Just like any animal or dog breed, litter size can vary. There are a range of factors that contribute to the overall litter size. Often genetics play an important role in the size of the litter. The size of the breed as well as the overall health of parents also effect the total litter size.
What Is The Average Golden Retriever Litter Size
In smaller breed dogs, litter sizes tend to be a lot smaller. Golden retrievers are considered a large breed dog, resulting in larger litters. Many sites state various different ranges. Websites, with less authority, like Ask and PetPlanet have a range of 4-12 puppies per litter. Their overall average is 8. The American Kennel Club used to state that the average litter size was in the range of 5-10. However, that information can no longer be found.
After being around golden retrievers, and breeders, I’ve seen many different litter sizes. I’ve personally visited a litter of 14 golden retriever puppies. I’ve been told about a litter of 15 puppies. Quite often I’ve seen litters of 13. I’ve personally had a litter of just 1. Both are on the extreme ends, and odds are that doesn’t happen very often.
Golden Retriever Litter
Abnormal Litter Sizes
With both extremes, complications may or could have occurred. With smaller litters it could quite possibly be that the bitch was not bred at the proper time. Some of the eggs may not have been fertilized. The stud may have tied too early, or too late. Or it could have been possible that the sire was too old and not producing an adequate sperm count.
The overall health of both parents can also be considered. It could also be a problem with the mother, such as injury, or physical defects. With litters on the larger end, sometimes they may have to be delivered cesarean. If a mother can’t get all her puppies out in a comfortable time whereas the mother becomes too exhausted, a cesarean may be needed. If the time of delivery is too long, some puppies may be stillborn. Cases have occurred where a puppy may be retained in the uterus causing other problems. Litters this large are generally not in the best interest of the mother.
From my experience, most litters are indeed around 8-9 in number. A bitch’s first litter may be smaller than consecutive litters. In most cases I’ve experienced, and seen, the second litter tends to be the largest. That could just be coincidental. Further litters often will have less. This is just something I have seen, but is not scientific.
It is also important to note that male and female ratios can go in either directions. It is also possible to have a litter with all one gender. Our recent litter from Tina came out all female. She had eight female puppies at once. I was told by another breeder that she had a litter of 10 that were all female. It is very unlikely, but it does happen.
How Many Puppies Do Golden Retrievers Have in a Litter
Cutting right down to it the average golden retriever litter size is roughly 8. We derived that number from hundreds of litters from various breeders. As mentioned above, the range is between 1 to 15 puppies in a litter.
A breeder can find out how many puppies a female may have while pregnant via x-ray or ultrasound. An x-ray can be taken after the bones have ossified. That occurs around 47-49 days of gestation. Ultrasounds can be taken around 20-22 days to confirm pregnancy, but confirming the litters size is less accurate. It is however less damaging on the mother and puppies.
7 Day Old Puppy
Let us know in the comment sections below how any puppies you had in your litters. We’d like to know what everyone’s average is.
We just had a litter of 14 beautiful healthy golden retrievers!!
Awesome, good luck with them. You definitely are on the larger end. I recently heard of a litter of 16, although 4 died. Glad yours are all healthy.
Do slip matings result in fewer puppies in golden retrievers?
It is possible for there to be less puppies, however it depends on multiple circumstances. If the time of the mating was not optimal, a slip mating can generally result in less puppies as not all eggs may or may not be exposed to sperm. If the mating only takes place once, then you could have missed all possible eggs. During a slip mating though, sperm still can be ejaculated prior to separation. If the time of mating is optimal, you could still result in a normal litter size.
Does the weight of the female be a reason for her to have a smaller litter?
Weight is not generally a reason. I’ve seen goldens who are around 60 lbs who’ve had 14 pups. I’ve seen some who are 85 lbs have only 5. Size is not a big factor on litter size. Genetics, mating practices, and diseases are more specific factors in litter sizes.
We just had a litter of 2 only and it’s a first time. I don’t know why it was less. My golden mates twice and it was a successful mating.
There could be multiple factors. You could have missed the optimal time after ovulation. Without a progesterone test, you may not know the correct time to mate. Some girls are willing to mate early, which could also affect the timing and the eggs exposure to sperm. Another factor could be the sperm count is low or has low motility. Age of the stud will affect his count. Another consideration is the females thyroid hormones. If low, it can effect the ability to get and maintain pregnancy. Another likely consideration can be std’s. Brucellosis and herpes can lead to low puppy count. You might consider a hormone test for thyroid as well as std test before mating again. If both are good then you might get a progesterone test to find the optimal time to mate. If all else fails, another consideration is that your female might have cysts on her ovaries. That can also lead to pregnancy related issues.
Hello!
Our 5 yr old golden girl just had a litter of 15! This is her 3rd litter; first 2 were 10-11 pups. She had the first 14 in 14hrs and then we got a surprise #15 at 4am this morning. 28 total hrs of birthing, as she started st 12:59am the previous day. Anyone else have anything like this happen? Unfortunately 3 were still still born. 😔 Our smallest pup was 9.7oz (stillborn) and our biggest pup was 16.04 oz. Our average was 14oz a pup!
I know of a breeder that has a little every so often of 15. Only once has all 15 lived. Also, I heard by way of another breeder, that he friend had a litter of 17. I can’t prove the validity of that claim. So it possible, although it does lie outside the average. Last year I had a litter of 5. I know someone who had 2 last year. Both are outside the average. However, when adding them all up they do average to around 8. Congrats on the big litter.
Our Marlie Mae just had a litter of 10 beautiful, healthy pups.
Congrats.
We only have 2 puppies confirmed on Xray. I can’t believe it! She tied 3 times, all willingly showing good signs that she was ready.
I recently ran a string of bad luck as well. Last litter was 4, but only 3 survived. The previous litter was only 1 puppy. There are so many factors that can be at play. STD’s, cysts, and thyroid hormone levels.
Sorry just came across this post. I am looking to buy an English golden retriever and the litter only had two puppies, one male one female. Does the smaller litter have effect on the puppies? Thank you
Not necessarily. The only thing that would come to mind is that pups who don’t have as much social interaction can develop temperament issues. However that is not always the case. As long as they socially interact with each, and with you, you should be fine. Genetics, anatomical anomalies can lead to smaller litters. I wouldn’t worry about it unless I saw something going on health wise with the pups.
Our Mila has had two litters of 11 and all have been happy healthy puppies. We didn’t loose one of them. She is currently expecting her third litter and I believe there will be considerably less puppies this time as she is no where as large as she has been with her last two litters.
All of my litters lately have been small. I’ve never had over 9 pups either. Best of luck.
Hi Tim,
Just saw this post. We are getting a golden puppy and the breeder just confirmed that it is a litter of 4 – 2 boys and 2 girls. We want a boy, so this only leaves us 2 to choose from.
Is this cause for concern? Is there problems with puppies who come from a small litter?
Thanks!
Kristen
I’ve had small litters and haven’t had any problems. Small litters can be caused by various reasons, like improper breeding time, age of the mother, sperm quality, cysts on the ovarian horns, and so much more. Maybe more than one puppy died at birth, which is often possible. Sometimes puppies get stuck in the canal, and they are not delivered in time which results in them being stillborn. I’ve seen girls who have had previous cesarians have fewer puppies. Now that is not something scientific, but something I’ve observed. I believe that has something to do with scar tissue leaving less area for the embryo to attach. The worry for me with smaller litters would be temperament, rather than health. If a puppy is born by his/her self, he/she doesn’t learn how to play with other pups. Which can be important on learning how to bite or not bite, etc. Assuming the pup interacts with older dogs and humans, they can still be a great pup. They might just need a bit more training. With a litter of 4 though I wouldn’t worry with temperament as they do have litter mates. No matter how many pups are in a litter, you would want to do a health check within a day or two to see if there are any current health problems. That can help eliminate the lower chance that the smaller litter was due to health. Plus most states require a health guarantee for at least a year. So there is that. Sorry this response was late. Good luck with your puppy.
My sister-in-law’s 2 year old Golden gave birth to 15 and 14 survived and are all healthy at 5 weeks today. Her first litter!
Awesome.
When is best to have your Golden first breed?
Generally at two years of age. At that time your girl has finished growing.
We just had a healthy litter of 11 7 girls and 4 boys they are all healthy and doing great they are a week old today.