Is My Labrador Classed As A Medium Or Large Breed?

I recently adopted a Labrador retriever that I love!  She is sweet and likes playing outside with me.  We spend a lot of time in the water as well as other adventures.  I am learning a lot about this breed since having her, but I am curious to know what size dog she would be considered.  I am thinking of moving into a new apartment community, and they have a rule that they don’t allow dogs to be a large size breed.  I need to know what size dog she before choosing this community.

I decided to spend a little time on the internet and research through the various information I discovered. I hope someone finds it useful.

Is my Labrador classed as a medium or large breed?

Is my Labrador classed as a medium or large breed?  The Labrador retriever is considered a medium to large-sized dog breed.  Strong and athletic, they are the perfect size companion most any outdoor activity, especially water sports.  Their height hovers around the twenty-four-inch range for males and females, but this can vary slightly from dog to dog. 

Each Labrador is unique physically, mentally, and temperamentally so this is just a guideline.    Their bodies’ shape can make them appear larger than what they are, but this is just an illusion.  

Their weight will vary from male to female and be 50-90 pounds depending on the individual dog.  

The Labrador retriever is sturdy and robust, with strong and agile legs, which can make them perfect for any adventure.  They are the ideal size in height and weight for various people, making them a welcome dog breed for almost everyone. 

While they are probably too big to be a lap dog, they can show their owners with as much attention as possible.   Unlike some dogs’ breeds, they reach their height at a somewhat faster pace than other dogs, usually reaching the full height at around twelve months of age. 

They also reach their maximum weight potential closer to approximately twenty-four months of age.  As a medium to a large-sized dog, they are still reasonably easy to manage and walk while out with nature.  For those potential owners that want a medium to a large-sized dog that is friendly and lots of fun, this breed is perfect!

The Labrador retriever was initially bred to fish and hunt alongside their human companions, retrieving the fish or game that they caught.  They also historically helped with the netting and other activities relating to fishing and hunting. 

They enjoy working beside their human companions and doing a job well done.  This breed background requires that they be agile, robust, sturdy, and swift-moving.  Their size allows them to blend perfectly into almost every outdoor activity that their family may decide to participate in. 

Labrador retriever females are usually a smaller size in both height and weight.  Males can generally reach the height of twenty-four inches, which happens at around one year of age.  Females will hover just below this. 

The average size for a male Labrador Retriever is twenty-three inches and twenty-two inches for a female. 

Is My Labrador Classed As A Medium Or Large Breed? #dogs #puppies #labs #labrador #huntingdogs #hunting #doglife #retrievers

This sizing is a guideline with variances from one dog to the next in this breed.  

Every dog is measured in height to their withers, which is at the neck’s base above their shoulder area.  Contrary to what some people may think, they are not measured to the top of their heads.

As a medium to a large-sized dog breed, the Labrador retriever weighs in at between 50-90 pounds.  This size depends mostly on the gender, genetic background, activity level, and nutrition of their food

Females can be as tiny as 50 pounds and can max out on their weight due to activity level and nutrition.  Other factors that can cause a variance in this are hormonal issues, pregnancy, and lactating.  Males will be seen in the higher range, some quickly reaching the 90-pound size while other males might be smaller and thinner.

The Labrador retriever’s physical traits of strength and stockiness can make them appear to be larger dogs than they are actually.  Some people might look at the Labrador retriever and think that they have a square-shaped body, but this shape often makes them appear more significant than they are.

To categorize a Labrador retriever as small, medium, or large is merely a  reference made to the sizing of the breed as a whole, not one particular dog. They are guidelines; not every dog will fit into those numbers, whether height or weight.  This situation means that there may be a Labrador retriever that is much larger than the norm or a Labrador retriever that is considerably smaller in size.

The field line bred within this breed is usually a bit taller, but they are also a little thinner.

What affects the Labrador retriever’s growth and whether they are medium-sized or large-sized?

For the most part, genetics plays a vital role in the development of a Labrador retriever size.  Diet and exercise levels and their overall health can also play a part in their size.  A very well-fed puppy may put on a few extra pounds than what is typically seen. At the same time, another Labrador puppy may not be fed as well and never reach their full growth potential.

Diet and exercise are a part of living a healthy lifestyle for everyone, including the Labrador Retriever.  Other factors can include overall health.  Health problems can potentially cause issues with growth for the Labrador retriever if left untreated.

Annual checkups with a qualified and trained professional veterinarian can promote Labradors’ overall health and well being.

Hormones are another area that can affect a dog’s size and whether they are a medium-sized or large-sized dog.  Hormonal changes related to health problems or pregnancy and lactating can cause a dog to be larger than what is typical of their breed. This issue usually resolves itself after the pregnancy, and lactating is over, or the health problem is addressed.

Will the Labrador retriever size affect where I live?

Sadly yes, the size of the dog can affect a person’s residence.  If a potential Labrador retriever owner has a home without restrictions, then the size will not matter so much unless, of course, they have a tiny yard.

If, however, the potential dog owner is living in an apartment or community with size guidelines for pets, this can affect dog choice.  Some communities will set rules banning a dog over any size in height or weight, while others will only limit certain breeds.  Either way, there isn’t much that can be done except to select another home.


Before selecting a dog, regardless of breed, lifestyle, and living conditions, it must be examined first to ensure that the Labrador retriever has the best possible home.

While they are not a large breed, they require a lot of exercise due to their nature.  Depending on the family and their lifestyle, this may mean extra outings in nature or a more significant backyard play area.

Why is whether a Labrador retriever is the medium or large-sized matter?

Aside from living and lifestyle considerations, other areas affected by a Labrador retriever size include the owner or family’s physical abilities and training knowledge.

The Labrador retriever is a very active, energetic dog breed with a lot of energy to burn. When this is combined with their size, it can mean a lot of dog to care for and train.  Individuals should be healthy and strong to perform this task.

If their owner or family members are not strong enough to care for them on all levels, it can potentially be a disaster.  The larger the dog, the larger the strength, skill, and knowledge the potential owner must have to keep up on each adventure.

What health conditions can affect a Labrador retriever size and how they grow?

Most often, what health condition affects a Labrador retriever size and growth are their diet and exercise.  After that, parasites, when left untreated for an extended length of time in the Labrador retrievers body, can cause slowed or retarded growth.  Some dogs will have a phase where they catch up on this retarded or slowed growth, while others may not.

Excessive amounts of physical activity can also stunt the growth plate of a Labrador retriever puppy,

It should be noted that there is also the potential for the Labrador retriever to suffer what is known as pituitary dwarfism.  This condition comes from a hereditary genetic component, which predisposes them to be smaller than average.  This condition, however, is relatively rare.

In Conclusion

While size is important for some things, like ice cream cones and dog biscuits, a Labrador retriever size isn’t the only factor that matters.  For a dog, some of the essential qualities we should think about, include their temperament, personality, and ability to bring joy to our lives!

When this happens we are concerned with the whole dog and realize, they are perfect regardless of their size!

Hannah Rose


Recent Content