Breed guide
Labrador Retriever Breeding Guide: Litter Size, Whelping, Puppy Weights and Health Testing
Updated September 6, 2026 · 6 min read · By the BreedBloom team
The Labrador is the most-registered breed in several countries and one of the most competitive breeding markets. Buyers increasingly ask for DNA panels by name, and litters are large enough that whelping-box management makes a real difference to outcomes.
Labrador Retriever at a glance
Typical litter size
6–8 puppies (average around 7)
Birth weight
14–18 oz (400–500 g)
Adult weight
55–80 lb (25–36 kg)
Gestation
About 63 days from ovulation (57–72 from breeding)
Whelping
Generally straightforward whelpers. Watch for large litters and long deliveries; the dam's temperature drop is a reliable signal in this breed.
Breeding and whelping notes
Litter sizes of 6–8 are typical; first litters are often smaller. Radiograph counts after day 55 remove the guessing.
Newborn Labs are robust but competitive; a runt in a litter of 9 needs monitoring from day one.
EIC carriers are common in field lines and CNM in show lines; carrier-to-clear breedings are normal practice, carrier-to-carrier is not.
Dilute (silver, charcoal, champagne) Labradors are registered in some registries but are controversial within the breed community; disclose the D-locus status if it is in your line.
Health testing before breeding
•
Hips: OFA or PennHIP
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Elbows: OFA
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Eyes: annual CAER exam
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DNA: EIC (exercise-induced collapse), CNM (centronuclear myopathy), prcd-PRA, HNPK, DM, SD2 (skeletal dysplasia), and dilute (D locus) if relevant to the line
•
Cardiac exam recommended
Keep the paperwork attached
Test results are only useful when they travel with the dog. Keep certificate numbers and dates on each dog's record and include copies in every go-home packet.
Tracking a Labrador Retriever litter
Enter the ovulation or tie date and BreedBloom builds the Labrador Retriever litter timeline: ultrasound window, X-ray count reminder, temperature checks, the day 3–16 ENS/ESI schedule, deworming and vaccination tasks, and per-puppy weight curves you can compare against the whole litter. Families follow along in the BloomPetz portal, and the go-home packet is assembled from the same records.
About these figures
Figures on this page are typical ranges drawn from breed club and veterinary references; individual lines vary. Confirm health-testing requirements with your breed's parent club, and whelping plans with your reproductive veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How many puppies do Labradors have?
Usually 6–8, with 5–10 well within normal. Maiden bitches often have smaller litters.
What DNA tests should Labrador breeders do?
EIC, CNM, prcd-PRA and HNPK are the core panel; many programs add DM and SD2. Hips, elbows and eyes are the standard orthopedic and ophthalmic clearances.
How much does a Labrador puppy weigh at birth?
Typically 14–18 oz (400–500 g). Weight should double by about day 8–10.
Run your program on BreedBloom
Dogs, litters, puppy weights, ENS/ESI tasks, waitlists, contracts and go-home packets in one connected record, with a family portal built in. Free for up to 3 dogs.
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