Do Golden Retrievers Need A Coat In Winter

S For A Safe And Healthy Winter Experience

• Dogs get cold just like humans. Pay special attention to your golden in cold or hot environments.
• If the weather drops below 20 degrees F, monitor your dogs well-being and check for any signs that your dog is too cold.
• Never leave your dog alone in the car/truck. Temperatures can become colder than the air outside during winter months and hotter during the summer months.
• Your Golden Retriever has a thick double coat, they more than likely do not need a doggy jacket .
• Monitor the amount of time your dog is outdoors and exposed to the elements. Never leave your dog outside alone for extended periods.
• Wipe your dogs paws to clean off any salt or chemicals to avoid it being ingested or irritating the paws.
• For extremely cold or snowy weather, some suggest doggie boots to keep paws dry, safe and warm when going outside. Not all dogs take to them but it may be worth the try.
• Check the amount of snow your Golden Retriever has accumulated on the bottom of the coat/fur and remove it if necessary.
• If you decide to bathe your dog make sure to completely dry the dogs coat before letting them outside.
• If your golden is active and spends a lot of time outdoors, increase their food intake with extra high-quality dog food since they will be burning more calories trying to stay warm.
• Be sure your dog has plenty of water. Dogs need the extra water in the winter to help them stay warm and avoid dehydration.

Here are some signs indicating that your dog may be too cold.

• Whining

The Golden Retrievers Coat

Before we begin talking about the ways to deal with Golden Retriever shedding, we need to explain the basics of their coats.

Golden Retrievers have a double coat, comprised of two separate layers.

• The outer coat of a Golden is waterproof, comprised of medium to long hairs and primarily intended to protect the dog from the elements. Some Goldens have wavy hair, while others are primarily clad in straight hair. The outer coat of many Goldens exhibits feathering on the legs, tail and
• The inner coat is extraordinarily dense and quite soft. The inner coat isnt very visible, but if you run your fingers through the coat of a Golden, youll easily feel the soft hairs underneath. The primary job of the Golden Retrievers undercoat is to keep the dog warm in cool weather.

Can I Do Anything To Get The Coat In Faster

While there are differences between each dog and some just will not grow their hair in any faster than what their genetics say, there are a few ways that you can make the transition from the puppy coat to adult coat faster than before. Grooming is one of the safest and most effective methods to use when you want this to happen.

First, make sure that your puppy is used to being groomed, especially the sitting still part of it. Starting off with a grooming brush could end up scaring them away from this because it is a little bit rough and uncomfortable for your dog. A better option is to use a soft-bristled brush first. It isnt really going to do a lot when it comes to grooming. But the idea is to get your puppy used to the grooming process, the feel of the brush, and having to sit still.

As your puppy gets used to that brush, you can slowly move on to using a pin brush. This is a useful option if you would like to help get the adult coat in a little faster. It is going to help with removing some of the hair that is loose more than the original brush. Removing the loose hair is going to promote the growth of new hair, which can speed up the transition. These brushes are also great at increase blood flow to the hair, which can help the new coat come in faster.

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Pay Attention To Body Language

Your dog cant tell you when theyre cold. Instead, its up to you to pay attention to their behavior and take action when they need help. Better yet, work proactively if its -10 Fahrenheit out, its probably best to stay indoors.

Know how to spot signs of early canine hypothermia and how to respond. If your pup suddenly starts moving very slowly, stops moving altogether, shivers constantly, or whines incessantly, it may be a sign hes headed for dangerous territory. The symptoms of hypothermia show up faster than the signs of frostbite, meaning they may be your first sign that somethings wrong. Pale skin, numbness, and limping is also an important symptom of cold-weather harms.

As for how to respond to a dog whos already too cold? Warm them up slowly and surely. Bring him in and wrap him in blankets to keep him warm. Or, try offering a little bit of warmed-up low-sodium chicken stock and bone broth. If symptoms dont turn around quickly, or if you still dont feel comfortable with how your dog is behaving, call the vet for further advice.

Your dog is your loyal companion she trusts you to keep her safe. Be conscious of how you feel and remember your dog likely feels the same way. Dogs have less control over changing their environments than humans do. Theyre depending you on you make the safest, healthiest choices on their behalf, so be sure to be the ally they really need.

Golden Retrievers History In The Cold

For a long time, there was some significant controversy overwhere the Golden Retrievers originated.

In the last fifty years or so, historians have concluded that all Golden Retrievers trace back to two dogs, Nous and Belle. These dogs were bred in Scotland by a man named Dudley Majoribanks in the 1870s. So, it is not wrong to say that Golden Retrievers are a Scottish contribution to the world of dogs.

Scotland is no stranger to cold temperatures.

According to www.Scotlandinfo.euthe average low temps during the winter drop to nearly 32°F . Record lowsgetting to -16°F in some parts of the country.

It is significant to recognize that the early breeders of GoldenRetrievers had to keep the climate in mind and bred dogs that would be able to endurethe colder temperatures.

That is to say, Golden Retrievers were bred for cold weather. With some common-sense precautions, your Golden can thrive in chilly weather.

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How To Keep Shedding Under Control

Although shedding for golden retrievers is usually normal. You are probably asking yourself if there are ways to reduce your Goldens shedding. So you dont have to constantly clean your car, clothes, and home of all the annoying hair.

Fortunately, you only need some basic coat maintenance, and grooming. It can help control shedding and reduce the amount of Golden Retriever fur that ends up on your favorite coat or your work jacket.

There are many things you can do to keep shedding under control. However, bear in mind, you never want to do anything that will compromise the health and skin of your golden retriever.

Here are some tips on how to keep shedding under control, and reduce the hair loose on your beloved puppy without risking any skin problems

If you notice any signs of serious skin problems, or your golden retriever degree of shedding appears abnormal, you need to consult your veterinarian. Medical conditions such as skin allergies or thyroid disease can cause excessive shedding. elseways, to keep shedding under control, just practice good grooming and feed your Golden Retriever a nutrient-rich diet.

Why Are Golden Retrievers Great In The Snow

Even if the Golden has become a family dog, it is a retriever. This term doesnt refer just to his ball-fetching qualities. They were bred to retrieve animals, especially birds that were hunted.

The Golden is a bird dog, so it has evolved to retrieve ducks from the water, without getting wet. They have a double-layer coat one on the inside that is thick and keeps them warm and another one that repels water.

This is not necessarily good news when thinking about grooming, as they do shed a lot. But it is great news when thinking about water and snow play, as they are able to stay in wet and cold environments without actually getting wet and cold.

All dogs are different, and some dogs might tolerate very low temperatures, as low as -7 degrees Fahrenheit, others might not. Make sure that you pay attention to your dog and that you notice if it is uncomfortable and act on it.

Read Also: How To Draw A Golden Retriever Face

Children And Other Pets

The amiable Golden Retriever isn’t bothered by the noise and commotion of kids in fact, he thrives on it. He’s a large, strong dog, though, and he can easily knock over a small child by mistake.

As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. Teach your child never to approach any dog while he’s eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog’s food away. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child.

The Golden’s attitude toward other pets is the more the merrier. He enjoys the companionship of other dogs, and with proper introductions and training, can be trusted with cats, rabbits, and other animals.

Put On Dog Boots For Winter

Dog boots can help protect your dog from injuries, for instance, by providing added traction that can prevent slips and falls. They also stop snow, ice, melting salt, and other debris from building up between your dogs paw pads, which can cause painful cuts and sores.

Not all dogs like wearing dog boots for winter. If your dog isnt into boots, first make sure theyre the correct size. If theyre too tight or too loose, they may be uncomfortable to wear and can come off while your dog is outside.

If your dog absolutely refuses to don those dog boots, you can try coating his or her paws with petroleum jelly or specially made paw wax. These substances provide a protective layer between soft paws and rough winter surfaces.

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Summing Up: Do Golden Retrievers Shed

Golden retrievers happen to shed a lot. If you want to get yourself a Golden Retriever, you should be ready to brush your dogs coat out on a daily basis and also use an undercoat rake at least once per week.

Golden retrievers are one of the dog breeds that come with a double coat which is made up of a thick, downy undercoat and an oily, waterproof outer coat. This makes them resistant to water to an extent.

The undercoat sheds hair often which allows the new hair to grow in.

The hotter the place you live, the more your golden retriever will shed as he need less hair to stay warm.

Of you have any questions, leave them in the comments, and well get back to you as soon as we can.

Winter Golden Retriever Care Tips

Also Check: How Often Should I Bathe My Golden Retriever

How To Tell If Your Dog Is Too Cold

Common symptoms that your dog is too cold may include:

Shivering. This is the most obvious sign that your dog is too cold. If youve been outside for a while and your dog begins to tremble or shiver, hes probably too cold.

Slow breathing or moving slowly. When a dog gets cold, their muscles can stiffen. So if theyre slowing down or clumsy on the walk and just dont seem to have energy, get them back inside.

Small dogs will sometimes get hiccups when theyre cold. Also, if your dogs skin is dry, or the area around their nose is dry, this may be an indicator that theyre not handling the cold well in general.

Numbness. This is a serious symptom. Massage and warm them up to get the blood circulating. But if it doesnt improve immediately, take your dog to the vet.

Cold ears. If their ears feel cold, especially around the edges, its time to bring them inside.

Curling up. Dogs will attempt to warm themselves up with their own body heat. If you notice your dog is trying to curl up into a ball, or is hunched over, or has his tail tucked in, hes probably cold.

Limping. This is a serious sign that your dogs paws are too cold. Their paws can get frostbite. If your dog is limping, get him inside immediately.

Whining. Dogs often whine when theyre trying to tell us something. If your dog is whining, he might be trying to tell you hes too cold.

Hydration Is Important Even When It Is Cold

Makingsure that your Golden Retriever gets enough water is always a problem. For themost part, most dog owners are conscious of this and bring water with them tothe park or hunting fields.

We,as dog owners are especially careful of hydration in the summer months when wesee our dogs panting.

Thewinter, however, presents a couple of challenges to canine hydration.

First,you have to overcome your own mental breakdowns.

Thereare several reasons dog owners may not provide enough water to their dogs inthe winter. For example, because your dog is not working as hard as she does inthe summertime, you may forget to ensure she is drinking enough.

Or,the cooler temperatures might suggest that your dog is not as thirsty as thesummer. While these may be true, hydration is important all year long.

So,make sure that your dog has at least .5 ounces of water for every pound of bodyweight. That means that my 75-pound Lab should drink at least 32-ish ounces ofwater every day.

Theother reason that dogs dont get enough water during the winter is the freezingtemperatures.

Youmay set out enough water in the morning, but if temps stay low long enough, thewater will just freeze. When that happens, your Golden Retriever doesnt getenough water.

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Fiction: If It Looks Like A Sweater And Acts Like A Sweater It Will Keep My Dog Warm

Fact: This is so not true. I like to get waterproof dog clothes for my Dexter, a Cocker Spaniel, so his thicker hair can stay dry on our winter snow-covered-sidewalk jaunts. In addition, waterproof apparel keeps him dry from dew-coated bushes and grass at the park. Much like my own winter coat does for me, a polar-fleece lining gives dogs comfort while protecting against colder temperatures.

How Often Should I Bathe My Golden Retriever

It is a commonly known fact that Golden Retrievers love water, but bathing them is not exactly the same. The hygiene routine will vary from dog to dog, as not all retrievers have the same lifestyle or get as dirty as others. The necessary frequency with which you should bathe a Golden Retriever depends on the dog’s age as well, as puppies need to be bather more often.

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Does My Golden Retriever Need A Sweater

Goldens are pretty good in handling cold weather, but they also have their own limitations. Generally, tt depends on the weather but it also depends on the dogs health condition.

As a rule o thumb, if the temperature is above 45°F, they will not require any sweater or coat and they will be able to regulate their temperatures just fine.

When it drops below that they may need help staying warm with the help of a sweater, coat, or blanket. You should definitely make sure that they do not stay outside for more than 30 minutes without a sweater if the temperature is below 20°F and bring them inside as quickly as possible.

But the temperature alone will not tell the whole story, and you need to keep an eye on your dog and watch for any signs that they are not cold such as shivering or looking for cover.

As for at night, you can learn when do golden retrievers need blankets here, and you will find 7 very useful tips on keeping your golden warm at night in general, so make sure to check it out when possible.

Voyagers K9 Apparel Dog Winter Coat Fabric Care

Taking proper care of your dog’s clothing is important. Please follow these instructions for cleaning your Voyagers K9 Apparel Golden Retriever Winter Coat.

The Voyagers K9 Apparel Advantage

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