All The Information You Need About Golden Retriever Grooming
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There is nothing prettier than a Golden Retriever. Especially with his shiny coat that flows with his movements, provided the dog is well groomed. Fortunately, Golden Retriever grooming doesn't have to be a daunting task. With a few simple tools and 20-30 minutes of brushing a week, your canine companion can show off their beauty wherever you go.
Golden Retrievers are known to be a "washed and worn" breed, meaning they don't need extensive grooming like many other breeds. But that doesn't mean you can slack off on grooming. You will control shedding and prevent mats and tangles from forming by brushing and combing their coat several times a week and bathing them when necessary.
Follow our guide on how to groom a Golden Retriever to keep your Golden looking its best.
When To Start Golden Retriever Grooming?
It's an excellent decision to start the Golden Retriever grooming on a regular basis, even when he's a puppy. Of course, his coat doesn't need grooming, but it will help him become familiar with the process and all the grooming tools like scissors and brushes.
Many dogs like to be brushed and groomed, but if yours doesn't, that's okay! Getting him comfortable handling you and the groomers is a good step towards a positive experience for everyone involved.
Do Golden Retrievers need shearing?
Your Golden Retriever's coat doesn't need unique shearing, just trimming. And this operation is usually performed on the ears, paws, neck, and tail of the Golden Retriever. This helps give them a stylish look to enhance their appearance, rather than changing it.
The First Steps In Grooming Your Golden Retriever
Start by training your dog to let you touch his body, including his head, ears, mouth, and paws.
Once your dog is okay with being touched, establish a regular monthly, weekly, and daily schedule where you won't be interrupted.
Gather all the tools before beginning. Along with your favorite playlist to keep you company. Here's a list of everything you'll need to groom a Golden:
- Pin brush
- Metal comb with medium to large teeth
- Quality dog shampoo
- Dog conditioner or shampoo with conditioner
- Napkins
- Fresh air hair dryer for dogs
- Dog tub or indoor shower
- Dog grooming table or outdoor picnic table
- Thinning scissors for dogs
- Dull or sharp canine scissors
- Canine nail clippers or Dremel
- Toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs
- Disposable dental wipes
- Veterinary solution for ear cleaning
- Flea and tick medications...
The Golden's thick, water-repellent double coat sheds moderately throughout the year and heavily once or twice a year. Regular brushing before and after bathing helps remove old hair.
In case of heavy shedding, brush him once daily with a bristle brush to remove dead hair and prevent it from spreading throughout the house. And when shedding is regular, brush him once a week, but don't use a bristle brush, as it won't get through the thick Golden coat.
Golden Retriever Grooming Brush
Weekly brushing is essential for your Golden Retriever. This helps to keep his coat fresh and to check that he is not injured. There are many types of pet brushes. You just have to find the best one for your companion.
The best types of brushes are capable of removing tangles and hair from your dog's coat. And that without causing too much discomfort. You need to ensure the bristles or brush tips are long enough to get through his thick coat without hurting his skin.
It is also important to have a brush that is easy to clean. Because you don't want to spend a lot of time pulling hair out of a brush. Moreover, many brushes have retractable pins, which makes cleaning easier. This keeps the coat clean, removing dander and dirt. Also, look for a brush with a larger head, as the Golden Retriever is a medium-sized dog.
If the coat is tangled, it is recommended to mist it with water or use a coat conditioner to make the job easier. For a smooth coat, you can brush it dry. Then, use the comb to pluck behind the ears, chest, legs, and tail.
Back brush the entire body with the pin brush to loosen the dead undercoat and pick up debris, such as twigs or foxtails, then brush the coat in the direction of its growth.
Always brush your dog before bathing him. Goldens who participate in therapeutic work will need a:
bath,
brushing and
a nail clipping before each visit.
Dogs that compete in confirmation shows are groomed before each show.
When the Golden Retriever grooming, wet it to the skin before applying canine-grade shampoo and conditioner. This reduces static electricity and hairs that stand up in all directions.
Nail And Paw Grooming
Start handling your dog's paws as soon as you bring him home. This prepares them for future nail and paw trimming. Conscientious breeders pick the paws of their puppies as soon as they are a few days old.
The round, compact feet and paws of the Golden Retriever do not require special care. Because outdoor exercises generally harden the legs. But the breed's thick nails and pads require regular attention.
Keeping nails short reduces the risk of them snagging and tearing. Monthly trimming with dog nail clippers does the trick, while show dog nails are trimmed close once a week.
Golden Retriever Oral Care
All dogs need dental care. Start opening your dog's mouth and touching his gums and teeth a few days after he gets home. This prepares them for cleaning with a canine dental wipe or toothbrush and paste.
Brushing three times a week will be enough to reduce tooth decay.
During your visit to the vet, ask your dog when he will need professional dental cleaning.
Ear, Eye, And Skin Care
The Golden's soft, hair-covered ears are susceptible to ear infections. For this reason, check the ears weekly for debris and conditions and clean them if necessary.
Indeed, Goldens are not sensitive to dry skin. But fleas quickly cause allergies and hot spots. It is, therefore, essential that your Golden is not infested with fleas.
Apply a flea and tick preventative product to complement the Golden Retriever grooming routine.
Dry shampoo for grooming your Golden Retriever
If you don't want to give him a bath. Work the powder into her skin and leave it on for at least 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, brush your dog's coat to remove excess powder.
Goldens who like to swim need more frequent checks on their ears, as the water gets deep into the ear and makes them more susceptible to infection. After swimming, carefully dry the inside of the ears with cotton balls.
Products for Golden Retriever
Frequently Asked Questions About Golden Retriever
The average life expectancy of a typical Golden Retriever is between 10 and 12 years, although many survive to 14 and the oldest registered Golden Retriever I could find was 19.5!
They are very good with children. They are gentle, kind, and very patient while enjoying the great energy and play that children can offer them.
Care should be taken with a puppy or adolescent Golden Retriever as they are a very large breed that at this stage of their life can be very noisy and easily knock over young children..
Males measure 56-61 cm (22-24 inches) and females 51-56 cm (20-22 inches) at the withers.
A healthy Golden weighs between 27.21 and 34.02 kg, with the smallest and largest dogs weighing between 24.95 and 40.82 kg (not including overweight or obese dogs).
The Golden Retriever is an athletic breed. And, as such, he needs plenty of exercise to stay healthy and mentally stimulated. As adults, they benefit from lots of regular high-intensity exercise.
However, care should be taken with Golden Retriever puppies. You should not force them to do intense exercise before they are 18 months old. Otherwise, you can get risk damaging their growing joints.
A Golden Retriever's coat should be well brushed every week or two. To avoid painful knots and prevent excessive shedding.
Also, you shouldn't bathe your Golden Retriever too often either, as this can damage his beautiful undercoat. His nails should be neatly trimmed at least once a month, but don't do this if you're unsure of yourself or you could injure your Golden Retriever.
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