Golden Retriever vs American Water Spaniel

Side-by-side comparison

Choosing between Golden Retriever and American Water Spaniel depends on your specific needs and priorities.

When it comes to size, Golden Retriever offers Large compared to American Water Spaniel's Medium. When it comes to weight, Golden Retriever offers 55-75 lbs compared to American Water Spaniel's 25-45 lbs. When it comes to height, Golden Retriever offers 21-24 inches compared to American Water Spaniel's 15-18 inches.

Below is a detailed side-by-side breakdown to help you make an informed decision between these two breeds.

Size
Golden Retriever
Large
American Water Spaniel
Medium
Weight
Golden Retriever
55-75 lbs
American Water Spaniel
25-45 lbs
Height
Golden Retriever
21-24 inches
American Water Spaniel
15-18 inches
Lifespan
Golden Retriever
10-12 years
American Water Spaniel
10-14 years
Temperament
Golden Retriever
IntelligentFriendlyDevoted
American Water Spaniel
HappyEagerCharming
Group
Golden Retriever
Sporting
American Water Spaniel
Sporting
Origin
Golden Retriever
Scotland
American Water Spaniel
United States

Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever is a large Sporting breed from Scotland. Known for being intelligent, friendly, devoted. Has an average lifespan of 10-12 years and a weight range of 55-75 lbs.

American Water Spaniel

American Water Spaniel is a medium Sporting breed from United States. Known for being happy, eager, charming. Has an average lifespan of 10-14 years and a weight range of 25-45 lbs.

Key Differences

AttributeGolden RetrieverAmerican Water SpanielVerdict
SizeLargeMediumGolden Retriever is the larger breed
Weight55-75 lbs25-45 lbsGolden Retriever is heavier (approx. 86% difference)
Height21-24"15-18"Different heights (21-24" vs 15-18")
Life Span10-12 yrs10-14 yrsAmerican Water Spaniel tends to live longer (10-14 vs 10-12 years)
Breed GroupSportingSportingBoth are Sporting breeds
OriginScotlandUnited StatesDifferent origins: Scotland vs United States
TemperamentIntelligent, Friendly, DevotedHappy, Eager, CharmingDifferent temperaments

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Golden Retriever bigger than a American Water Spaniel?

Golden Retriever is the larger breed. Golden Retriever weighs 55-75 lbs while American Water Spaniel weighs 25-45 lbs.

Which lives longer, Golden Retriever or American Water Spaniel?

American Water Spaniel tends to live longer (10-14 vs 10-12 years)

Are Golden Retrievers and American Water Spaniels good family dogs?

Both breeds can make great family pets. The Golden Retriever is known for being intelligent, friendly, devoted, while the American Water Spaniel is happy, eager, charming.

What is the difference between a Golden Retriever and a American Water Spaniel?

The main differences are in size (Large vs Medium), origin (Scotland vs United States), and breed group (Sporting vs Sporting).

Which breed is easier to train, Golden Retriever or American Water Spaniel?

Trainability varies by individual dog. The Golden Retriever (Intelligent, Friendly, Devoted) and American Water Spaniel (Happy, Eager, Charming) each have distinct characteristics that affect training.