When someone says “Golden retrievers” a picture of a cuddly, gentle gigantic dog will pop into your mind. But how big do Golden retrievers get actually? This question is important for people who are considering getting a Golden retriever but don’t know how big they get. They might also be wondering whether there is enough place in their home for a Golden retriever.
I know I was one of those people! Before getting my now five-year-old Golden retriever I didn’t know ANYTHING about this breed. I did not even know what they should eat nor how much they need to eat! I knew nothing about the health problems they might get throughout their lives or how to train them. When I say I knew nothing I really mean I knew NOTHING!
How big do Golden retrievers get?
I you only want the boring basics and the general characteristics of these amazing dogs then you’re completely wrong here. However, if you would like to get to know these amazing dogs more then please continue reading.
So, let’s dive in!
Male vs. Female Golden retrievers
There is a difference in size between male and female Goldens. Generally speaking, female Golden retrievers are a little smaller than male ones. Healthy male Golden retrievers are between 23 to 24 inches in height. On the other hand, healthy females should be somewhere between 21.5 to 22.5 inches in height. When we’re talking about weight, here the males are on the heavier side too! A healthy male Golden retriever typically weighs between 65 to 75 pounds. Females should ideally weigh between 55 to 65 pounds.
However, as it is with living, breathing beings we can’t 100 percent say how big they will actually get. This will all vary from litter to litter, but it should be in the range mentioned above.
When do they reach their full size?
I remember when my Golden retriever was five months old it seemed to me that he grew overnight. That is when I thought that he can’t get any bigger. But boy was I wrong. According to experts, it will take your dog up to two years (!) to reach peak size. That is when they are physically completely mature and their bones are fully developed.
Fun fact: Golden retrievers mentally fully develop at the age of three! But, good news, they will maintain that goofy, puppy like personality their whole life!
Help your dog grow up big and healthy
If you want your Golden retriever to become big and healthy, you need to take good care of them! Just like you would take care of children, you need to take care of our dog too! That means good, high-quality food and enough exercise! The most crucial months in terms of growth are between 7 and 12 months! This means you need to pay extra attention to your dogs’ needs during this time.
How long will it take until my Golden Retriever reaches its full size?
Golden Retrievers will keep their gentle and goofy nature from puppyhood to adultness. But you will notice a huge change in their size. They grow rapidly! You will see the biggest change in size in the first six months of their lives. But they won’t reach their full size until they are two years old.
Your Golden Retriever’s physical qualities two years after birth are likely to be the same physical characteristics it has for the rest of its life. In other words, by the end of the second year, the Golden Retriever will have reached complete physical development. This indicates that your Golden Retriever will have matured to the point where he can meet the physical requirements of an adult dog. Your Golden Retriever, on the other hand, would need another year to attain complete mental development.
How to care for your Golden Retriever puppy in the first year?
One of the most crucial phases for the Golden Retriever’s growth is from months 7 to 12 following birth. The Golden Retriever puppy’s bones and joints are especially susceptible at this age. They are growing rapidly and need all of the nutrition they could possibly get.
In addition to that, you have to avoid doing anything that puts too much strain on your puppy’s joints. Taking the puppy on lengthy walks, running down the stairs, or stopping abruptly while running is just some of the things that should be avoided.
Another key factor to consider during your Golden Retriever’s first year of development is a good and balanced diet.
In general, low-quality food and overfeeding induce rapid development in any dog breed, including the Golden Retriever. To avoid this, make sure your dog’s meal contains animal protein. If your Golden Retriever continues to grow swiftly despite your efforts, you may wish to reduce its food intake. This will help it maintain a healthy weight and growth rate.
To sum up, while there are some established dimensions for how large a male and female Golden Retriever may grow, the size of this dog breed will vary depending on the litter and how well you care for the growing and physical demands of your Golden Retriever.
Conclusion
Golden retrievers are in the big dog category, but we can’t say how large they will definitely get. What we can do is give you measurements by which you can draw a conclusion. Another important factor in how big your Golden retriever will get is how well you take care of it. With the right food and enough exercise, you can be sure they will grow up big and healthy.