What About The Teddy Cut Grooming Style
Although is isn`t really a good idea to shave your Retriever`s fur without a really good reason, you might feel tempted to try and keep your dog`s hair shorter during the humid, hot weather season.
Some grooming professionals have chosen to adopt a new technique known as the Teddy Cut method. This is also a good way to maintain your dog`s coat shorter without having to sacrifice its double coat.
For this particular type of cut, the dog`s body will be clipped up to a shorter hair length, while its legs will be scissored in the coat`s natural shape.
The canine`s tail and feet also needs to be trimmed in a curved, short style, similar to the paws of a cat.
No matter how you choose to groom your little one, your canine companion will most certainly look fantastic. You`ll also feel happy as soon as you found the proper style for your dog.
When Is Shedding In Your Retriever A Sign Of A Problem
While shedding is completely normal for a golden retriever, there are times when it could also be a sign of a problem. If you notice excess shedding or their shedding is abnormal, it could be being caused by any of the following.
Allergies
Allergies are known to affect your golden retriever in a number of ways, and one of the ways they can be affected is excess shedding.
The allergy may be caused by something in their environment thats aggravating their skin such as grass, pollen, or airborne contaminants. It may also be something to do with you such as the shampoo youre using on them, or the laundry detergent in your clothes. And lastly, it may also be caused by certain foods that theyre eating particularly certain meats.
Whatever, the case, if you think that your golden retriever is suffering from allergies, you should take them to a vet to help you figure it out.
Parasites
Another cause of shedding which you should keep an eye on is parasites. Fleas and ticks in particular are known to irritate your golden retriever. This irritation can cause them to scratch more which can increase shedding.
Because of this you should be using an effective flea and tick preventative on your pup, as well as checking them over as well!
Bad Diet
However, with a healthy diet, you can help your new mother overcome this!
Stress
Medication
The good news is, in most cases, once your golden retriever stops taking the medication, its likely that their coat will return to normal.
Will You Check My Dog For Muscle Soreness During A Groom
Yes, while your dog is receiving the wonderful results of a professional groom they will also have their general condition checked. Apart from muscular issues, I will also be on the lookout for changes in skin conditions. This will be evident when I am giving them a pre-bath massage and blow-dry. Most groomers are not trained to recognise muscular issues in a dogs body. When I am grooming a dog , I will give your dog a check-up and if there is an issue that can be treated quickly, it will be done gently and will be free of charge . Due to time limitations, separate appointments will be required for more serious muscular issues.
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Tips To Manage Shedding
Notice how I said manage shedding instead of prevent. This is because a golden and most other breeds of dogs will shed year round. Shaving does not prevent shedding. As soon as the hair starts growing back, they will start shedding. Only difference is the hair will be too small to be seen by our eyes. It is a misconception that short haired dogs shed less. They shed as much as long haired dogs. We just do not see as much of it.
To manage shedding, groom your golden regularly. Give them a bath every 4-6 weeks during summer, and 6 8 weeks during other months. After every bath brush them thoroughly.
Brush them daily if possible, or at least every couple of days.
Last but not the least, if you are still thinking of buying a golden, understand that they shed almost their whole lives. Living with Pet hair would become a norm in your life. If you have trouble dealing with this you should not get a golden.
Do Golden Retrievers Have Two Coats
Monica Curry
Golden Retriever
The sweet, playful golden retriever is one of the most popular and lovable dog breeds in America. They are not only extremely cute but also very friendly with humans. You cant help but love these dogs because they make your heart melt thanks to their fluffy coats that come in all shades from golden blondes to majestic whites Their looks have a lot do with how gorgeous they look ? whether it be trimmed down by short fur or long curly locks, you will fall head over heels for this breed based on its coat alone! The golden retrievers coat is a standout feature that makes the dog stand out from other breeds.The beautiful, shiny gold color of your average Golden Retrievers fur sets it apart in more ways than onenot only does its appearance make for an impressive profile, but this breed might also be most beloved due to their durability and excellent temperament.
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Do Golden Retrievers Coats Get Darker
Yes, golden retrievers coat color does get a bit darker as they grow old. Normally, golden retriever puppies are born with lighter coat color than their parents. At around 2 months of age, their coat color starts changing. Checking your pups ear tips color can give you an idea about how darker the coat will get.
My Favorite Golden Retriever Care Products
The golden retriever has two coats of hair on its body: the topcoat and the undercoat.
The topcoat is very dense, golden in color and wavy in texture.
They are, for the most part, water-resistant and do a good job of shielding the dog from natural elements.
Make sure you check their paws in the summer months, I have written an article on this called How to protect a golden retrievers paws in summer you can find it here.
The undercoat is soft and in place for additional protection. The double coat means golden retrievers can survive through a range of temperatures without having to do too much to adjust.
The undercoat does a good job of protecting the dog from the chills of the winter and sheds during spring and fall to lighten the dog and keep them cool during the scorching heat of the summer months.
The heavy coats mean they need regular grooming and it is good practice to comb their hair regularly to make sure their coats remain flowy and luscious and do not form knots.
If you have a golden retriever and there are children in the house, it is a good idea to give the children that job.
It teaches them responsibility as well as deepens the bond the children have with their house pet.
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Is It Ever Ok To Shave Your Golden
The only times it is OK to shave your golden is at the Vets. Unfortunately if your golden has a wound which needs dressing or further examining, requires a surgery, or needs to undergo a scan like a MRI, the vet will have those specific areas shaves. If this happens, you need to take extra care of your dog while the hair grows back. Keep the shaved area clean, specially when the hair is growing back. Since the undercoat, which is thick and closer to the skin, grows first, it can trap a lot of dirt. Also during the first few days your dog might feel extremely itchy due to the short hairs poking his skin when he sits or lies down. We have found that applying coconut oil to these areas gives a lot of relief. Do note that your dog might love the smell and taste of coconut oil and might end up licking it off. We make sure that we massage the coconut oil gently into his skin and wait for sometime .
Keep Your Golden Neatly Trimmed
Puppy cuts can be a bit severe for some people because basically, their Golden Retriever will look like a Lab, except for the tail.
If you choose not to do a puppy cut, you should still keep your golden looking neat and tidy by keeping some areas trimmed.
Areas that need trimming are between the feet and paw pads, the hair in the ears, the feathering on the legs, the bum area, and the tail can be trimmed to look neat and sculpted.
Trimming your dog will help keep him looking his best, as well as help keep him a bit cooler in the summer. Find out how to trim a Golden Retriever easily at home by yourself.
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Shaved Golden Retriever & Hair Shedding
It is also a misconception that shaving the golden retrievers can protect them from fleas and ticks. Some people think that it will reduce their hair fall or shedding. It is wrong thinking. By eliminating the hot spots by shaving your dog is not a good idea.
Even if you have shaved your golden, it will still shed. However, you can better control the fleas and ticks by a preventive spot-on. On the other hand, a golden retriever haircut in the latest design can be appealing.
Apart from the idea of shaving your golden retriever, there are many other ways that can be helpful to reduce the tendency of seasonal shedding. It is better to monitor your dogs in the summer and follow the grooming procedures.
Should You Shave Your Golden Retriever
Shaving your Golden Retriever is not recommended. The double coat of a Golden Retriever protects their skin from sun, heat, cold, and moisture. Their fur acts as an insulator against both the heat and cold.
Below we will discuss other questions we commonly get about Golden Retrievers coats. Be sure to research before deciding on any coat care to ensure you keep your dog safe.
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Golden Retriever Coat Stages
Apart from amazing personality traits, golden retrievers are also known for their beautiful, golden coats. Achieving full coat takes time. The exact time duration for the final feathering varies slightly from one dog to another, depending on the hereditary.
The pup goes through three stages. Here are they:
- Fluff to fur stage
- Coat transition stage
- Final feathering stage
Lets Talk About Those Uv Rays
First and foremost. UV rays are very harmful, they can give you skin cancer and cause you to age faster. Just like our skin can be damaged from those harmful UV rays your furry friends skin can be damaged too.
Their 2 layer design is not only a powerful UV-ray blacker but also protects your retriever from pain in the ass sunburns.
Sunburns are not fun. I had a few of those myself so Im pretty sure they will be unpleasant to my dog as they are to me. These can create more problems such as heat strokes.
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Also Check: Golden Retriever Ages
How Do You Brush A Golden Retriever
Every few days, at least, you should be brushing your Golden Retriever from head to toe, spending extra time on the thicker parts of your pups body. Regular brushing will reduce the amount of matting and make each brush a bit easier and softer. Watch out behind the ears, tail and the back legs of your Retriever, this is where theyre most prone to matting, so make sure to take extra care.
Can You Shave A Golden Retriever Mix
NEVER shave your golden. Their hair is the way it is for a reasoneven in warm weather, they need their double coat to keep them cool and protect them from the sun, bugs and other issues. This breed has a tendency to get ear infections, so its important to have their ears checked and cleaned regularly.
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How To Groom A Golden Retriever At Home
Lets talk about how to groom a Golden Retriever with different kinds of brushes , and how trim the fur with scissors and thinning shears.
Should you use an undercoat rake on your Golden? Well look at the pros and cons of this popular grooming tool.
One hard and fast rule shared by all professional groomers is to never shave your Golden.
Your dog needs that double coat year-round, so keep it trimmed but not shaved.
Plan on a once weekly brushing session at minimum. Many Goldens will require more frequent grooming.
Outdoor grooming can reduce the amount of loose fur in the house.
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Shaving Will Not Help Cool Them Down
The reason I shaved my dog was to help keep him cool in the summer. It didnt, in fact it made him even less tolerant to the heat. Your dogs coat serves as a natural insulation from both hot and cold weather. The hot sun will warm your dog up more if they dont have that layer of insulation protecting them.
When the coat does grow back it produces a thicker undercoat with a mix of short guard hairs. This new coat is thicker and softer then the old coat. Why is this bad? A dogs shaved down false coat acts as a sweatshirt. Its softness soaks up the water and attracts burrs and hitchhikers. The thickness of the coat is extremely hot in summer. Blue Cross Animal Hospital
Shaving your double coated dog doesnt help cool them down. Their top layer of fur acts as insulation that helps keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
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Why You Shouldn’t Shave Your Golden Retriever:
Unless there is a medical reason given by your doctor, there is no good reason to shave your golden retriever’s coat.
Understanding your dog’s hair. All about Golden Retriever’s Double Coat:
A double coat is two separate layers of fur: an undercoat and a top coat.
The undercoat is dense short fur that is woolly in nature and helps golden retrievers maintain body temperature, it also helps protect your dog from hot and cold temperatures when outdoors.
In the winter, the dog’s undercoat will keep the dog warm by providing insulation and by helping keep their skin dry. In the summer, the dog’s undercoat keeps your dog cool.
Double coats are very common among water fowl dogs.
The top coat consists of longer fur called guard hairs that help repel moisture and dirt.
Final Thoughts…
Trimming A Golden Retriever For Summer
The perfect way to groom your golden retriever for summer is to trim the hair short and not shave it completely. This type of haircut is called a puppy cut and involves trimming the hair to 1-2 inches in length while leaving some feathering on the legs. The tail is also trimmed though kept long. While a groomer can easily trim your golden retriever, you can groom it at home with a pair of dog clippers.
And if you feel that puppy cut can be too severe for the dog, you can choose to keep your golden retriever looking neat and tidy by trimming some of the areas. You can trim areas near the paw pads and feet, fur on the legs, hair in the ears and the tail. Trimming will keep the dog looking great and feeling cool in summer.
Also Check: Golden Retriever Color Chart
Shaving Your Dog Will Not Decrease Shedding
Shaving your dog does not . Your dog will still shed, and after shaving it will just be shorter hair that theyre shedding. Because their top guard layer has been removed , the undercoat is allowed to grow uninhibited which can lead to more shedding.
Ein was still shedding eight pounds of hair each and every day after he was shaved. The hairs were just a whole lot shorter! So, if this is the reason that you might like to shave your double coated dog think again. You will still be vacuuming hair! Danielle at Team Unruly
Do Golden Retrievers Get Cold
As a responsible pet owner, it is our job to care for our pets and make sure they are comfortable and not too cold. This responsibility falls upon us to provide the proper care they need.
In return for our love and nurture, Golden Retrievers warm our hearts with their love, loyalty, and companionship.
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Bathing Tips For Your Golden Retriever
Its a good idea to introduce baths to your Golden as soon as possible. If you have a new puppy, you should start baths at six weeks of age. Early on, these baths can even be fake baths so to speak. Just run some water on them, so they grow accustomed to the process and learn to enjoy their bath time routine.
Its also important to note that you should praise and reward your dog during and after a bath. So, I say after a successful and well-behaved bath time routine, that your pup be rewarded with a treat or two!
I also highly recommend giving them lots of snuggles and play time after their bath as this will help them relieve the stress they had before or during this event. In time, your Golden Retriever may even come to look forward to bath time!