AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
The Golden Retriever鈥�s lustrous coat, ranging from liquid amber to a light red, matches the breed鈥檚 14-karat loving heart. With soft, friendly eyes, this enthusiastic Sporting Group member and family companion is completely devoted to its people.
Want to make sure your butterscotch beauty keeps the glam on? Here鈥檚 an easy guide to grooming:
First Steps
鈥淏egin by training your dog to let you touch its body, including the head, ears, mouth, and feet,鈥� says Terri Becker DiMarino, President of the
Once your dog accepts handling, set up a regular monthly, weekly, and daily schedule when you won鈥檛 be interrupted. 鈥淜eeping your dog in good shape requires a routine,鈥� says DiMarino.
On grooming day, before you begin. In addition to your favorite playlist to keep you company, here鈥檚 a list of everything you might need to groom a Golden:
- with medium to wide teeth
- Quality
- or shampoo with conditioner
- or indoor bathtub or shower
- or outdoor picnic table
- and
- or
- Veterinary
Regular grooming of a dog鈥檚 coat, feet, teeth, ears, and eyes will pay off in health benefits, too. If lumps or skin infections show up, you鈥檒l spot them early enough to visit the veterinarian for a check-up.
Coat Care
The Golden鈥檚 thick, water-repellant double coat sheds moderately throughout the year and heavily once or twice a year. Regular brushing before and after bathing helps remove the old hair.
鈥淔or heavy shedding, brush with a pin brush once a day to remove the dead hair and keep it from landing all over the house,鈥� says Nancy Talbott, Director of Education for the 鈥淲颈迟丑 regular shedding, brush once a week, but don鈥檛 use a bristle brush as it won鈥檛 get through the thick Golden coat.鈥�
With tangled tresses, Talbott recommends spraying the coat with water or using a coat conditioner to make the job easier. For a smooth coat, it鈥檚 okay to brush it dry. Use the comb on feathering behind the ears, chest, legs, and tail. 鈥淏ack brush the entire body with the pin brush to loosen the dead undercoat and collect debris, such as twigs or foxtails, then brush the coat in the direction it grows,鈥� Talbott says.
Always brush before bathing. Goldens who participate in therapy work will need bathing, brushing, and nail trimming before every visit. Dogs who attend conformation shows are groomed before every show, while Golden home companions benefit from a monthly soaking. 鈥淲hen bathing, wet the dog down to the skin before applying a canine quality shampoo and a conditioner,鈥� says Talbott. 鈥淭his reduces static electricity and the hair sticking up in all directions.鈥�
Rinse the coat twice, as the Golden鈥檚 double coat retains the shampoo. Thoroughly towel dry. 鈥淕ive the dog a few minutes to run around and air dry,鈥� says Talbott. 鈥淭o make the process easier, put the dog on a grooming table. Use the canine hairdryer, which is cooler than a human hairdryer and won鈥檛 burn the hair. Blow the air up against the skin in the opposite direction the hair grows. Follow by brushing it the other way.鈥�
Golden coats can be straight or wavy, but the texture is essential. As Talbott says, 鈥淭he top coat protects the body from water and burrs in the field and should wrap around the body like a jacket.鈥� To preserve the coat鈥檚 purpose and appearance, don鈥檛 shave or clip it. Avoid clipping the dog鈥檚 feathers under the body, legs, and tail. For dogs who don鈥檛 go to shows, use thinning scissors to trim these areas.
Nails and Paws
Begin handling your dog鈥檚 feet as soon as you bring them home. This prepares them for future nail and pad trimming. Conscientious breeders pick up their puppies鈥� feet when they鈥檙e days old. The Golden Retriever鈥檚 round, compact feet and paws don鈥檛 need special care, as outdoor exercise generally toughens up the paws. But the nails and the breed鈥檚 thick foot pads do require regular attention.
Keeping the nails clipped short reduces the chance they may snag and tear. Clipping once a month with dog clippers or a dremel does the job, while show dogs鈥� nails receive a close trim once a week. You can take your Golden to a professional groomer for nail care, but with practice and patience, you can learn to do this yourself.
To maintain the dog鈥檚 traction on slippery surfaces, the hair on the bottom of the feet between the pads needs regular trimming. Use the sharp canine scissors. Or, if you鈥檙e feeling hesitant about performing this task, choose the blunt-end scissors. Check between the toes for any foxtails or grass barbs and promptly remove them. 鈥淚f you鈥檇 rather take your dog to a groomer for coat and foot care, schedule a visit once every four to six weeks,鈥� says DiMarino.
Oral Care
Every dog requires dental care. Begin opening your dog鈥檚 mouth and touching their gums and teeth a few days after you bring them home. This helps prepare them for cleaning with a canine dental wipe or toothbrush and paste.
Brushing three times a week will help reduce tooth decay. When you visit the veterinarian, ask when your dog might need professional teeth cleaning.
Ears, Eyes, and Skin Care
鈥淭he Golden鈥檚 coated and floppy ears are susceptible to ear infections,鈥� says Talbott. 鈥淐heck the ears once a week for debris and infection and clean if necessary.鈥�
Goldens who like to swim will need more frequent ear checks, as the water gets deep inside the ear and makes them more prone to infections. After swimming, thoroughly dry the inside of the ears with cotton balls.
According to Talbott, Goldens are not susceptible to dry skin, but fleas will quickly produce allergies and hot spots. 鈥淜eeping your Golden flea-free is crucial,鈥� she says.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.