Hi, I ralise that we made a mistake when we brought our Chocolate Lab 18 months ago.  We did not fully investigate the breeder and they were reluctant to show use the parents of the pup.  The kennels were well looked after and they did have 2 sets of chocolate adults.  They pedigree paperwork that we got was handwritten and only one sheet.  Thee pups had not been KC registered as their mum had not been.  I love my little man very much and he has a perfect temperament so my partner and I were not bothered about the paperwork - however, he does not seem to be growing properly and I am so worried.... He is small compared to other labs (shorter legs) and I thought he was now supposed to be fully grown??  Can anyone help, someone told me that you can get a miniture breed of labs??? He has also had digestive problems (runny poo) since he was a pup which we control with a sensitive dry food.  Is it possible he is not getting the right nutrition?  Thanks Gemma x

There is only one size of Labrador, and I think it may be that your boy has been affected by his digestive problems. Unfrotunatly Choc. Labs. have become very popular recently and whenever a breed or colour of dog becomes popular then all the puppy farms and back yard breeders jump on the gravy train, breeding from unsuitable dogs and producing pups with problems.

Would try to deal with the stomach problems and not worry too much about his size.

Try tinned Chappie

It sounds like another example of people without sufficient knowledge producing puppies! 

With "2 sets of chocolate adults." they have just used what they've got to produce .............

I'm really sorry because you sound a lovely caring owner.  I've always said that nice families deserve nice dogs and at least your man has a good temperament.  For that you can be grateful.  Many of these puppy producers don't understand that although the Dam & Sire can appear OK, many things, especially bad temperament, can skip a generation or two and reappear!

As Jackie has aready said, tinned Chappie can be excellent for sensitive tummies.  At 18 months, I doubt he'll grow any more.  I'm glad he found himself a caring Mum!!

There is dwarfism in Labradors, the bodies and heads look normal, but they have short stubby legs, seen it a couple of times, dogs seemed healthy otherwise.
Dawn.

Hope you're right Dawn, but this one is 18 months and has had digestive problems! :(

Dwarfism  is one of the genetic problems that can appear after a few generations and would be difficult for someone without a firm knowledge of the breed to understand. In this case it could be dwarfism or an inability of the gut to extract the nutrition that the body requires, another condition that requires a good knowledge of your breeding stocks lines.

Only just got around to this post. Yes, there is dawarfism in Labradors, also some who just never get up to full size just as there are some who rise well above the breed standard height.

Also, some Labradors take a time to reach full size. None of mine have ever stopped growing before 2 years old (Although the growth slows right down during the last 6 months.) The UK breed standard only allows for half an inch variation in height which is rather close. My Anna is nearly 3 inches over size and at 18 months old I was hoping she had finished growing but no such luck!

Best wishes, John

Your dog is lucky to have such a caring owner, and I would say that you should sort out the digestive problem and not worry too much about growth. My eldest male lab didn't stop growing until he was about 2 1/2 and is now outside the standard.

Tinned Chappie is fantastic. My male loves it, and he has a sensitive tummy. I also use James Wellbeloved which does not seem to affect his stomach.