Golden retrievers are wholesome. They are a loyal and friendly dog breed that makes excellent family dogs for anyone wanting to adopt one. But the most dreadful factor of these retrievers is their fluffy outer coat, which makes their shedding nature pretty evident.
And therefore, the very first question people ask about them is, “Do Golden Retrievers shed a lot?” Yes, In fact, Golden retrievers shed a lot. They typically belong to one of those heaviest shedding breeds whose coating texture is made up of double coat. So, it’s pretty natural for them to shed year-round.
However, that doesn’t make them the worst choice for adoption. Many pet owners happily adopt these creatures while encouraging others to do the same. They claim their excessive shedding nature is not a major concern if anyone knows how to handle them properly.
No matter the amounts of fur retrievers shed, one can keep their shedding under control with proper diet and grooming care. So, here’s our quick guide-through over their coat types, how much do golden retrievers shed, and some essential tips for managing them.
Golden Retriever Shedding – Their Coat Type
Golden retrievers have beautiful coats consisting of a double layer of hair. Each layer has its own significance in protecting them from nature’s harsh elements. The inner layer has a coarse structure, while the outer one is full of lustrous long hair.
As the undercoat is made up of fluffy and dense fur, it helps keep these dogs warm. In contrast, the other coat shields the undercoat that keeps their skin conditions free of germs.
Golden Retrievers are the heaviest shedders of all dog breeds. They’ve been bred to have thick, waterproof coats that keep them cool in hot climates and warm in cold ones. This healthy coat protects their bodies from rain, wind, and snow but can get unruly when they shed them all year long.
How Much Do Golden Retrievers Shed?
Shedding is a major concern for pet owners as it brings nothing but an extra hassle of frequent cleaning around the house. So, it’s good to know about a dog’s shedding frequency level before inviting him in.
Generally, a double-coated breed is considered the heaviest shedders, and a Golden retriever falls under that category. These dogs come with long coats meaning they shed more than other dog breeds with shorter coats.
So, does that mean they shed way a lot the entire year? No, they don’t. For every dog, there comes a molting season in which their skin layer starts transforming according to climate changes to adapt to the new surviving needs. As a result, dogs tend to shed a lot during that period.
Likewise, Golden retrievers shed the most when their molting season arrives. It makes them act as a heavy shedder for that particular time period. Other than that, they shed pretty moderately year-round.
The Causes Behind Golden Retrievers Shedding
The causes of shedding in golden retrievers are not always the same. Below is a list of some potential causes of severe fur loss in golden retrievers:
Anxiety
Dogs are very impulsive and can get easily affected by any event, especially the dreadful ones. Such incidents make them stressed out quickly, eventually impacting their shedding level and health conditions.
Parasites, Fleas, or Allergies
Fleas and food allergies are among the most common reasons a dog will begin to shed its fur excessively. With the correct diagnosis, your dog’s shedding should stop in no time, and you can find more information on pet grooming here.
Skin Infections
Several skin infections can cause your retriever breed to shed more loose hair than usual. If you notice sudden changes in your dog’s beautiful coat, you should have your pup checked on these infections immediately.
How to Manage a Retriever Breed Shedding?
Many grooming products can be used to deter shedding in your Golden retriever. But be aware: shedding is entirely natural, and even with de-shedding tools, there’s no stopping it altogether. Here are some tips to help.
Regular Brushing
Don’t wait until you’re covered in dog hair to brush your Golden Retriever! With a slicker brush or pin brush, you can now put the brakes on shedding and help maintain the beautiful golden coat he was born with.
You should also buy an undercoat rake for taking care of your retriever’s undercoat hair follicles. We have a quality collection of the undercoat rakes from Amazon, all with a good number of ratings and reviews, to help you select the suitable one for your need.
Try brushing your pet every day for around 20-30 minutes. Brushing at least once a day, though multiple times daily, is ideal, but try to be more frequent during the molting season.
Frequent Bathing
Bathing your golden retriever on a regular basis is another essential step in managing excessive shedding. You should clean your dog once every week or two to remove its dead hair and prevent skin irritation. Also, try using a high-quality shampoo to give your puppy coat a deep clean and keep it healthier.
Nutritious Diet
You should also be careful with the diet chart you follow to feed your retriever. Every dog breed needs to maintain a specific diet routine that includes high-quality food. Such dog foods should contain enriched vitamins, proteins, and other nutrients. If you fail to provide your retriever with proper nutrition, it will affect their bodily functions and cause excess hair loss even during the off-season.
Conclusion
Golden Retrievers have beautiful shades of gold fur that make them a beloved breed, but grooming them can be a pain! It needs good care guides to maintain its heavier shedding level.
So, be careful about taking care of your retriever all year round. Their all-over shedding frequency might feel obnoxious sometimes. But once you start with a daily brushing session, it shouldn’t give you a hard time managing them.
Additionally, you can learn about the other major causes of shedding to give you a better idea of what to expect. Besides, you’ll know when do golden retrievers shed and how often to take care of them, which is essential for establishing a regular grooming ritual.
We hope this article has helped clear your confusion regarding how much do Golden retrievers shed. If there’s anything, you think that we have missed out on, feel free to let us know via commenting below.
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