Golden Retriever Grooming: Coat Guide

Meta Description: Master Golden Retriever coat care with our professional guide. Learn brushing techniques, shedding solutions, and grooming tips from Australian groomers who work with Goldens daily.

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There’s nothing quite like a Golden Retriever’s coat—flowing, feathered, and unmistakably golden. It’s also one of the most demanding coats to maintain.

As professional groomers, we groom Golden Retrievers every day. We’ve seen coats in perfect condition and coats matted beyond rescue. The difference? Consistent home care between professional grooms.

This guide covers everything you need to know about maintaining your Golden’s coat: the tools, techniques, timing, and troubleshooting that keeps them looking their gorgeous best.

Understanding the Golden Retriever Double Coat

Before you can properly care for a Golden’s coat, you need to understand what you’re working with.

The Two Layers

Golden Retrievers have a double coat consisting of:

Outer Coat (Guard Hairs)
– Long, water-repellent, slightly wavy
– Protects against dirt, debris, and UV rays
– Should never be shaved (we’ll explain why)

Undercoat
– Dense, fluffy, insulating layer beneath the outer coat
– Regulates temperature in both hot and cold weather
– Sheds heavily—this is where most of “the fur everywhere” comes from

Why You Should Never Shave a Golden Retriever

We hear this request a lot: “It’s summer—can you shave my Golden?” The answer is always no, and here’s why:

The double coat regulates temperature. It insulates against both cold AND heat. Shaving disrupts this system.
The coat protects against sunburn. Shaved Goldens are vulnerable to sun damage and skin cancer.
The coat may never grow back properly. Shaving can permanently damage the coat texture, causing patchy regrowth.
It doesn’t actually reduce shedding. The undercoat still sheds—just in shorter pieces that are harder to clean up.

The solution to summer heat and shedding isn’t shaving—it’s proper coat management (which we’ll cover below).

Shedding: What to Expect and When

Golden Retrievers shed. A lot. Understanding the shedding cycle helps you prepare and manage it.

Year-Round Shedding

Goldens shed moderately throughout the year. You’ll find fur on your clothes, furniture, and floors—it’s part of life with this breed.

Seasonal “Coat Blow” (Heavy Shedding)

Twice a year, Goldens “blow” their undercoat:

Spring (September-November in Australia): Winter undercoat sheds out as warmer weather arrives
Autumn (March-May in Australia): Summer coat sheds to make room for thicker winter undercoat

During coat blow, shedding increases dramatically for 2-4 weeks. You’ll wonder how one dog can produce so much fur. This is normal.

Managing Heavy Shedding

Increase brushing to daily during coat blow
Consider a professional deshedding treatment
Use an undercoat rake to remove loose fur efficiently
Vacuum more frequently (or embrace the fur life)

Essential Brushing Routine

Regular brushing is the foundation of Golden Retriever coat care. Here’s how to do it properly.

Tools You Need

Slicker Brush
For general brushing, working through the coat, and removing loose fur. Get a quality one—cheap slicker brushes pull and scratch.

Undercoat Rake
A game-changer for double-coated breeds. The long teeth reach through the outer coat to remove loose undercoat without damaging guard hairs.

Metal Comb
For checking your work and getting through feathered areas (ears, chest, legs, tail).

Dematting Comb or Mat Splitter
For working through tangles. Use carefully to avoid cutting the coat.

How Often to Brush

Season	Minimum	Ideal
Normal periods	2-3 times/week	Every other day
Coat blow	Every other day	Daily
After swimming/rain	Same day	Same day

Brushing Technique

Start with the undercoat rake – Work in sections, brushing with the direction of hair growth. This removes the bulk of loose undercoat.
Follow with the slicker brush – Go section by section, reaching down to the skin. Pay attention to:
Behind the ears (mat-prone)
Neck ruff
Armpits
Feathering on legs and tail
“Pants” area on back legs
Use the metal comb to check – If the comb glides through, you’ve done a thorough job. If it catches, go back with the slicker brush.
Pay extra attention to feathering – The longer hair on the chest, belly, legs, and tail tangles easily. Brush these areas every session.

Brushing Tips From Groomers

Brush before bathing. Wet mats tighten and become impossible to remove.
Spray with detangler for easier brushing. Especially helpful on feathered areas.
Check ears every time. Golden ears are floppy and prone to infection. Look for redness or odor.
Make it positive. Use treats and calm energy. Brushing should be relaxing for both of you.

Bathing and Drying Tips

How Often to Bathe

Every 4-6 weeks for most Goldens, unless they:
– Swim frequently (rinse after swimming, full bath monthly)
– Roll in something unpleasant (emergency bath time)
– Have skin conditions requiring medicated bathing

Overbathing strips natural oils and can cause dry, itchy skin.

Bathing Process

Brush thoroughly first – Remove tangles before getting the coat wet.
Wet completely – The dense undercoat takes time to saturate. Spend longer than you think you need.
Use a quality shampoo – Dilute according to instructions. Work it through the entire coat, including the undercoat.
Rinse thoroughly – Shampoo residue causes itching and dull coat. Rinse until the water runs completely clear.
Condition (optional but recommended) – Especially for the feathered areas. Helps prevent tangles.
Rinse again – Even more thoroughly than after shampoo.

Drying Your Golden

This is where many owners go wrong. Proper drying is crucial.

Air drying is not recommended. The dense undercoat stays damp for hours, creating a perfect environment for hot spots and that dreaded “wet dog smell.”

Best options:

High-velocity dryer – What we use professionally. Blasts water out of the coat and separates the undercoat for faster drying. If you’re serious about home grooming, this is a worthwhile investment.
Regular blow dryer on cool/low heat – Takes longer but works. Keep it moving to avoid burning the skin. Brush while drying to speed up the process.

Important: Brush again once the coat is dry. Drying loosens additional undercoat that needs to be removed.

Common Coat Problems and Solutions

Hot Spots

What they are: Red, inflamed, oozing patches of skin. Painful and itchy.

Common causes: Moisture trapped in undercoat, allergies, flea irritation, excessive licking.

What to do:
– Clip hair around the area to let it dry
– Clean with gentle antiseptic
– Keep dry
– See your vet—most hot spots need treatment

Prevention: Dry your Golden thoroughly after swimming or bathing. Regular brushing prevents the undercoat from trapping moisture.

Matting

Where it happens: Behind ears, armpits, feathering on legs and tail, anywhere the coat rubs.

Why it happens: Infrequent brushing, moisture, friction from collars/harnesses.

What to do:
– For minor tangles: Spray with detangler, hold the base of the mat, work through with slicker brush
– For mats: Use a mat splitter to separate, then brush out
– For severe matting: See a professional. Seriously. Don’t try to brush out painful mats yourself.

Prevention: Consistent brushing. That’s it. There’s no shortcut.

Dry, Dull Coat

Common causes: Poor nutrition, overbathing, environmental factors, underlying health issues.

Solutions:
– Add omega-3 fatty acids to diet (fish oil supplements or omega-rich treats)
– Reduce bathing frequency
– Use moisturising shampoo and conditioner
– Check with your vet if diet is already good

Excessive Shedding (Beyond Normal)

If your Golden is shedding excessively outside of seasonal coat blow:

Possible causes:
– Stress
– Poor nutrition
– Allergies
– Thyroid issues
– Other health problems

What to do: Rule out health issues with your vet first. If health is good, look at diet, stress, and grooming routine.

Diet and Supplements for Coat Health

A Golden’s coat health starts from the inside. What you feed matters.

Signs Your Golden’s Diet May Need Improvement

Dull, dry coat
Excessive shedding (beyond normal)
Dry, flaky skin
Slow coat regrowth after illness or stress

Key Nutrients for Coat Health

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids – The most important nutrients for coat health. Look for fish oil, salmon oil, or foods rich in these essential fats.

Protein – Hair is made of protein. Ensure your dog’s food has quality animal protein as the first ingredient.

Zinc and Biotin – Support healthy skin and coat growth.

Supplement Recommendations

Fish oil/Salmon oil – Add to food daily for coat benefits
Omega treat supplements – Easier than oils, dogs love them
Coat-specific supplements – Look for products designed for skin and coat health

Shop our Skin & Coat supplements

Professional Grooming vs Home Care

What You Can (and Should) Do at Home

Regular brushing (2-4 times per week minimum)
Bathing every 4-6 weeks
Ear cleaning and checking
Nail trims (if you’re comfortable)
Eye cleaning
Sanitary trims

What’s Best Left to Professionals

Deshedding treatments (we have better tools)
Thinning thick coats without changing appearance
Trimming feet and shaping feathering
Full haircuts/trims (yes, even non-shaving trims)
Dealing with severe matting
Anal gland expression

Professional Grooming Frequency

Most Golden Retrievers benefit from professional grooming every 8-12 weeks. During heavy shedding seasons, a deshedding treatment every 4-6 weeks can be a lifesaver.

What Happens at a Professional Golden Groom

A typical Golden Retriever grooming appointment includes:

Thorough brush out – We remove loose undercoat before the bath
Bath with appropriate shampoo – Targeting any skin issues or coat needs
High-velocity blow dry – Removes water AND loose undercoat efficiently
Deshedding treatment – Tools and techniques to remove maximum dead coat
Trim and tidy – Feet, ears, sanitary, feathering as needed
Ear cleaning – Essential for floppy-eared breeds
Nail trim – Unless recently done
Finishing touches – Cologne, bow if desired

Time: 1.5-2.5 hours depending on coat condition.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring (September-November)

Expect heavy shedding as winter coat releases
Increase brushing to daily
Consider professional deshedding treatment
Check for emerging hot spots as weather warms

Summer (December-February)

Never shave—the coat protects against heat
Rinse after swimming (chlorine and salt are harsh)
Dry thoroughly to prevent hot spots
Watch for grass seeds in paws and coat

Autumn (March-May)

Another coat blow as summer coat sheds for winter
Increase brushing frequency
Good time for professional deshedding before winter coat comes in

Winter (June-August)

Coat is thickest and requires regular maintenance
Dry thoroughly after wet walks
Check feathering for mud and debris
Brush consistently to prevent matting under the dense coat

Products We Recommend for Golden Retrievers

Based on what we use and trust in our salon:

For Brushing:
– Quality slicker brush
– Undercoat rake (essential for Goldens)
– Detangling spray (our professional formula)

For Bathing:
– Gentle, moisturising shampoo
– Conditioner for feathered areas
– Coat conditioning treatment

For Coat Health:
– Skin & Coat Omega supplements
– Salmon Bites treats – Omega-3 rich

For Between Grooms:
– Daily freshening cologne

Final Thoughts

Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs—but that beauty comes with a maintenance requirement. The good news? Once you have a routine, it becomes second nature.

The key takeaways:

Never shave a Golden Retriever. The double coat is functional and protective.
Brush regularly. 2-4 times per week minimum, daily during coat blow.
Invest in good tools. An undercoat rake is essential.
Dry thoroughly after baths and swimming. Damp undercoat = hot spot risk.
Feed for coat health. Omega-3 fatty acids make a visible difference.
See a professional regularly. Every 8-12 weeks keeps the coat manageable.

Your Golden’s coat is a reflection of their overall health and care. With consistent grooming, you’ll have a dog that looks as good as they are.

Need Professional Help?

Our team at WoofSpark works with Golden Retrievers every week. We understand the breed’s coat needs and can help you develop a grooming plan that works.

Book a Groom | Our Services | Shop Coat Care Products

Questions about Golden Retriever grooming? We’d love to hear from you—just reach out.

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