Golden Retriever Puppy Growth Charts
While every puppy is different, you can expect your Golden Retriever to hit different weight goals at different ages. Target weights vary depending on whether the dog is male or female, with female dogs growing faster, but male dogs reaching a higher overall weight. For this reason, we have put together separate guide weight charts for male and female Golden Retrievers.
The weight of your dog will also depend on whether they were bred for show or for work, with show dogs tending to be heavier. If you have a working Golden Retriever, their weight should be near the lower end of the weight ranges given here, and a show dog, at the higher end.
How To Switch From Puppy Food To Adult Food In 7 Steps
Here is how you can switch from puppy food to adult food step by step
- Start small: Only introduce adult dog food in small amounts
- Do some maths: If you are going to add ¼ cup of the adult food, remove ¼ cup from their current puppy food
- Gradually increase the portion of adult food and decrease the puppy food one every day in an unnoticeable amount while repeating the last step;
- When you reach the mid-week, you can make their meal 50% adult food and 50% puppy food
- In that time you need to watch your dogs weight closely;for any changes
- In that time you need to determine their body type and the amount of adult food they need.
When Will My Golden Retriever Stop Growing
At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. By the time theyre 6 months, theyll be approximately two-thirds of their adult weight.
Golden Retrievers typically reach their full height by the time theyre one year old. However, they may not fill out and reach their full weight until theyre roughly 18 months of age. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines.
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What Is The Size Of A Full
Per the American Kennel Club Official Golden Retriever Breed Standards, a male Golden Retriever should weigh between 65 to 75 pounds, and a female Golden Retriever should weigh between 55 to 65 pounds.
Male Golden Retrievers will stand at 23 to 24 inches, while female Goldies are slightly shorter at 21.5 to 22.5 inches tall. As adults, Golden Retrievers will appear overall symmetrical and have a powerful body hidden beneath beautiful, golden fur.
Coat Color And Grooming
Golden Retrievers have a dense, water-repellent outer coat with a thick undercoat. Some coats are wavy, some are straight. The fur feathers on the back of the front legs and underbody, with heavier feathering on the chest, back of the thighs, and tail.
Golden Retrievers come in all shades of gold, from light to dark gold. Some breeders have begun selling “rare white Goldens,” but the American Kennel Club does not recognize white as a coat color for the breed.
Golden Retrievers shed moderately in the winter and summer, and heavily in the spring and fall. If you live with a Golden, you’ll need to adapt to a certain amount of dog hair in your house and on your clothes.
The Golden’s thick coat means lots of grooming. Daily brushing is recommended to prevent tangling, and once a week is the bare minimum. Your Golden will also need a bath at least once a month, often more frequently, to keep him looking and smelling clean.
Brush your Golden’s teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath.
Begin accustoming your Golden to being brushed and examined when he’s a puppy. Handle his paws frequently;;dogs are touchy about their feet;;and look inside his mouth. Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you’ll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and other handling when he’s an adult.
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Weeks 12 Weeks Socialization
During the socialization process, the Golden Retriever will start to exploreand fill out its body as it finds its place in the world. This particular period in a Golden Retrievers life is essential for its growth.
Although some breeders tend to keep the pup with his or her mother, there is some other speculation of letting them loose and into the wild for exploration .
During this period, the Golden Retriever will also start eating some solid foods and be able to play and start to house train! This is a very developmental period indeed!
From three to twelve weeks, a Golden Retriever can reach up to 22 or 23 lbs in size !
Can I Make My Puppy Grow Bigger
Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. Overfeeding can increase a puppys 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 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 whove been neutered. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers.
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Immediately After Birth To Five Months Old
The first five months of a puppy’s lifetime are its most impressionable. This is when you can really shape your puppy’s personality.
First Seven Weeks
During its first seven few weeks of life, the new puppy will struggle to walk, staggering and falling at intervals. A few weeks after birth, the puppy will achieve stability while walking. It is very important for a puppy to be with its mother and litter during this time because they will teach the pup necessary behaviors.
During this period, the mother will instill the importance of obedience and affection in the puppy. Carefully socialize the infant dog without removing it from the litter to get it used to human contact.
Third Month
The third month of a puppy’s life is the perfect time to introduce it to its permanent human family. Spend a lot of time with the new puppy to socialize it. However, be careful during the puppy’s movearound eight weeks or slightly later, the puppy will experience its first fear-impact period.
During this time, any frightening experience will have a long-lasting impact on the puppy. Work to prevent these frightening experiences, and if they do occur, remove the puppy from whatever is causing the fear immediately.
Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Months
The Loyal And Loving Golden Retriever
The affectionate and ever-popular golden retriever has been sharing the world with us for over 100 years. They are kind, gentle, intelligent and even-tempered dogs and their unwavering loyalty is legendary.
Experts believe the golden retriever;breed originated in Scotland and they are classified as a large breed growing to a sizeable 30-40kgs in weight. They were officially recognised by the Kennel Club in 1913 as Yellow Retrievers. The more well-known Golden Retriever classification;came on board in 1920 when the Golden Retriever Club of Great Britain was founded.
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Routine Care Diet And Exercise
Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Golden live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine.
- Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. This will keep her out of trouble and away from objects she shouldnt put in her mouth.
- She needs a thorough brushing at least weekly most of the year. Twice a year she blows her coat and loses crazy amounts of hair; daily brushing is recommended during this time.
- Golden Retrievers generally have good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week!
- Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. Dont worrywell show you how!
- She’s a smart dog with lots of energy, so keep her mind and body active, or she’ll get bored. That’s when the naughty stuff starts.
- She excels at dog sports like flyball, agility, dock diving, and obedience events.
- She has a passion for water, and swimming is a perfect form of exercise for this water retriever.
- Keep your dogs diet consistent and dont give her people food.
- Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age.
- Exercise your dog regularly, but dont overdo it at first.
How Much Bigger Will My Golden Retriever Get
There are a few ways you can estimate how much bigger your Golden Retriever will get.
First, start with your Golden Retriever puppys age. If they are less than a year old, they still need more time to reach their full adult size. Many Golden Retrievers can take up to two years to completely fill out, though their weight at one year old is usually close to their full adult weight.
Next, reach out to your Golden Retriever puppys breeder if applicable. Their breeder should be able to provide you with a precise estimate of your puppys adult size based on their parents and previous litters their parents had. A puppy is rarely larger than their bigger parent, so this will also give you a general idea of their maximum weight.
Lastly, take a look at your puppys paws. If their paws still look large or oversized next to their body and legs, they are probably still filling out and have some growing left to do, as this is a classic sign of adolescence in canines.
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How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever Senior
Golden Retriever seniors will need about 900 calories or about 20% less than adult dogs to stay at their ideal weight. Golden Retrievers are seniors at about 8 years old. When entering old age, they may benefit from eating a food with less fat and fewer calories.
During the senior years, Golden Retrievers will become more sedentary therefore not requiring as much food as before. They should still be eating two meals a day, but not as much. There are many senior dog foods out there that help them with maintaining a healthy weight.
As your Golden Retriever progresses from old dog to older dog, you may notice them losing weight and requiring more calories in this stage of life. The fat content in their diet may need increased. Talking with your veterinarian would be a good choice if you notice your Golden losing weight.
There are some senior dog foods that provide the right healthy eating habits for this stage of life. Below are our top choices for Golden Retriever seniors.
When Is Your Golden Retriever A Senior Dog
When your golden retriever reaches the age of eight, it will be considered a senior. During this phase of life, your golden retriever might show signs of ageing.
These include finding it a bit more difficult to get around, gaining some weight, being a bit less tolerant, and even experiencing anxiety, to mention just a few age-related behaviors that could affect your dog.;
Its important to be aware of these changes so you can spot anything that raises a red flag. You also need to make some lifestyle changes to ensure you keep your golden retriever happy and healthy into old age. These include:;
- Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Its easy for senior dogs to start to become overweight, but this can lead to health problems so its important to ensure your dog eats a healthy, balanced diet that is filled with fiber, protein, and fat, and doesnt contain too many treats.;
- Avoid rewarding bad behavior. If your golden retriever starts acting up when he or she gets older, its important not to reinforce the behavior by giving them attention. If you give your golden retriever what it wants when it acts up, it will learn that this negative behavior works on you! Its better to get into the habit now of rewarding your golden retriever when he or she is calm to encourage that behavior into their later life.;;
- Dont stop playing games! Senior golden retrievers should be getting a lot of playtime! Keep your senior dog mentally stimulated with a range of toys, such as puzzles and plush toys.;
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English Cream Golden Retrievers Are Not Rare
English Cream goldens are rather common across the world and are becoming more common in America.
Dont let fancy names like, Rare White European Golden Retrievers, or, Exquisite Platinum Imported Golden Retrievers make you think that they are more rare or valuable than they are .
If a breeder is selling you on the fact that their dogs are rare, run away.
If theyre talking about how their dogs are healthy family dogs with good temperaments, then youre probably on the right track.
As far as how popular each color is, we did a study and asked 600 golden retriever owners what color their dog is.
Heres what they said:
Gold: 51.6%
Light gold : 31.5%
Red: 16.8%
As you can see, light gold, or cream-colored, golden retrievers are the second-most common color after gold.
There Is Only One Golden Retriever Breed
There is only one recognized breed of golden retriever, with many styles within the breed.
American, Canadian, English, cream, gold, red, stocky, field bred golden retrievers are all golden retrievers.
Yes, there may be some variability in appearance, energy levels, and even health , but theyre all golden retrievers and are more similar than they are different.
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Golden Retriever Puppies: Everything You Need To Know
Apple pie, football, and golden;retrievers? This golden dog is a popular addition to many American households. In fact, golden retrievers rank number 3 in the American Kennel Clubs popularity rankings.;Not surprisingly, golden retriever puppies are often seen on many calendars, greeting cards, and posters as the ultimate symbol of canine cuteness.
As much as they are celebrated in the US, golden retrievers werent discovered there. In the mid-1800s, they were bred and raised by gamekeepers at an estate owned by Lord Tweedmouth in Scotland. Its said that he crossed his yellow retriever Tweed Water Spaniel , an Irish setter, and a bloodhound. This new golden retriever was trained to hunt in the great outdoors.
Golden retrievers are so renowned, two United States presidents owned them while in office. President Fords golden;retriever was named Liberty, and President Reagans dog was Victory.
Golden Retriever Dog Breed
Golden Retrievers are medium- to large-sized dogs with sturdy, athletic bodies and strong gaits. Please remember that the following growth and weight numbers are estimates and should only be used to gather a general idea of what your Golden Retriever puppy may weigh at different ages.
If your Golden Retriever pup is significantly ahead or behind the following numbers, contact your veterinarian to check that your puppy is growing appropriately. However, dont fret if your dog is a little ahead or behind the growth numbers, as every puppy grows at their own rate!
Pro Tip: Want to be reimbursed for up to 90% of your dogs veterinary bills whenever they are sick or injured? Compare Golden Retriever health insurance options today.
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When Should I Feed My Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers should have scheduled times to eat daily. The scheduled times will help them with their energy levels and keep them healthy.
You can schedule their eating times as to what works best for your schedule. For example, feeding them before you leave for work and then when you get home.
As a puppy, they will eat three times a day, so you will need to find times in those first few months to feed them more often. When they are an adult or senior, the scheduling of feeding times will be easier because they will only eat twice daily. ;
What Is The Best Dog Food For A Golden Retriever
Here are some quick recommendations for good foods for adult golden retrievers that I have tried and tested over the years with no issues. They are not perfect, but they are very good.
Of course, I prefer homemade foods whenever possible, and you can check my full guide on golden retrievers foods for every age here. If you are going for homemade foods, which I believe should always be part of your dogs diet, make sure it never includes any of these 18 human foods that dogs should never eat.
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Give Them The Care They Need
You must fulfill your duties as an owner. Keep a check on what and how much youre feeding them. Your pet depends on you for its food, so its your job to ensure that it should receive proper nutrition. Exercise is also essential for healthy development in larger breeds.
But do not over-feed or over-exercise your pet. Giant breeds are prone to orthopedic problems. They may develop joint problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia even at a young age.
You can take your pup for swimming if it suffers from dysplasia. Also, consult your vet with regards to their diet and exercise routine.