Do Golden Retrievers Shed? How To Groom My Golden Retriever?

Golden Retriever guardians love many things about their dogs, including shedding. Do golden retrievers shed? You probably know that your Retriever's fluffy hair can end up on almost everything in your home, including furniture and clothing.

Do Golden Retrievers, Shed?

A curious question: do golden retrievers shed? This breed's double coat largely causes the loss of the Golden Retriever is made up of a hairy outer coat and a soft, fluffy undercoat. The fuzzy, warm undercoat is what causes the most shedding.

A Retriever sheds less throughout the year than any other double-coated dog, but they shed more often twice a year.

Good news: A Golden Retriever owner can help control shedding by grooming their dog and reducing the hair left on carpets and furniture.

What Makes Excretion Most Influential?

Weather changes are the main trigger for shedding. Unfortunately, it's not something you can change. However, dog owners can still influence the behavior of their retrievers by influencing other triggers.

Stress Is Another Big Trigger. 

Excessive shedding can also indicate allergic reactions, parasites, or fleas. You may notice your puppy scratching excessively, which could lead to more hair loss.

Can You Find A Golden Retriever That Doesn't Shed?

No Golden Retriever breed does not shed. However, there are Goldens who lose less. Miniature Retrievers shed like their larger companions. This is to adapt to climate change. Hypoallergenic dogs are those that don't shed as much as other breeds.

How Can I Prevent My Retriever From Shedding Under Control?

We got the answer to the question: do Golden Retrievers shed? Humans included, most animals on Earth shed over time.

Sometimes you may not be able to stop your Retriever's molt. However, you can do a few things to manage it all.

Brushing Is Essential!

Regular brushing is the best way to maintain a Retriever's coat. This is how it works!

This will keep your dog's hair from getting tangled and prevent any excess hair from being pulled out of the dog's coat. It will keep your sofa clean and help you save time and energy when vacuuming.

Brush your Goldie daily during shedding season. Then, during the rest of the year, brush every other day. It shouldn't take more than 20 minutes to brush your dog.

Baths Are Useful, But Not Too Much

Every 6 to 8 weeks, your Retriever should be bathed. This is the golden rule. The owner of a Golden should not bathe his dog more often than necessary.

Shampoos and conditioners that contain chemicals can dry out a dog's coat. Dog owners should make sure to use gentle, high-quality shampoos. To get rid of loose hair, massage your dog and bathe him. You can also remove your dog's fallen hair.

Surprisingly, The Diet Has A Good/Bad Effect

A healthy Golden Retriever will have a beautiful coat. In addition, a healthy diet can help avoid certain health problems.

Dog owners should avoid using fillers and ensure their dog food is made with quality ingredients. Sometimes it is necessary to test several brands before finding the one that best suits your needs. Your Golden must have access to water at all times. Dry skin can lead to dry, itchy hair.

Supplements

Supplements are necessary if your Retriever is not getting enough omega fatty acids from his diet. The best way to do this is to use fish oil supplements, liquids, or pills. These supplements can be used to take care of the dog's skin and coat and their general well-being. Health benefits include joint support, eye function, healthy blood cells, and heart health.

How  To Groom My Golden Retriever?

Due to its thick, dense coat, the Golden Retriever requires regular maintenance and grooming. Discover all our tips for taking care of your dog safely.

Best Products for Your Golden

How Do I Brush My Golden Retriever?

Grooming your Golden Retriever invariably involves brushing. If your dog's beautiful coat effectively protects him from the weather, it can also play tricks on him. Its thickness, in particular, sometimes makes it challenging to spot parasites or skin problems. Therefore, it is imperative to brush your Golden Retriever once or twice a week during normal periods, and every day during molting, in spring and autumn.

Choose The Right Tools

Indeed, the choice of grooming tools depends mainly on the animal's hair type. In the case of the Golden Retriever, a brush suitable for medium-long and dense hair, a comb and a detangling brush to remove the knots, and a pair of scissors to possibly get rid of the problem at the root without hurting your dog. Warning: you should never mow a Golden Retriever unless a serious health problem requires it. In this case, call a professional.

Start by brushing the whole body to eliminate the first layer of dead hair. If necessary, thin out a little using scissors, working from bottom to top. Then move on to each part of the body, starting with the chest and the head. Brush the undercoat first, against the direction of hair growth, then in the normal order. Be careful when trimming the hair around the ears.

Then move on to the outer coat following the same principle. Brush the tail, limbs, and belly. Trim the excess hair on the back of the legs and pads. Also, trim the hair under the tail, careful not to cut it too short. If you're worried about doing it wrong, you can hire a dog groomer.

How Do I Wash My Golden Retriever?

The baths are also essential in the maintenance of the Golden Retriever. It is not a question of washing it several times a week, at the risk of damaging its skin. One or two baths a year usually are enough to keep it clean and healthy. Of course, do not hesitate to wash your dog if it is very dirty or smells very bad. If the smell persists, consult a veterinarian quickly: your Golden Retriever may be hiding a skin problem.

How To Choose The Right Shampoo?

Good dog shampoo is a shampoo that respects its type of hair and skin. Never use human shampoo on your dog. They are not suitable for your doggie's skin.

How do I wet the coat of my Golden Retriever?

You can run him a bath, get him into a shower stall, or hose him down in your yard. Making temperature between 35 and 38° C is ideal. Lather the shampoo all over the body, emphasizing the interdigital spaces. You can also protect his ears, which are prone to ear infections, by placing plugs in them.

Rinse the animal well to get rid of all traces of shampoo, then rub it with a towel to dry it. If desired, use a hair dryer, set to medium heat, to go faster. Then brush it again.

What Is Complementary Care For Golden Retrievers?

In addition to bathing and brushing, it is also essential to regularly clean your Golden Retriever's eyes and ears. Use compresses and saline. Avoid cotton balls that could leave fibers in their path. Proceed gently so as not to injure the animal by passing the compress over the eyes from the inside out. Do the same with the ears from the inside out.

Also, remember to trim your Golden Retriever's claws to prevent them from getting in his way when he is moving. Use a dog nail clipper or an electric file. Cut before the living part of the claw, pink in color. If your dog has dark-colored claws, don't cut them too short to avoid hurting him.

Finally, don't forget preventive care, such as anti-fleas, anti-ticks, dewormers, and vaccines! They also contribute to your dog's good maintenance and help extend its life expectancy.

What Kibbles To Give My Dog ​​for A Nice Coat?

A dog's coat is a reflection of its state of health. Hair loss and dull or brittle coat can be a sign of dermatological disease and a deficient diet. Dog food must contain a sufficient level of protein and certain vitamins and omega fatty acids to guarantee a nice coat.

A dog that scratches and loses hair everywhere is not pleasant, but it can also be a sign that his kibble does not provide him with all the nutrients necessary for his coat's growth and good health. Should we change? And for which product?

What Causes Hair Loss Or Dull Coats İn Dogs?

There are many possible causes of hair loss. Among them, it is necessary to differentiate molting, which is a natural process, from pathological causes.

Molting usually occurs in spring or fall. It is a natural phenomenon of coat change linked to the seasons. During molting, the dog sheds its hair evenly (there are no patches without fur). It can be imposed in certain breeds of dogs, such as Husky or Malamute.

Parasites such as fleas can cause hair loss. We can also mention demodicosis, scabies, or ringworm (a fungus). In this case, hair loss is more limited and is often accompanied by redness or itching.

Finally, our canine friends are subject to many dermatological diseases (hormonal disorders, pyoderma, autoimmune diseases, allergies, etc.). As a general rule, any pathology that weakens the animal has an impact on the beauty of his hair.

In case of a coat problem, it is essential to consult your veterinarian. The food truck should be explored if no medical cause has been identified.

Essential Vitamins And Fatty Acids

Our companions are very hairy! Therefore, they need their food to provide them with all the nutrients necessary for the growth and beauty of their hair. Among them :

Quality proteins for the production of keratin, a constituent of hair. Proteins of animal origin (egg, meat, fish) are preferred for the dog. Vitamin A or Beta-carotene. It is found in poultry liver and, of course, in carrots.

Vitamin E. It has antioxidant properties. It is present in sunflower, olive, or peanut oil.

Biotin. It is also a vitamin (B8 or H). It is found in the liver, egg yolk, and pulses.

Omega-3 and omega-6  have anti-inflammatory action on the skin and help replenish the protective lipid film. They are found in vegetable oils and fatty fish. Therefore, we recommend a ratio of 4 omega-6 to 1 omega-3.

Metallic trace elements (Zinc, selenium, manganese) are present in the liver and pulses. Antioxidants act in symbiosis with vitamins.

Food Supplements For The Beautiful Coat

As it is not necessarily easy to provide all these nutrients to your companion, you can opt for food supplements specially designed for dogs. Vitamins and fatty acids are represented for optimal intake in powder, capsule, tablet, or liquid form.

Even simpler, you can opt for unique dog coat kibble.

How To Spot The Kibbles For A Beautiful Coat In The Dog?

The composition of the croquettes owes nothing to chance. The different levels of nutrients essential for a nice coat for the dog meet standards. For standard kibble (adult animal in maintenance), we recommend at least:

A protein rate of 18 to 21% dry matter

A linoleic acid rate (ω-6) of 1.3 to 1.5%

Vitamin A: 600 to 700 IU/100g of dry matter

Vitamin E: 3.6 to 4.2 IU/100g

Zinc: 7.2 to 8.3 mg/100g

Selenium: 30 to 35 μg/100g

Manganese: 0.6mg/100g

Specific ranges for a beautiful coat

Many brands offer a rangeSkincareettes for shiny coats. Their composition is optimized to provide all the nutrients for healthy skin and beautiful fur.

You can also order custom-made dog food by mentioning your dog's skin sensitivity.

Dog Food For Allergic Dogs

Also called atopy, allergy is a common cause of coat problems in dogs, whether it is an airborne allergy (to pollen, house dust mites, etc.) or a strict food allergy.

The symptoms (itching, hair loss, redness) appear in young animals, and certain breeds, such as the French Bulldog or the Labrador, are predisposed.

These dogs must imperatively receive specific croquettes for their food intolerance. It is a medicalized food containing hydrolyzed ("broken") animal proteins so that the immune system does not detect them and, thus, avoids triggering the allergic reaction. Ask your veterinarian for advice on finding the right one for your companion.

Kibbles for pretty hair, it's possible. By focusing on quality and ranges specially dedicated to the beauty of the dog's coat. 

Frequently Asked Question

Here are some common questions about our Golden Retriever, the beautiful coat, and how to handle the shedding process.

How Does Shaving a Retriever Help?

You should not shave your Golden as this can cause skin problems and damage your dog's coat. In addition, shaving can reduce the protection your dog may have from the outside elements and its ability to adapt to changing weather. This could increase your risk of heatstroke or sunburn.

Some grooming professionals do not recommend Furminators or other anti-shedding products. These experts believe that such tools can damage a Retriever's coat.

You can also use pin brushes or undercoat rakes. You should only use these tools once a week.

Golden Retrievers Have More To Do Than Labs

Labradors shed less than Golden Retrievers. However, Labradors have shorter hair than Golden Retrievers. They shed more often than any other breed, sometimes even more than the average dog. Labradors have a double coat, just like Retrievers. Their second coat is relatively short, but their undercoat suffers the most loss during warm seasons.

Labrador owners will likely refer to this aspect as blowing their hair and Retrieving. Labradors, like Goldies, must also be regularly groomed to manage their shedding.

You will need to brush them with a slick toothbrush and then use an undercoat rake. This is the best way to keep major losses under control when the seasons change.

When Is It Time To See The Vet?

It could be due to allergies, stress, or other infections if your Retriever loses more weight than you think.

If your dog is shedding for reasons other than your own or is inflamed, you should consult your veterinarian.

Even if the Golden Retrievers lose a bit, it's not that bad. There are many ways to work around this problem. As long as your canine friend does not shed, you can focus on your relationship with your dog.