I think My golden is a runt

[daisybee]

Can anybody tell me if golden retrievers are supposed to be big dogs?
I have a golden puppy and he is 5 months old. He only weighs a little over thirty pounds. I have been told that some goldens already weigh 50 lbs by this time. Do I have a runt, or do all dogs grow at different times? I was really hoping for a big dog, at least 65-75 poounds, but I'm thinkin I'm going to be disappointed. :(

[buttercup132]

Can anybody tell me if golden retrievers are supposed to be big dogs?
Did you do ANY research!? Have you ever seen a adult Golden?


I'm going to be disappointed. It shouldnt matter how big he is you got him as a pet his size wont reflect his love for you and affection.

Where did you get him from?

[daisybee]

I know my dog is a golden, but I have had a lot of people ask me what he is because he is so small for his age. I got him from a breeder and he has papers.

[Husky_mom]

can you post a pic...... preferably one with something to compare sizes with.... a car, a couch or yourself.......

[charlestongirl]

I think it's sad you would be disappointed in the dog because he may not be that big :( I hope you can love him just the same.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

He still sounds gorgeous to me.....If you wanted a status symbol you should have bought yourself a handbag :rolleyes:

Apologies if that sounds harsh but our Tobey was definitely the "runt" of the litter but we wouldn't change him for the world

[daisybee]

I never said that I didn't love my dog because he is
small, I just wondered if he was a normal size for his
age. I don't understand why everyone is all over me
because I said I would be disappointed. I have always
seen large goldens. I already have three small dogs, and
I just wanted a big dog this time. Sorry if I offended
everybody :confused:

[buttercup132]

So if you have seen large Goldens how do you not know if they are big dogs or not? If you got him from a breeder did you not see the size of the parents? Maybe these are questions you should have asked BEFORE you bought the dog..

[angelbow20]

So if you have seen large Goldens how do you not know if they are big dogs or not? If you got him from a breeder did you not see the size of the parents? Maybe these are questions you should have asked BEFORE you bought the dog..


She didnt see the parents when they were puppies.Not all goldens are big some can be 60 pounds some can be 80 pounds. All she wanted to know is if its small for its age or not... And yes for some goldens that is normal, it depends on the dog some have growing spurts at different times, it will be hard to tell his/her full size until about 2 yrs old.

[buttercup132]

She didnt see the parents when they were puppies.Not all goldens are big some can be 60 pounds some can be 80 pounds. All she wanted to know is if its small for its age or not... And yes for some goldens that is normal, it depends on the dog some have growing spurts at different times, it will be hard to tell his/her full size until about 2 yrs old.No she asked if Goldens were big dogs in general too..I'm a groomer belive me I see my fair share of different size Goldens and I'm well aware of how big and small they can come. And if she didn't see the parents most likley they weren't the greatest breeder making the puppy not breed standard and small.

[daisybee]

thanks angelbow 20 for not being so hostile.
I did see the parents and the breeder told me that the puppy would be about sixty five to seventy five pounds. He just doesn't seem to be growing at the rate most of my past puppies did.
I thought this was a website to ask questions about dogs, but with the hostility I have gotten today, I think I'll have to think awhile about asking anymore questions. :(

[k9krazee]

daisybee, I'm sorry for the general negativity towards your question. This is the place to come and ask questions and get educated! :)

I am not afraid to admit that I was very much disappointed (but maybe disappointed is the wrong word?) that my Lab mix only got to be 45 lbs, I too wanted a larger dog. But absolutely does not mean I love him any less because of his size!!

I found this chart for the growth rate of Goldens:

7 wks. - 8-10 lbs.
9 wks. - 10-14 lbs.
12 wks. - 15-17 lbs.
16 wks. - 25-26 lbs.
20 wks. - 32-43 lbs.
6 mos. - 40-50 lbs.
12 mos. - 65-70 for males and 55-60 for females
2 yrs. - 55-68 females and 65-80 males
source (http://grenadiergoldens.typepad.com/grenadier_golden_retrieve/care_feeding_and_training_of_your_puppy/)

Your guy is 5 months (so that's about 20 weeks right? If I can do math?) so it seems as if he's right on target, but on the lower end.

Your right though, he may just be the runt of the litter. I have a Jack Russell terrier whose siblings all reached 20lbs but she is just under 10, but she's always been the little one.

I had to go back and find pictures of Rocky, he is such a cute little guy! I'd love to see more pictures if you get the chance! :)

[crow_noir]

I thought they were too, but my neighbors got one and she stayed really small. I would have thought she was a mix or something if they hadn't got her from an AKC breeder. I think it's show vs. working.


Can anybody tell me if golden retrievers are supposed to be big dogs?
I have a golden puppy and he is 5 months old. He only weighs a little over thirty pounds. I have been told that some goldens already weigh 50 lbs by this time. Do I have a runt, or do all dogs grow at different times? I was really hoping for a big dog, at least 65-75 poounds, but I'm thinkin I'm going to be disappointed.

[Giselle]

Nope, your dog is right on track.

I have a growth chart for the average large breed, and a puppy of 4-5 months is supposed to be around 33-40 pounds. My 5-month-old puppy who is supposed to be 60 pounds when full grown is also 33-ish pounds. Your pup is right on target. Remember, you want her to be lean, not chubby or overweight if that's what is required for her to fit the chart. Charts are simply guidelines!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I never said that I didn't love my dog because he is
small, I just wondered if he was a normal size for his
age. I don't understand why everyone is all over me
because I said I would be disappointed. I have always
seen large goldens. I already have three small dogs, and
I just wanted a big dog this time. Sorry if I offended
everybody :confused:


My apologies too if I got hold of the wrong end of the stick. Can we have some pictures please ??? :)

[daisybee]

Thanks k9krazee, the chart is exactly what I was looking for and I guess at the rate he's going, he won't be very big. Am I aloud to hope for a growth spurt? :D

[4 Dog Mother]

My brother and sister-in-law got a new golden who was about a year old when they got him. (they have had Casey for about a year now) They went to a breeder but I don't know anything about that information. He is small for a golden in heighth and therefore weight also. It was the only dog the breeder had available then and since they just wanted a dog to love (and that does not mean that you did not) they took him. The breeder, of course, couldn't use him to breed since he was on the small size but he was perfect for what they wanted - a golden to love. (this is their second golden) But since they got him as an adult, I can't tell you about size as he grew.

[Jakesmom]

My golden is very large (95 lbs, his dad was 85), but many very nice looking goldens are smaller--there is really quite a range (the 60-75 you were quoted was more the average, not the true range). The smaller ones seem to have fewer hip and arthritis problems, so it might work to your advantage...just don't let your dog get fat in hopes it will make him grow bigger...

Goldens are magnificant, goofy, loving dogs no matter their size.

jake's mom

[angelbow20]

My litter of pups are now alittle over 4 months if im correct and they are about 40 some pounds atleast 3 of them are that I know of so there is a chance they can be big pups and their parents are not huge, their mom is only about 60 to 65 pounds right now I bet..

[Argranade]

See as soon as this thread was made right away this person got judged,

You said things at this member which was not even said by daisybee.

I also know the first answer is not un - commen ... she has to be the leader.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h287/white_creatures/more%20stuff/th4sa.gif

[wolfsoul]

My Belgian is almost 8 months old and only 35 pounds -- he will grow to be 25-25.5 inches and 55-60 pounds. Weight is not an accurate weigh of measuring how big a dog will be -- height is better. At this age, your puppy is likely all legs. He is probably in his skinny teenager stage, like my puppy. He will still be filling in and gaining weight for his first 2-3 years. I would measure to see how tall he is in inches from the ground to his withers (shoulder) and this will give you a more accurate measue of how large he will be. My puppy right now almost 8 months old is only 35 pounds, but he is also 23 inches, which means he will eventually fill in to a much larger dog.

[daisybee]

here are a few pictures of my little golden (Rocky) and his friends. :)

[redhead]

I love my golden. She eats all she wants and looks happy and healthy but she weighs just 12.3 pounds at 14 weeks. Is this normal? I too was hoping for a bigger dog to keep with my German Shepard. He is 45 pounds at 16 weeks. The two puppies get along very well now but I have to keep them separated because they are so active I'm afraid he will hurt her because he is so heavy.

[Karen]

I doubt he would hurt her, I wouldn't keep them separate unless you are gone for hours at a time. Puppies play, and it looks all rough and tumble to us, but it is just part of their growing up. Where did you get your puppy? If you are able, I'd ask what size other pups in the litter are at this point.

[kokopup]

I wouldn't worry about your two dogs playing, even roughly. Koko is a 100 lb Golden/lab mix and to see her play with our 10 pound cat you would think the cat would be injured. The cat always comes back for more so it appears that all the rough play looks worst than it really is.

daisybee

I never said that I didn't love my dog because he is small, I just wondered if he was a normal size for his age. I don't understand why everyone is all over me because I said I would be disappointed. I have always seen large goldens. I already have three small dogs, and
I just wanted a big dog this time. Sorry if I offended everybody

It seems that it has become a current trend to attack the poster if their wording isn't perfect. I have cut way back on the threads that I even read because all I have seen lately is attacks on posters seeking advice. i am afraid to ask for any advice because of this trend. I have just about restricted myself to the "Word Game" only. Ok go ahead with your comments about this not being the word game

[MoonandBean]

here are a few pictures of my little golden (Rocky) and his friends. :)


He is beyond adorable! When I got my Sunny, I really wanted a Golden but I wanted to go the rescue route so we looked for a "retriever mix" on petfinder. She is now 2 years old and the doggy love of my life but I don't know what she is..haha :D. She swims like a lab but acts like a boxer and sheds like a husky :) Whenever I see a Golden (Espcially puppies!), I have to admit I get a little Golden envy :) They are just so freaking adorable; yours is no exception!