Golden Retriever grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding
A practical grooming routine for the Golden Retriever: coat care, baths, nails and ears.
Brush two or three times a week with a slicker brush followed by a metal comb, paying attention to the soft hair behind the ears and the 'trousers' on the back legs, where mats form first. During the spring and autumn molts, daily brushing for two or three weeks keeps the house bearable. An undercoat rake shifts dead fluff faster than anything else.
Bathe every six to eight weeks or after a muddy swim, and dry right down to the skin, because a damp undercoat traps moisture against it. Do not shave a Golden: the double coat insulates against heat as well as cold and can grow back patchy. Trim nails every three to four weeks, tidy the hair between the pads with scissors, and check the heavy, folded ears weekly, especially after swimming, for redness or a sour smell.
Golden 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 | 2 to 3 times a week |
| Bathing | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Shedding | Heavy, with seasonal blowouts |
| 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
A dense, water-repellent double coat with a flat or gently wavy outer layer over a soft undercoat, feathered on the chest, legs and tail.
Grooming needs
Shedding
Drooling