Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Labrador Retriever
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Labrador Retriever Will Have
- How Much Does the Labrador Retriever Puppy Weigh at Birth?
- How Big Will a Labrador Retriever Puppy Get?
- How Much is a Labrador Retriever Puppy
- How Long is a Labrador Retriever Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Labrador Retriever
- Conclusion on Labrador Retriever Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Labrador Retriever
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 223 different Labrador Retriever birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Labrador Retrievers can have is 6 puppies. Also, the Labrador Retriever can have as few as 1 puppies per litter and as many as 13 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Labrador Retriever compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Labrador Retriever Will Have
Labrador Retriever Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Labrador Retriever will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Labrador Retriever is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Labrador Retriever litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Labrador Retriever will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Labrador Retriever
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Labrador Retriever will have if your Labrador Retriever gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Labrador Retriever. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Labrador Retriever at different ages. This table applies to a Labrador Retriever that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 8 puppies | 6 to 9 puppies |
| 3 | 7 puppies | 6 to 9 puppies |
| 4 | 7 puppies | 5 to 9 puppies |
| 5 | 7 puppies | 5 to 9 puppies |
| 6 | 7 puppies | 4 to 10 puppies |
| 7 | 7 puppies | 4 to 10 puppies |
| 8 | 6 puppies | 3 to 10 puppies |
| 9 | 6 puppies | 2 to 9 puppies |
How Much Does the Labrador Retriever Puppy Weigh at Birth?
Veterinarian researchers did a study to find out how much Labrador Retriever puppies weigh at birth. These researchers weighed 264 Labrador Retriever puppies at birth.
Based on the study of the weight of 264 Labrador Retriever puppies, the average weight of the Labrador Retriever at birth is 405 grams (14.3 ounces). The birth weight of the Labrador Retriever puppy typically ranges from 369 grams (13.0 ounces) to 450 grams (15.9 ounces).
16 ounces equal one pound.
The factors that affect the weight of a Labrador Retriever puppy at birth include the size, weight, and age of the mother.
Importantly, research has also shown that female dogs that give birth at ages between 2 and 8 years give birth to puppies that are heavier than puppies birthed by younger or older female dogs.
How Big Will a Labrador Retriever Puppy Get?
A Labrador Retriever puppy will grow up to weigh around 55 to 80 pounds. Furthermore, a Labrador Retriever puppy will grow up to be 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder.
Learn more about Labrador Retriever weight and how big Labrador Retrievers grow here
How Much is a Labrador Retriever Puppy
The average price of a Labrador Retriever puppy is $1290. The price of a Labrador Retriever puppy ranges from $850 to $1500.
Since the Labrador Retriever has an average litter size of 6, therefore a Labrador Retriever litter birth is worth $7740.
To learn more about the price of Labrador Retriever puppy, check our review on how much Labrador Retriever puppy cost, and Labrador Retriever buying advice.
How Long is a Labrador Retriever Pregnant?
Labrador Retrievers are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Labrador Retrievers can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Labrador Retriever conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Labrador Retriever for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Labrador Retriever
To ensure that your Labrador Retriever successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Labrador Retriever well: A good diet will ensure that your Labrador Retriever has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Labrador Retriever is in good health: Ensure you take your Labrador Retriever to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Labrador Retriever gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your Labrador Retriever is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on Labrador Retriever Litter Size
Labrador Retrievers can have 6 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Labrador Retriever will have depends on factors such as the age of the Labrador Retriever and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Labrador Retrievers the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Labrador Retriever. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Labrador Retriever gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Labrador Retrievers in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.