Golden Retriever vs Portuguese Water Dog

Side-by-side comparison

Choosing between Golden Retriever and Portuguese Water Dog depends on your specific needs and priorities.

When it comes to size, Golden Retriever offers Large compared to Portuguese Water Dog's Medium. When it comes to weight, Golden Retriever offers 55-75 lbs compared to Portuguese Water Dog's 35-60 lbs. When it comes to height, Golden Retriever offers 21-24 inches compared to Portuguese Water Dog's 17-23 inches.

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

Size
Golden Retriever
Large
Portuguese Water Dog
Medium
Weight
Golden Retriever
55-75 lbs
Portuguese Water Dog
35-60 lbs
Height
Golden Retriever
21-24 inches
Portuguese Water Dog
17-23 inches
Lifespan
Golden Retriever
10-12 years
Portuguese Water Dog
11-13 years
Temperament
Golden Retriever
IntelligentFriendlyDevoted
Portuguese Water Dog
AffectionateAdventurousAthletic
Group
Golden Retriever
Sporting
Portuguese Water Dog
Working
Origin
Golden Retriever
Scotland
Portuguese Water Dog
Portugal

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.

Portuguese Water Dog

Portuguese Water Dog is a medium Working breed from Portugal. Known for being affectionate, adventurous, athletic. Has an average lifespan of 11-13 years and a weight range of 35-60 lbs.

Key Differences

AttributeGolden RetrieverPortuguese Water DogVerdict
SizeLargeMediumGolden Retriever is the larger breed
Weight55-75 lbs35-60 lbsGolden Retriever is heavier (approx. 37% difference)
Height21-24"17-23"Different heights (21-24" vs 17-23")
Life Span10-12 yrs11-13 yrsPortuguese Water Dog tends to live longer (11-13 vs 10-12 years)
Breed GroupSportingWorkingDifferent groups: Sporting vs Working
OriginScotlandPortugalDifferent origins: Scotland vs Portugal
TemperamentIntelligent, Friendly, DevotedAffectionate, Adventurous, AthleticDifferent temperaments

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Golden Retriever bigger than a Portuguese Water Dog?

Golden Retriever is the larger breed. Golden Retriever weighs 55-75 lbs while Portuguese Water Dog weighs 35-60 lbs.

Which lives longer, Golden Retriever or Portuguese Water Dog?

Portuguese Water Dog tends to live longer (11-13 vs 10-12 years)

Are Golden Retrievers and Portuguese Water Dogs good family dogs?

Both breeds can make great family pets. The Golden Retriever is known for being intelligent, friendly, devoted, while the Portuguese Water Dog is affectionate, adventurous, athletic.

What is the difference between a Golden Retriever and a Portuguese Water Dog?

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

Which breed is easier to train, Golden Retriever or Portuguese Water Dog?

Trainability varies by individual dog. The Golden Retriever (Intelligent, Friendly, Devoted) and Portuguese Water Dog (Affectionate, Adventurous, Athletic) each have distinct characteristics that affect training.