Golden Retriever vs Rat Terrier

Side-by-side comparison

Choosing between Golden Retriever and Rat Terrier depends on your specific needs and priorities.

When it comes to size, Golden Retriever offers Large compared to Rat Terrier's Medium. When it comes to weight, Golden Retriever offers 55-75 lbs compared to Rat Terrier's 10-25 lbs. When it comes to height, Golden Retriever offers 21-24 inches compared to Rat Terrier's 10-18 inches.

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

Size
Golden Retriever
Large
Rat Terrier
Medium
Weight
Golden Retriever
55-75 lbs
Rat Terrier
10-25 lbs
Height
Golden Retriever
21-24 inches
Rat Terrier
10-18 inches
Lifespan
Golden Retriever
10-12 years
Rat Terrier
12-18 years
Temperament
Golden Retriever
IntelligentFriendlyDevoted
Rat Terrier
FriendlyLovableInquisitive
Group
Golden Retriever
Sporting
Rat Terrier
Terrier
Origin
Golden Retriever
Scotland
Rat Terrier
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.

Rat Terrier

Rat Terrier is a medium Terrier breed from United States. Known for being friendly, lovable, inquisitive. Has an average lifespan of 12-18 years and a weight range of 10-25 lbs.

Key Differences

AttributeGolden RetrieverRat TerrierVerdict
SizeLargeMediumGolden Retriever is the larger breed
Weight55-75 lbs10-25 lbsGolden Retriever is heavier (approx. 271% difference)
Height21-24"10-18"Different heights (21-24" vs 10-18")
Life Span10-12 yrs12-18 yrsRat Terrier tends to live longer (12-18 vs 10-12 years)
Breed GroupSportingTerrierDifferent groups: Sporting vs Terrier
OriginScotlandUnited StatesDifferent origins: Scotland vs United States
TemperamentIntelligent, Friendly, DevotedFriendly, Lovable, InquisitiveDifferent temperaments

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Golden Retriever bigger than a Rat Terrier?

Golden Retriever is the larger breed. Golden Retriever weighs 55-75 lbs while Rat Terrier weighs 10-25 lbs.

Which lives longer, Golden Retriever or Rat Terrier?

Rat Terrier tends to live longer (12-18 vs 10-12 years)

Are Golden Retrievers and Rat Terriers good family dogs?

Both breeds can make great family pets. The Golden Retriever is known for being intelligent, friendly, devoted, while the Rat Terrier is friendly, lovable, inquisitive.

What is the difference between a Golden Retriever and a Rat Terrier?

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

Which breed is easier to train, Golden Retriever or Rat Terrier?

Trainability varies by individual dog. The Golden Retriever (Intelligent, Friendly, Devoted) and Rat Terrier (Friendly, Lovable, Inquisitive) each have distinct characteristics that affect training.