Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs that require regular grooming to keep their coat shiny and healthy. Proper grooming can help prevent matting and tangling of their fur and reduce the likelihood of skin problems. This article will discuss the various steps involved in grooming a Golden Retriever and recommend tools and techniques to make the process more comfortable for both you and your furry friend.
A Golden Retrievers Coat
Golden Retrievers have two layers of coat. Both layers protect them from any type of weather. The undercoat also acts as a water repellent. The undercoat grows more in the winter for warmth. Which generally means they will shed some of it before the summer. Goldens do shed year around. Some breeds will blow their coat. I was always told that Goldens don’t blow their coats as Malamutes do. However, I do see my goldens do it twice a year. Once in late winter, and the other in the fall.
Brushing
Each and every dog are unique in every way. Each breed has its own type of fur. I’ve groomed many dogs, and I would groom them each differently. Luckily golden retrievers are one of the easier ones to groom.
What I Use To Groom
The first step in grooming a Golden Retriever is brushing its coat. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair, dirt, and tangles, and stimulates the skin to produce natural oils that keep the coat healthy and shiny. You should brush your Golden Retriever at least once a week, more frequently during shedding season. The more often you do it, the more your goldens will enjoy the attention and experience.
I prefer to use a slicker brush to brush from head to tail. The slicker brush has fine, short bristles that are ideal for removing loose hair and tangles. A pin brush has longer, thicker bristles that are useful for removing debris and fluffing up the coat. The comb is useful for untangling mats and checking for any hidden tangles.
For some breeds, you want to go in the opposite direction of the hair, but with goldens you go in the direction of the hair. I also use a metal comb to work on the undercoat or sometimes matted hair that develops below the ears. I use LILYS PET 7″ Professional Grooming Kit for everything outside of my slicker brush. It’s a nice set that you can use for almost any breed.
Many years ago I bought a Furminator. It was one of the worst investments I’ve ever bought. All it does is rip the hair from the dog. I’ve used it on Alaskan Malamutes, and Goldens. My Alaskan Malamute hated it with a passion. It’s like pulling someone’s hair out. You are far better off buying some cheap brushes and combs and spending your money on some toys. The dogs will be much happier.
How To Brush
Start by using the slicker brush to remove any loose hair and tangles from your dog’s coat. Use short, firm strokes, brushing in the direction of the hair growth. Be careful not to brush too hard, as this can irritate your dog’s skin. After using the slicker brush, switch to the pin brush to remove any remaining debris and fluff up the coat.
If you encounter any mats, use the comb to gently untangle them. Work on small sections of the mat at a time, starting from the outer edges and working your way inward. Be patient and gentle, and use scissors to cut away any stubborn mats that you cannot untangle.
Often times the hair around the ears becomes straggly. They can be trimmed to make them a little neater. Depending on the standard you are trying to follow, you may want to trim the ruff on the golden. The English standard often calls for a trimmed ruff. They like the longer neck look. American Standard does not want them to be trimmed. I keep my English Goldens untrimmed unless I show them. When I got my oldest girl Athena, her chest was trimmed. It looked like her hair had been hacked. I choose not to trim it now since she is already a champion, and I just brush it.
The hair extending from the paws can be trimmed to make a cleaner line. Some choose to trim the feathers, however, I like them long. For the tail though, most English Goldens are trimmed with a rounded tip. Americans are generally just left to grow.
Bathing
Bathing your Golden Retriever is another essential step in grooming. Baths help remove dirt and debris from your dog’s coat and can help control odor and skin problems. You should bathe your Golden Retriever every three to four months or as needed.
I always try and brush our dogs prior to bathing them. Once I get particles out of their fur I then bathe them. I’ve used many different types of soaps. Since our goldens are nearly white, I try and find a shampoo that is for white dogs. However, that is often more expensive. Many professional groomers will use a cheap soap concentrate and use Dawn dish soap on areas that have more yellow in them. Another way is buying a liquid bluing concentrate and adding it to your shampoo and using it on stained areas.
The bluing counteracts the yellow that may develop from pee stains. For a general shampoo, I do know many people who use Chris Christensen shampoo with good results, however, it can be fairly expensive. To be totally honest though, I really don’t have a problem keeping my adult English cream golden retrievers clean with cheaper shampoos. The only problem I run into is with puppies. When puppies begin learning how to go to the potty they tend to walk and sit in their pee. That temporarily stains their fur, and in those cases, I spend more time trying to eliminate the yellow-stained fur.
Rinse your dog’s coat thoroughly with warm water (the shower head makes it easier), making sure to remove all the shampoo. Repeat the shampoo and rinse process if necessary. After the final rinse, use a towel to dry your dog’s coat, being careful not to rub it too hard. You can also use a hairdryer on a low heat setting to dry your dog’s coat, but make sure to hold the dryer at a safe distance to avoid burning their skin. While drying, brush your dog’s coat for a silky finish.
Nail Trimming
Trimming your Golden Retriever’s nails is an important part of grooming. Overgrown nails can cause discomfort and pain, and can even affect your dog’s gait and posture. You should trim your dog’s nails once a month or as needed. For Alice, I have to do it twice a month, or I’ll hear the constant clicking of her toenails on the tile.
WARNING: Not all dogs need their nails trimmed. My boy Jaks chews his nails just like a human. He keeps his trimmed down to appropriate levels. So be careful the first time you try and trim their nails. They may not need it, or very little at all.
To trim your Golden Retriever’s nails, you will need a pair of dog nail clippers and a styptic powder or pencil to stop bleeding in case of accidental cuts. Choose a quiet, well-lit area to trim your dog’s nails, and make sure they are calm and relaxed.
Hold your dog’s paw gently but firmly, and use the clippers to cut off the tip of the nail, taking care not to cut the quick, the pink part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. If you accidentally cut the quick, apply the styptic powder or pencil to the nail to stop bleeding.
If your Golden Retriever has dark nails, it can be challenging to see where the quick is. In such cases, cut small sections of the nail at a time until you see a small black dot in the center of the nail. This dot indicates that you have reached the quick, and you should stop cutting immediately.
Alternatively, you can use a grinder. The process is much slower. I use dog clippers still to this day. I’ve only had one bleed in the last 8 years. It’s much faster than a grinder.
Ear Cleaning
Cleaning your Golden Retriever’s ears is an important part of grooming. Dirty ears can lead to infections and discomfort. You should clean your dog’s ears once a week or as needed. Although, for some goldens you don’t have to do it that often. Other goldens are prone to infection if you don’t clean them often. Also after a bath, make sure you dry their ears. As water trapped inside can cause infections as well.
To clean your Golden Retriever’s ears, you will need a vet-approved ear-cleaning solution and cotton balls or gauze pads. Choose an ear-cleaning solution that is gentle and does not contain alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as these can irritate your dog’s ears.
Begin by pouring a small amount of the ear-cleaning solution into your dog’s ear and massage the base of the ear for a few seconds. This helps distribute the solution and loosens any dirt or debris in the ear. Use a cotton ball or gauze pad to wipe the ear clean, being careful not to insert anything into the ear canal.
Repeat the process with the other ear. If your dog’s ears are particularly dirty or smelly, consult your veterinarian, as they may need medication to treat an underlying ear infection.
Grooming Tools
To make grooming your Golden Retriever easier and more effective, it is essential to have the right tools. Some of the must-have grooming tools for a Golden Retriever include:
- Slicker brush
- Pin brush
- Comb
- Dog shampoo
- Dog nail clippers
- Styptic powder or pencil
- Ear cleaning solution
- Cotton balls or gauze pads
- Towel
- Hairdryer (optional)
Summary
Grooming your Golden Retriever is essential to keep their coat shiny and healthy and prevent skin problems. Regular brushing, bathing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning are the main components of Golden Retriever grooming. Using the right tools and techniques can make the grooming process more comfortable for both you and your furry friend.
Remember to be patient and gentle when grooming your Golden Retriever, and always reward them with treats and praise for good behavior. If you encounter any grooming problems, such as stubborn mats or excessive shedding, consult your veterinarian for advice and support.
References:
American Kennel Club. “How to Bathe and Groom Your Golden Retriever.” AKC, 2022, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/how-to-bathe-and-groom-your-golden-retriever/.
PetMD. “The Golden Retriever Dog Breed: A Comprehensive Guide.” PetMD, 2022, https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/c_dg_golden_retriever.
VCA Hospitals. “Grooming Your Golden Retriever.” VCA Hospitals, 2022, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/grooming-your-golden-retriever.
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