Forever the fun-loving puppy, the Golden Retriever is a popular breed of dog. Goldens have boundless energy, a constant-wagging tail, and a goofy grin – often with the tongue hanging out. They’re famous for their long golden coat and fluffy tail that’s capable of knocking over just about anything in its path. If you’re thinking about getting a happy, playful Golden Retriever puppy, or are already lucky enough to be owned by one, you might be wondering how big (or maybe how tall) your Golden Retriever will be and how much Golden Retrievers weigh.
In This Article
Golden Retriever Growth & Weight Chart: How Big Will My Golden Retriever Get?
A typical Golden Retriever will grow to weigh 55-77 lbs and be 21-24 inches tall in a year, and 55-65 lbs / 21.5-22.5 inches when fully grown for a female, 65-77 lbs and 23-24 inches for a male.
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Text Transcript of the Golden Retriever Growth Chart
| Golden Retriever – Age | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2 months 3 months 4 months 5 months 6 months 7 months 8 months 9 months One year |
5 – 17 lbs 16 – 34 lbs 22 – 55 lbs 25 – 67 lbs 27 – 75 lbs 31 – 75 lbs 40 – 77 lbs 44 – 77 lbs 55 – 77 lbs |
| Golden Retriever – Gender | Adult Weights | Adult Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Males Females |
65 – 77 lbs 55 – 65 lbs |
23 – 24 inches 21.5 – 22.5 inches |
We consulted our veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer Coates, about the typical size of Golden Retrievers as they grow. After Dr. Coates reviewed and approved the data, we created a handy Golden Retriever growth chart so you can easily see how your Golden compares to the average. Our Golden Retriever growth chart guides you through puppyhood to adulthood and what weight to expect at different ages. We also offer a Golden Retriever puppy size and weight calculator. Just enter information about your puppy, such as weight, gender, and birth date, to give you an approximation of how big your puppy may get.
What Are the Growth Stages of a Golden Retriever?
The Golden Retriever is one of six different types of retrievers, sporting smarts, good looks, and a fun personality. Retrievers are considered medium- to large-size dogs, and among the retrievers, Goldens are about the average size.1 But what is the growth rate of a Golden Retriever? Are there different stages to be aware of as your puppy grows up?
In the first four weeks, Golden Retriever puppies rely on their mother to care for them. They’re just starting to use their senses, and by the end of the first month, they begin walking. The average Golden Retriever puppy weighs less than 5 pounds during this beginning stage and will soon be ready to start socializing with the world.2 During the next four weeks, Golden puppies wean off of but continue learning from their mother. They start to explore their surroundings and engage in play. Eight weeks old is typically the age puppies are adopted out to their new home.
When do Golden Retrievers have growth spurts? A 2 month old Golden Retriever puppy is rapidly growing and developing towards adulthood. Golden puppies grow the most between 2 and 6 months of age, reaching more than half their full size by 6 months old. Though puppies grow at different rates, by the time Golden puppies are about 9 months old, they’re roughly 75 percent of their adult size.3
Consult with your veterinarian to keep track of your puppy’s growth and overall health. Most vets use the body condition score to determine how your puppy is doing. A score of 5 out of 9 on the body condition scale indicates an ideal dog weight. Factors such as an abdominal tuck, observable waist, and palpable ribs are what the veterinarian is looking for in a healthy pup.4 Your veterinarian may also speak with you about possible health concerns for your growing Golden Retriever puppy.5 Goldens are prone to:
- Elbow dysplasia
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Heart disease
- Cataracts
- Skin disorders
- Cancer
- Ear infections
- Allergies
How to Measure a Golden Retriever’s Height
Your Golden Retriever puppy is growing and putting on an appropriate amount of weight, but how do you measure her height? How big will she get? What is the average height of a golden retriever? Height is not often measured by veterinarians, therefore there exists insufficient data to determine the stages of height as a Golden puppy advances to adulthood. But each dog breed has an average height and weight recorded at full size, and the American Kennel Club, or AKC, has set breed standards in connection with those measurements.6
The height of a Golden Retriever is largely determined by how her skeletal structure develops.7 Proper nutrition, exercise, and upbringing directly influence the puppy’s growing bones. The average height for a fully grown Golden Retriever is about 22 to 24 inches. Females are generally shorter than males. How is this measurement taken? Officials measure the height of a dog at the withers – the highest part of a dog’s back. In other words, the dog’s shoulder blades. Use a tape measure and measure from level ground up to the top of your Golden’s shoulders. This gives you the current height of your pooch.
What Age is a Golden Retriever Fully Grown?
Now that you know how to measure your puppy’s height, and you’re aware of his potential growth spurts, when do Golden Retrievers reach full size? Talk with your veterinarian and track your puppy’s development together. The Waltham Petcare Science Institute offers a clinical tool that uses science-based data as a guide for your puppy’s growth pattern.8 This will enable you to determine when your Golden has reached his growth potential.
The average age a Golden Retriever is fully grown is about 1 year old. This is usually when most dogs reach adulthood, but smaller dogs tend to get there faster. Small breeds, such as the Chihuahua, go through puppy stages quickly and hit adulthood around 9 months old. Many giant breed dogs, like the Great Dane, don’t obtain their full size until they’re almost 2 years old.9
Golden Retriever Puppy Size and Weight Calculator
Puppies begin their life with their eyes and ears shut. Within a matter of weeks, they begin to use their senses to explore the world around them.10 Golden Retriever puppies go through multiple stages of growth. Each growth stage has an average height and weight range, as well as common personality traits connected to it.
Check out our Golden Retriever puppy growth chart to see the average weight of a Golden Retriever puppy from 2 months old up to adulthood. The chart breaks down the average weight range for male and female Golden Retriever puppies, displayed from 2 to 9 months old. Also listed is the average height and weight of adult male and female Goldens. But while the Golden Retriever may become full-grown in looks, the breed is notorious for remaining forever a puppy – in attitude and antics.
Once you have your Golden home, you may want to check out our other resources to help keep your puppy healthy and looking good. We also have a series of buying guides to help you select the best ear cleaner for dogs and the best pet grooming clippers.
You can also use our puppy size estimator to find out how big your Golden Retriever may get. The calculations are based on the American Kennel Club’s database of adult dog weights and heights. Fill in your puppy’s current age and weight details below.
In addition to our Golden Retriever growth chart, we’ve also created a Goldendoodle size chart, Great Dane size chart, Chihuahua growth chart, and Labrador size chart.
Note: please don’t feed your dog more or less based on the results. For that advice, consult your veterinarian.
PUPPY WEIGHT CALCULATOR
Additional Resources
If you’re looking for more information about dog growth in general, we’ve created a series of growth charts for different breeds (and dogs and mixed breeds in general):
- Great Dane Growth Chart
- Goldendoodle Growth Chart
- Chihuahua Growth Chart
- Golden Retriever Growth Chart
- Labrador Growth Chart
- Dog Growth Chart
- Mixed Breed Growth Chart
- Rottweiler Growth Chart
- Pit Bull Growth Chart
- Australian Shepherd Growth Chart
- French Bulldog Growth Chart
- Great Pyrenees Growth Chart
- Standard Poodle Growth Chart
- Bernedoodle Growth Chart
- Husky Growth Chart
Article Sources
Pet News Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Paddock A. How Many Types of Retrievers Are There? Get to Know All Six Breeds. Akc.org. Published April 21, 2021. Accessed December 19, 2021.
- Reisen J. A Puppy Growth Timeline: Transitions in Puppyhood. Akc.org. Published March 30, 2021. Accessed December 19, 2021.
- Paretts S. Puppy Growth Chart: When Does My Puppy Finish Growing? Akc.org. Published August 10, 2021. Accessed December 20, 2021.
- Body Condition Score. Wsava.org. Published 2013. Accessed December 19, 2021.
- M H. Facts About Golden Retrievers. Aspcapetinsurance.com. Accessed December 20, 2021.
- Official Standard for the Golden Retriever. Akc.org. Reformatted August 18, 1990. Accessed December 20, 2021.
- Paretts S. Puppy Growth Chart: When Does My Puppy Finish Growing? Published August 10, 2021. Accessed December 20, 2021.
- Waltham Puppy Growth Charts. Waltham.com. Accessed December 20, 2021.
- Paretts S. Puppy Growth Chart: When Does My Puppy Finish Growing? Published August 10, 2021. Accessed December 20, 2021.
- Reisen J. A Puppy Growth Timeline: Transitions in Puppyhood. Akc.org. Published March 30, 2021. Accessed December 19, 2021.
Dr. Jennifer Coates was valedictorian of her graduating class at the VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and has practiced in Virginia, Wyoming, and Colorado. She is also the author of numerous articles and books including the Dictionary of Veterinary Terms: Vet-Speak Deciphered for the Non-Veterinarian.
