Golden Retrievers are one of America's most popular dog breeds and it’s easy to see why! These dogs make excellent family companions between their happy, devoted temperament, friendly faces, and stunning golden coat. President Gerald Ford even had a “Goldie” named Liberty, which helped increase the popularity of Golden Retrievers among Americans.
These Scottish dogs were initially bred to retrieve waterfowl, and many Golden Retrievers enjoy swimming and playing fetch due to the breed’s original nature. If you’re the lucky pet parent to one of these sunny dogs, you may be asking yourself how big will my Golden Retriever be and when will they stop growing?
Here's everything you need to know about Golden Retriever growth:
- Golden Retriever Dog Breed
- Male Golden Retriever Growth and Weight Chart
- Female Golden Retriever Growth and Weight Chart
- At what age is a Golden Retriever fully grown?
- How big should a 6 month old Golden Retriever be?
- How much bigger will my Golden Retriever get?
- What is the size of a full-grown Golden Retriever?
- How do I make sure my Golden Retriever is healthy?
- Key Takeaways
Golden Retriever Dog Breed
Golden Retrievers are medium- to large-sized dogs with sturdy, athletic bodies and strong gaits. Please remember that the following growth and weight numbers are estimates and should only be used to gather a general idea of what your Golden Retriever puppy may weigh at different ages.
If your Golden Retriever pup is significantly ahead or behind the following numbers, contact your veterinarian to check that your puppy is growing appropriately. However, don’t fret if your dog is a little ahead or behind the growth numbers, as every puppy grows at their own rate!
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Male Golden Retriever Growth and Weight Chart
| Age | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 mo. | 3-5 lb. |
| 2 mo. | 10-15 lb. |
| 3 mo. | 20-25 lb. |
| 4 mo. | 25-30 lb. |
| 5 mo. | 35-40 lb. |
| 6 mo. | 35-45 lb. |
| 7 mo. | 40-50 lb. |
| 8 mo. | 45-55 lb. |
| 9 mo. | 50-60 lb. |
| 10 mo. | 55-65 lb. |
| 11 mo. | 60-70 lb. |
| 12 mo. | 60-70 lb. |
| 2 yr. | 65-75 lb. |
Female Golden Retriever Growth and Weight Chart
| Age | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 mo. | 2-5 lb. |
| 2 mo. | 5-10 lb. |
| 3 mo. | 15-20 lb. |
| 4 mo. | 20-25 lb. |
| 5 mo. | 25-30 lb. |
| 6 mo. | 30-35 lb. |
| 7 mo. | 30-40 lb. |
| 8 mo. | 35-45 lb. |
| 9 mo. | 40-50 lb. |
| 10 mo. | 45-55 lb. |
| 11 mo. | 50-55 lb. |
| 12 mo. | 50-60 lb. |
| 2 yr. | 55-65 lb. |
At what age is a Golden Retriever fully grown?
As larger dogs, Golden Retrievers can take up to two years to reach their full weight. Most Golden Retrievers will be close to their adult height and weight around a year of age but may need one more year to fill out their chest fully.
(Image Source: Pexels)
How big should a 6-month-old Golden Retriever be?
A six-month-old male Golden Retriever will weigh between 35 to 45 pounds, while their female counterpart will weigh around 30 to 35 pounds at the same age.
As for their height, most Golden Retrievers will still need another three to six months to reach their adult height. At this age, they will likely be a few inches away from their adult height, which ranges from 21.5 to 24 inches tall, with male “Goldies” being on the taller end of the range.
Pro Tip: Check out this ultimate pet parent guide with 39 dog care tips on bonding with your pet, puppy-proofing your home, training, microchips, and more!
How much bigger will my Golden Retriever get?
There are a few ways you can estimate how much bigger your Golden Retriever will get.
First, start with your Golden Retriever puppy’s age. If they are less than a year old, they still need more time to reach their full adult size. Many Golden Retrievers can take up to two years to completely fill out, though their weight at one year old is usually close to their full adult weight.
Next, reach out to your Golden Retriever puppy’s breeder if applicable. Their breeder should be able to provide you with a precise estimate of your puppy’s adult size based on their parents and previous litters their parents had. A puppy is rarely larger than their bigger parent, so this will also give you a general idea of their maximum weight.
Lastly, take a look at your puppy’s paws. If their paws still look large or oversized next to their body and legs, they are probably still filling out and have some growing left to do, as this is a classic sign of adolescence in canines.
What is the size of a full-grown Golden Retriever?
Per the American Kennel Club Official Golden Retriever Breed Standards, a male Golden Retriever should weigh between 65 to 75 pounds, and a female Golden Retriever should weigh between 55 to 65 pounds.
Male Golden Retrievers will stand at 23 to 24 inches, while female “Goldies” are slightly shorter at 21.5 to 22.5 inches tall. As adults, Golden Retrievers will appear overall symmetrical and have a powerful body hidden beneath beautiful, golden fur.
(Image Source: Pexels)
How do I make sure my Golden Retriever is healthy?
Golden Retrievers are stunning, sunny dogs that easily steal our hearts. Unfortunately, as a purebred dog breed, they are more susceptible to genetic diseases, which can compromise their lifespan and quality of life. However, many genetic disorders can be treated or prevented with regular veterinary care. Remember that prevention is almost always easier and less expensive than treatment. So regular veterinary care, along with a healthy lifestyle, can provide your “Goldie” with the best foundation for a happy, healthy life.
Healthy lifestyle choices such as an appropriate diet and exercise routine are crucial in your pup’s everyday happiness and long-term health. Your veterinarian may recommend a large-breed growth food to your Golden Retriever puppy to support their growth rate which can help prevent or decrease the severity of hip dysplasia in adulthood.
According to the Veterinary Centers of America, Golden Retrievers are also more prone to gaining excess weight. They should be carefully monitored to see if they’ve gained weight, as their long coats can easily disguise weight gain. This can be done easily by being mindful of your pup’s body size and shape when you're petting them, as well as routine observation by a veterinarian as part of your Golden’s annual physical exam.
Golden Retrievers are also susceptible to various genetic health disorders, such as oral tumors and aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is most commonly found in large, purebred dogs, including Golden Retrievers, and occurs when the aortic valves to the heart narrow. Aortic stenosis causes the body to struggle to pump blood through the valve, creating additional stress on the body.
If untreated, aortic stenosis can lead to muscle failure and even fatality. However, veterinarians can treat many genetic diseases like aortic stenosis and oral tumors through surgery and medication. Your veterinarian can also screen your Golden Retriever for hereditary diseases during their regular exams to keep an eye on your puppy’s health and to treat any illnesses as soon as possible.
Even with proper prevention and wellness care, necessary veterinary visits can be expensive, with many treatments costing thousands of dollars. Out of over 20,000 pet parents surveyed, only 19.8% said they would be able to pay a $5,000 veterinary expense out-of-pocket. The last thing you should be focused on when the worst happens is how to finance a needed surgery or treatment for your beloved pet. This is where pet insurance comes in.
Pet insurance acts as a safety net by reimbursing you for up to 90% of out-of-pocket veterinary costs for accidents and illnesses. You’ll feel at peace knowing that your Golden Retriever will receive top-notch veterinary care should the worst happen, and you can focus on what’s really important, being there for your pup while they’re being treated.
Just like people, dogs are living longer lives and will need additional veterinary care to maintain a happy quality of life. Let pet insurance help you with these costs should the worst happen to your dog. Wellness plans are also available as an add-on to help with the ongoing costs of regular veterinary care, like x-rays and exams.
Final Considerations
Don’t wait for the worst to happen. Act now and give yourself peace of mind knowing that your Golden Retriever is covered should anything happen. Compare top Golden Retriever pet insurance plans side-by-side with Pawlicy Advisor today!
Pawlicy Advisor’s personalized recommendations can help you save up to 83% on insurance costs over your dog’s lifespan.
Key Takeaways
- On average, male Golden Retrievers weigh 60-75 pounds and females weigh 55-65 pounds.
- At full height, Goldens stand between 21.5- 24 inches.
- Although puppies groww extremely fast, the Golden Retriever breed can take as long as 2 years to reach full maturity.
- Owners should keep an eye on their Golden Retriever's diet because they are very prone to obesity.
- Pet insurance helps cover the cost of care necessary to give your Goldie a happy, healthy life.
