Shaving a Golden Retriever can be a very confusing or even scary decision to make for an owner. Shaving isn’t the only option available for these double-coated breeds. But for some people, it is by far the most effective method of dealing with hot weather.
But it isn’t!
Before Shaving your Golden Retriever, you should understand any risks associated with it. So in today’s post, we will talk about everything you need to know about shaving a Golden Retriever.
Is It Ok To Shave A Golden Retriever?
Before shaving a Golden Retriever, a lot of questions arise in the owner’s mind. Is it really necessary to shave Golden Retriever? Is it ok to shave a Golden Retriever? Is there any reason not to shave a Golden Retriever?
The shortest possible answer to all these questions is, it is not a good idea to shave your Golden Retriever. 1 Because Golden Retrievers do need their double coat for both protecting them from the sun and regulating their body temperature.
But if you think that your Golden really needs a shave then you can go for a trim as there are no disadvantages of trimming.
How Short Can You Cut a Golden Retriever’s Coat
So now that you have chosen to have your dog’s fur-trimmed, try not to have it trimmed more than 1 inch. You can have your pup’s fur trimmed in the best possible way by visiting a groomer every 4-6 weeks.
Groomers have just the exact equipment to make your Golden’s coat look good. When you groom your dog it is important to make sure to use the safest methods possible, because unfortunately there are some groomers who will turn to shaving your Golden Retriever as a first method of dealing with any type of problem instead of using grooming techniques that would be better.
So to avoid this, let the groomer know that you just want a trim. Groomers have the equipment to blow out the undercoat without damaging the outer coat. Their high-powered dryers will remove any extra hair that will make your dog look good.
How Often Should You Groom A Golden Retriever?
You can groom your Golden Retriever every 4-6 weeks. Golden Retrievers emit a bad odor because of their double coat. But you should not consider grooming them after every week just because of it.
That odor is caused by natural oils that are emitted from Golden’s skin to protect them from multiple things and they can be affected if your dog is groomed too often.
What’s The Best Age To Start Grooming? – Golden Retriever
The best age to start grooming is 10-12 weeks. As we know, Golden Retrievers do not fully grow until 2 years of age so it is better to get them used to grooming at a little age.2
You can take a professional’s help for grooming or you can go for grooming from home as well. It’s your choice!
How Fast Does Golden Retriever Hair Grow Back?
A Golden Retriever’s hair can grow back to proper length within 8-10 weeks. But here, I would again say not to have your Golden’s hair shaved to the point where you wait for them to grow again.
On the other hand, if you want to know when you will have to take your dog to the groomer again then 4-6 weeks is a good time for another trim.
Does Shaving a Golden Retriever Ruin Their Coat
Yes! Golden Retriever’s skin can be permanently damaged by shaving. They need their double coat to protect their skin from parasites, weather conditions, and sunspots that can result in skin cancer.
And if you think that your Golden will grow the coat again then you might be wrong. Because after shaving, it’s not sure if your dog will grow the coat naturally or not. And the two layers of hair they grow after shaving are uneven and they look unnatural as well.
Furthermore, the texture of the new coat of your Golden Retriever won’t be the same as before. Their new coat would be sticky and your Golden would end up having things like grass and seeds sticking on his skin.
What Happens If You Shave a Golden Retriever
If you shave a Golden Retriever then it can damage the hair follicle and there are chances that your dog’s coat will never grow again. And even if the coat grows again, it won’t be like before.
You will see it growing in patches but still, the overcoat will never come back again. So, shaving your dog is not a good decision!
What Should You Do Instead Of Shaving My Golden Retriever?
The choice of not shaving your double-coated dog is really good. So instead of shaving, here I am providing some ideas3 to help your dog beat the heat!
- Bathe Them
- Trim Their Outer Coat
- Get Their Undercoat Blown Out
- Brush Them
Can You Shave Your Golden Retriever in the Summer?
No. Simply put, shavers are not meant for use during the summer. Shaving a Golden Retriever is like shaving your face in the desert in the blazing summer sun. So, do not even think about it.
If you want to protect your golden retriever’s skin from sunburn and other skin problems, then you should start grooming him. Golden Retrievers need regular brushing to keep themselves free of matted hair, along with their undercoat.
So let them keep their long hair!
Does Shaving a Golden Retriever Keep Them Cool?
No! You can’t keep your Golden Retriever cool by shaving. If you shave your Golden Retriever then their skin will be exposed to the sun which might cause overheating, sunburn, and even skin cancer.
So if you think that your Golden Retriever will feel cool in the summer after shaving then you need to know that, a golden retriever’s double coat works by keeping them warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
And if you take their coat away then it’s just like exposing them to danger. So if you want to give your dog some instant cooling then let them play in the water for some time. Click on the button below to buy a mini pool for your Golden.
Other Ways to Keep Your Golden Retriever Cool
If not shaving then what should you do to keep your dog cool in the summer months? Here we have a detailed answer to this question, so let’s get right into it.
1. Hydration
Keep your dog hydrated to help him beat the heat. Golden Retrievers are playful dogs so they don’t give attention to their thirst or hunger while playing.
So you will have to make sure that your dog is getting enough water. Now the question is, how will you know if your dog needs water or not? It’s simple!
If the weather is hot and you notice that your dog is not panting then he is thirsty. On the other hand, if your dog is panting then he’s properly hydrated, let him play!
2. Indoor Cooling
If it’s extremely hot outside then staying indoors is a good choice. Keep your dog in an air-conditioned room and even fans can help them stay cool.
If your dog doesn’t feel good in bed or a rug then let him lie on tile flooring. If not then you can also buy a cooling pad to provide your pup with some extra comfort.
If you want to buy one then click on the button below.
3. Grooming
If your dog is groomed properly then his summers will go well. Give baths to your Golden Retriever to keep them clean.
Brush your Golden Retriever’s fur on a daily basis to prevent matting and for good circulation in the coat. Keep their paws trimmed to keep them cool as their cooling glands are in their feet.
Also, if you want to enhance cooling then you can trim their stomach and legs a little bit. Do all of these things and see your dog living happily even in the hot weather.
Wrap Up
So we are done with today’s topic. I hope you found the answer to the question you are searching for your double-coated dog.
So consider all these things before shaving your dog to avoid future problems. Also, you can head over to our recent posts to know more about your Golden Retriever.
Further Reading:
FAQs
Q. Will my golden retriever’s hair grow back after being shaved?
Well, it’s not 100% sure that your Golden’s hair will grow again and even if they grow, they won’t be like before. So it’s better not to shave.
Q. Why should you never shave a Golden Retriever?
By shaving Golden Retriever, their skin will be exposed to the sun which can cause multiple skin problems. That’s why you should never shave a Golden Retriever.
Q. Can you not shave a Golden Retriever?
You should not shave a Golden Retriever because their double layers protect them from the sun and keep them cool in hot weather.
FOOTNOTES
- “Is It OK to Shave Your Dog’s Coat? – American Kennel Club.” 10 Jun. 2020, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/is-it-ok-to-shave-your-dog/. Accessed 18 Sep. 2021.
- “The Basics of Grooming Golden Retrievers – dummies.” https://www.dummies.com/pets/dogs/the-basics-of-grooming-golden-retrievers/. Accessed 18 Sep. 2021.How to Keep a Pet Dog Cool on a Hot Summer Day – PetHelpful.” 19 Aug. 2021, https://pethelpful.com/dogs/How-to-Keep-a-Pet-Dog-Cool-on-a-Hot-Summer-Day. Accessed 18 Sep. 2021.
- “How to Keep a Pet Dog Cool on a Hot Summer Day – PetHelpful.” 19 Aug. 2021, https://pethelpful.com/dogs/How-to-Keep-a-Pet-Dog-Cool-on-a-Hot-Summer-Day. Accessed 18 Sep. 2021.