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Golden Retrievers have iconic, beautiful coats that are luscious and soft to the touch. They have two layers of fur—one water-repellent outer coat and a thick undercoat. They shed throughout the year, with heavy shedding occurring in the spring and fall. So, how often do Golden Retrievers need to be groomed? Because of their coat type, it’s important to maintain a consistent grooming schedule by brushing them at least 3-5 times a week.
Owners should stay on top of their Golden Retriever’s grooming needs to prevent tangles and mats from becoming serious skin and coat conditions. So keep reading this guide to ensure you have a happy and well-groomed Golden Retriever.
How Often Do Golden Retrievers Need to Be Groomed?
Grooming a Golden Retriever is a straightforward process. If you stay consistent with grooming, you won’t need to worry about tangling or mats.
- Coat brushing 3-5 times a week (more frequently during shedding season)
- Tooth brushing 2-3 times a week (depending on your dog’s acceptance)
- Nail trimming every 2-3 weeks
- Bathing once a month (or more frequently if needed)
- Professional grooming every 8-10 weeks (optional)
How Do You Brush a Golden Retriever?
Brushing your Golden Retriever will typically take about 10-15 minutes. You can start from the base of their neck, working your way down to their legs. Before brushing each section, check for tangles or mats so you don’t accidentally yank your Golden Retriever’s skin. If you notice a lot of dirt or debris on the coat, you can use a dryer to blow it away before brushing.
Don’t use force to untangle stubborn tangles or mats. Instead, use a detangling spray and gently brush out the knotted hair. It’s best to not use scissors to cut the base of matted fur if possible. Matted fur can lie very close to your dog’s skin, and you can accidentally cut them. If fur must be trimmed, blunt scissors (made specifically for grooming) should be used.
Mats are painful and can lead to bald spots. A dog may definitely protest having their mats groomed (because of the pain). As such, it might be best to ask a professional groomer for assistance if you notice excessive mats on your dog. It’s also important to seek veterinary care, as it’s important to determine the cause of the excessive matted fur – at times, it can be caused by a mite or flea infestation.
Which Comb Is Best for Golden Retrievers?
- Slicker brush
- Deshedding tool
A slicker brush keeps your Golden Retriever’s coat free from tangles and helps spread the dog’s natural oils throughout the body. Use it every time you brush your dog’s coat. Since Golden Retrievers shed regularly, they’ll also benefit from a de-shedding tool.
It collects fur that the slicker brush misses. You can use a deshedding tool about once a week immediately after brushing with a slicker brush. You can also add a dematting dog comb and a pin brush to your brush collection.
Golden Retrievers’ fur varies slightly, so some will need these additional tools while others won’t. If you have any questions about grooming tools, consult with your groomer.
What Happens If You Don’t Brush Your Golden Retriever?
Inadequate grooming can lead to inconveniences and some health conditions if left unaddressed. One of the consequences of infrequent brushing is the accumulation of loose hair throughout your house. The Golden Retriever’s coat may also pick up dirt, debris, and other biological hazards (such as poop) which may, in turn, lead to some potential health issues for your pet and you.
Unkempt fur may also lose its shine and softness and become tangled and matted. When mats aren’t treated, they become painful for dogs since they tug on their skin. They can also lead to hot spots, which are inflamed skin lesions that can be itchy and painful for dogs.
Additional Grooming Needs
How Do You Brush a Golden Retriever’s Teeth?
One of the most important ways to make sure your Golden Retriever’s grooming needs are met is to brush their teeth. The best way to keep their teeth clean is to use a dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste. Start by letting your Golden Retriever lick some toothpaste off your finger. Then, let them lick the same toothpaste off the toothbrush.
Once your Golden Retriever becomes familiar with the toothbrush, you can start brushing the teeth that are easy to reach. Praise your dog every time you do this until you can reach all the teeth.
Golden Retrievers benefit from brushing their teeth several times a week. You can also add dental chews and water additives to help supplement their dental hygiene.
How Often Do Golden Retrievers Need Nails Cut?
The frequency of cutting a Golden Retriever’s nails varies with each dog. If a dog consistently walks and runs along hard surfaces, their nails will naturally wear down against the grain.
Most Golden Retrievers have dark nails, and it’s challenging to see them quickly. Therefore, it’s best to cut their nails in small increments. You’ll know that you’re close to the quick when you see a darker color in the middle of a cross-section of the nail.
You can use traditional dog nail clippers or a nail grinder to keep your dog’s nails at a healthy length. Most dogs initially resist getting their nails trimmed because they have sensitive feet. Make sure to be patient and reward your dogs every time they let you touch their paws and clip their nails.
What Is the Best Way to Wash a Golden Retriever?
Golden Retrievers typically need baths once a month. Avoid giving your dog too many baths because they can dry out and strip their skin of natural and essential oils. However, sometimes your dog may need more frequent baths (such as in instances where there’s poop tangled in their fur, or when they roll around in mud). It’s essential to find shampoo and conditioner made specifically for dogs.
When you bathe your Golden Retriever, brush their coat first to remove any loose dirt and fur. Then, soak your dog with warm water. Gently massage the shampoo into the coat and brush your dog again with a bath brush to remove more loose hair. Then, thoroughly rinse your dog. Apply conditioner if you prefer. After rinsing your dog, brush the coat once more.
Before drying off your dog, consider cleaning the ears with an ear cleaner. Finally, dry off your dog with a towel first. Then, use a blow dryer. Ensure your dog’s coat is completely dry before giving them one final brushing.
You can top off the bath with an optional finishing spray that helps control shedding.
Our Favorite Products
Selecting the right shampoo and conditioner makes the world of a difference when grooming your pup. Our favorite products are the duo by Hepper. The Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is formulated with aloe and oatmeal to soothe skin and hydrate the coat. The Pet Conditioner works at eliminating tangles and taming frizz and static. Both products are pH-balanced and formulated with pet-friendly ingredients, free of harsh soaps, chemicals, and dyes. Give this duo a try to heal and nourish your dog's coat, and leave them with an irresistible just-left-the-spa cucumber and aloe scent.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!
Do Golden Retrievers Need Professional Grooming?
Golden Retrievers may benefit from professional grooming, but it’s not an absolute necessity if you know what you’re doing and are experienced with grooming your Golden Retriever. There are many benefits to taking your dog to a professional groomer. They can detect skin conditions and safely remove any tough mats. They can also check for fleas and ticks.
If you want to treat your pup, you can request special treatments, such as blowouts and deshedding treatments.
Do Golden Retrievers Need Haircuts?
Golden Retrievers don’t necessarily need full haircuts, even in the summer. However, they benefit from regular trimming whenever they visit their groomer. Trims will keep coats manageable and less prone to tangling.
A groomer will also be especially helpful with trimming the hair around sensitive areas, such as your dog’s feet, ears, and possibly their bum.
Should Golden Retrievers Be Shaved?
Shaving is not considered necessary as part of regular grooming for a Golden Retriever. However, it might sometimes be necessary for dogs with extreme matting or other skin ailments. Dogs may also be shaved in a specific body part prior to surgery; this, along with the aforementioned scenarios are something a veterinarian would decide on.
Summary
Consistent grooming habits are essential for Golden Retrievers, but all dogs require regular tooth brushing and nail trimming. In addition, Golden Retrievers require brushing several times a week and regular trips to the groomer.
Keeping a Golden Retriever’s skin and coat healthy takes work, but it’s not too time-consuming if you stick to a routine. Ultimately, the effort is worth it because you’ll have a healthy dog with a soft and luxurious coat that’s perfect for pets and cuddles.
See also:
- How Often Should I Bathe My Golden Retriever? Tips & FAQ
- How to Groom A Golden Retriever: Vet-Reviewed Tips & FAQ
Featured Image Credit: Bohdan Malitskiy, Shutterstock
