Are Golden Retrievers Considered Large Breed

If you and your loved ones are ready to take that next step and invite a new companion into your lives, you’re likely doing a lot of research.

When it comes to trying to choose the perfect dog for your family, you have to consider so many elements: how much food will the dog eat? How much exercise will the dog need? Is the dog a family-friendly dog, or is it a more secluded breed?

Answering these questions can be time-consuming, but it will be so worth it in the end.

If you’re one of the lucky ones who has answered all the questions and then landed on a golden retriever as the best dog for your family, you might now be wondering… is a golden retriever a large breed of dog?

Dog Breed Sizes

If you’re new to dog research, the idea of dog breed sizes might not seem too important to you, but realize that the size of your dog can have a large impact on their life! It can determine how much food they need, what type of food you give them, the best amount of exercise for them, and even how many years you can estimate that they’ll live.

However, when it comes to golden retrievers, there – unfortunately – isn’t an exact answer to be had.

golden retriever puppy runs
messy retriever

Golden Retriever Sizes

Golden retrievers are extremely variable dogs. This means that they come in many sizes. As such, some golden retrievers are considered medium-sized dogs, and others are considered large-sized dogs.

Knowing which “variable” of dog you can help you when it comes to caring for the dog, so it’s very important information to have!

As mentioned, the golden retriever breed is considered to be a medium- to large- size dog breed. Some of the factors that change its size are gender, height, and weight. When it comes to their weight, they will typically weigh between 55 and 75 pounds, and as for their height, it can go from 21.5 inches to 2 feet.

Despite the size differentiation (which isn’t that much of a differential), the golden retriever is a great dog for both indoor and outdoor play. (Golden retrievers, however, are not a breed that does well with living outside.)

You will be able to tell if your golden retriever is medium size or large size by the time they are a year old (typically). Keep in mind that these are all ranges and that there is no “standard” golden retriever size. Your dog is an individual, so keep in mind that there’s an equal chance that they’ll conform or break out of the golden retriever mold!

Takeaway

Knowing the size of your dog can go a long way towards helping you care for them in the best manner possible. It can also give you a good estimate of how large your dog might get, which can have a large impact on your decision before you commit to getting the dog.

If you decide to get the golden retriever, be prepared for a loveable, excitable, and active dog, no matter the size.