{"id":30837,"date":"2021-09-24T15:59:52","date_gmt":"2021-09-24T23:59:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/?p=30837"},"modified":"2023-05-05T18:26:27","modified_gmt":"2023-05-06T01:26:27","slug":"do-golden-retriever-shed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/do-golden-retriever-shed\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Golden Retrievers Shed? How Much? A Little? A Lot?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Golden retrievers are such great family dogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re handsome, intelligent, sociable, and loyal. And their beautiful coats are legendary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our family has had golden’s my entire life. So, when asked do golden retrievers shed? I kindly laugh and reply: “Yes, golden’s shed. A lot. Year-round.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Golden<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Even the American Kennel Club<\/a> in its description of golden retrievers notes that they shed a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course all dogs shed. But goldens shed more than many other dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may find their hair everywhere. Golden hair tumbleweeds are not unheard of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But don\u2019t despair. There are measures you can take to help manage the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Do Golden Retrievers Shed the Most?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although goldens shed year-round, there are periods when they shed more<\/a> than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Golden retrievers have a double coat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their long, smooth outer coat is oily and waterproof and protects them from the elements, dirt, and other debris. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their undercoat is thick, soft, and fluffy and helps regulate their temperature and protect them from the heat and cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They \u201cblow their coats\u201d and shed excessively in the spring and in the fall for about a period of three weeks each time. They\u2019re getting ready for their thinner summer coat and heavier winter coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Manage a Golden Retriever’s Shedding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You love your golden. But you\u2019re tired of all the hair: on your clothes, on the furniture, and on the floor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t throw in the towel. There are measures you can take to help manage the amount of excess hair clinging to and floating in your world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And you should take into consideration whether there are medical reasons or other causes<\/a> why your golden may be shedding excessively. If there are, a vet visit and treating any medical conditions may help get the excessive shedding under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular Brushing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Brushing your golden\u2019s coat has many benefits. It stimulates his skin. It also removes excess hair. So there\u2019s less to come off in your environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts recommend brushing him at least three times per week. Or daily if you can–especially during shedding season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You want to make sure to use the proper grooming tools. If you\u2019re not sure, it\u2019s best to check with a groomer who has experience grooming golden retrievers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many recommend an undercoat rake<\/a> to remove excess undercoat. And a slicker brush<\/a> to help remove excess hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people recommend using the Furminator<\/a> to help remove excessive undercoat. It\u2019s cautioned not to over-use this tool because it may be abrasive to your dog\u2019s skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Massaging your golden after brushing can help remove loose hair that was removed by brushing. Run your fingers down their coats in the same direction as their fur grows to help remove excess hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hair that you remove by grooming won\u2019t wind up on you or in your environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But be sure not to shave<\/em><\/strong> a golden\u2019s glorious coat. His coat is meant to regulate his body temperature and protect him from the elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bathing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important for his overall health to keep your golden clean. Some golden experts say to bathe him every one to two months. And, of course, when he\u2019s dirty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just don\u2019t over-bathe or you may dry out his skin and remove the oli that naturally protects his outer coat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he\u2019s being bathed, treat him to a gentle massage to help separate and remove dead hairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to have even more clean-up or clogged pipes, use a hair strainer in your tub to catch any hair that\u2019s removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After he\u2019s bathed, make sure to thoroughly dry your golden. They tend to get hot spots, and wet areas under his coat could make him more susceptible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to use a high-quality shampoo. Don\u2019t use one with too many chemicals that can be detrimental to his health and dry his skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve had success with a few shampoo brands<\/a> that have natural ingredients. My goldens have smelled fresh after their baths, had excess hair removed, and haven\u2019t had an adverse reaction to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lint Rollers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can also purchase lint-type rollers<\/a> to remove hair from your clothing and your furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spaying or Neutering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Goldens may shed more often when their hormonal balance changes after spaying or neutering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nutrition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

High-quality food<\/a> is important for your golden\u2019s overall health.  And a diet with fillers and low-quality ingredients can adversely affect his health, potentially leading to dry, unhealthy skin and a poor coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some goldens benefit from the addition of Omega 3 fatty acids to their diet. These can lead to better skin and coats that aren\u2019t too dry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, check with your vet before making nutritional changes to your dog\u2019s diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve added vet-approved salmon oil to my dogs\u2019 diets for years. And they\u2019ve never had dry skin or coats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergens<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Watch out for any allergies your golden may have, whether they\u2019re food-related or environmental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergies can cause skin irritations, rashes, and excessive shedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parasites<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fleas and ticks can cause skin problems and excessive shedding. So check your dog regularly to ensure that he doesn\u2019t have them. And follow a prevention plan that your vet recommends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stress<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Keep your golden\u2019s stress level low. Just like us, stress affects the body and can even lead to excessive hair loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So do all you can to help him not be too stressed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintain a regular schedule for him as much as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed him at regular times each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure he has a sufficient amount of regular exercise for his age and health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And meet his need for play and attention. Goldens are attention magnets and wither if not given enough contact with their beloved family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He cherishes your bond as much–if not more than–you do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goldens are so attuned to us, they\u2019ll also feel our stress. if we\u2019re stressed, they\u2019re likely to be too. So keeping our stress levels low can benefit you and your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And make sure that he has enough rest and sleep each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vacuum<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Of course, regular vacuuming won\u2019t totally eliminate your golden\u2019s hair in your house, but it will greatly help. And you won\u2019t have the golden hair-tumbleweeds you\u2019d otherwise have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some vacuums that claim they are exceptional at picking up pet hair. One is Dyson\u2019s appropriately-name \u201cThe Animal.<\/a>\u201d We have this one and it\u2019s held up to what multiple double-coated dogs can throw at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimming<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some goldens LOVE water. After all, they\u2019re retrievers! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If yours loves to swim, it can help remove excess hair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And he\u2019ll need a rinse or bath to remove any chlorine, salt, or other materials that accumulate on him after his adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your Golden Retriever swims in the pool on a regular basis you’ll likely have to clean out the filter much more often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beds and Throws<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Provide a comfy dog bed for your golden. It will help keep your furniture hair-free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They even make orthopedic ones<\/a> that your dog will love. Get one with a removable, washable cover to keep him and your house clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you let your canine family member on your furniture, you can have it covered by washable throws made for that purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My dogs are allowed on the family-room furniture. I just have washable throw covers<\/a> that are made to cover the sofa and the recliner on them. After all-it is called \u201cFUR-niture!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health Conditions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your golden suddenly starts shedding more than usual, there may be a medical reason. These include: thyroid problems, Cushing\u2019s disease, infections, allergies, or cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A vet visit is in order to determine what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What NOT To Do<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are two things people may try when dealing with a dog\u2019s shedding that can actually be harmful<\/em> or, at the least, not effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t shave off your golden\u2019s coat. It\u2019s not only there for beauty. It also helps him regulate his temperature in both hot and cold weather.And it helps protect him from getting sunburned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t use pills or sprays that promise to greatly reduce or stop your dog from shedding. At best, they probably won\u2019t work. At worst, they may have chemicals that can be harmful to your beloved golden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Goldens are such lovable, intelligent, beautiful companions that we\u2019re lucky to have in our lives. But there\u2019s no denying that they shed year-round. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And two times a year they have an excessive amount of shedding when they blow their coats in spring and fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there are many ways we can manage and deal with their shedding. It\u2019s a small price to pay for such loyal companionship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What have you done to manage your golden\u2019s shedding?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please tell us about it in the comment section below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related Article:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n