Are Golden Retrievers Double-Coated?

Are Golden Retrievers double-coated? Do Golden Retrievers have hair or fur?

These are hot questions among dog lovers. The subject of a Golden Retriever’s coat comes up regularly, so we’re going to answer the first two questions now and go into more detail about the Golden Retriever coat in general.

All Golden Retrievers possess a beautiful double coat of fur. If they don’t, then they’re not actually Golden Retrievers. The American Kennel Club mentions this fact in their breed standards. If this alone isn’t enough to validate the Golden Retriever as a double-coated dog, the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom states likewise.

 

What Is A Golden Retriever Double Coat Like?

Golden Retrievers have a long, water-resistant outer coat that is wavy or flat and an inner coat that is short, thick, fuzzy, and usually luxuriously soft.

Depending on the dog’s living environment, this inner coat could be very dense or not dense at all. The individual genetic traits of the Golden Retriever also play a part in the inner coat’s appearance.

The durable outer coat covers the inner coat completely and acts as a “bodyguard” to the inner layer and the dog’s skin. It provides all-weather protection – against sunburn in hot weather and chilly winds in winter. In fact, the outer coat reflects the sun while allowing cool air to filter through to the Golden Retriever’s body.

Unlike some double-coated breeds, the Golden Retriever’s outer coat is soft, with an almost silky feel – quite different from the wiry outer coat of some terrier breeds.

 

Do Golden Retrievers Have Hair Or Fur?

Golden Retrievers don’t have hair; they have fur. Some single-coat dog breeds have hair, but a dog breed with a double coat, such as your Golden Retrievers, is referenced as having a fur coat. The Golden Retriever is blessed with a beautiful fur double coat that looks great and works wonders for its insulation and protection. The only problem (for humans, at least) is that it sheds throughout the year.

Because of all this shedding, Golden Retrievers need to be groomed regularly. Double-coated dogs shed their inner layer, and grooming them is an essential part of ownership.

Further on, we’ll provide you with some tips on how to groom Golden Retrievers properly and how to remove Golden Retriever fur from your carpets, furniture, and your car upholstery.

 

What Role Does A Double Coat Play For Golden Retrievers?

Double coats assist with maintaining a comfortable temperature for Golden Retrievers. The coat keeps them warm when the temperature is cold, and if it’s hot, they’ll maintain a cooler body temperature. The thick outer coat will keep the Golden Retriever’s inner coat dry and insulated in wet weather.

The double coat also protects your Golden Retriever from insect bites or stings and from being prodded or scratched by branches and sticks if it’s wading through the undergrowth in pursuit of a squirrel. Over summer months, the inner coat sheds, while the guard fur of the overcoat insulates the dog.

 

Are There Negative Aspects Of Golden Retriever Double Coats?

The positives of being a double-coated dog certainly outweigh the negatives for a Golden Retriever. The only drawback to double coats is maintenance and grooming. Even this isn’t a negative element if it’s done regularly.

Golden Retrievers require regular bathing and brushing to maintain their fur and keep it clean. You’ll want to put in the work to keep your dog’s fur shiny and healthy, so it’s not really a chore, is it? Remember that it will become much harder if you do it infrequently, as double coats become matted and knotted if left to grow ungroomed.

Grooming your dog’s coat should be a pleasurable and bonding experience between your furry best friend and yourself. Having to harshly remove matted fur while brushing could create discomfort for your pooch and make the experience negative for your Golden. You certainly won’t enjoy causing your precious pet pain, either! Prevention is better than cure.

The only other negative element to any double-coated dog breed is that they can become hotter than single-coat dogs during hot weather. Even then, the double coat is also a built-in insulator, so it would have to be unbearably hot for this to happen!

 

Is It Difficult To Groom A Golden Retriever?

Did you know that Golden Retrievers have feathers? We’re not joking!

The longer fur found on the dog’s chest region, tail and the upper part of their legs is known as ‘feathers.’ This fur forms part of the outer layer of the double coat, the rest of which is medium-length. Then, the undercoat is shorter fur that directly covers your pooch’s skin.

Strangely enough, the longer, feathery fur isn’t where most grooming needs to happen. You’ll quickly find that the medium-length outer and shorter under-coat is where the loose fur originates. Due to the thickness of this part of the dog’s coat, it needs way more attention than the feathers.

Regular grooming

With all this fur on a Golden Retriever, you might think it’ll be a major battle to groom your best friend. Fortunately, it’s actually much easier than it looks, if you carry out regular grooming of the Golden’s coat. You might struggle a little the first time if you’ve allowed the longer fur to become matted or tangled. After that, it should be a breeze, as long as you’re diligent about it.

Plan to brush your fur baby’s thick coat regularly – perhaps once a week? If you consistently brush out the excess fur from your Golden Retriever, you’ll remove much of the loose hair. A weekly brush is usually enough to keep his or her fur coat healthy and prevent it from becoming tangled or knotted. It’ll also remove much of the excess fur before your Golden Retriever sheds it all over your home.

Dealing with knots and tangles

Try to avoid knots and tangles in your Golden Retriever’s coat. While you’re brushing your pet and notice these starting to form, spray some dog conditioner onto the area and smooth it over the dog’s fur. Give it a little time to work and then brush over the area.

Be sure to brush with the grain while grooming your Golden’s coat, as this will help to remove any knots without hurting your dog. Brush and detangle as much as you’re able. Although some may consider this a chore, think about all the good-natured love, loyalty and absolute dedication your fur child gives to you. A little brushing and attention is a small price to pay.

Bathing

Bathing your Golden Retriever a couple of times each month is also a good idea, depending on your environment. Make sure you check up on what the right shampoo is for your best friend and bear in mind there may be different products to use on a Golden Retriever puppy.

The right bathing products ensure less chance of excessive hair loss, skin infections, and rashes.

With the Golden Retriever’s loving and relaxed nature, you shouldn’t have any problems brushing or bathing them. On the contrary, your Golden will likely enjoy the extra pampering from their most special person in the world!

 

Golden Retriever Shedding And Blowing

Golden Retrievers shed a lot and need more grooming than most dog breeds. There are a couple of ways you can maintain your Golden Retriever’s coat to cut down on how much fur they lose. Goldens blow their coats during the bi-annual shedding seasons, which take place every fall and spring.

When a Golden “blows” its coat, it means that it’s either shedding its inner winter coat in spring to prepare for the thinner summer coat or the lighter coat in the fall, when its thicker lower coat starts growing. Once a year, normally in spring, your Retriever will also blow its thicker outer layer. Expect up to a month of fluffy fur around your home during the blowing season!

Blowing a coat is a normal, healthy process for a dog with a double coat. You might notice an abnormal amount of fur being shed on occasion, possibly accompanied by a change in your pooch’s behavior, and some skin irritations may develop. It’s generally nothing to worry about, but it’s a good idea to consult a veterinarian if this does happen for an extended period.

When your Golden blows, brush its coat at least once daily to remove the loose fur. This way, you’ll end up with a lot less of it all over your carpets or in your car, if your best friend travels with you. This regular brushing also assists in spreading the natural oils from the fur evenly into your dog’s coat, keeping it shiny and healthy.

It’s best to use a pin brush and an undercoat rake to work out the excess dead fur. As soon as your Golden Retriever returns to its normal shedding pattern, you can return to weekly grooming. Your Retriever will then stay free of matted fur and tangled knots, and your living room carpet will be much better off because of your pooch’s regular grooming!

 

Is It Alright To Shave A Golden Retriever Coat?

No, please don’t! The only time that Golden Retrievers should be shaved is if it’s done by a vet. In this case, it’ll be restricted to areas of treatment, like the site of a skin infection or if your pet needs surgery. The Goldens’ double coats aren’t suited to shaving, as the soft under-coat grows quicker than the denser and thicker guard hairs on the outside.

Besides muddling up the coat’s growth cycle, shaving will leave your dog’s skin unprotected against the sun’s rays. Besides, Golden Retriever fur is so luxurious and beautiful – who’d want to change that?

 

FAQs

Can you cut Golden Retrievers’ fur?

This breed doesn’t need haircuts, but you could trim your Golden’s fur to manage its double coat – visit our homepage for more info on grooming your gorgeous Goldie. If you’re willing to take your pet to a professional, you’ll ensure its coat is kept in tip-top condition and looking good.

By what age do Golden Retrievers get their full coats?

You’ll begin to notice long fur coming through on a Retriever puppy by the age of three to four months, starting with its tail. The double adult fur coat should have fully replaced the puppy fluff by the time your dog is 18 months old.

How often should you wash a Golden Retriever?

You can bathe your Goldie once a month, but every six weeks to eight weeks is enough. A regular wash can keep fur matting, dandruff and skin infections away, leaving your special friend’s fur luxurious and beautiful.

 

Final Thoughts

Your Golden boy or girl is bound to be a good-natured double bundle of fur and joy! You’re never going to be short of a best friend (or a whole lot of fuzzy fur on your carpets and furniture). Your Golden can’t do without its double coat, however, apart from what it shares with your car’s upholstery and around the house, which is why you must carry out regular grooming to keep the fur in excellent condition.

Use grooming and bathing time to repay the love and affection that your best fur friend bestows on you all the time! Your Golden will appreciate the attention, and you’ll be going a long way to keeping it as protected, healthy and well-conditioned as can be!

For lots more on these beautiful Golden companions, such as how to train them and getting answers to pressing questions like whether Golden Retrievers have webbed feet, make sure to visit our homepage.