Golden Retriever vs German Spitz

Side-by-side comparison

Choosing between Golden Retriever and German Spitz depends on your specific needs and priorities.

When it comes to size, Golden Retriever offers Large compared to German Spitz's Medium. When it comes to weight, Golden Retriever offers 55-75 lbs compared to German Spitz's 24-26 lbs. When it comes to height, Golden Retriever offers 21-24 inches compared to German Spitz's 12-15 inches.

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

Size
Golden Retriever
Large
German Spitz
Medium
Weight
Golden Retriever
55-75 lbs
German Spitz
24-26 lbs
Height
Golden Retriever
21-24 inches
German Spitz
12-15 inches
Lifespan
Golden Retriever
10-12 years
German Spitz
13-15 years
Temperament
Golden Retriever
IntelligentFriendlyDevoted
German Spitz
DevotedLivelyAttentive
Group
Golden Retriever
Sporting
German Spitz
Non-Sporting
Origin
Golden Retriever
Scotland
German Spitz
Germany

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.

German Spitz

German Spitz is a medium Non-Sporting breed from Germany. Known for being devoted, lively, attentive. Has an average lifespan of 13-15 years and a weight range of 24-26 lbs.

Key Differences

AttributeGolden RetrieverGerman SpitzVerdict
SizeLargeMediumGolden Retriever is the larger breed
Weight55-75 lbs24-26 lbsGolden Retriever is heavier (approx. 160% difference)
Height21-24"12-15"Different heights (21-24" vs 12-15")
Life Span10-12 yrs13-15 yrsGerman Spitz tends to live longer (13-15 vs 10-12 years)
Breed GroupSportingNon-SportingDifferent groups: Sporting vs Non-Sporting
OriginScotlandGermanyDifferent origins: Scotland vs Germany
TemperamentIntelligent, Friendly, DevotedDevoted, Lively, AttentiveDifferent temperaments

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Golden Retriever bigger than a German Spitz?

Golden Retriever is the larger breed. Golden Retriever weighs 55-75 lbs while German Spitz weighs 24-26 lbs.

Which lives longer, Golden Retriever or German Spitz?

German Spitz tends to live longer (13-15 vs 10-12 years)

Are Golden Retrievers and German Spitzs good family dogs?

Both breeds can make great family pets. The Golden Retriever is known for being intelligent, friendly, devoted, while the German Spitz is devoted, lively, attentive.

What is the difference between a Golden Retriever and a German Spitz?

The main differences are in size (Large vs Medium), origin (Scotland vs Germany), and breed group (Sporting vs Non-Sporting).

Which breed is easier to train, Golden Retriever or German Spitz?

Trainability varies by individual dog. The Golden Retriever (Intelligent, Friendly, Devoted) and German Spitz (Devoted, Lively, Attentive) each have distinct characteristics that affect training.