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Sound familiar? You’re standing in front of a wall of dog brushes, determined to find the perfect brush for your Golden Retriever.
But, what started as determination, quickly turns into overwhelming confusion!
You’re not alone! Many Golden Retriever owners have faced this same dilemma.
The good news is, despite the huge selection, you really only need to focus on 2 or 3 essential brushes to keep your Golden Retriever’s coat in top shape.
In this article, we’ll reveal the best dog brush for Golden Retrievers that will make grooming a breeze and leave your furry best friend’s coat looking and feeling its absolute best!
So say goodbye to confusion and hello to a simplified grooming routine that keeps your Golden Retriever happy and healthy.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
What Is The Best Dog Brush For Golden Retrievers?
The best dog brush for Golden Retrievers is a combination of 3 essential types: a slicker brush, an undercoat rake, and a pin brush. A slicker brush is ideal for removing loose hair, preventing matting, and keeping the coat smooth and shiny. An undercoat rake is highly effective at penetrating the dense undercoat to remove tangles and reduce shedding. Finally, for everyday brushing, a pin brush with steel tips is highly recommended. This brush is gentle yet effective in removing debris, smoothing the coat, and maintaining a healthy shine.
That was the short answer. Before we dive into these 3 essential brush types in further detail, let’s first look at why brushing your Golden Retriever is so important.
The Importance Of Brushing Your Golden Retriever
Brushing your Golden Retriever goes beyond just maintaining a beautiful coat, it plays a vital role in your dog’s overall health and well-being.
The following are key reasons why regular brushing is so important:
Improves & Maintains Coat Health
Regular brushing not only removes tangles and prevents matting, but also distributes natural oils throughout your dog’s coat.
These natural oils help give your dog’s coat shine and luster.
Reduces Shedding
Brushing loosens and removes dead hair that ultimately will end up on your floors, clothes, and everywhere else.
So by brushing you are staying on top of the shedding and reducing the amount of hair in your home.
For more helpful tips to minimize shedding in your Golden Retriever, be sure to check out my previous article.
Skin & Allergy Prevention
Brushing helps stimulate blood flow to the skin and improves circulation. Plus, the distribution of natural oils through brushing helps maintain a healthy skin barrier.
This in turn can help prevent dryness, itchiness, and skin irritations.
Brushing allows you to spot any skin conditions or abnormalities early on before they escalate into something worse.
Bonding Opportunity
Brushing gives you one on one time with your Golden Retriever, which helps to strengthen your bond.
A strong bond is something every owner wants to have with their Golden, and brushing is a shared experience that helps you achieve this!
Just be sure to make the experience fun and rewarding.
Prevents Tangles & Mats
Regular brushing is essential for keeping your Golden Retriever’s coat free of tangles and mats.
Given the long and thick nature of a Golden Retriever’s coat, it can easily become tangled and matted without proper and regular brushing.
Tangles and matting can be very painful for your dog, and sometimes in extreme cases shaving your dog is the only option.
Removes Dirt & Debris
Have you ever noticed how everything seems to stick to your Golden Retriever’s coat, especially the dense and wooly undercoat?
It’s almost like Velcro!
Not to mention, these dogs have a love affair with rolling in dirt and mud, which makes our job of keeping them clean even harder!
Well, regular brushing helps to remove dirt and debris from their coats, keeping the coat clean and free of external parasites.
Monitor Any Changes In Health
By brushing your Golden Retriever regularly, you’ll be able to notice any small changes in their health.
Brushing allows you to keep a close eye on any changes in your dog’s skin, ears, and paws, for any potential issues.
You’ll be able to notice any lumps, bumps, ticks, fleas, or other health concerns that require veterinary attention.
Stress Relief
Brushing can have a calming effect on your Golden Retriever, providing relaxation and reducing anxiety.
This is only true if you make the brushing experience positive and fun and use the right brush.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Dog Brush
When it comes to choosing the best dog brush for your Golden Retriever, it’s important to consider the following factors.
Coat Type
Different dog brushes are designed for different coat types.
Golden Retrievers have a double coat and require a brush that can effectively tackle both the topcoat and the undercoat.
Bristle Type
The type and spacing of the bristles are important to consider.
Wire or steel bristles are more effective at removing loose fur from both the undercoat and topcoat, as compared to soft bristles or plastic bristles.
Also, the spacing of the bristles can make a big difference.
Look for wide-spaced bristles that can easily brush through long thick fur. Bristles that are too close together will make it harder to brush your dog and could cause discomfort.
Brush Design
Choose a brush that is comfortable to hold with a non-slip handle. This will make brushing easier and more comfortable for both you and your Golden Retriever.
Size & Weight
Choose a brush that is sturdy and fits well in your hand. A brush with a large brush head is ideal, that way you can cover more area of your dog’s fur, saving you time.
Purpose
Determine the purpose of the brush. Different brushes serve specific functions, such as de-shedding, detangling, or general grooming.
In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the 3 primary brushes that are essential for Golden Retrievers.
- Slicker Brush: For detangling and preventing matting.
- Undercoat Rake: For managing the dense undercoat and reducing shedding.
- Pin Brush: For everyday brushing to remove dirt, and debris, and maintain shine.
Understanding the purpose of each brush will help you select the right one for your Golden Retriever’s specific grooming needs.
Safety Features
Ensure the brush has safety features to prevent any accidental scratching or injury to both you and your Golden Retriever’s skin.
Choose brushes with rounded-tip bristles or safety covers to ensure a safe brushing experience.
Self-Cleaning Feature
The best slicker brushes have a self-cleaning feature, meaning when the brush is full of hair, you simply push a button to retract the bristles, making hair removal from the brush easier.
This feature saves you time and effort during grooming sessions and keeps the brush clean and ready for the next use.
Top Picks: Best Dog Brushes For Golden Retrievers!
Now that we’ve covered the factors of what to look for when choosing a dog brush, let’s dive into our top picks!
I have carefully selected the best essential brushes designed to meet the specific grooming needs of Golden Retrievers.
1. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush Original
The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush gets my vote as the best one to use on Golden Retrievers.
First of all the self-cleaning feature is a game changer! When the brush is full of hair, you simply push the button on the back of the brush to retract the bristles and release the hair.
This brush features an ergonomic handle that’s comfortable to hold with rubberized grips to ensure it doesn’t slip out of your hand.
The bristles are angled with rounded ends to effectively remove loose hair from your Goldens coat while being safe on your dog’s skin.
The Hertzko brush is effective at detangling, removing mats, and keeping your Goldens coat smooth and shiny.
One thing to note about any slicker brush is that you only need to apply light pressure when brushing. Applying too much pressure can scratch the skin, causing discomfort to your dog.
Quick Features:
- Self-Cleaning.
- Large Size Brush Head.
- Fine Angled Bristles.
- Ergonomic Handle.
- Non-Slip Grip.
- Round Tip Bristles.
- Ideal For Long, Thick, Wavy, Flat, or Curly Fur.
Pros:
- It’s easy to use and removes a ton of hair after just one swipe. Great for detangling, reducing shedding, and keeping your Goldens coat neat and tidy.
- The brush is a good size for a Golden Retriever, allowing you to cover more of an area in less time.
- The self-cleaning feature makes removing the collected hair super easy.
- The bristles are stiff with rounded ends that are gentle on your dog but effective at removing loose hair and penetrating through the thick fur.
Cons:
- Requires careful use. You need to brush gently with light pressure to avoid scratching your dog’s skin.
- A few owners have mentioned that the retractable button tends to stick after a while.
- The bristles are sharp, even with the rounded ends, they could hurt you if you touch the brush, or your dog if you apply too much pressure.
2. Maxpower Planet 2-Sided Undercoat Rake
The Maxpower Planet Undercoat Rake is a must-have tool for Golden Retriever owners who want to effectively manage their dog’s dense undercoat.
This rake is designed with rounded stainless steel teeth that reach deep into the undercoat, to effectively remove loose hair and reduce shedding.
It features dual sides, the 9 teeth side is ideal for detangling and removing stubborn mats, while the 17 teeth side is used for thinning and deshedding.
The gentle yet thorough grooming action helps prevent tangles and mats and keeps your Golden Retriever’s coat healthy and free from excessive shedding.
Not only is this undercoat rake safe and gentle to use on your dog, thanks to its rounded teeth, but the ergonomic handle with a non-slip grip will make the grooming experience pleasant for you as well.
An undercoat rake should only be used once a week and with minimal pressure. Do not use an undercoat rake on your dog’s legs, head, or tail.
Quick Features:
- Dual-Sided Grooming Tool.
- Reduces Shedding & Removes Tangles & Mats.
- Rounded Stainless Steel Teeth.
- Penetrates Through Dense Undercoat.
- Ideal For Double Coats, Long Coats & Wiry Coats.
- Ergonomic Non-Slip Handle.
Pros:
- The rounded stainless steel teeth reach deep into the undercoat to effectively remove the loose hair, reducing shedding.
- It’s specifically designed for dogs with dense undercoats, making it a great choice for Golden Retrievers.
- With regular use, this undercoat rake helps prevent mats and tangles in your Goldens coat.
- Gentle on your dog when used properly, with minimal pressure.
- Made of high-quality materials, ensuring this brush will last a long time.
Cons:
- It requires proper use and technique. This undercoat rake should only be used once a week and with light pressure to avoid any discomfort to your dog.
- You should not use it on your dog’s head, tail, or legs.
- It is only meant for use on dogs that have a dense undercoat. Not suitable for dogs with thin coats or short-haired dogs.
3. Andis Pin Brush For Medium & Long-Haired Dogs
The Andis Pin Brush is my absolute favourite brush to use on my Golden Retriever every single day!
It’s gentle but effective at removing loose hair, tangles, dirt, and debris.
The firm metal bristles easily brush through the thick coat of a Golden Retriever without harming their skin or causing discomfort.
Pin brushes are ideal for everyday brushing and are the brush type that I highly recommend, especially if your Golden Retriever doesn’t enjoy being brushed.
The bristles have a massaging effect on your dog and I find even when applying a good amount of pressure, my Golden enjoys it.
The Andis Pin Brush features a large brush head that allows you to cover a good area of your dog’s coat, saving you time.
This brush has an ergonomic handle with a non-slip grip to ensure a comfortable and safe brushing experience.
If you’ve tried other types of brushes without success, I highly recommend trying a pin brush.
A steel-tipped pin brush is great for everyday brushing to remove loose hair, dirt, and debris, and to smooth the coat. Pin brushes are gentle and safe to use without causing any discomfort to your dog.
Quick Features:
- Large Brush Head, Ideal For Long Thick Coats.
- Steel Tipped Bristles.
- Gentle & Effectively Removes Hair, Tangles, Dirt & Debris.
- Smooths The Coat.
- Distributes Natural Oils Through The Coat.
- Ergonomic Handle & Non-Slip Grip.
Pros:
- A great brush to use for daily brushing to remove light tangles, and smooth the coat.
- Safe and gentle on your dog’s skin and doesn’t cause any discomfort.
- This brush is lightweight and comfortable to hold.
- Stimulates the skin and distributes natural oils promoting a healthy shiny coat.
- Suitable for various coat types, making it a great option for Golden Retrievers with wavy, straight, or thick coats.
- Well made brush at a great price point.
Cons:
- Not suitable for removing heavy mats or severe tangles.
- May not effectively remove loose hair from the dense undercoat.
- While this brush is great for light tangles and everyday brushing, it needs to be used in conjunction with other grooming tools such as a slicker brush and grooming rake to maintain your Golden Retriever’s coat.
Tips For Brushing Golden Retrievers
In a perfect world, your Golden Retriever would just sit still and let you brush his coat without a fuss.
But, we all know that’s far from reality, as most Goldens either run away from the sight of a brush or they grab the brush from you and treat it as a chew toy.
By following these helpful tips below, you can transform the brushing experience into something positive and enjoyable for both you and your Golden.
Choose The Right Brush
Using the right brush for your Golden Retriever’s specific needs makes all the difference.
We discussed 3 different types of essential brushes for Golden Retrievers, each with a different purpose.
A slicker brush for removing tangles and mats, and loose hair, an undercoat rake for managing the dense undercoat, and a pin brush for daily brushing.
I would suggest starting off with a pin brush as this is the type of brush that is the most gentle and comfortable for your dog.
When your dog enjoys the brush you are using, it will make the brushing experience more enjoyable.
Start Them Young
A commonly asked question among Golden Retriever owners is “When should I start brushing my Golden Retriever?”
The answer is as soon as possible.
It’s important to introduce brushing to your puppy to get them used to the experience, making it easier and more enjoyable for you and your Golden later on.
Keep the brushing sessions short, use treats and praise, and be consistent.
Establish A Routine
Dogs love having a routine, it makes them feel safe and secure.
If you can, try and schedule a brushing session at the same time every day, or at least once or twice a week to ensure your Golden Retriever’s coat is kept in great condition.
If you are consistent with the brushing routine, your Golden will know it’s time to be brushed and will look forward to it.
Use Gentle Brushing Techniques
Always be gentle when brushing your Golden Retriever by using light pressure and brushing with the hair growth.
It is especially important to apply light pressure when using certain types of brushes such as a slicker brush and grooming rake, to avoid any skin irritation or discomfort.
This short video demonstrates how to use a slicker brush properly:
Brush One Section At A Time
You may find that your Golden has a hard time sitting, standing, or laying in one spot for any amount of time, making it difficult to get the entire coat brushed.
If that’s the case, just focus on one section at a time. You may have to brush your dog’s chest one day, and then the legs and tail another day.
This also allows you to focus on any problem areas such as behind the ears where matting can occur, or behind the legs, or the tail which can easily become tangled.
Brush Outside
Brushing your Golden outside will eliminate the amount of hair inside your home.
I always make a point of brushing my Golden Retriever outside, it allows her to lay in the grass or snow and chew her favourite stick.
Make It A Positive Experience
If you make brushing positive for your Golden Retriever, they will enjoy and look forward to being brushed.
How can you make brushing enjoyable?
- Use treats and praise after a successful brushing session.
- Keep brushing sessions short and gradually increase the time.
- Be gentle and use the appropriate brush.
- Schedule brushing before a walk or playtime, that way your dog is rewarded after with a fun activity.
Brushes To Avoid On Golden Retrievers
One brush that should be avoided for grooming Golden Retrievers is the Furminator.
While the Furminator is often praised for its deshedding capabilities, its sharp edges, and aggressive design actually damage a Golden Retriever’s coat.
The razor-sharp teeth cut the protective topcoat and make it appear frizzy and damaged. It really does more harm than good.
There really is no need to use a Furminator on a Golden Retriever, especially when there are much safer and gentler options such as a slicker brush, or an undercoat rake.
FAQs
The following are the most frequently asked questions that Golden Retriever owners have about brushing.
If you have any other questions please leave them in the comments below.
1. What Type Of Brush Is Best For A Golden Retriever?
Overall, the best type of brush for a Golden Retriever is a slicker brush, as it effectively brushes and removes loose hair from the double coat, keeping it smooth and tangle free.
However, most Golden Retriever owners will use a slicker brush in combination with an undercoat rake to manage the dense undercoat and a pin brush for everyday brushing and smoothing the coat.
Using this combination of brushes will keep your Golden Retriever’s coat in top shape.
2. Are You Supposed To Brush Golden Retrievers?
Yes, Golden Retrievers need to be brushed in order to keep their thick double coats free of dirt, debris, tangles, and mats.
Brushing helps to remove any loose dead hair and reduces shedding. It also distributes natural oils through the coat to keep it healthy and shiny.
Brushing should not be overlooked as it is an important part of your Golden Retriever’s grooming routine.
3. How Often Should I Brush My Golden Retriever?
You should be brushing your Golden Retriever at least once or twice a week to maintain a healthy coat and keep it free from any tangles or mats.
Daily brushing is really best to reduce the amount of hair in your home, and brushing your Golden Retriever daily only takes about 10 minutes.
4. What Is The Best Detangler Brush For Golden Retrievers?
The best detangler brush for Golden Retrievers is a slicker brush with fine, gentle bristles.
Slicker brushes are designed to effectively remove tangles and mats from your Golden Retriever’s coat without causing discomfort (when used with light and gentle pressure).
Look for a slicker brush with rounded tips to ensure gentle detangling while keeping your Golden Retriever’s coat in optimal condition.
5. What Is The Best Tool To Deshed A Golden Retriever?
The best tool to deshed a Golden Retriever is an undercoat rake. Undercoat rakes are designed specifically to reach and remove loose hair from the dense undercoat.
By using an undercoat rake regularly (once a week), you can minimize shedding and maintain a cleaner home environment.
Final Thoughts
Brushing your Golden Retriever shouldn’t feel like a chore, with the right brush, positive attitude, treats, and a gentle hand, it becomes a wonderful bonding experience.
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of the best brushes for Golden Retrievers, you can say goodbye to the overwhelming wall of options at the store.
Overall, if you have to pick just one brush that would be best for Golden Retrievers, it would be a slicker brush.
Slicker brushes do a great job of brushing through a Golden Retrievers’ thick double coat to keep it smooth and tangle-free.
However, incorporating an undercoat rake once a week, or even during the heavy shedding seasons, will really help cut down on the amount of hair in your home.
For everyday brushing and removing light tangles, a pin brush is a great option. Plus, it’s really the best brush to get your Golden Retriever puppy accustomed to being brushed.
Do you have a favourite brush to use on your Golden Retriever? What is your experience with using these brushes? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!
Hi, I’m Jenny, the owner and content creator of First Time Dog Mom. As the proud owner of Ellie, my senior Golden Retriever, I share the insights and tips I’ve learned through my own experiences as a dog mom. With a lifelong love of animals, I hope to be a helpful resource for others navigating the joys and challenges of pet parenthood.
I learned so much about brushing your Golden Retriever from reading this post. I never knew that a Golden Retriever has a top coat and an undercoat, and therefore needs different brushes to groom them. And although this post is aimed at Golden Retrievers, it is also applicable to many other long-haired dogs, like Sheepdogs and Spaniels, that need regular brushing.
It is very important to brush your long-haired dog on a regular basis. You mention starting when they are young, but how young? Would three months old be too soon?
Thank you for sharing this helpful review on the best three brushes to use on Golden Retrievers.
Hello Line,
All dogs require being brushed, but, in particular, long-haired dogs need regular brushing to prevent any tangles or mats from forming. Plus, it helps keep their coats neat and tidy and free from any dirt and debris.
To answer your question, 3 months old is not too soon to start brushing. You can actually start brushing your Golden Retriever puppy as soon as you bring him or her home from the breeder at 8 weeks old.
Introducing your Golden Retriever puppy to being brushed is a fantastic way to get them accustomed to it. Just remember to keep the brushing sessions short as puppies don’t have a long attention span.
Just as you should introduce brushing at a young age, you should also introduce other aspects of grooming such as bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, etc. This way your Golden puppy is used to being handled and touched, and it will make grooming much easier later on.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
Jenny.
I have Belgian Sheepdogs. The dogs and I like Madan pin brushes. They can be hard to find; sometimes, Amazon has them. The pins stay out and have a very comfortable handle. They are half the cost of Chris Christenson brushes and last longer. My dog brings me the brush for grooming time!
Hi Nancy,
I am so glad that you and your dogs love using pin brushes and that you have found a brand that works great for you. The way the brush feels in your hand is very important and makes all the difference. I love that your dog tells you it’s grooming time by bringing you the brush, that is so sweet.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
Jenny.
Hi there,
I agree with all your points regarding the importance of brushing your dog. Most dog owners tend to think that it’s just beautification and maintenance when it goes deeper than that. It is also a way of unconsciously checking any physical changes that may lead to more serious illnesses with our dogs.
Say hi to Ellie for me 😀
Hi Cory,
Brushing is very important as part of your dog’s daily routine. It allows you to check for any changes with your dog’s skin and allows you to stay on top of their health. I am glad you agree with my points. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Jenny.
I didn’t realize brushes were so important for a dog’s coat health, I thought any dog brush would do but now I don’t believe so. I have a dog and he isn’t a Golden Retriever he is a golden colour with long hair though and I will be getting him a slicker brush. Thanks for the good quality articles. Will be looking forward to your next.
Hi Vanissa,
Getting the right brush for your dog is so important, as it makes all the difference not only for you but for your dog as well. A slicker brush is a good choice for your dog with long hair, as it will easily penetrate down into the coat to remove loose dead hair. In the beginning, I too thought any brush will do, but I was wrong!
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Jenny.
What about undercoat rakes and also large tooth combs?
Hi Gordon,
Thank you for taking the time to comment. Great question.
There are so many grooming tools and brushes available for Golden Retrievers!! Honestly, I have never used anything other than a slicker brush and a pin brush! I don’t even use a slicker brush anymore because my Ellie doesn’t like it. I brush her daily and only use a good pin brush. That is all I need. That being said, there are many people that use undercoat rakes as well as wide tooth combs. Because I don’t have experience with either I cannot recommend.
I highly recommend a steel pin brush to thoroughly brush and remove any loose or dead fur. I have never needed anything else. If you have any experience with using an undercoat rake or comb I would love to hear how it worked for you.
Once again thank you for your comment.
Take care,
Jenny.
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for your review. We own two Sheltie’s so we do a lot of brushing lol. We love the slicker brush. They have such a thick coat, it’s the only brush that really works. And it works well. Really gets into the undercoat.
Cheers,
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne:
Thank you for your comment. Glad to hear that you enjoy using the slicker brush on your 2 Sheltie’s. Take care,
Jenny.
Great post, the tips you’ve shared will help me when I get our dog in a month’s time. Although she’s not a golden retriever, you’ve helped me understand the difference between the 2 types of brushes and how they work on the dogs. I would never have guessed that the pinned brush is actually less scratchy on dogs. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kat, thank you for your comment. You will have to let me know how you are doing when you get your new dog. I would love to hear from you and see some pictures.
I personally like the slicker brush. I watch dogs on a daily basis and I could use a good brush. One dog I watch, Rocky, like to roll in the grass and comes in filthy. So having a brush on hand just for him would be perfect. Great information, thanks!
Great to hear that you enjoy using a slicker brush. They really work great. Thank you for your comment.
Great article, thank you. I have a short-haired fox terrier who gets mats like crazy. His fur is short and straight. Which brush would work best for that type of dog breed? Thanks in advance, Karen
Hi Karen, thank you for your comment. The brush you could try for your fox terrier is called a Kong Zoom Groom, it has rubberized cones which help grip the hair. The size of the brush fits in the palm of your hand. A lot of people with fox terriers say this brush works well. Also, you could try the rubber glove brush, or a soft bristle brush. Hope this helps.