Golden Retriever Grooming What Tasks Need Doing
I could do with a scrub up!
To keep your;golden retriever healthy and happy, you need to stay on top of grooming.
Just like humans, dogs must be regularly groomed to stay clean and because of a Goldens long fur, it is essential for preventing matting, which can be painful for your dog and even cause skin trouble.
But grooming your Golden Retriever isnt simply coat care alone, it consists of multiple different tasks, from bathing and trimming their nails, to cleaning their ears and teeth.
The guidelines for each of these grooming acts are slightly different and will depend on the activities you do with your pooch on a regular basis and even where you live. Here are some of the tools you will need to groom your dog.
How Often Should A Golden Retriever Be Groomed
The Golden Retriever should be groomed at least every six weeks to keep your Goldens coat shiny, healthy, and tidy. The nails should be clipped every 2 to 4 weeks, and the teeth should be brushed once or twice a week.
The Golden Retriever has a double coat, so if your Golden gets wet or dirty, which he or she most likely will be since its a Golden, a high-velocity dryer can be very convenient! With this device, you can easily and quickly blow dry your Goldens coat and meanwhile blow most of the sand and dirt out of the coat as well. This can save you and your dog the hassle of a bath unless your pooch stinks after the outdoor adventure!
If youre interested, . For Stippy, my Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, also double-coated, I use the Upgraded Dog Dryer when hes wet and sandy . It blows the sand and dirt right out of his double coat. He hates taking a bath, so this is very helpful and prevents a lot of stress for him and hassle for me.
What Should My Bathing Schedule Be
Well, the best thing is to wash at least two times in a month if the weather is significantly hotter and it is likely that our dog needs a bath. If you are living in colder weather, then I suggest once in the month is more than a month or 90 days gap is recommended. Moreover, it all depends more on the environment your dog spends his daily activities, is it clean or dirty, is it healthy or harmful, depending on such conditions can lead to more baths in a month than just one time in a month. Of course, the Golden retrievers love to be clean, tidy and sophisticated.
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What To Do If Your Dog Has Excessively Hairy Paws
Theres no cure for this skin condition at this time but it can be managed.
You can soften and remove the hardened hair and skin on their paws and nose, or you can make an appointment with their vet regularly to have this done.;
Heres what you can use to smooth their paws and help them go back to their regular shape.
- Coconut oil;
- Olive oil
- Natural balms;
They will help to soothe the rough skin and prevent any cracks, make sure while applying any of them that your dog doesnt lick them because it can upset their stomach.
You can also help to protect their paws by covering them with some socks when they are at home or in the backyard, or booties when they are going on walks.
If you are intending to go for runs, though, I recommend taking a moment to learn about how to prepare for running with your golden retriever here.
Grooming Tutorial Blow Drying: Questions And Answers With Joanne Lastoka
Mikes Question:
Ok Joanne, whats the proper method of drying a dog from the skin out? My guys are doing lots of swimming this week, its hot, humid, and now starting to rain again. I dont want hot spots, but do want to exercise my dogs in the water. Last time I dried a dog I did it wrong and had feather mats big time.
Answer:;
It is hard work Mike, even with a good cool forced air dog dryer or livestock dryer, thats why most groomers, both at vet clinics and in private businesses dont dry the dogs totally. They stop at damp dry and crate him/her to air dry before sending the dog home. ; Drying the dogcompletely is really important, both to prevent the dog from getting hot spots , and; in;case of a show dog, you dont want the dog laying on damp coat & pressing his coat into the waffle design of a crate, or creating unsightly cowlicks here and there!
Often if the owner feels beneath the hair, close to the skin the dog will still be damp. ; Ill describe drying the dog in stages. ;Dogs that have never been dried with a forced air dryer before should be allowed to get used to the sound &feel of the drying SLOWLY and with great care and patience by the owner/handler. ; See Puppies below, instructions can be modified for older dogs as well! ;Your lap is the best place to dry a very young puppy, and a grooming table with arm is the choice for a dog of 3 to 4 months of age and up.
Working with an older puppy or Adult:
Drying Instructions for BodyCoat ;
Feathering:
The Tail:
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Will My Golden Retriever Tail Hair Grow Back
Yes, it will grow back again if you trimmed it or even accidentally shaved a part of their tail, also, if they chew the hair off their tail, or they are suffering from a hair loss because of a hormonal condition then you can expect their tail hair to grow back once you control their hormonal condition.
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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.
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The Golden Retrievers Double Coat
Double coats consist of an inner layer known as an undercoat and an outer layer known as the outer coat. The undercoat is short and dense with a wooly-like texture.
The undercoat sheds twice a year extensively . The coat is long and made of so-called guard hairs. The outer coat sheds moderately all year round.;
The undercoat and outer coat grow at different speed rates and various lengths from each other. The undercoat grows faster but shorter. The outer coat grows longer but slower.;
Being much thinner during summer and denser during winter, the undercoat serves as an insulator. It keeps the dog warm in cold, wet weather and cools in hot, humid weather.;
The outer coat repels water and catches dirt and debris. It also protects against potentially harmful UV lights.;
Retrievers have dense, water-repellent, and medium to long double coat in a very pale cream color or light golden shade. They also have extensive feathering.
Feathering refers to the linger fur that grows on specific body areas such as the neck, underbody, tail, and back of legs.;
Do Golden Retriever Dogs Need To Be Groomed Regularly
Owning a a Golden Retriever and need to know how often do a Golden Retriever Dog need to be groomed or should you bathe a Golden Retriever?According to dog experts, Golden Retriever Dogs score out of 5 in the scale of dog breeds that require grooming regularly.
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What Is The Problem With Not Enough Baths
There are a lot of problems that can arise if you dont bath your Golden Retriever enough.
The biggest concern is a problem for youespecially if you keep your Golden Retriever inside. If your dog does not get enough baths, she will probably start to stink and shed even more than normal.
Another problem with not bathing your Golden enough is that her coat will become matted and gross.
Because shedding and smelling are pretty high on peoples YUCK list, the problem when baths is not that owners do them too infrequently. The opposite is usually more likely to be true: PEOPLE TYPICALLY BATH THEIR DOG TOO OFTEN.
Establishing A Good Grooming Routine
It is essential to teach your Golden Retriever proper grooming behavior while still young. This is best achieved by getting used to being handled, brushed, and bathed from an early age.
Start acclimating your Golden Retriever puppy to these routines as soon as you bring it home.;
At this point, the young Golden Retriever does not have any regular grooming needs. However, your goal is to establish a good dog grooming routine.
Dealing with an 80-pound adult Golden Retriever that cannot stand being brushed is much harder than teaching a Golden pup that brushing is good.;
Grooming your Golden Retriever pup is not for actual grooming purposes; instead, its goal is building a habit.;
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Are You Supposed To Trim Golden Retrievers
Yes, you are supposed to trim your golden retriever but only on the ears, neck, tail, and feet, They shouldnt have a full haircut and never shave your golden retriever even in hot weather and you should groom them regularly.
If you do live somewhere thats hot, there are other ways to cool down your dog. You can learn how to help your golden retriever adapt to hot weather here.
How Do You Groom A Golden Retrievers Tail
Before you trim your Golden Retrievers tail make sure you have brushed it thoroughly, removing all tangles and matting. Your Retrievers tail should just reach your dogs hocks, hold the tail downwards and use your thumb to mark where this would be on the tail. Use thinning scissors and begin to trim past where your thumb is, taking small bit by bit. Taking your time this way you should eventually reach your desired length.
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You Can Start Em Young
As with most things related to children and puppies, the earlier to you start, the better. Grooming is essential for keeping your puppy healthy and clean, so naturally, youll want to develop grooming habits young.
Starting to groom at home from an early age will be easier on you, but also, many groomers dont accept puppies until theyre of a certain age.
This is usually due to the shots theyre required to have. Groomers dont want to have unvaccinated dogs in their care for obvious health reasons.
Grooming your golden at home is easy when theyre just a pup, and their fur hasnt grown into those lengthy golden locks yet.
How Often Should You Groom A Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are arguably one of the most desired companions for pet owners and especially dog lovers. After all, what is there not to love about them? These dogs are among the most friendly, lovable, and intelligent kinds of dogs out there. People could spend hours upon hours playing with these hunks of fur to be met with the same amount of enthusiasm and energy.
A Golden Retriever is the perfect family pet and a friend to all people. You will find yourself spending a large amount of your time with these playful dogs. As their name might suggest, these dogs have golden fur to compliment their wonderful personalities. This is why pet owners must always remember to take good care and groom their Golden Retrievers.
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Cleaning The Eyes And Ears
Unfortunately, ear infections are common among Golden Retrievers. Its their long floppy ears that leave no room for aeration that are typically to blame.;But fortunately, with a little care and attention, you can prevent such issues.
When you bathe your dog, take time to wipe inside their ears with a ball of cotton wool and some mineral water. In addition, white vinegar in warm water is also good enough for regular ear-wiping.
I squirt some cleaning solution in his ear, rub it with his ear closed, than clean the gunk out with a cotton ball after he shakes his head. NEVER use q tips!
Jennay9909
Should you notice that your Golden is shaking his or her head or scratching the ears against a surface, its probably itchy. You should check for signs of infection or ear mites. Discharge and redness will eventually manifest with an infection.
When signs of infection or ear mites are identified, do a more thorough job by inserting five drops of mineral water into each ear canal. Let it sit for a minute before wiping it out with cotton wool.
If this routing ear-cleaning is done for three days without improvement, take your Golden to a vet. Discharge is always a sign of bigger problems and should be reported immediately to the dog doctor.
A little mineral oil and a ball of cotton wool should also be used to wipe the eyes. Just pay attention not to get it into your Goldens eye. Discharging eyes are also a sign of infection and should be checked by a vet.
Your Golden Retriever Has A Double
The thick water-repellent double coat of a Golden Retriever requires a lot of care to keep it looking its best. The coat consists of a dense undercoat of short hairs that are woolly in texture, and an outer coat of long hairs called guard hairs.
You can blame your dogs undercoat for all of that heavy shedding! ;It sheds heavily twice a year, in the spring and fall. ;The rest of the year you will notice moderate shedding or hair turn-over.
The undercoat and outer coat grow at different speeds and lengths from each other. The undercoat is shorter and grows faster whereas the outer coat is longer and grows slower.
In extreme temperatures, the undercoat works as an insulator keeping your dog warm in cold, wet weather and cool in hot, and humid weather.
The long guard hairs that make up the outer coat work to repel water and catch dirt and debris. The outer coat also protects your dog from the harmful UV rays.
In the summer the undercoat is much thinner because of the shedding, and the outer coat will protect your Golden from sun and heat.
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Reasons Why You Should Never Shave Your Golden Retriever
So many people believe that shaving a Golden Retriever will keep them cool in the summer, this is absolutely false!
Shaving any dog with a double coat is never a good idea. The only time shaving should be done is when necessary.
Necessary times for shaving are:
Lets look at why you should never shave your Golden Retriever, or any other double-coated breed:
How Short Can You Trim A Golden Retriever
- You can trim their tail for any length you want but you dont want it to be too short
- Trimming; the fur on your dogs feet to be around a ½ inch long
- When you trim their neck fur you should just shorten it a little bit and avoid changing the fur natural curve.
A reminder; you should NEVER shave your golden retriever or trim their hair too short. You can learn why shaving a golden retriever is a terrible idea here.
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How To Trim Golden Retriever Ears And Tail
The ears and tail are two trademarks of a golden retriever, which is why many people turn to professional dog groomers that have experience in this area. Safety is also important, and professionals are trained to know all of the hazards and first aid protocols.
However, this doesnt mean that you cant safely and effectively trim your goldens tail at home. You can use clippers, although scissors offer the most control. Because clippers come with guards, its a little harder to cut your dog when using these. So, if you do choose scissors, make sure to make little snips and go slow.
Examples: Boston Terriers Dobermans Pinshers Staffordshire Bull Terrier Pugs
Short-haired dogs usually only need occasional baths every 4-6 weeks and minimal brushing, and will rarely need much grooming with clippers or trimmers. Contrary to popular belief, short-haired dogs do shed and some of them shed even more than longer-haired dogs. And while nothing will permanently stop them from shedding, there are deshed treatment options available that can significantly reduce the amount of shedding. Heres a treatment plan that we recommend for short-haired dogs.
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Where Are Golden Retriever Feathers Found
Golden Retrievers feathers are found especially in three places. They are,
Golden Retrievers feather layout offers them a graceful look and you can easily notice them while they are hunting or running. They add a particular wave to their coats of fur. No matter people consider this trait as a minor feature of Golden Retrievers, some breeders consider this a vital trait.