybe genetically program for faster growth than another.  Be very careful, fast growth is one of the worst things for a growing puppy's 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

My answer is straight out of the instructions the dog guide school gives us on raising their Labs and other dogs.  They have no other agenda  than producing strong, healthy dogs.  Dogs with joint problems cannot be used as intended.  They have bred thousands of dogs, X-rayed their hips, and kept track of them over their whole life.  They keep careful breeding records. They desperately want sound dogs.  They say switch to adult food at 4 months.  I have done that, and all 16 of the dogs I have turned in passed the X-rays of their hips.