Flat-Coated Retriever grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding
A practical grooming routine for the Flat-Coated Retriever: coat care, baths, nails and ears.
Brush once or twice a week with a pin brush and comb, paying attention to feathering on the ears, legs and tail, where tangles form. Shedding is moderate year round, with a heavier spell in spring. Bath every couple of months or after particularly muddy outings.
Many owners trim the feathering around the feet and ears to reduce mud and burrs. Check the ears after swimming, as damp ear canals can become irritated. Trim nails every three to four weeks, and look over the coat after walks in long grass for seeds, which can work into the skin.
Flat-Coated Retriever grooming in numbers
This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.
| Task | Planning example |
|---|---|
| Brushing | Once a week |
| Bathing | Every 2 to 3 months, or when dirty |
| Shedding | Moderate, year round |
| Nail trim | Every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Ear check | Every 2 weeks |
| Teeth | Daily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful |
Coat
Dense, fine and flat-lying coat of medium length, with feathering on the ears, chest, legs and tail.
Grooming needs
Shedding
Drooling