Are you a proud pet owner of a beautiful golden retriever? Congratulations! They’re fantastic companions and great family dogs, but they might seem a bit uncomfortable when the warmer months come. Even if you heard from a friend that shaving a golden retriever’s fur could help keep them cool in the hot weather and they think it is a good idea, don’t listen; it’s a myth! You might think shaving them will help, but that’s a common mistake. The answer to the question: can you shave a golden retriever is: you better not! Let me explain!
Going to a swimming pool or a river where your dog can swim is refreshing. Otherwise, dogs sweat through their paw pads and their feet. They also pant to cool down. If you go ahead and shave your puppy’s beautiful double thick coat, here is what could happen. The groomer will probably proceed with the request and warn you about the potential consequences. After Fido is shaved, you will notice that his once majestic dog’s fur is now reduced to a short, patchy coat. Your dog could also develop hot spots. Frankly, I think they look like a funny sausage. You will soon realize that something is wrong. Skin irritation could happen more quickly. Your dog will likely be uncomfortable, scratching and licking his exposed sensitive skin. You are going to have to add sunscreen to her, or she could get skin cancer. Shaving a golden retriever’s fur is not recommended. The beautiful breed’s double coat provides insulation, protecting from heat and cold. In addition, the undercoat helps regulate the dog’s body temperature and protects their skin from the sun and insect bites. The dog’s coat will regrow extremely slowly and probably unevenly.
Professional grooming
If you have a golden retriever, you need to get on a schedule for regular grooming session to keep their skin healthy. Do it yourself if you can, or find a trustee dog groomer. Bath and nail trimming is usually enough. How do you keep your luxurious golden coat peppy?
A session at the groomer should include tasks such as nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing, which are all integral components of a comprehensive Golden Retriever grooming routine, and instead of shaving it, you can help him stay clean and peppy with a cute hairstyle. I found a couple of dog hair solutions at the dailypaws: The puppy cut, the summer cut, the simple trim, or the show cut
These are all great alternatives. Your dog will look cleaner, and nobody will be shaved.
A regular grooming routine is mandatory if you have a golden puppy. Regular brushing, multiple time a week, is recommended.
‘Employing professional groomers and dog washes. Even if you brush your Golden Retriever regularly, you could still get your pup professionally groomed occasionally, especially during shedding season. If you aren’t keeping up with grooming chores yourself, professionals recommend you have your Golden groomed every 6 to 8 weeks, no matter what time of year it is. This doesn’t mean you can brush your dog less. Groomers will appreciate your work when they don’t have to snip or brush out mats. If your groomer is able to use good conditioning products, managing the coat and preventing mats—especially on the long feather hairs on the legs, belly, front mane, and tail—will be easy with a slicker brush 3 to 5 days a week. 1
What is the secret of a luxurious golden retriever’s double coat?
All golden retrievers were born with beautiful coats divided into two layers: the dense undercoat and the top coat.
‘Both the topcoat and the undercoat serve practical purposes. The topcoat can keep water and dirt off your dog. The undercoat can provide insulation in cold weather, keeping dogs warm all fall and winter long. When the weather gets warm in the spring and summer, the undercoat traps cool air against the skin. That way, the dog won’t overheat.’ 2
The exception to the no-shaving rule for our furry friend
There are a couple of good reasons to shave your dogs. Well, if your dog is sick like my puppy is happy, the veterinarian will shave her to access her veins for a blood test. It looks like she has little boots, as you can see in the pictures. But even six months after her shaving, her golden retriever’s coat is not completely regrown. You have to keep up with the grooming session, and the gorgeous coat will slowly come back.
Also, if you really neglected your dog and he has so much hair tangled, maybe the only solution is to shave. But I would verify with a professional groomer first. If there is a better option, take it.
Regular grooming is the solution.
‘Goldens heavily shed their thick, water-repellant double coat once or twice a year, and they also shed more moderately on a continuous basis. Most of the time, a good brushing out with a slicker brush once or twice a week will remove much of the dead hair before it has a chance to fall onto the furniture. During times of heavy shedding, these brushing sessions turn into daily affairs. Baths help to loosen the dead hairs, but the dog must be completely dry before brushing begins. Otherwise, Goldens only need occasional baths to keep them clean. As with all breeds, the Golden’s nails should be trimmed regularly.’ 3
To Shave or Not to Shave – opinion from AKC.
When the weather warms up, some people think shaving their dogs helps cool them off and stop the shedding. However, when you’re grooming them regularly, you shouldn’t shave double-coated dogs. After all, shaving removes both the undercoat and topcoat. Since both coats do not grow at the same rate, the undercoat can overtake the outer coat, and the dog will wind up with too much undercoat. “Shaving doesn’t do anything to cool dogs off because a dog’s cooling system is different than ours,” says Teri Becker DiMarino, President of the California Professional Pet Groomers Association. Dogs sweat through the pads of their feet and cool themselves off by panting. 4
No shaving Ideas – to cool down in hot weather
In conclusion, please don’t shave your dog’s coat. The golden retriever breed’s love for swimming makes it an ideal solution for warm weather. They could be your companion for water activities, such as dock diving. Not only does swimming provide a refreshing way to beat the heat, but it also helps regulate body temperature for both humans and dogs. For those without access to a dock diving facility, a simple kiddie pool can provide hours of fun for both pets and their owners. Just remember to keep everyone hydrated and resist the urge to shave your dog’s coat, as it plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature.
Other blogs on well-groomed golden retrievers!
https://thesecretsofhappyandme.com/healthy-and-happy-pup-when-your-puppy-can-eat-carrots/
- Albert, Terry; Eldredge, Debra; Gunther, Alan. Your Golden Retriever Puppy Month by Month: Everything You Need to Know at Each Stage to Ensure Your Cute and Playful Puppy Grows into a Happy, Healthy Companion (Your Puppy Month by Month) (p. 233). DK. Kindle Edition. ↩︎
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/double-coated-dog-breeds/ ↩︎
- https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden-retriever/ ↩︎
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/double-coated-dog-breeds/ ↩︎
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