I had a Golden Retriever named Flash as a kid. She was incredibly sweet and loyal, and she grew to be a big dog.
If you’re researching a Golden Retriever to bring home, or if you have a Golden at home already and need answers to questions like what size dog crate to buy or how heavy your dog should be, you’ll want to know how big (and how tall) they get at different stages of life (particularly how much they’ll weigh and how tall they’ll be when they’re full grown).
To help with that, our veterinary advisor, Dr. Jennifer Coates, helped us create a puppy weight calculator and a series of growth charts (including a Golden Retriever growth chart). In this post we’ll use that data to answer a variety of questions like:
How Much Do Golden Retrievers Weigh?
A typical Golden Retriever will grow to 55-65 lbs when fully grown for a female, and 65-77 lbs 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
A full size Golden Retriever will grow to 55-65 lbs when fully grown for a female, and 65-77 lbs for a male.
Yes, 80 pounds is on the high end for a male Golden Retriever
A six month old Golden Retriever can weigh anywhere from 27 to 75 pounds.
A full size Golden Retriever should weigh between 55-65 lbs when fully grown for a female, and 65-77 lbs for a male.
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.
Tom is a managing partner with Pet News Daily. He has been writing and researching on the web for over 10 years. He owns 3 dogs, 3 cats, and is a huge animal lover. His current obsession is working on training his (currently very good but very poorly behaved) 87 pound, 1 year old Bernedoodle named Pinecone.
