Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Golden Retriever
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Golden Retriever Will Have
- How Much Does the Golden Retriever Puppy Weigh at Birth?
- How Big Will a Golden Retriever Puppy Get?
- How Much is a Golden Retriever Puppy
- How Long is a Golden Retriever Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Golden Retriever
- Conclusion on Golden Retriever Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Golden Retriever
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 291 different Golden Retriever birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Golden Retrievers can have is 7 puppies. Also, the Golden Retriever can have as few as 1 puppies per litter and as many as 14 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Golden Retriever compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Golden Retriever Will Have
Golden Retriever Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Golden Retriever will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Golden Retriever is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Golden Retriever litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Golden Retriever will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Golden Retriever
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Golden Retriever will have if your Golden Retriever gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Golden Retriever. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Golden Retriever at different ages. This table applies to a Golden Retriever that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 6 puppies | 5 to 7 puppies |
| 3 | 6 puppies | 4 to 8 puppies |
| 4 | 6 puppies | 4 to 8 puppies |
| 5 | 6 puppies | 4 to 8 puppies |
| 6 | 6 puppies | 3 to 8 puppies |
| 7 | 5 puppies | 3 to 8 puppies |
| 8 | 5 puppies | 2 to 8 puppies |
| 9 | 5 puppies | 1 to 8 puppies |
How Much Does the Golden Retriever Puppy Weigh at Birth?
Veterinarian researchers did a study to find out how much Golden Retriever puppies weigh at birth. These researchers weighed 148 Golden Retriever puppies at birth.
Based on the study of the weight of 148 Golden Retriever puppies, the average weight of the Golden Retriever at birth is 235 grams (8.3 ounces). The birth weight of the Golden Retriever puppy typically ranges from 228 grams (8.1 ounces) to 245 grams (8.6 ounces).
16 ounces equal one pound.
The factors that affect the weight of a Golden Retriever puppy at birth include the size, weight, and age of the mother.
Importantly, research has also shown that female dogs that give birth at ages between 2 and 8 years give birth to puppies that are heavier than puppies birthed by younger or older female dogs.
Furthermore, according to another research study that weighed Golden Retriever puppies from 4 litters, Golden Retrievers can weigh 360–540 grams at birth.
How Big Will a Golden Retriever Puppy Get?
A Golden Retriever puppy will grow up to weigh around 55 to 75 pounds. Furthermore, a Golden Retriever puppy will grow up to be 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder.
Learn more about Golden Retriever weight and how big Golden Retrievers grow here
How Much is a Golden Retriever Puppy
The average price of a Golden Retriever puppy is $1870. The price of a Golden Retriever puppy ranges from $1500 to $2200.
Since the Golden Retriever has an average litter size of 7, therefore a Golden Retriever litter birth is worth $13090.
To learn more about the price of Golden Retriever puppy, check our review on how much Golden Retriever puppy cost, and Golden Retriever buying advice.
How Long is a Golden Retriever Pregnant?
Golden Retrievers are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Golden Retrievers can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Golden Retriever conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Golden Retriever for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Golden Retriever
To ensure that your Golden Retriever successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Golden Retriever well: A good diet will ensure that your Golden Retriever has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Golden Retriever is in good health: Ensure you take your Golden Retriever to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Golden Retriever gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your Golden Retriever is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on Golden Retriever Litter Size
Golden Retrievers can have 7 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Golden Retriever will have depends on factors such as the age of the Golden Retriever and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Golden Retrievers the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Golden Retriever. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Golden Retriever gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Golden Retrievers in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.