The golden retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the US. Being one of the cutest dogs ever, this breed is very friendly and is a great dog breed to keep as a house pet. Golden retrievers are very cheerful and love being around humans. You can’t help but feel immense love for these dogs because they are just so cute.
The golden retriever’s gorgeous looks have a lot to do with its luscious, thick coat of fur. Whether it’s a dazzling shade of golden, or a majestic white color, you can’t help but be stunned by the beauty of a golden retriever’s coat. However, looks aren’t the only thing that makes the golden retriever’s coat special.
Are Golden Retrievers Double Coated?
Yes, golden retrievers are double-coated. These dogs have a lot of fur on them, and so you must take proper care of your dog and make sure that you regularly groom your furry friend. If you’re keeping your dog inside the house, then it is really important to take care of the extra hair on it. This regular grooming and trimming will allow you to keep your golden retriever’s shedding under control.
The double coat on the golden retriever is there to protect the dog in any season. In the warm weather, this coat sheds naturally as the dog no longer needs it. However, in colder regions, this double coat protects the dog from the harsh climate and helps it stay warm and fuzzy.
Getting to Know Your Golden Retriever: All About the Double Coat
Golden retrievers are famous for their long and luscious fur, but do you know why they have so much fur and what this fur does to protect your dog? As mentioned earlier, golden retrievers are double-coated, which means that they have two layers of fur. What are these layers of fur, and what is their purpose? Let’s find out.
The Undercoat
The undercoat is the coat that is closest to the skin of your dog. It is also referred to as ‘down hair’ and mainly consists of wooly hair that is curly and wavy. It also helps in maintaining a layer of dry skin and hair that repels water and offers thermal insulation for a golden retriever.
The undercoat will grow quickly during the winter since it protects the dog from the cold weather, and it will shed during the summer when the weather gets warmer.
The Overcoat
The overcoat is the top layer coat and is the luscious and beautiful golden fur that you love petting. It is also referred to as the guard layer and consists of long, straight, and coarse hair shafts that are above the undercoat. This layer also has gloss and pigmentation to give your retriever that shine that their fur is so famous for.
Grooming Your Golden Retriever
Regular grooming of your golden retriever can ensure that your dog looks neat and tidy at all times.
Trimming
A golden retriever’s double coat means that it needs to groomed and trimmed more often than other dog breeds. Their double coat protects them from harsh weather conditions, but this also means for hair that needs to be trimmed in order to keep your dog looking neat and tidy.
It is also important to remember that long hair can tangle very quickly, which will cause your golden retriever a lot of pain. For this reason, as well as to protect it from fleas, you should trim your dog’s hair regularly.
Bathing
Golden retrievers also require regular bathing in order to keep them healthy and clean. You should use a good, dog-friendly shampoo when bathing your golden retriever to ensure that no damage is done to the dog’s coat or the skin.
Nails
Regular clipping of the nails also falls under grooming. Long nails can be quite uncomfortable for a golden retriever, as they can change the way the dog walks and runs. Because dogs tend to walk on their toes, overgrown nails can cause them great distress in addition to compromising their posture. Your dog might also scratch you while you’re playing with it.
A pair of dog nail clippers can be used to do the job just right. However, you should take care not to cut the nails too close to the skin, since it can hurt your dog and can also cause its paws to bleed.
Ears
Cleaning your golden retriever’s ears is also part of the grooming process. The inside and the outside of the ears need to be cleaned properly. Thinning shears can be used to keep the hair on the inside of the ears thin. This is a very important part of your dog’s grooming.
If the ears are not cleaned, it can lead to an ear infection, which is very painful for a dog. A good ear cleaning solution should be used to keep your dog’s ears clean. This year cleaning should be done on a weekly basis.
Tail
The tail of your golden retriever should ideally look like a fan. You can do this by twisting the end of the tail and trimming it slightly near to the end, just below the tail bone. You can use your hand to slightly hold the edge and then you can trim it off.
Grooming Tools
Mentioned below are a few tools that you can use to trim the fur on your golden retriever.
Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
This is a very popular golden retriever grooming tool that is used to remove loose hair and tangled fur. This brush is very gentle on the skin of your dog because it has bent wires. It also has a self-cleaning feature and non-slip handle that make it all the more convenient to use. You need to firmly hold the brush and gently start brushing the fur of your dog.
It can help with the blood circulation of your dog and can also reach deep into the coat without scratching its skin. However, because of the many features that this brush has, it is slightly more expensive than other slick brushes. But the investment is definitely worth it, owing to the fact that it is durable and incredibly high-quality.
Slicker Pro Self Cleaning Brush
This tool is not only soft on the golden retriever’s skin but also allows you to brush its double coat with ease. It also has a self-cleaning feature and is very comfortable to hold because of its tight grip. This brush is an excellent investment for the everyday grooming needs of your dog. It leaves the coat shiny, silky, and clean.
However, care should be taken to clean the brush properly after a few days of usage. In the case that you don’t, the self-cleaning feature can become a little stiff.
Petpawjoy Slicker Brush
You should definitely own this tool if you have a golden retriever puppy. It can be used very effectively to brush the coat of your puppy and to massage the puppy, too.
Andis Pet Steel Grooming Comb
This comb can be used to comb the double coat of your golden retriever. Combing your golden retriever’s fur using this brush will leave its coat look much neater and will give your dog a well-groomed look.
Pack Pet Comb by Hertzko
Included in this comb set are small and large combs that you can use to effectively cover all the areas of your dog’s coat. This complete coverage of the coat will make it look as neat and well-groomed as possible. The rubber handle ensures a good grip while you’re using this comb.
Pet Magasin Grooming Scissors Kit
The ideal grooming kit for a golden retriever should also contain a pair of scissors. You can use these scissors to trim around the small areas like the ears and the feet. This pair of scissors comes in two sizes so that you can conveniently use whichever one suits you. It has handles that provide an easy grip and rounded tips that ensure added safety.
Sharf Gold Touch Pet Shears
Thinning shears are used to remove extra bulk from a golden retriever’s coat. The extra bulk is there due to the fact that golden retrievers are double coated. The edges can also be softened using this tool. This particular pair is made of Japanese stainless steel, which means that it is a really high-quality product. It can be used for styling your golden retriever as well as for debulking.
Pet Magasin Pet Thinning Shears
This is one of the best grooming tools for golden retrievers. It has a 28 tooth comb blade that is really sharp and is made of surgical stainless steel. You should definitely invest in this tool if you own a golden retriever.
Should I Completely Shave Off My Golden Retriever’s Coat?
It was mentioned in the previous section that the overcoat of your dog is designed to protect it in all weather conditions, which is why you shouldn’t think about shaving it. By shaving the coat, you can seriously compromise the way your dog’s natural double coat acts to protect their body. Dogs tend to sweat from the pads of their feet, while they release excess heat through panting.
So, shaving the shiny and beautiful double coat of your golden retriever won’t help in making them cooler, but will instead expose their skin to the heat and the sun which can cause them to fall sick. Golden retrievers were bred primarily to retrieve waterfowl, which is why their double coat acts as a water repellant as well. The coat of your dog is also designed to keep dirt away from its skin and can be easily brushed off.
Our Final Thoughts
So, after considering all these things, you should not fully shave off your golden retriever’s fur. If you are worried about your golden retriever suffering during the summer heat, there are other ways you can help it cool down. The best thing you can do is to keep trimming the fur using the tools mentioned above. This will ensure that your golden retriever remains neat and tidy. Alongside looking cute and fluffy, your dog will also be able to beat the summer heat if it is groomed regularly.
