Golden Retriever Size, Weight, and Growth: Everything You Need to Know
As a veterinarian and golden retriever owner myself, I know that one of the first questions prospective golden owners have is "how big do golden retrievers get?" Golden retrievers are a large, sturdy breed, but it takes some time for them to reach their full adult size. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything golden retriever owners need to know about this breed‘s growth and development from cute little puppy to full grown adult.
Adult Golden Retriever Size and Weight
According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, a full-grown male golden retriever will stand 23-24 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 65-75 pounds. Adult female golden retrievers are slightly smaller, with a height of 21.5-22.5 inches and weight of 55-65 pounds.
However, these are just the breed standard guidelines. In reality, many pet golden retrievers may be larger or smaller than this. Some male goldens can weigh up to 90 pounds, while petite females may be as small as 50 pounds. As long as your golden is at a healthy weight for their individual frame size, some variation is perfectly normal.
Golden Retriever Growth Timeline
Newborn to 2 Months Old
Golden retriever puppies are born blind, deaf, and completely dependent on their mother. Newborn puppies typically weigh just 14 to 16 ounces but they grow rapidly. By 2 weeks old their eyes and ears open, and by 4 weeks they begin trying solid foods.
Puppy weight at key milestones:
- Birth: 1 lb
- 2 weeks: 1-3 lbs
- 4 weeks: 5-7 lbs
- 6 weeks: 7-12 lbs
- 8 weeks: 10-16 lbs
2 to 6 Months Old
The majority of a golden retriever puppy‘s growth occurs between 2 and 6 months old. Their weight will roughly double from 2 to 4 months, and again from 4 to 6 months. Male puppies will start to outpace females in size during this time.
Average puppy weights:
- 2 months: 10-20 lbs
- 3 months: 20-30 lbs
- 4 months: 30-40 lbs
- 5 months: 40-50 lbs
- 6 months: 50-60 lbs
6 to 12 Months Old
Growth starts to slow down after 6 months but goldens continue to fill out. Most will reach their full height around 9-10 months old. Males may weigh 60-75 lbs and females 55-65 lbs by their first birthday.
1 to 2 Years Old
The last bits of filling out and muscling up happen between 1 and 2 years old. Many golden retrievers reach their full adult weight around 2 years old. After age 2, your golden won‘t get any taller but their weight may fluctuate by a few pounds.
When Do Golden Retrievers Stop Growing?
So to sum up the timeline, most golden retrievers will be very close to their full adult height around 1 year old but will continue gradually gaining weight and filling out until closer to 2 years old.
Growth plates, the soft areas of cartilage at the end of the long bones, generally close in golden retrievers between 12-18 months old. After that, no further height growth occurs, although some golden retrievers will continue adding muscle until age 2.
Slow Growth Plan for Golden Retrievers
As a large breed, golden retrievers are prone to orthopedic issues like hip and elbow dysplasia. Growing too quickly as a puppy can increase the risk of these problems. That‘s why many breeders and veterinarians advocate for a "slow growth" plan for golden retriever puppies.
The slow growth philosophy involves feeding a large breed puppy food with carefully controlled calcium and calories to promote a slow, steady rate of growth. Veterinary nutritionists recommend that golden retriever puppies should grow at an average rate of about 3 pounds per week.
Avoid the temptation to overfeed your golden retriever puppy or supplement their diet in an effort to make them grow faster or end up bigger. Maximal growth is not optimal growth. Slow, steady growth is healthiest for your puppy‘s bones and joints in the long run.
Assessing Body Condition in Golden Retrievers
No matter your golden retriever‘s age, it‘s important to keep them at an ideal body weight. Golden retrievers are prone to becoming overweight, which increases their risk for many health problems.
Veterinarians assess a dog‘s body condition on a 5 point scale, with a score of 3 being ideal. Here‘s how to body condition score your golden at home:
- Feel your dog‘s ribs. You should be able to easily feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, but not see them protruding.
- Look at your dog from above. You should see an hourglass figure, with a clear waist behind the ribs.
- Look at your dog from the side. Their abdomen should be tucked up behind their ribcage.
If your golden retriever is a bit too padded, talk to your vet. They can rule out health issues like hypothyroidism that can cause weight gain and help you formulate a diet and exercise plan to slim your pup down safely.
Feeding Golden Retrievers
Proper nutrition is key to helping golden retrievers grow at an appropriate rate and maintain a healthy weight. Golden puppies should eat a large breed puppy food specially formulated for controlled growth. Adults should eat a high-quality, balanced maintenance diet.
The amount to feed will vary based on your dog‘s age, weight, activity level, and the calorie content of the food. In general, golden retriever puppies need about 1,600 calories per day, while active adults need roughly 1,300 to 1,700 calories daily.
Avoid overfeeding by using a measuring cup to portion out meals and limiting treats to no more than 10% of your dog‘s daily calorie allotment. For example, if your adult golden eats 1,500 calories per day, treats should account for no more than 150 of those calories.
Dealing with a Golden Retriever Outside the Breed Standard
Sometimes, despite a breeder‘s and owner‘s best efforts, a golden retriever ends up smaller or larger than the breed standard. If your golden is healthy but petite, or robust but not overweight, it‘s generally not a cause for concern.
If your golden‘s growth seems abnormally slow or fast, however, a vet check-up is a good idea. Health issues like heart problems, hormone imbalances, or intestinal parasites can affect a puppy‘s growth rate. Catching problems early is key to getting your pup back on track.
Conclusion
Golden retrievers are a wonderful breed known for their friendly, outgoing personalities and beautiful, feathered coats. If you‘re considering adding a golden to your family, you now have a thorough understanding of their growth and development from puppy to adult.
While golden retrievers are a large breed, keeping them lean and healthy is key to preventing joint problems and other health issues down the line. Feed a balanced diet, limit treats, and keep your golden active to maintain them at an ideal body weight.
With proper nutrition, veterinary care, and an understanding of the breed‘s unique needs, you‘ll be well-equipped to help your golden retriever grow into a happy, healthy adult and enjoy a long life as your devoted companion.
