The toughest part of owning a pet? The shedding! We dog owners can never seem to escape the dreaded fur on our clothing, furniture, and floors! But like us, every dog's mane is different - So do Golden Retrievers Shed?
Which Dog Breeds Shed The Most?
Here are some of the dog breeds who shed the most (you'll notice that Goldens are pretty high up on this list!)
Alaskan Husky
Alaskan Malamute
Labrador Retriever
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Siberian husky
Akita
Chow Chow
St. Bernard
Do Golden Retrievers Shed?
Though the coat length of Golden Retrievers varies, they are known as a high shedding breed. Golden Retrievers are known as a "double coated" breed, meaning they have a protective top coat which is flat and coarse, and an undercoat which is soft and thick.
When Do Golden Retrievers Shed?
Golden Retrievers shed all year round. Typically, Goldens will shed moderately in the winter and summer, and heavily in the spring and fall. We suggest having a high power vacuum ready for these seasons especially!
How To Reduce Shedding:
Unfortunately you're not going to be able to ask your Golden Retriever to get them to stop shedding, its just what they do. They've been doing it for thousands of years and it's been working just fine. But you can learn to manage it and so it's not taking over your house. There's a few important elements to pay attention to: Proper Diet, Exercise & Hydration, Grooming, and Bathing.
Diet
There's not a special 'anti-shedding food' available yet, but feeding your Golden Retriever a high quality dog food rich in nutrients and light on the fillers is definitely worth planning for. Keeping your dog healthy overall is of course the idea, but a diet rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are known to help when it comes to shedding in check and their coat in optimal condition.
Exercise & Hydration
It's always a great idea to make sure your dog is getting enough exercise to keep them in the best physical and mental shape. Plenty of walks and ample opportunity to run around is the best - things like the Fi Collar can help you to track this exercise and make sure they're getting enough on a daily basis. Make sure they're provided enough fresh water throughout the day too with increased activity to keep them properly hydrated.
Grooming & Bathing
When it comes to grooming, Golden Retrievers are pretty high maintenance. That beautiful, golden fur takes a lot of upkeep! Golden Retrievers do need daily brushing, otherwise you risk their long fur getting matted. Matted fur is hard to reverse, and usually ends up in shaving the matter fur entirely - so keep up your daily brush sessions with these guys!
Because this is an energetic and active breed, you can bathe them as frequently as once per week, but no less frequently than every six weeks. Make sure you're using a high quality shampoo free from chemicals and pesticides. Experts recommend that you only use shampoo formulated for dogs (no herbal essences here!) as human shampoos might have fragrances or ingredients that can irritate your pup's skin. Avoid alcohol or other cleaning products, but in a pinch human baby shampoos can be great (and make them smell wonderful). You'll also want to schedule an appointment for them at the groomer every 4-6 weeks.
Our Favorite Tool for Hair
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush
It’s great for Golden Retrievers of all sizes, even puppies. And being a self-cleaning brush means that it’s easy to remove the hair from the brush once you’re finished brushing your dog. The head of this brush is long, so you can cover a lot of space with each pass.
This brush is comfortable for both you and your canine friend. The bristles gently move through your dog’s fur, while the handle is cushioned and designed to be non-slip so that you can effectively groom your dog without straining your hand.
Why Do Dogs Shed?
All dogs shed to some extent, but some shed more than others! A dog's coat offers them protection from the sun and the elements, so depending on their environment, their coat may become extra thick, or shed to let go of some of that extra fur.
Double coated breeds especially will experience seasonal shedding, where they shed their undercoat in the spring and fall. These breeds include Border Collies, Labs, Beagles, and... Golden Retrievers!
Dogs may also experience stress-induced shedding. If you have a dog that sheds, you may notice excessive shedding when they go to the vet - this is a natural response that dogs have to stress! If you dog frequently experience stress shedding, you can talk to your vet about ways to reduce this stress and make these experiences easier for your dog.
If you notice your dog shedding excessively and it's not due to one of the above reasons, or of they are losing patches of hair, this may be a sign of an underlying medical issue. Call your vet so they can diagnose the issue.
Do Golden Retrievers Have Hair or Fur?
Golden Retrievers have dog fur, not dog hair (there actually is a difference). Dogs that tend to shed less like a Maltese or Poodle have dog hair, which has a longer cycle of growth and sheds less often. Of course, the dog's genetics also matter, and your dog might be a bit different from others of the same breed or if they're not a pure bred Golden. Ultimately dogs with hair shed less because it’s longer and less dense.
Are Golden Retrievers Hypoallergenic?
Golden Retrievers are NOT considered to be a hypoallergenic dog breed. This is because their coat produces lots of dander and when they shed. So if you have pet related allergies, you may find that there are more suitable breeds than a Golden Retriever.