Golden Retriever Puppy Growth and Development

If you’re a proud new Golden Retriever owner, this is an exciting time. Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions.

When Do Golden Retrievers Stop Growing?

Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. When they’re 12 to 16 weeks old, they’ll look less puppy-like and start to resemble how they’ll appear as an adult.

From 3 to 6 months, your pup will grow so quickly, it may seem like he’s changing every single day. This period of rapid growth will slow down by the time they’re 6 months old.

Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 - 76 lb (29 - 34 kg) and will grow to stand 22 - 24 inches (56 - 61 cm). Females are generally smaller, weighing between 55- 65 lb (25 - 29 kg), and will grow to stand 20 - 22 inches (51 - 56 cm) tall on average.

When Will My Golden Retriever Stop Growing?

At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. By the time they’re 6 months, they’ll be approximately two-thirds of their adult weight. Golden Retrievers typically reach their full height by the time they’re one year old. However, they may not fill out and reach their full weight until they’re roughly 18 months of age.

How Much Should My Golden Retriever Puppy Weigh?

Since there can be wide variations in size from puppy to puppy, there’s no precise answer to this question. Each dog will vary in their growth rate as well as in how much they’ll eventually weigh as an adult. Disparities exist between different styles of goldens, as well as between males and females.

Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. However, it’s important to monitor your puppy’s weight to ensure he’s not growing too quickly or too slowly.

As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 600 grams for each week of age.

This means at 3 months, your puppy could weigh about 10 kg, and at 6 months, they could weigh roughly 20 kg.

Golden Retriever Puppy Growth Chart

Remember that there can be wide weight variations within any breed. It’s most important to know your dog well so that you can tell when he’s happy and healthy and when something isn’t quite right.

Small Parents

Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. So if your puppy had small parents, there’s a good chance he’ll be smaller than average throughout his life. However, it’s not only genetics that play a role in how big your puppy is. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neutering, diet, level of care, and overall health can also influence your puppy’s size.

Impact of Nutrition on Breed Puppy Growth

Puppies that don’t get enough to eat or are fed a low-quality diet may not grow properly. However, in developed countries, it’s far more likely that a dog is being overfed. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy.

Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. It’s important to remember that both the type and amount of food are key.

Illness and Puppy Growth

If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. Being heavily infested with intestinal worms like hookworms and roundworms can leach calories and ultimately affect a puppy’s growth. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. If you’re concerned about your puppy’s growth rate, it’s best to contact your vet to make sure there isn’t an underlying medical cause.

Is My Puppy Too Thin or Fat?

The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. If you can’t feel them at all, your Golden Retriever puppy could be overweight. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight.

Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. And almost 63% of adult Golden Retrievers are considered overweight or obese.

Can I Make My Puppy Grow Bigger?

Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger faster, this is not something you should attempt. Overfeeding can increase a puppy’s growth rate, but it can damage his joints. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight.

Hip Dysplasia and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. Since the sex hormones play a role in the cessation of development, growth will continue in breeds who’ve been neutered. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for Long term health effects.

When Will My Puppy Become an Adult?

Typically it will take approximately 3 years for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight and even longer to mentally mature. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. Don’t be too concerned about your puppy’s weight unless they’re way off the average. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. It’s most important to know your puppy so that you can tell if there’s a problem.

References and Resources

Salt, C., et al., “Growth standard charts for monitoring body weight in dogs of different sizes,” PLOS One, 2017

Hawthorne, AJ, et al., “Body-Weight Changes during Growth in Puppies of Different Breeds,” The Journal of Nutrition, 2004

Lauten, SD, “Nutritional Risks to Large-Breed Dogs:From Weaning to the Geriatric Years,” Veterinary Clinics Small Animal Practice, 2006

Association for Pet Obesity Prevention 2012 Pet Obesity Survey Results

Torres de la Riva, G., et al., “Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers,” PLOS One, 2013

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