Congratulations! We’re guessing you recently received confirmation from your veterinarian that your Golden Retriever is pregnant. Golden Retriever puppies are fluffy balls of joy, and you must be thrilled to welcome them into your home. But how many puppies should you be expecting from this upcoming litter?
On average, Golden Retrievers can have around eight puppies. Litter sizes can vary depending on the breed of dog, so there are a few factors that can determine the litter size of your Golden Retriever. This article goes over what kind of litter you could be expecting based on your Golden Retriever mother.
Litter Size: First-Time vs Experienced Mothers
If this is your Golden Retriever’s first litter, expect your dog to give birth to about eight puppies. This is the national average for first-time mothers, so it is normal for your dog to give birth to a few less or a few more. Even though this will be your female’s first litter, she will not need human assistance during the birth as her instincts will kick in.
However, it is always important for her to have check-ups with a vet to ensure everything is going well with her puppies. If this is not your pregnant dog’s first litter, expect her to have between 6–10 puppies. It is very rare that your Goldie will have a single puppy birth. Litter sizes of over a dozen puppies are also possible with Golden Retrievers but not as common.
What Can Affect Litter Size?
If your Golden Retriever is pregnant, it is safe to assume that she will give birth to four to nine puppies. While we cannot breed dogs to give birth to a specific number of offspring, there are several factors that can affect your Golden Retriever’s litter size.
Final Considerations
If you are a dog owner, you already know how important health, diet, and exercise are for raising a strong and happy dog. These factors must also be considered when deciding if you want to breed your Golden Retriever. Have her checked with the vet before she gets pregnant to make sure she is healthy and able to carry a litter safely. Ensure the potential mate is also healthy and at the right age. However, no matter the litter size, each puppy will be a bundle of pure joy!
Featured Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock
