Do Golden Retrievers shed?

How much do Goldens shed?

A Golden sheds a moderate amount all the time and a lot once or twice a year. The long hair and feathering make every bit of it easy to see, so expect a little gold on dark clothes and in the corners of the kitchen.

A thorough brushing once or twice a week clears much of the dead hair before it can fall onto the furniture, and a daily session helps when the heavy shed arrives.

What makes a Golden coat shed?

A Golden wears a double coat with a lot of feathering. The coat is thick and sheds water, over a good undercoat, with an outer coat that is firm and springy, lying close to the body, and straight or wavy. The feathering runs down the back of the front legs and under the body, and it grows heavier on the front of the neck, the back of the thighs and the underside of the tail.

That outer coat has a job to do, because it protects the body from water and burrs in the field and wraps around the dog like a jacket. That's why a Golden shouldn't be shaved or clipped, and why a tidy-up of the feet and stray hairs is all the trimming it needs.

When does a Golden puppy start shedding?

A Golden puppy usually starts trading its fluff for an adult coat at 4 to 6 months, though the change can begin at 12 weeks or wait until a year. Puppies are born with a single soft coat, and double-coated breeds grow two layers as adults. Some longer-coated breeds go through a patchy, awkward few months while the new coat comes in, which owners fondly call the puppy uglies.

How much a puppy sheds says little about the adult, so don't read much into a tidy eight-week-old. Get your Golden used to the brush from the start, since you'll be brushing that dog for the rest of its life.

How do you keep up with a Golden's coat?

Brush once a week, and every day during a heavy shed. Use a pin brush for the body and a metal comb for the feathering behind the ears and on the chest, legs and tail, skip the bristle brush because it won't get through a Golden coat, and brush before every bath.

A family Golden does well with a bath about once a month. Wet the coat right down to the skin, rinse twice because the double coat holds on to shampoo, and let the dog dry completely before you brush again. Check the ears once a week and dry them after every swim, because a Golden's furry, floppy ears are prone to infection. If you'd rather leave all of it to a professional, plan on a groomer every four to six weeks.

Are Goldens OK for people with allergies?

Goldens are no easier on allergies than other dogs, because no breed is truly hypoallergenic. Fur length makes no difference, since the allergens come from saliva, dander and urine. When coats and homes have been tested, the so-called hypoallergenic breeds had more allergen in their hair and no advantage in the house.

If allergies run in your family, spend a few long afternoons with grown Goldens before you decide, and ask your doctor.

Does a Golden shed more than a Lab?

The Golden needs more brushing and its hair shows more, though a Lab's short, dense coat sheds more than most people expect. Our Golden Retriever and Labrador comparison covers the rest of the differences, and you can meet the Goldens available today on our Golden Retriever page.