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Grooming a Golden Retriever in the summer can be tricky. With all that thick fur, you might think shaving is the best way to keep your dog cool, but it can actually cause more harm than good.
Your Golden’s double coat protects them, even in hot weather. Shaving it can lead to skin issues, overheating, and long-term coat damage.
In this post, I’ll show you what not to do and what to do instead to keep your Golden comfortable and healthy all summer long.
Table of Contents
Understanding Your Golden Retriever’s Double Coat
Your Golden Retriever’s coat isn’t just for looks; it serves an important purpose, especially in the summer.
They have a double coat made up of a soft, fluffy undercoat and a longer, water-resistant outer coat. In hot weather, the undercoat naturally sheds to help them stay cool, while the outer coat protects them from sunburn, bugs, and overheating.
It might seem like shaving would help, but it actually does the opposite. Removing the coat takes away your dog’s built-in protection and can lead to more problems in the heat.
That’s why, when it comes to summer grooming, it’s important to let the coat do its job and focus on proper maintenance instead.
Don’t Shave Your Golden Retriever, Here’s Why
Shaving your Golden might seem like a quick fix for the summer heat, but according to the American Kennel Club, it creates more problems than it solves. Here’s why it’s not a good idea:
- It messes with their natural temperature control. Their coat helps keep them cool in the summer just as much as it keeps them warm in the winter. Shaving removes that protection.
- It increases the risk of sunburn. Without their outer coat, your dog’s skin is exposed to the sun and more likely to burn.
- It can lead to long-term coat damage. Once shaved, the coat may grow back unevenly, with a rougher texture, or not fully at all.
- It won’t stop shedding. Shaving doesn’t reduce shedding; it just changes the texture and makes the hairs shorter and harder to clean up.
Unless it’s medically necessary, shaving a Golden Retriever is not the answer. There are safer and more effective ways to help them stay cool.
Common Summer Grooming Mistakes To Avoid
Shaving isn’t the only grooming mistake owners make during the summer. Here are a few more to watch out for:
- Skipping regular brushing. Letting tangles build up traps heat and makes your dog uncomfortable. Brushing helps remove loose fur and keeps the coat breathable.
- Using the wrong shampoo. Human shampoos or harsh products can irritate your dog’s skin. Always use a gentle, dog-specific shampoo made for Golden Retrievers.
- Overbathing. Too many baths can strip natural oils from the coat, leading to dry, itchy skin. Once every month or so is usually enough, unless your dog gets dirty.
- Underbathing. Going too long without a bath can lead to a greasy coat and skin irritation. In summer, dirt and allergens build up faster, so bathe when needed.
- Trimming too short. Light trimming to tidy up is fine, but going too short can expose sensitive skin and ruin the coat’s structure.
- Neglecting other areas. Don’t forget nail trims, ear cleaning, and checking paw pads for cracks or heat damage.
A solid summer grooming routine is more about consistency than cutting. The goal is to keep your Golden’s coat clean, healthy, and able to do its job.
What To Do Instead: Safe Summer Grooming Tips
Instead of shaving your Golden, stick to a grooming routine that helps them stay cool while keeping their coat healthy and intact.
- Brush daily (preferably outside). Goldens shed a lot. Daily brushing helps remove loose fur, prevents tangles, and keeps their coat breathable. Doing it outdoors also keeps the mess out of your house. Here are the best brushes for Golden Retrievers to get the job done!
- Bathe when needed, then dry thoroughly. Use a gentle, dog-specific shampoo and avoid bathing too often, as it can dry out their skin. Always dry them fully afterward, especially inside and behind the ears, and under the belly, to help prevent hot spots.
- Trim, don’t shave. Lightly trimming the feet, ears, tail, and bum keeps things tidy without damaging the coat. Just avoid clipping too short or cutting into the undercoat.
- Watch for skin issues. Goldens are prone to hot spots in the summer. Keep an eye out for any red, irritated patches, especially if your dog scratches or licks a certain area repeatedly.
- Stick to the basics. Nail trims, ear cleaning, and brushing teeth are easy to overlook, but they’re all part of a good summer grooming routine.
With just a few simple habits, you can keep your Golden looking great and feeling cool, without risking the health of their coat.
FAQs About Summer Grooming For Golden Retrievers
1. Can Golden Retrievers Get A “Puppy Cut” Or “Summer Cut”?
These cuts involve trimming the coat short all over. Some owners choose them to help older dogs stay comfortable or to reduce drying time.
While it’s a personal choice, the coat should never be shorter than 2 inches, and you should never cut into the undercoat, as it can cause long-term damage and interfere with your Golden’s natural temperature regulation.
In some cases, a clipped coat may not grow back the same. Here’s what you should know about coat regrowth in Golden Retrievers.
Light trimming for tidiness is a safer option that still protects the natural structure and function of the coat.
2. Does Shaving Help Reduce Shedding?
No. Shaving does not stop shedding; it only makes the hairs shorter and more noticeable. Regular brushing is the best way to manage shedding.
3. How Often Should I Groom My Golden Retriever In The Summer?
Brush daily to remove loose fur and prevent tangles. Bathe once a month or when necessary. Avoid overbathing and always dry your dog thoroughly to prevent skin problems.
4. How Can I Keep My Golden Cool In Summer Without Shaving?
Provide plenty of shade and fresh water, schedule walks during cooler parts of the day, and avoid heavy exercise during peak heat. Keeping the coat intact helps with natural temperature regulation.
Also, be aware of the signs and symptoms of heatstroke in dogs so you can act quickly if your dog shows any signs of overheating.
Final Thoughts
Grooming a Golden Retriever in the summer doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s just about knowing what not to do. Their double coat is there for a reason, and shaving it can cause more harm than good.
Stick to simple, safe habits:
- Brush daily to manage shedding and keep the coat breathable
- Avoid shaving or trimming too short
- Use gentle, dog-specific grooming products
- Keep an eye out for skin issues like hot spots
With the right routine, your Golden can stay cool, clean, and comfortable all summer long, without risking the health of their coat.
Have you made any grooming changes for your Golden during the summer? Share your experience or tips in the comments, I’d love to hear what works for 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.
Hi Jenny! Great tips for keeping your Golden safely groomed during the summer. It’s easy to feel so bad for them when you see all that fur during those summer months, but knowing they can get a cut that will keep them comfortable is reassuring. I lived with a couple for three years and they had a beautiful Golden – such wonderful dogs. <3
Hi Shannon,
Many owners give their Golden a summer/puppy cut during the hot summer months, and that’s completely fine. I have done so myself. As long as the groomer knows not to cut into the undercoat, and leave at least 1 inch of hair.
I now prefer to just have my Golden tidied up for summer, which means that only the feet, ears, tail, and bum area are neatly trimmed. I enjoy the feathers on my Golden. Every owner will have their own personal preference.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Jenny.
I don’t believe the chatter about the retriever’s long hair helping him to keep cool in the summer. I noticed that my dog’s panting, which is the dog’s heat-regulating mechanism, was markedly reduced by giving him a summer cut. There’s your proof that you’re providing summer relief for your dog, and he will appreciate it.
Hi RD,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience on this subject. There is nothing wrong with giving your Golden Retriever a “summer cut”, also known as a “puppy cut”. The mistake, however, is when people shave their Golden’s, this is so bad for them. Shaving exposes their skin and will put them at risk for sunburn, overheating and skin cancer. Like I mentioned, a “puppy cut” is okay as long as the groomer knows to leave enough fur to protect your Golden, they should never cut into the undercoat.
Many people will have strong opinions on this subject, but ultimately the decision is that of the owner. Many owners are dead set against trimming their Golden’s coat, and respectfully so, a Golden Retriever’s coat that is long and flowing and well cared for is beautiful. Puppy cuts can be beneficial in that they help to speed up the drying time when your Golden Retriever goes swimming daily.
Thanks again for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it.
Jenny.
Hi Jenny
My son had our golden in the woods and got loaded with burrs. Besides picking and combing them out he started cutting them out. Pretty chopped up job. We are still working on removing them but thought having him shaved. I now see that would probably be a bad idea. Any suggestions about the chopped up look? My assumption is it will all grow back in a few months and even out. Do you agree?
Hi Peter,
I know all about burrs!! Ellie has had them quite often and they are so annoying! They stick to the fur just like velcro and are a pain to get out. They are even worse to get out when your dog is wet from being in the water. Anyway, the best way to get them out is just like your son has done by picking and combing/brushing them out. I do not suggest shaving your dog, it is a bad idea! In time the chopped up look will grow out and blend in with the rest of the fur, but without seeing a picture of your dog I really don’t know how bad it is. The hair will grow back though, you just have to be patient. If it is really bad, maybe you could go to a groomer to have the fur tidied/trimmed up, or use thinning shears to blend it in.
Best of luck, and thanks for sharing your experience.
Jenny.
Hi Jenny,
I loved how you emphasize that a golden retriever’s coat must NOT be shaved at any point of their lives. New dog owners need to know that a dog’s coat can adapt to protect the pup from any weather.
Hi AnnieTheGolden,
Thank you for taking the time to comment. The double-coat of a Golden Retriever is a remarkable thing, not only is it beautiful when it is well-kept, but it also serves a purpose. It should never be shaved, but it can be trimmed and tidied up to keep it looking its best.
Jenny.
My gold has green hair now from our pool. Any fixes for this?
Hi Linda,
I hear this happening all the time to blonde-haired people, their hair turns green from the chlorine, so it is no surprise that it happens to light coloured dogs as well. The lighter coloured undercoat is usually the most affected by this.
Many people believe that it is the chlorine alone that causes hair to turn green, but it actually has to do with the levels of copper in the water. Copper and chlorine in the water will bond together and form a film that sticks to the proteins in the hair or fur causing it to turn green.
Obviously you can’t ban your dog from going into the pool, so here are some things you could try:
1. Wet your dog before he/she goes into the pool, the chlorine and copper won’t stick to wet hair as much as it will on dry hair.
2. Use a leave-in conditioner on your dog’s fur before he/she goes into the pool, the conditioner will offer a protective shield from the pool water.
3. Thoroughly rinse your dog after swimming in the pool to make sure all of the pool water is out of the fur.
4. Use a clarifying shampoo to deep clean the fur, and follow with a moisturizing conditioner.
5. Try using baking soda and mix it with water to form a paste, then apply the paste to the green fur and massage it in and rinse. Follow with shampoo and conditioner.
Pool water can be very drying to your dog’s skin and fur, just as it is to us, humans. It is a good idea to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner on your dog regularly during swim season.
Hopefully, the above suggestions work for you. Please come back and let us know of your results.
Take care,
Jenny.
Hi there,
I agree with all the points you’ve written here. A dog’s mane shouldn’t be touched at ALL. They have a purpose for all seasons and dogs will adjust and adapt on their own. I leave my retriever’s coat alone, just to brush and bathe it. But that’s it.
Hi,
The coat of a Golden Retriever is really a remarkable thing, as with all double-coated breeds it serves the purpose of keeping them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Shaving is a huge no-no, and so many people are under the false impression that it will help the dog keep cool. I am glad that you agree with what I have written and that you keep your Goldens coat looking its best with regular brushing and bathing. Trimming the coat should be done as well to keep it neat and tidy.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and taking the time to comment.
Jenny.
Thank you for this information! A Golden Retriever is a special dog, very beautiful animals. That’s why I believe this site offers the best tips on caring for them as a first-time dog owner. There is so much I didn’t know! I thought that having an extra coat of hair would burn them up but instead helps keep them cool! Which is amazing!
Hi Vanissa,
You are not alone in thinking that dogs with a double-coat suffer more from this summer heat. Many people think that because a dog has long hair they are too hot, and the first thing they think of is shaving all the hair off. Big mistake! The coat of a Golden Retriever is really amazing and works to protect them by regulating their temperature. All that hair is there for a reason.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Jenny.
I wish I could say this article was perfect for me as I love Golden Retrievers but unfortunately I do not have one yet. Still, I enjoyed every single tip you shared and I know my best friend (who happens to have the dog of my dreams) she will love your article and suggestions. She hasn’t had the dog for long and I know she appreciates any tip she can get.
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I am glad you enjoyed my tips, and I do hope that your best friend will benefit from them. Hopefully, someday you too will own a beautiful Golden Retriever, but for now, you can enjoy spending time with your friend’s golden.
Take care,
Jenny.
Very beautiful dogs . Enjoyed visiting your website , Loved the idea of the boots I wish I could get my dog to wear them as he hates getting his feet wet when it rains , Sometimes I worry about him holding it so long I will walk out with him holding the Umbrella . Thank you for sharing your opinion on shaving your dog.
Hi Terri, thanks for your comment. I have a dog that loves the water, but hates being rained on.