My labrador puppy!

Question
Hi,

I have a labrador puppy of 7 months! He is a golden labrador retriever and his attitude is knid of good! I wanted to ask you that "my dog is not getting fat like the normal labs he is strong and all but he is not getting the size of the lab! He's tall about 2 feet high! Can u suggest a way to make him look like a normal lab?" thank you very much!

Answer
Some Labs are just naturally more stocky than others.  It isn't healthy for any of them to be fat.  If you want a long, active life for him, keep him lean even if he lacks the traditional Lab look.  It all depends on your priorities.  The service dog schools we volunteer for place great value on good health and know more than anybody about achieving it.  

There was an extensive discussion of weight in a newsletter from one of them.  

''Obesity is the number one nutritional disease affecting dogs. It's estimated that 25-45% of dogs in the US are obese. Studies have shown that joint and locomotive problems increase by 57%, circulatory problems by 74%, respiratory problems by 52%, skin problems by 40% and cancer by 50% in animals that are overweight.

Large breed dogs that are overweight also are more prone to developing hip dysplasia. Obesity is especially dangerous for young puppies, as their underdeveloped frame cannot support the extra poundage that it must carry.''

How do you judge your puppy's weight?  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

It is unfortunate many people compromise their lab's health in pursuit of the traditional Lab look.  For what healthy Labs look like, check http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer