Grooming A Golden Retriever In The Summer [What Not To Do!]

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[UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2022]

With the summer heat upon us, I’m sure you’re long-haired Golden Retriever is suffering as much as the rest of us! But, before heading to your local groomer, you’ll want to read this article to discover what not to do when grooming a Golden Retriever in the summer.

Golden Retrievers have a lot of hair, and your first thought might be to shave it all off to help your dog keep cool in this heat.  

After all, that is what most of us do in the summer when we are too hot, we end up getting our hair cut shorter.

Well, let me tell you that shaving your Golden Retriever is a big mistake!  I will tell you the reasons why below.

But first, let’s talk about the beautiful coat of a Golden Retriever!

When properly maintained it is striking to look at. Golden’s have a double coat that serves a purpose.

Your Golden Retriever Has A Double-Coat For Protection

The thick water-repellent double coat of a Golden Retriever requires a lot of care to keep it looking its best.

The coat consists of a dense undercoat of short hairs that are woolly in texture, and an outer coat of long hairs called guard hairs.

You can blame your dog’s undercoat for all of that heavy shedding!  

It sheds heavily twice a year, in the spring and fall.  For the rest of the year, you will notice moderate shedding or hair turn-over.

The undercoat and outer coat grow at different speeds and lengths from each other. The undercoat is shorter and grows faster whereas the outer coat is longer and grows slower.

In extreme temperatures, the undercoat works as an insulator keeping your dog warm in cold, wet weather and cool in hot, and humid weather.

The long guard hairs that make up the outer coat work to repel water and catch dirt and debris. The outer coat also protects your dog from harmful UV rays.

In the summer the undercoat is much thinner because of the shedding, and the outer coat will protect your Golden from sun and heat.

9 Reasons Why You Should Never Shave Your Golden Retriever

So many people believe that shaving a Golden Retriever will keep them cool in the summer, this is absolutely false!

Shaving any dog with a double coat is never a good idea. The only time shaving should be done is when necessary.

Necessary times for shaving are:

1. If your dog’s coat has been neglected and has severe matting, and brushing or trimming is not an option.
2. If your dog requires surgery or suffers from hot spots.  Then the affected area needs to be shaved.

Let’s look at why you should never shave your Golden Retriever, or any other double-coated breed:

1. The Double Coat Acts As A Barrier Of Protection

Your dog’s double coat protects him from the elements.

The undercoat keeps your dog warm in the winter, and cool in the summer.

The outer coat with the long guard hairs protects your dog from harmful UV rays, as well as dirt and debris.

2. To Prevent Overheating

Shaving your Golden Retriever down to the skin will actually put him at risk for overheating. Your dog will not have the protection of his hair to keep him cool.

3. Reduce The Risk Of Skin Irritation

Many dogs with double coats have sensitive skin. Shaving will make matters worse by irritating the skin, which leads to itching.

4. Reduce The Risk Of Sunburn And Skin Cancer

By shaving your dog, you are exposing him to harmful UV rays.

Your dog will be at a greater risk for sunburn, and skin cancer.

Dogs need at least one inch of hair to protect themselves from the sun!

Learn about dogs and skin cancer here.

5. Protection From Bug Bites

The thick hair offers protection from bug bites and anything else that your dog encounters while walking or playing outside.

6. Shaving Will Not Stop Your Dog From Shedding

Shaving a double-coated dog does not make them shed less.

Many people are under the impression that shaving a dog will stop the shedding, it does not.

Double-coated dogs shed twice a year and that is the undercoat.  The rest of the time the shedding is normal hair turnover, which happens in all animals with hair.

Shaving only makes the hair pieces smaller, but they will still shed.

7. Shaving Damages The Coat

There is a risk that your Golden Retriever’s coat will be permanently damaged after being shaved.

This is known as Post Clipping Alopecia, and when this occurs, the coat never grows back the same way as before.

The coat will grow back less sleek, it may have a different texture (often fuzzier), and it will not lay flat as it did prior to being shaved. It may also have a different colour.

RELATED ===> Will My Golden Retriever’s Hair Grow Back?

8. Shaving Increases Allergens

Shaving will increase the number of allergens on your dog’s skin.

Some people believe that shaving their double-coated dogs will help with their allergies, but that is not true.

The dander is what people are allergic to and having it exposed on the surface will not help the allergy issues.

9. Keep Your Dog Beautiful

I think we can all agree that a shaved dog looks ugly, especially a Golden Retriever!

Golden Retrievers with their full beautiful coat look much more attractive than a Golden Retriever that has been shaved.

Shaving Your Golden Retriever Is A Mistake, What Can You Do Instead?

Brush Daily

Regular brushing is imperative to help keep your Golden Retriever’s coat looking beautiful.

I strongly recommend daily brushing! If you brush daily it really doesn’t take that long, about 10 minutes, and you’ll be surprised by the amount of hair you remove daily.

Brushing not only removes the dead loose fur, but it gets out any tangles and helps to keep dirt and debris out of your Golden’s coat.

Brushing is the easiest way to keep your dog’s coat clean and shiny, and it allows you to check your dog for any medical issues. It is also a great bonding experience.

RELATED ===> Best Dog Brush For Golden Retrievers.

Bathe Your Golden Retriever

Giving your Golden Retriever a bath is an important part of the grooming experience.

Bathing helps to loosen the dead hair, thus reducing shedding.

Make sure to use a gentle shampoo that is specifically made for dogs, as their skin is more sensitive than human skin.

A shampoo that is made for humans will have the wrong Ph balance and harsh chemicals that can irritate your dog’s skin and strip away the protective oils from the coat and skin.

Ear cleaning, nail trimming, and brushing your dog’s teeth should also be a part of regular grooming.

RELATED ===> What Is The Best Shampoo For A Golden Retriever?

What About A Golden Retriever Puppy Cut?

Many people go to their groomer and ask for a “puppy cut” or a “summer cut”.  What exactly is a puppy cut?

A puppy cut or summer cut is an all-over haircut usually done with clippers to leave the hair evenly trimmed.  Puppy cuts aren’t just for puppies, any dog can get a puppy cut.

This cut is an option to help keep your Golden Retriever cooler. Basically, your Golden Retriever will look the way he did when he was a puppy.

The hair is trimmed short, but not shaved.  

Usually, the hair is trimmed to about one or two inches in length, some feathering is left on your dog’s legs and the tail is trimmed but left long.

When you ask for a puppy cut make sure your groomer knows exactly what that is, and how short you want your dog’s coat.  

The groomer should leave at least one inch of hair, and should not go past the undercoat.

Keep Your Golden Neatly Trimmed

Puppy cuts can be a bit severe for some people because basically, their Golden Retriever will look like a Lab, except for the tail.

If you choose not to do a puppy cut, you should still keep your golden’s coat looking neat and tidy by keeping some areas trimmed.

Areas that need trimming are between the feet and paw pads, the hair in the ears, the feathering on the legs, the bum area, and the tail can be trimmed to look neat and sculpted.

Trimming your dog will help keep him looking his best, as well as help keep him a bit cooler in the summer. 

RELATED ===> How To Trim A Golden Retriever.

Other Ways To Keep Your Dog Cool In The Summer

You’ve learned that shaving your double-coated Golden Retriever is a bad idea, so what else can you do to help keep your dog cool?

• Keep Your Dog Hydrated. Always have fresh cool water available for your dog to drink.

• Shorten Your Walks. Take shorter walks, or walk earlier in the morning and later at night when it is not so hot out.

• Seek Out Shady Spots. Find a cool spot in the shade for your dog to rest. Be careful though because temperatures can soar even in the shade. Limit the time spent in the hot outdoors.

• Enjoy Water Activities. Allow your Golden to cool off in the water. Swimming is what Goldens love to do! You could invest in a dog pool.

• Avoid Walking On Hot Asphalt. Try keeping your dog on the grass when walking, or invest in some dog boots. The hot pavement can burn your dog’s paws.

• Invest In A Cooling Dog Bed.  A cooling dog bed helps to keep your dog cool and comfortable while offering cushioning support for joints.  

RELATED ===> Best Cooling Beds For Dogs.

Final Thoughts On Grooming A Golden Retriever In The Summer

I hope this article has made you think twice before shaving your double-coated dog.

No matter how hot the temperature gets you should not shave your Golden Retriever. Their double coat is actually helping them stay cool.

After all, their long flowing coat is one of their many beautiful attributes.

Grooming your Golden Retriever in the summer includes regular brushing and bathing. This will keep the coat looking its best, and will help the coat do its job to protect your dog from the elements!

How do you keep your Golden Retriever cool in the summer?  Have you ever given your Golden Retriever a puppy cut?

Leave your thoughts and comments below, I would love to hear from you!