A TikTok video documenting a Labrador retriever puppy’s growth over 12 months has gone viral, captivating dog lovers worldwide.
The clip features Maisy, a Labrador owned by Jessica Hanks, 27, who has been affectionately dubbed their “forever puppy” after failing to reach the typical size milestones of her breed.
The video shared to @yellowlab.maisy begins with Maisy being held as a tiny puppy, accompanied by text quoting what friends and family said when they learned Hanks was getting a Labrador: “She’s going to be so big!”
With two large parents, Hanks told Newsweek that she expected Maisy to grow to the average size of a female Labrador—around 21.5 to 23.5 inches tall and weighing 55–70 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Instead, Maisy’s growth slowed. At four months old, she weighed just 14 pounds and could still fit under the couch. By six months, she had gained only two pounds and continued to curl up in her small bed. Now at 16 months, Maisy weighs 42 pounds and measures about 20 inches tall.
Hanks told Newsweek: “I’ve asked multiple vets about her size, and they’ve all mentioned she’s on the smaller side compared to most labs her age.
“At her last vet visit in November, the vet told me that her body condition score (BCS) is a 5 out of 9, which means she’s at the ideal weight for her height.”
Despite her petite stature, Maisy’s personality is unmistakably a Labrador.
“She is loving, outgoing, and endlessly friendly,” Hanks said. “She’s never met a person or dog she didn’t love, and she brings such an infectious, happy energy everywhere she goes.
“She has a lot of energy and still very much has her puppy spirit, even at almost a year and a half old, but she also loves to curl up and be close once she’s tired herself out.”
The montage of clips also shows Maisy alongside Hanks’s family dog, another Labrador, highlighting the size difference. In another clip, Maisy plays with a three and a half month old Labrador puppy—appearing nearly the same size.
Dog owners across TikTok have resonated with Maisy’s story. The December 11 video has racked up over 2 million views – at the time of writing – with many viewers sharing their own Labrador size comparisons.
One user commented: “Mine must be broken. He’s 3 months old and 30lbs,” to which Hanks replied: “That’s crazy!! Maisy finally hit 30lbs at around 10 months.”
Another wrote: “Mines 32lbs at 16 weeks. I’m scared at how big she’s going to get,” while a third reassured: “she’s just fun size.”
Maisy’s journey proves that size doesn’t define a dog’s spirit. Her viral story has not only charmed viewers but also reminded pet owners that every dog grows at their own pace—and sometimes, staying the same size as a pup is part of the fun.
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