It’s no secret that golden retrievers are universally beloved pets. Despite the moniker, the Scottish breed may be found in more than just red and cream. The golden retriever is a huge dog breed that may keep growing for another year and a half.
Both the height and weight of adult male and female golden retrievers vary. Women’s Golden Retrievers may weigh up to 60 pounds (27.21 kg). The adult male golden retriever may weigh up to 70 lb (31.75 kg). The average height of a full-grown Golden Retriever is around 2 feet (0.60 m).
Read on for a golden retriever growth chart, as well as information on the many phases of your puppy’s development and how to facilitate its success. In addition, I’ll take a look at several techniques you can do to make sure your golden retriever maintains a healthy weight.
Golden Retriever Growth by Month
Within the First Five Months of Life
A puppy’s formative months are the first five months of its growth timeline. Now is the time to start molding your puppy’s character.
Initial Seven Weeks
A new puppy will have trouble walking for the first seven to nine weeks of its life and may stumble and fall on occasion. Once the puppy’s legs are fully developed, which happens a few weeks after birth, it will be able to walk steadily.
Puppies should not be separated from their mothers and littermates at this period, as they are crucial for the development of social and behavioral skills.
The puppy’s mother will teach him or her the value of obedience and love at this time. You should socialize the puppy with people without separating it from its littermates.
Third Month
Puppies should be introduced to their forever families during the third month of their lives. In order to properly socialize your new puppy, you need spend a lot of time with it.
A puppy’s first phase of fear-impact begins at approximately eight weeks of age or somewhat later, therefore it’s important to take extra precautions throughout the relocation.
At this stage in its development, a puppy is especially vulnerable to the effects of traumatic experiences. Try to keep the puppy from encountering anything that can cause it fear, and if this is not possible, remove the puppy from the situation immediately.
Also read: Types of Golden Retriever Coat Colors
Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Months
The puppy’s true personality emerges during the fourth, fifth, and possibly sixth months, when it is full of limitless activity and bothered by growing teeth.
Instill in the puppy a set of good behaviors via the use of firm guidelines. It is important to keep an eye on your puppy throughout the second fear-impact phase, which typically begins around the fifth month.
From the Age of Five Months to One Year
By the time they are four or five months old, puppies have miraculously developed into fully grown dogs. At this age, a Golden Retriever puppy’s tail and legs might seem comically disproportionate to the rest of its body.
During this time, this unique breed’s snout and ears develop fully (don’t worry; the rest of its body will catch up and it’ll be a lovely ball of fur in no time).
The front legs of a Golden Retriever may start to seem shorter than the back legs at some time. It will return to normal soon enough, and fluctuations in growth rate are common.
Within the second half of their first year, Golden Retrievers reach their full size. Puppy bones and joints are very fragile at this period.
Long walks, sudden pauses when sprinting, and bouncing down the stairs are all bad for the dog’s joints and should be avoided. Leash the dog and help it down the steps if you must.
Here is a closer look of the golden retriever growth chart in female growth and growth male.
Age | Male Weight | Female Weight |
---|---|---|
3 months | 22 lbs | 22 lbs |
4 months | 30 lbs | 30 lbs |
5 months | 40 lbs | 40 lbs |
6 months | 44 lbs | 43 lbs |
7 months | 48 lbs | 45 lbs |
8 months | 55 lbs | 52 lbs |
9 months | 61 lbs | 56 lbs |
10 months | 63 lbs | 58 lbs |
11 months | 68 lbs | 63 lbs |
12 months | 68 lbs | 65 lbs |
The Importance of Proper Nutrition and the Risks Associated with Rapid Growth
The rate at which a dog matures varies from one individual to the next, therefore no two dogs will have the same average adult height and weight. The goal, however, is a steady expansion at a moderate rate.
Too rapid of a growth rate might be harmful to your dog. Large dog breeds, like Golden Retrievers, are more susceptible to health issues including bone disease and arthritis.
Overfeeding and poor nutrition lead to rapid growth. You should see some kind of animal protein listed as the first component in your puppy’s dog food. If your puppy seems to be gaining weight, its diet should be reduced.
The extremes of the weight distribution for these Golden Retriever puppies are included to emphasize the range of possible adult sizes. But keep in mind that size isn’t everything. You should strive to maintain your dog in good physical condition.
Golden Retriever Growth (Life Stages)
There are five distinct life-cycle phases that golden retrievers experience. As your golden retriever puppy reaches these stages of development, you may anticipate changes in its behavior, requirements, and desires. A golden retriever’s life may be broken down into five distinct phases, from puppyhood through old age.
- Neonatal
- Socialization
- Juvenile
- Sexual Maturity
- Adult
Neonatal
A golden retriever’s neonatal period lasts for the first three weeks of its life. In this early period of its development timeline, the puppy is quite helpless and reliant on its mother.
Unfortunately, the puppy is born without eyes and must go through this process to get them. During this time, the golden retriever will get its first set of teeth and begin to walk. Puppies undergo a lot of changes and growth throughout the newborn period.
Socialization
The golden retriever then enters its socializing period, which lasts from from the age of three weeks until about the age of twelve weeks. Puppies will be exposed to new people and environments for the first time at this time.
The socialization of a dog is often seen as a crucial part of its early life by its breeders.
Your golden retriever’s natural curiosity and the frequency with which it will explore will peak throughout the socializing phase. This is also the perfect time to start housebreaking your golden retriever on solid meals. This time frame is thus essential for growth.
Juvenile
Your golden retriever enters the puppy stage at three months old. Juvenile status lasts until they are about six months old. During this time, your golden retriever’s growth rate will slow down.
When your puppy reaches the juvenile stage, you’ll know that it’s ready for more advanced training since it’s learning more about the world. Rules and limits should ideally be set while they are still in their juvenile years.
Sexual Maturity
When your golden retriever is six months old, he or she will become sexually mature. This period continues until your golden retriever is roughly 16 months old, when he or she enters the adult stage. Some dogs become aggressive, territorial, and disobedient if they are not spayed or neutered before they reach this age.
Your golden retriever will have a lot of physical development at this time, particularly in the ears, nose, and limbs.
Your golden retriever will have almost reached full size by the conclusion of this time period. Your retriever’s last development spurt might cause it to become clumsy and prone to bone fractures. The likelihood of harm is so raised. As a result, it’s best to take it easy at this time to avoid any mishaps.
Adult
At 16 months of age, Golden Retrievers are considered full grown. On the other hand, giant breeds of dog often continue to grow until they are two years old. If your puppy’s growth has been slow, don’t fret just yet.
While some dogs may continue to develop up to the age of two, most have achieved their full height by 16 months, giving you a good idea of how large your retriever will be. As your dog matures, their own personality will emerge more strongly.
Final Thoughts
I hope you find this golden retriever growth chart helpful. Let us know if we missed something, in the comments section below!