🐶 Dog · double (with undercoat) coat

Coat care: Golden Retriever

Dense, water-repellent, medium-length double coat, straight or wavy, with feathering on the legs, neck, thighs and tail.

The Golden Retriever has a dense, water-repellent double coat: a firm, resilient topcoat and a well-developed undercoat. On the backs of the legs, the belly, neck, thighs and under the tail, the hair forms longer feathering. The breed sheds moderately all year round and heavily once or twice a year. At home this means regular brushing down to the undercoat, attention to the feathering, where the hair tangles, and drying completely after a bath.

🛁 Bathing

Usually once a month or whenever the dog gets dirty. Brush before bathing, dilute concentrated shampoos according to the label and dry the coat completely – brushing after a bath only starts once the dog is fully dry.

🪮 Brushing

Once or twice a week with a slicker brush or a pin brush with metal pins, and every day during heavy shedding. First brush against the lie of the coat to loosen shed undercoat and trapped dirt, then smooth it down in the direction of growth. Finish with a metal comb behind the ears, through the feathering and under the tail.

🍂 Shedding and coat change

Sheds moderately all year round and heavily once or twice a year, when it blows its undercoat. During this period brush every day; a bath followed by thorough drying helps the loose hair come away more easily.

Tips for home

  • Trim the hair that sticks out under the paws level with the pads so the dog does not slip, and check between the toes for burrs and grass seeds.
  • Check the ears weekly – the hair around them tangles easily, and moisture gets trapped under the drop ear.
  • Trim the nails regularly.
  • Do not shave the coat – the topcoat protects the body from water, burrs and sun.

Shampoos and conditioners for Golden Retriever

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Frequently asked questions

How often should I bathe a Golden Retriever?

For a Golden Retriever kept as a family pet, a bath once a month is usually enough, and more often if needed when the dog gets muddy. Brush the coat before bathing to remove shed undercoat. Use a shampoo diluted according to the label, rinse thoroughly and dry completely down to the skin, because a damp undercoat mats easily, and brushing only begins once the coat is dry.

Can a Golden Retriever be shaved in summer?

Shaving a double coat is generally not recommended. The coat acts as insulation and protects the skin from the sun, and after shaving the undercoat may grow back faster than the topcoat, leaving the coat uneven. Shaving does not stop shedding. Instead, regularly brush out the loose undercoat, trim the hair on the paws and provide shade and water.

How can I reduce my Golden Retriever's shedding?

Shedding is normal for a double coat and cannot be stopped, but it can be managed. Brush once or twice a week, and every day in the heavy shedding season, brushing against the coat first to loosen the undercoat. A bath with thorough drying also helps. If the shedding is accompanied by thinning, itching or changes in the skin, consult a vet.

Care for other breeds

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This advice is general. For skin or ear problems, consult a vet.