Why Regular Brushing Is So Important
Brushing your Golden regularly not only helps their skin and coat, it also can significantly reduce the amount of pet dander and fuzz in your home. If you have central air and or heat, then vents and filters will not clog as quickly so you save time and money on filter replacements. Excessive pet dander can really make house cleaning a lot more time intensive even just with the extra vacuuming. If someone in your house suffers from allergies then regular brushing may help them as well depending on the root cause of the allergy.
Brushing also encourages pet parents to take a look at their Goldens skin and spot any potential problems so they can be addressed ASAP. Long and medium coated dogs that dont get brushed regularly may have or develop skin problems. An infected ingrown hair can be painful and need treatment but can be very hard to notice on a messy long coat. Mats and tangles can contribute to hot spots and hair loss.
Brushing Your Golden Retriever
When your Golden Retriever is shedding normally, you should brush them at least once a week. Daily is better if possible. During shedding season, its crucial you brush them daily.
You can gently back-brush their coat to begin with, especially if theres lots of dirt and debris in your dogs coat . You should then brush in the direction of their coat all over their body to get out any tangles.
If your dogs coat is very tangled, you can use a detangling spray or some water before brushing. If its quite smooth and fairly tangle-free, you can brush them dry. Its important you always brush them both before and after a bath.
Keep sessions short and use lots of praise and treats to ensure your dog doesnt get frustrated. Its better to do a few short sessions rather than 1 long one if your dog isnt enjoying being brushed. Its best to start grooming your dog when theyre a puppy to get them used to the process: that way theyll find it less stressful.
Quick Tips: How To Keep Your Goldens Fur In Perfect Condition
DAILY: Brush your Golden with a slicker brush or combination brush to detangle the fur and to keep it clean and smooth .
WEEKLY: Use a de-matting tool to clear out mats and tangles from the undercoat. Also, use a de-shedding tool to remove shed hair from the undercoat and to keep it from matting.
MONTHLY: Bathe your Golden using a suitable dog shampoo to promote healthy skin and coat and also to reduce shedding.
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Simple Tips To Properly Brush A Golden Retriever
Use The Gentlest Touch With Puppies
Puppies can get very dirty. Brushing can help remove dirt and debris and increase the amount of time between baths. They can also be very wiggly wanting love and attention. It is important to use gentle brushes that dont irritate their skin. The undercoat is not all grown out and developed so a double sided pin style and bristle brush is often the best option. Rounded coated pins can take care of the major tangles while the soft bristle side will do just fine for daily brush outs so your house isnt full of fuzz!
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True Touch Hair Removal Glove
Best Overall
Hair removal gloves are particularly useful for Golden Retrievers because these dogs tend to shed a lot of fur. Gloves have the advantage of being easy to get onto almost any area of their body while also helping your pet enjoy being cared for.
The key factor that helps this glove stand out from other products is its dual-sided nature. One side has silicone grooming nubs that pull out loose hair and massage the skin to encourage releasing the oils that give a Golden Retrievers fur its natural luster.
The other side of these gloves is a denser lint removal tool for getting fur off of carpeting, couches, and other areas. Golden Retrievers will probably shed on things even if you brush them daily, so the added support is particularly useful.
The 5 Best Brushes For Golden Retrievers In 2021
Giving your Golden Retriever regular brushing is important, it helps to make your dog stay healthy, neat, and tidy. The first step before you can brush your dog is to find a dog brush and it wont be easy since there are so many different brushes out there.
That said, in this article, well recommend you our favorite brushes for Golden Retrievers and shows you what to look for to help you find suitable brush for your Golden.
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Reasons Why Golden Retrievers Shed So Much
The Golden Retriever is one of Americas most popular dog breeds because theyre easy to care for. As a matter of fact, VetStreet ranked them the number 1 dog breed for new owners.
But if you already own one, then you already know they shed quite a bit. But why do these dogs shed so much more than other dog breeds?
Can I Use Human Shampoo On My Golden Retriever
You shouldnt use human shampoo on your golden retriever since they are too strong and can dry and irritate your dogs skin. Although human shampoos are too harsh for dogs, you can use baby shampoo to bathe your pooch. Baby shampoos are gentler than normal human shampoos and shouldnt damage or dry your golden retrievers skin if used once in a while.
Read Also: How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever Dog
Bothi Pet Shampoo Brush
The Bodhi dog grooming brush is popular today and for a good reason. It leaves the fur soft and shiny while cleaning the undercoat without damaging the skin of your pet. This is an excellent choice for dogs that dislike brushing or those with sensitive skin. The grooming tool is highly effective at getting efficiently rid of dirt and fur.
It features soft bristles with soft rubber tips for a massaging feel on your pet. This means that you dont have to worry about injuring your pet. The brush also features an ergonomic oval handle that allows you to hold it firmly in place as you clean your pet in a circular motion. Apart from improving the appearance of your dogs coat, it also soothes the skin and hair follicles for a healthier look.
As the name suggests, you can use this grooming brush to give your pet a bath and massage. Also, this brush can be used on both dry and wet fur, whether for grooming or as a bath brush. It is ideal for medium-haired fur dogs like the retriever. If you want to remove the hair from the brush, simply turn it upside down and then tap while removing the hair gently.
Pros
- The oval handle makes it easy to use
- Has a sturdy build to last long
- Its pocket-friendly for owners on a tight budget
Cons
- Small dogs may find it a bit too abrasive
Daily Dog Brushing Routine
Brush with slicker brush or combination brush to detangle the fur and to help remove loose dog hair. Do not go over the same area more than 3 times with a slicker brush, as that can cause brush burn. Use a long pin brush to reach deeper into their coat to remove tangles and helps reach places where your slicker brush cannot.
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When Do Dogs Shed
Knowing when to expect the start of your dogs shedding season can be helpful. It makes it a lot easier to prepare mentally for the struggle of finding dog hair everywhere.
But not all dogs shed seasonally. Some breeds shed all year round, which might sound horrifying, but its not much of a difference.
A dogs shedding season usually occurs twice a yearonce in fall, when the light summer coat is discarded to make space for a thick winter one, and once in spring when the opposite happens. It can result in big locks of hair being shed at once. So you find carpets of dog hair twice a year every day over a few months.
Dogs that shed year-round do it gradually and in smaller quantities. So youll always have some hair on the floor, but you can easily remove it by vacuuming once a week.
Its up to you to decide which one you prefer before choosing a dog breed aseasonal shedder like the Samoyed or a year-round one like the Golden Retriever.
Also Check: When Do Golden Retriever Puppies Start To Calm Down
Best Brushes For Golden Retrievers
All you need to brush your golden retriever is a slicker brush and an undercoat rake.
Slicker brushes are made up of fine wire angled teeth that get out tangles, mats, and dead fur.
Many have soft rubber tips to be gentler on your dogs skin, but youll still want to brush your golden lightly so that its not painful for them.
Our favorite slicker brush is this Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush because it does a good job at brushing your golden, has gentle teeth, and cleans itself by getting all the fur out of the brush with the push of a button.
You can get this .
Now, some goldens may be ok with just a slicker brush if they dont have very thick coats.
However, if your golden has a thicker coat and gets mats in their undercoat, then youll also want to use an undercoat rake.
Undercoat rakes are a little tougher on mats and tangles than slicker brushes, and are great at getting out dead fur from the undercoat.
You can get this .
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Best Bristle And Pin Brush Combo
Professional Double Sided Pin & Bristle Brush for Dogs and Cats by GoPets
Thisis a good option as a two-in one for pet parents that travel to shows or goaway for the weekend, and dont want to take too many grooming brushes withthem.
Pros:
.Rounded metal edges emphasize safety and comfort for your Golden Retriever.
.This bristle brush has a silicone handle that is comfortable to hold, and hand-fitting.
.Lifetime guarantee provided
.Cushioned surface holding the pins for extra comfort and safety
.Nylon bristles are gentle during puppyhood.
.Large handle that is good for grooming.
.Pins do not collapse
Best Brush For Golden Retrievers
July 29, 2018 By Shannon Cutts
If you have landed here because you are on the hunt for the best brush for Golden Retrievers, weve prepared this special article just for you!
Choosing the best brush for Golden Retrievers can be a very personal decision that should be based on a number of different factors!
Youll need to consider the shape and size of your hands, your strength, how often you groom your Golden retriever, and what your dogs veterinarian or groomer recommends.
In this article, well review some of the best brushes for Golden retrievers so you can choose the perfect brush to fit your preferences, needs, and budget!
Products included in this article were carefully and independently selected by the Happy Puppy Site team. If you decide to make a purchase from one of the links marked by an asterisk, we may earn a small commission on that sale. This is at no extra cost to you.
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Golden Retriever Hair Type
Golden retriever have two coats of medium length hair. Their hair helps them maintain temperature in both the winter and summer months. In the winter time, their undercoat grows to keep them warm. When spring comes around, the will shed their undercoat.
They have longer hair around their neck, under-body, tail, and back of legs. These areas are prone to matting so make sure to brush these areas well.
Different Types Of Brushes For Golden Retriever
In our opinion, you just need these three different brushes to manage Golden Retriever coat: slicker brush, bristle brush, undercoat rake, and comb.
1. Slicker Brush
A slicker brush is a must-have tool for every Golden Retriever owner. The brush is comprised of fine bristles and dense pins. The fine bristles are designed to penetrate the guard coat and remove loose hair, dirt, debris, and distributing natural oils throughout the topcoat, while the dense pins help to remove mats and tangles.
2. Bristle Brush
A bristle brush is made out of nylon or boar hair and used for regular brushing when the coat is already in good shape. There are two different variations of bristle brushes: longer bristles, and stiffer bristles. Basically, longer bristles are used for longer fur, while stiffer bristles are used for Golden with shorter fur. The alternative to a bristle brush is a wire pin brush which has the same function.
3. Undercoat Rake
An undercoat rake is comprised of a long row or a few rows of firm metal teeth. This rake is used to detangle and clean the undercoat that slicker brush wont be able to touch. This is especially useful during spring or autumn when your dog is shedding a lot.
4. Comb
And the last one is grooming comb or more specifically greyhound comb. Greyhound comb is used for finishing and clear any leftover mats and tangles.
Why are we against the de-shedding tool?
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The Jw Pet Gripsoft Soft Slicker Brushs Flexible Ideally Angled Stainless Steel Bristles Minimize Skin Irritation While Lifting Out Loose Hair
Pros: Made for pets with sensitive skin, angled stainless steel bristles minimize irritation, rubberized grips and curved handle provide comfort and control
Cons: Not as effective for smooth-coated dogs with no undercoat , might be too large for toy breeds
A slicker brush is made from very thin, closely set wire bristles that are good for general brushing and removing loose fur from long-haired dogs. A high-quality slicker brush should be stiff enough to untangle the coat but still gentle on the skin.
âI would not advise any pet parent to use a slicker brush for short-haired dogs as they can cause brush burn,â Edmonds said. âI would use this for long-haired pets and double-coated shedding dogs like Siberian huskies, German shepherds, and golden retrievers.â
We like JW Petâs Gripsoft Soft Slicker Brush because it effectively detangles the coat and removes loose hair. With its flexible stainless steel bristles turned 90 degrees away from the skin, it also minimizes âraking,â which makes brushing more comfortable for your dog. The 5.5-inch-wide bristle area makes it a good fit for small to large-size dogs.
The JW Pet Gripsoft is also durable yet lightweight and comfortable to hold with nonslip rubber grips on the front and back of the curved handle. When I was done brushing, I used my fingers to easily lift the hair out of the rounded brush head.
An Overview Of The Best Dog Brushes For Golden Retrievers
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product.
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*Some of the above links lead to current prices and customer reviews on Chewy.
Carry on reading to discover why we made these choices, and lots of tips and buying advice to ensure you get the right product.
Read Also: How To Cut A Golden Retriever Hair
Do Golden Retrievers Need To Be Brushed
Although Goldens are unlikely to develop knots or matting, brushing is still essential.
Goldens are high-shedding year-round, and during their bi-annual blow out youll likely be shocked by the amount of hair they lose. Its even been suggested that the average Golden sheds around 70 pounds of pet hair per year! Brushing can remove dead hairs, so they are less likely to end up on your sofa or carpets.
A regular grooming routine also has a host of other benefits, including:
- Distributes the coats natural oils and promotes healthier skin
- Increases the coats shine
- Promotes new hair growth
- Removes dirt and debris
- Improve the coats temperature regulating properties
- Increases the chance of you spotting lumps or abnormalities on the skin that are hidden under the coat
- Can be relaxing for your Golden when performed gently
While the frequency of grooming depends on the individual Golden, a brush twice a week should be sufficient. When your Goldens coat is going through the seasonal moult, you may need to brush them daily to keep the dead hairs at bay.