Set Up Your Golden Retriever Grooming Station
Choose a place to work on your pet where you are both comfortable. Some people keep their grooming tools next to where they sit to watch television and brush their dog while watching a favorite show. Others prefer to brush their pet in a bathroom, laundry room or other space that is not carpeted so they can easily clean the floor afterwards.
Shaving Will Not Stop Your Dog From Shedding
Shaving a double-coated dog does not make them shed less. Many people are under the impression that shaving a dog will stop the shedding, it does not.
Double-coated dogs shed twice a year and that is the undercoat. ;The rest of the time the shedding is normal hair turn over, which happens in all animals with hair.
Shaving only makes the hair pieces smaller, but they will still shed.
Tip #2 Regularly Bathe Your Dog
How often are you bathing the dog?
When you have a Golden Retriever, their fur is going to attract toxins, dust, and dirt. This is normal because longer hair is prone to this type of concern.
However, the only way to resolve this problem is by tweaking their bathing schedule. While you wouldnt do the same for a short-haired dog, the same doesnt apply here!
Its time to take action and increase how many times your Golden Retrieve bathes during the week. In most cases, your dog needs to be bathing 2-3 times per week and sometimes more when hair loss is involved.
With a Golden Retriever losing hair in clumps, you will have to soothe the skin and make sure they are clean.
The only way this is going to happen is by using high-quality medicated dog shampoo and washing their body with quality water. If you arent doing this, the condition is going to worsen and your dog will feel itchy 24/7!
Your top priority has to be to make changes to the dogs routine.
This includes tweaking how they are bathing and when they are bathing throughout the week.
Read Also: Is There An English Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever Coat Stages
Golden Retriever puppies are born with fluffy, fuzzy hair coats. This fur is very soft and fine, and it helps to keep puppies warm due to its insulating properties.
Golden puppies begin to grow adult hairs around three to four months of age, starting at the tail and then gradually moving up the body. These slightly coarser outer hairs are called guard hairs, and they push the puppy fur aside until the puppy fur forms an undercoat, which thickens over time. Guard hairs form the outer coat which gives a Golden Retriever his classic double-coat as an adult. This transition phase of hair growth usually finishes when he is about 18 months old.
Guard hairs tend to be slightly darker in color compared to the undercoat hairs. The thickness of the undercoat is affected by the changing of the seasons and how often your Golden Retriever spends time outdoors. Most Goldens also develop feathers which are very long, fine hairs that grow in specific locations like the backs of the legs and over the belly.
How To Get A Golden Retriever With A Shorter Coat
When my golden retriever, Oliver, was about six months old, I started to get a little worried.
He was lanky, had a really short coat, and looked exactly like my friends labrador
Was he a part lab?
Was he a short-hair golden retriever?
Check out the video below to see his adorable, short-haired lankiness.
As it turns out, hes not a lab, nor is he a short-haired golden retriever.
Hes just a regular golden retriever with a relatively short coat compared to some goldens .
And Im very thankful his coat is short because he doesnt shed that much!
Now where did he get his shorter coat?
From his parents, of course!
Coat length is hereditary, so if you want to find a golden retriever with a shorter coat, you need to find a breeder whos breeding goldens with short coats.
Olivers parents had relatively short coats, so he has a shorter coat, too.
Of course, when choosing a breeder you need to consider more than just coat length, but you can learn more about choosing a breeder here.
Read Also: At What Age Should You Start Training A Golden Retriever Puppy
Golden Retrievers Are Hard
Golden Retrievers are versatile and hard working. They are used for the purpose of hunting, home keeping, tracking, guarding, and everything else. You would be surprised to know that they are so hardworking and they have the will to learn.
They can learn anything super quick and can master any skill easily.;Golden Retrievers can easily master skills when someone teaches them. The skills include learning techniques on how to find and rescue dogs, how to smell and search for things, and so on.
14. Golden Retrievers are top-grade therapy dogs.
When you have no one by your side, you all look for your dear dog, dont you? And why do you go to them? Because they bring calm, love, and peace to you.
Golden Retrievers are proved to be therapy for each and everyone whos stressed and tensed. Actually, they carry lots of empathy, love, and care in their heart. And the best thing about them is that they are caring towards everyone from a kid to an oldie.
Nutritional Impacts On Coat
A dog’s coat is an outward indicator of internal well-being. For this reason, coat health is an important aspect of pet care to many dog owners. Dog coats can be impacted by nutritional components from the diet. Below is a table that summarizes the effects of several nutrients on the domestic canine coat, based on current evidence:
| Nutrient |
|---|
Zinc contributes to hair growth and can prevent hair from becoming dry and brittle. In addition to, zinc when supplemented in combination with linoleic acids has been found to improve the coat of canines by reducing water loss in the trans-epidermal layer of the skin. Dogs can obtain zinc in their diet, through the addition of various ingredients, including; red meats, whole grains, poultry by-product meals, and fish meals.
Copper is a trace mineral that is required in the diet of canines at 7.3 mg/kg. Copper is involved in multiple enzymatic pathways. In dogs, a lack of copper in the diet, leading to a copper deficiency, results in incomplete keratinization. This leads to a dry coat, hypo-pigmentation, and discoloration of the coat.
Vitamin B7
Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, is a water-soluble nutrient that is known to play a role associated with the maintenance and development of hair starting from the follicle. Although it has not been clinically shown to improve hair growth with supplementation alone, it has been shown to reverse deficiency in dogs born deficient.
Also Check: Syrah Goldens Price
Are Girl Or Boy Pugs Better
Male Pugs are more likely to befriend other dogs because of their playful personality. Male Pugs tend to get along well with other dogs especially during playtime. Because they are more sociable than female Pugs, most Pug owners prefer getting a male Pug when they already have lots of dogs in their homes.
Golden Retriever Grooming Styles
Now that you have all the right tools to groom your Golden like a pro, what do you need to know about Golden Retriever grooming cuts?
Golden Retrievers and extreme cuts dont mix! Professional groomers who work with show quality Goldens emphasize the importance of an overall balance and symmetry in a good cut.
An untrimmed Golden Retriever has thick, long hair on areas like the neck, tail, and legs.
A properly trimmed Golden should look neat, with the thickest hair on the neck, tail, and legs/feet trimmed to look smooth and even.
Severe summer cuts are generally not done on Golden Retrievers.
Its important to remember that a Goldens thick undercoat works as insulation in the winter.
The undercoat will be much thinner in the summer, but leaving the top coat intact will protect your Golden from sun and heat.
Don’t Miss: What Is The Lifespan Of A Golden Retriever
Why Does My Golden Retriever Have A Black Spot On Their Tongue
Some golden retrievers have black spots on their tongues due to extra pigments of melanin. This is also normal, happens to all breeds, and is not a cause of concern. This is more likely to happen in dog breeds that already have some black coloring in their eyes, lips, paw pads, or toenails.
Here is a quick list of some breeds that are also prone to having black spots on their tongue:
Golden Retrievers Are Super Easy To Train
Retrievers are intelligent and obedient hunting companions that are very easily trained.
Similar traits that they serve in the woods or in the water, translates them to the service industry as well. You may have seen German Shepherds often at the backside of a police vehicle.
But, the presence of sensitive nose on Golden Retrievers makes them ideal for sniffing out drugs or other illegal substances at airports, cars, or elsewhere. They are also very helpful in search and rescue operations while hunting for the injured persons in a natural disaster.
Read Also: Golden Retriever Psychiatric Service Dog
What Are Whiskers For
A dogs face is accentuated by his whiskers. They frame the eyes, comparable to eyebrows on humans, and emphasize the muzzle when a dog smiles. But whiskers are more than just facial enhancements; they serve an important function. Whiskers are specifically tuned sensory equipment that guide a dog through daily activities. These specialized hairs aid vision and help a dog navigate his environment by providing additional sensory input, much like antennae on insects.
Although whiskers are called tactile hairs, they do not actually feel anything. They simply transmit information to sensory cells when they detect objects or movement. Detecting subtle changes in air currents, dog whiskers transmit information about the size, shape, and speed of nearby objects. Whiskers help dogs navigate the world.
Whiskers are radar sensors
Dogs are known for their great senses of smell and hearing, but canine vision is not so wonderful. Dogs see better at a distance but have difficulty focusing on objects up close. Whiskers help dogs see things that lie right under their noses by constantly sending information to the canine brain. As a dog approaches something in his path, he stirs up air currents that bounce back when they hit solid objects. Whiskers detect very faint vibrations caused by these changes in air currents and act like radar detectors.
“Whiskers detect very faint vibrations caused by changes in air currents and act like radar detectors.”
Whiskers communicate emotions
How To Care For Your Golden Retrievers Coat
Once your Golden Retriever acquires a full coat, you need to ensure that you maintain it well so it remains healthy. Here are some useful suggestions on how to accomplish this:
- Keep your dog clean. Long hair coats can trap twigs and leaves, which could cause the hair to tangle and mat. Always remove such items before your dog takes a bath every 6-8 weeks for adults but more often for puppies as they get dirtier.
- Brush the coat often. Have a regular brushing routine. Brushing promotes new hair growth and eliminates dead skin cells, allowing skin oils to spread evenly throughout your pets hair. Brush your Golden Retriever more often during shedding season like daily.
- Provide high-quality nutrition. Healthy dog food is essential for your dogs healthy skin and coat. This should contain the right nutritional balance and include minerals, vitamins, fiber, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.;
Also Check: Are Golden Retrievers Easy To Potty Train
Golden Retrievers Are Even Spotted In The White House
Undoubtedly, the remarkable dog house in the whole US, the honored halls of the president have served as a ground for certain dogs.
During their time as presidents, both Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford had Golden Retrievers. Fords dog Liberty, used to live in the residence.
Whereas, Reagans dog Victory used to live on his ranch along with a stable full of horses. Liberty became such a fan following that a print of her paw was used in a rubber stamp.
The volume of letters and requests for this special signature became a clumsy thing for the puppy and Fords daughter.
Give Importance To Brushing And Bathing Your Golden Retriever
While Golden Retrievers shed all the year-round, they shed more in the fall and spring when their coats change. As a matter of fact, you need to brush your pooch every day to improve shedding. You can also use an undercoat rake to groom your pet.
An undercoat rake is a specialized grooming tool with small teeth that are made to reach through the topcoat of your pooch and remove loose hair from the undercoat. It also helps break up pesky tangles and mats on pets with long hairs.
You can use an undercoat rake pet grooming tool every couple of days if your pet has a thick undercoat that tangles or mats easily. The tool will help keep the coat of your canine healthy.
You May Like: How Do You Trim A Golden Retriever At Home
They Come In Different Shades
Dont go with the name! They are available in a wide variety. And actually, they come in various bright ranges like richer golden color, yellow color, cream color, and even orange color. If you were thinking that they are limited then know that they are not, they are available in different variants.
Why Golden Retrievers Shed
Before we talk about how to control golden retriever shedding, its important to understand their coat, the importance of it, and why they shed.
Although their fur is beautiful, soft and nice to pet, theres a lot more to it.
Golden retrievers have a double coat that is made of a soft, fluffy undercoat and a long and smooth outer coat.
The undercoat protects them from both hot and cold temperatures, while the outer coat is waterproof and protects them from dirt and other debris.
All mammals shed their fur or hair to some degree, so its totally natural.
Most goldens blow their coat in the spring and fall.
They shed year-round, but these two times are when they shed the most, and when youre most likely to find furry tumbleweeds in the house.
Now the good thing about golden retriever fur is that its relatively easy to clean.
Its soft and often clumps together, so whether youre sweeping it off the floors or wiping it off your clothes, its likely to come off in little piles that resemble furry dust bunnies.
Read Also: How Often Should You Wash A Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever Coat Care
When an owner brings their dog to me for a wellness visit, we discuss many common topics such as vaccine schedules, spaying and neutering, nutrition, and dental health. Even though there is a great deal of variation between breeds, hair coat discussions occur infrequently.
Coat care is extremely important to the health of all dogs, especially Golden Retrievers, and having knowledge about your Goldens hair coat can make it much easier to maintain. ;
How Much Exercise Do They Need
Golden Retrievers are energetic dogs who need plenty of exercise to help them stay in shape. An active lifestyle can also help prevent stress, frustration, and boredom, which can result in bad behaviors like chewing up your favorite shoes or damaging the furniture.
Your veterinarian can tell you how much exercise is right for your dog, but a good rule of thumb for Golden Retrievers is to get them moving for at least 30 minutes two times a day. That should tire out your four-legged friend. If its too hot for a walk, you can take your Golden Retriever for a swim. These dogs were bred to fetch birds from the water and tend to enjoy a nice dip in a lake or pool.
You May Like: Best Golden Retriever Breeders California
They Are One Of The Few Dogs That Can Get A Snow Nose
At the time of winter, when the air is cold and the weather is too, how does your whole body turn? Cold, yes?;
Golden retrievers are one among the few dogs that can get a Snow Nose at the time of winters. Actually, in the coldest months of winter, what happens is that some pink dots form bit by bit on the skin of a retriever.
Do Golden Retriever Whiskers Need Trimming
How to cut golden retriever hair? Whiskers grow on your dogs cheeks, including the chin area and area above the eyes. It is vital to your dog since it helps them navigate their surroundings.
Whiskers are a vital part of your dogs senses. It helps them in the dark and is crucial to their role in hunting and retrieving as well as other activities.
Some owners prefer not to trim their golden retrievers whiskers since there is really no need. However, it is your personal choice. If you do accidentally trim it, you have the assurance that it will grow back.
Read Also: How To Potty Train A Golden Retriever
Classic Standard Golden Retriever
At last, we have the standard gold, which is colors of Golden Retrievers, hence the standard.
They are the epitome of this breed and what most people imagine when they think Golden Retriever.;Theyll always have a rich and bright golden coat thats not too dark or too light. Youll know when you see one.
Theres not much to say about this classic color of the Golden Retriever. You already know what they are and what theyre about.