Comments on: Miniature Labrador: Small Size and Dwarfism In Labs

By: Sammie@LabSiteHQ

Sammie@LabSiteHQ — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 12:50:50 +0000

In reply to Guy N. Hi Guy. Parent to a type one teenager here! If you're hoping to train her to alert you to low sugars, my understanding is that as long as she's in good health the most important things are her trainability and her aptitude for scentwork, so her size won't matter too much. Diabetes is hard on our mental health too - so if you love her and that's an emotional support to you, don't forget that's worth a lot too

By: Guy N

Guy N — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 11:21:01 +0000

I really liked what was written, I JUST rescued a 3 month old black lab/golden mix from local Humane Society, she is Highly intelligent BUT only 8lbs , I adopted her with the intent of Service Dog training for my diabetes, I worry about her little size and her extremely bowed legs. Did I do wrong BECAUSE already in love with this little girl, she does not look or act malnourished either. But my Shih Tzu is bigger than her.

By: Christian Pinzon

Christian Pinzon — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 11:48:53 +0000

I like this article however, I think you could be more detailed about the varieties of mini labs that people have out there for purchase. There are 3 dogs that mix with lab that someone could potentially buy as a “Mini Lab,” especially as a puppy. The Chihuahua Lab mix, the Australian shepherd lab mix, and border collie lab mix. These 3 will all give you a look of a six month old lab that never grew! There is an Australian Sheperd Lab Mix breeder near me. $1500 a dog, $600 that get the Merle color gene, but most look exactly like black labs with the ears, face, lips and eyes identical. One of their dogs made it to the pound and I was lucky enough to adopt him!

By: Sarita Massing

Sarita Massing — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 10:38:39 +0000

I’m a bit worried that my black lab may be miniature or dwarf. She was checked by a vet and was healthy but she is 12 months now and seems very short. I wasn’t looking for a smaller lab and was expecting a full sized lab. I love her endlessly but heard they live shorter lives.

By: Sammie@LabSiteHQ

Sammie@LabSiteHQ — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 08:37:01 +0000

In reply to Patricia.

Hi Patricia. I’m sorry to hear your lab is having heath problems. Her life expectancy will depend on what those problems are, and on why she’s ‘mini’ – as you can see above there are a number of reasons for Labs to be extra small, some are less healthy than others. You can find some general info on Lab life spans here https://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-life-span-how-long-do-labradors-live/ – but the best person to advise you on your specific dog is your vet. I do hope they are able to set your mind at rest.
Sammie

By: Patricia

Patricia — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 08:04:39 +0000

So, if my mini lab lives to be 10 is that old. She is having health problems.

By: Trish

Trish — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 20:43:09 +0000

In reply to Elissa. Well said. We have had two males! Both were awesome. They both have passed. And left holes in our hearts! Tons & Deuce will forever live in our hearts!

By: Pmyii

Pmyii — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 04:55:09 +0000

In reply to Bob Kuck. Hillarious

By: Ed Larkin

Ed Larkin — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 19:23:29 +0000

I have two female canoe labs in my kennel at this time. One of the females we bought from a breeder who breeds Canoe labs net dwarf labs.We are starting a new Breeding program for smaller labs. Last spring we bread our canoe lab to a lab who was about
55lb.What we ended up with a litter of 5pups. Each of the pups now way up to 50 pounds, the females are 40.
At our kennel, we bread hunting dogs. One of the reasons we are go to a smaller build dog is because of field stamina.I have Ben a
breeder for 15years. I breed for Health and temperament.The canoe labs we are breeding are not mutants.So yes Martha, there is such a thing as Canoe labs.

By: Labmommie

Labmommie — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 04:28:02 +0000

In reply to Sue Brune. I agree Sue! Well said!