Labrador Retriever: Adult and senior changes
For an adult or senior Labrador Retriever, a change from the dog's own normal baseline deserves more attention than a generic age expectation. Use the individual dog's age, comfort, and recovery to set the pace. Compare movement, appetite, sleep, interaction, and body condition week to week; make one low-impact change and record the result. Compare with the dog's own recent baseline and make one low-impact change before judging the result.
What a change may be telling you
Labrador Retriever's weight is recorded as 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female). Here, that matters because it gives context for the individual dog's body condition, but not a target by itself.
Compare the dog with its baseline
- Compare movement, appetite, sleep, interaction, and body condition week to week; make one low-impact change and record the result.
- Use the weight (65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)) as context, then measure the individual dog's trend rather than changing the plan from the reference alone.
- Compare with the dog's own recent baseline and make one low-impact change before judging the result.
Arrange veterinary review if
Book a veterinary assessment for persistent pain, reduced mobility, weight change, confusion, or a sudden behaviour shift.
If this may be a health problem
This page is not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Do not change food, medication, exercise, or care for an individual dog based on this page alone; contact a veterinarian for symptoms, pain, weight change, skin changes, persistent behaviour change, or any urgent concern.
References
Height: 22.5-24.5 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height
Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight
Life expectancy: 11-13 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy
Grooming: The Lab has a thick, water-repellant double coat that sheds. Give occasional baths to keep them clean. As with all breeds, the Lab's nails should be trimmed regularly and his teeth brushed frequently.
AKC page Grooming > official section copy
Exercise: The Labrador Retriever is an exuberant, very energetic breed that needs lots of exercise every day. A Lab who doesn't get enough exercise is likely to engage in hyperactive and/or destructive behavior to release pent-up energy. The breed's favorite activities are retrieving and swimming. Labs also love to burn up energy on hunting trips or at field trials,…
AKC page Exercise > official section copy
Training: With the Lab's physical strength and high energy level, early socialization and puppy training classes are vital. Gently exposing the puppy to a wide variety of people, places, and situations between the ages of 7 weeks and 4 months and beginning obedience training early on will help him develop into a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult. Puppy training…
AKC page Training > official section copy
Official breed description: The sweet-faced, lovable Labrador Retriever is one of America's most popular dog breeds, year after year. Labs are friendly, outgoing, and high-spirited companions who have more than enough affection to go around for a family looking for a medium-to-large dog.
AKC page About the Breed > official breed description
Recommended parent-club health tests: ['Hip Evaluation', 'Elbow Evaluation', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation', 'D Locus (Dilute) - DNA Test', 'Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) - DNA Test', 'Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test', 'Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) - DNA Test']
AKC page Health > Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club
Official breed standard: http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/LabradorRetriever.pdf
AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard
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