The Labrador Retriever is one of the most adored and favored pups worldwide.
We can see them working as guide dogs, being loving family members, or excellent hunting companions.
I am confident that you have interacted with someone who owned a Labrador puppy at least a few times in your life. This popular breed is permanently on the list of favored household canines.
Alright, so we are all extremely familiar with the traits of this captivating pup. So what about the small labrador breed known as the miniature Labrador? Does this pup exist, or is this just a marketing gimmick from dog breeders?
In the current age and time, miniature canines have become increasingly popular. Wandering around the city, we seem to meet teacup dog breeds everywhere!
This doesn’t shock us since the teacup versions are even more adorable editions of these already stunning canines. Contemplating the good things about the Labrador, we are not astonished by the reality that many people have dreamt of owning Lab dogs that stay small.
However, you must have wondered how these pups even appeared. Are they officially recognized dog breeds by the major kennel clubs? Do they have any genetic disorders?
Keep reading, and you will obtain all the answers!
Is There Such A Thing As A Miniature Labrador?
In short, the answer would be yes. There is a pocket Lab. This pup is barely tinier than the traditional Lab.
Regardless, this canine is not an officially recognized dog breed by any major kennel club. Some teacup pups have cute looks and are acknowledged by the American Kennel Club (AKC) , but the cute dog we call micro Labrador is not among them.
Yet, how did dog breeders come up with the notion of a smaller family pet that is an original image of the Lab?
Like any different teacup version of a dog, we have a couple of ways miniature Labradors can be bred.
Let’s look at them in more detail.
1. Mini Lab As A Result Of Crossbreeding
In today’s society of modern technology and the Internet, there is an increased chance that you will discover a miniature Labrador breeder extremely fast with a few clicks.
Nonetheless, we recommend you investigate immediately whether it is a purebred Labrador.
Unfortunately, numerous small pups are produced as a result of crossbreeding.
So, breeders crossbreed Labs with some different tinier dog breeds, resulting in a canine that looks like a Lab but in a smaller package.
Today, there are diverse Labrador mixes, many of which are incredible pups, but these dogs should not be sold under teacup Lab.
Crossbreeding is a complicated procedure that experienced and knowledgeable dog breeders should exclusively undertake.
Unfortunately, numerous breeders today put fast cash first while not paying sufficient attention to the health histories of the canines they plan to crossbreed.
Vet exams and health documents are even more crucial when mixing two dog breeds, each of which has its requirements, past, and the diseases it is inclined to.
2. Dwarfism In Labradors
If you are wondering where dwarf labradors come from, it is easy to answer. Like humans, genetic dwarfism is a known condition in canines.
This is an endocrine illness, distinguished by an absence of growth hormone. In pups like these, besides the growth hormone, there also might be a deficiency of some other hormones.
This is a congenital illness, meaning the Lab puppies will inherit it if both Labrador parents have it. So, if you breed two Labs that have the dwarfism gene, you will be getting pups with the same gene.
In dwarf Labradors, two different genes (the SD1 Gene and the SD2 Gene) cause this medical disorder to appear, and thanks to this, there are two types of dwarf Labradors today.
The first gene stands for osteochondrodysplasia, which occurs in Labs. This condition causes a pup to have deformed paws, bent legs, and enlarged joints.
The second one stands for a genetic mutation named skeletal dysplasia. This medical disorder occurs when the pup’s pituitary gland creates an irregular amount of the growth hormone, stunting a dog’s growth.
Canines with this diagnosis have a body of typical size, but their shorter legs make them distinct from the common Lab.
Also, their legs may be just a little curved.
As the puppy grows, together with shorter legs, we can notice some other dwarf labrador symptoms, including bacterial infections of the pup’s respiratory system and skin, teeth showing later than they are presumed to, and hypothyroidism.
They usually have a large head and a short nose.
Pups with this disorder don’t necessarily live just a few years, but unfortunately, their lifespan is not estimated to be more than seven years.
3. Breeding Runt Dogs
Simply put, breeding runts refers to taking the tiniest puppy from a litter and breeding it with another equally little pup.
This occasionally involves inbreeding two canines from the same litter, the only important thing being that both dogs are smaller than the others.
Breeding runts is not deemed ethical. These canines frequently have more severe health difficulties.
Furthermore, it is crucial to say that breeding two tiny canines does not necessarily imply that the whole litter of puppies will be equally tiny.
What Is The Difference Between A Lab And A Mini Lab?
How is this small Labrador different from the best pet ever – the old Labrador we have known and loved for numerous years?
Their fundamental contrast is, clearly, the size. This is why we call them the miniature Labrador. For numerous of these puppies, this will be the sole difference.
Sometimes, people will not even notice that they own a mini Lab.
But, with the number of requests and advertising for these mini dogs today, it’s tough to forget their appearance. For this reason, we wanted to investigate the origin and traits of miniature Labradors.
If a Lab is your dream dog for a happy life, but the size of the dog makes you doubtful that you will have a Lab running around at a fast pace around your apartment, the smaller breed takes up way less space and might be a good option.
Mini Lab: Basic Traits
Let’s learn about the teacup Lab’s temperament, appearance, and health.
Temperament
For many dog enthusiasts, the Labrador breed is the number one breed.
The miniature Lab is tinier than the common Labrador. Nonetheless, their characters are quite similar.
The mini version is equally considerate, friendly, and loving as the standard version.
These miniature pups are in love with their humans, young children, and all of your friends, and what they appreciate the most is spending time with their humans.
So, with a mini Labrador, you will have your own shadow following you around wherever you go!
This puppy gets along excellently with youngsters and other pets.
How Does The Mini Lab Look?
This dog is a Labrador Retriever in a miniature package. The one thing that distinguishes them from standard Labs is their short legs.
They also have floppy ears, large eyes, and a wide head.
What Is The Weight Of A Mini Lab
There is a slight difference in the weight and height of male and female Labs.
According to the growth chart, full-sized adult males weigh from 65 pounds to 80 pounds, while the average weight of females proceeds from 55 pounds to 70 pounds.
Mini Labradors are noticeably lighter, and they weigh from 35 pounds to 50 pounds.
The distinction in weight can be seen as early as around two to three months of age – an ordinary Labrador will reach a weight of 20 pounds to 25 pounds, while a mini one weighs 16 to 22 pounds.
The Height Of A Miniature Lab
Listening to some opinions, a Lab is a large dog. Other people see this dog as a medium-sized dog.
A standard male Lab’s average height is from 22 to 24 inches. The female counterparts are usually from 21 to 23 inches tall.
Many miniature dogs are usually much tinier than the same dogs of the typical size.
Yet, there is not a large contrast between the height of a traditional Lab and the mini version of this canine. Mini Labs are just two or three inches shorter than normal-sized pooches.
So, the average height of the little Labradors goes from 19 inches to 22 inches. Some of these pups might be shorter, around 17 inches.
Some of the standard Labrador colors are yellow, black, and chocolate. We can likewise find mini yellow Labs, mini chocolate Labs, and mini black Labs.
Labrador Retrievers shed a lot, so they are not the most reasonable choice for people with allergies. This is again the case with the mini Labrador.
Its double coat is dense and short; you can expect to find its hairs everywhere.
Common Health Issues With The Mini Lab
A mini Labrador will mostly have short legs. Furthermore, we have learned that this pup might have numerous additional health problems.
So what are those medical conditions, and what is this pup’s overall quality of life?
Some of the most typical health difficulties with these pups are:
- Obesity
- Cancer
- Blindness
- Hip dysplasia
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Respiratory issues
The Lifespan Of A Miniature Labrador Retriever
The lifespan of an ordinary Labrador Retriever is assessed to be from 10 years to 12 years.
Unfortunately, the mini version of this loved dog’s lifespan is much briefer. Some of these pups do not live longer than five or six years.
This is why it is crucial to check the health documents of the parent canines of the pup you want to buy.
Most genetic disorders cause miniature puppies to live shorter.
However, some miniature Labradors (if the dwarfism gene does not too damage their health) can live as long as ordinary Labs.
So, having one of these mini pups does not necessarily mean you will only enjoy their company briefly.
Pros And Cons Of The Teacup Lab
Let’s first look at some cons of owning this smaller Labrador.
First, mini Labradors are not recognized by any major kennel club. There is no official standard for this dog breed.
Also, these canines, unfortunately, usually suffer from different health issues. So, you will likely have to take this pup for vet checkups more frequently, and you are likely to spend more cash on its health than other dogs.
Furthermore, you can’t easily find reliable mini-lab breeders. It is critical to check the background of the person who declares to be creating purebred miniature Labs.
One of the pros of a tinier canine is that you can keep him in an apartment or a smaller house.
Numerous dog owners say that the size of a pup was one of the determining factors in their search for the ideal breed.
This dog has all the beautiful traits of a Labrador Retriever dog – energetic, loving, gentle, and friendly.
The small Labrador is also a fantastic option for families with children.
The Verdict
So, what is the final decision verdict on the miniature Labrador?
There are many controversies associated with the breeding of such canines. As you now know, these pups are not officially recognized.
Furthermore, many health conditions are associated with these dogs. In addition, the manners in which particular breeders breed such mini versions of canines are entirely questionable.
Getting a mini Lab puppy over a Golden Retriever puppy or a standard Lab puppy is a greater risk.
We can barely believe that someone would try to intentionally produce a tinier pooch at the cost of his health. Why? Thanks to the fact that tinier pups are more and more favored, the demand for them is increasing day by day.
On the other hand, mini Labs are just as worshiping, friendly, and dedicated to their family as the standard-sized Labradors.
We do not support or advocate for unethical dog breeding, and we think that every breeder must put the health and well-being of their pups in the litter first.
Nevertheless, we also stand behind the fact that every pup deserves love, devotion, and a safe home.
A miniature Labrador might need more care and potentially mandate more recurring trips to the vet.
If you are ready for a slightly more struggle and commitment, we believe that this barely smaller version of the favored Lab will deliver all the love and friendship that you and your family are looking for!
Nandina has been a lifelong dog owner and enthusiast. She shared her home with multiple breeds, including Giant Schnauzers, Cane Corsos, and Huskies. Currently, she is raising a three-year-old rescue and a working-line German Shepherd puppy.
Actively engaged in IGP dog sports for two years, Nandina is a certified instructor for basic obedience and socialization. She works as a trainer in her local dog sports club, and in her spare time, she handicrafts biothane gear for dogs.