Why Is My Golden Retriever Shedding So Much? (7 Fixes)
Laura Acevedo
Quick answer: Your golden retriever sheds so much because it has a thick double coat, and the soft undercoat underneath is always being replaced, with big "coat blows" in spring and fall. You cannot stop a healthy golden from shedding, but you can catch the loose hair on the brush instead of the couch. Brush 2 or 3 times a week (daily during a coat blow), pull out the loose undercoat with a deshedding comb, and finish with a metal comb on the ears, legs and tail. If you see bald spots, red skin or a lot of scratching, call your vet.
If you own a golden retriever, you know the look of a "golden tumbleweed" rolling across the kitchen floor. Hair on the couch, hair in the car, hair on your black pants five minutes after you put them on. Many golden parents start to wonder if something is wrong.
Most of the time, nothing is wrong. Goldens are simply built to shed. The good news is that a few small habits can cut down the hair in your home a lot. Here is why it happens and what helps.
Why is my golden retriever shedding so much?
- They have a double coat. Goldens have a water resistant top coat and a thick, soft undercoat under it. The undercoat is the fluffy hair you find in clumps around the house.
- They "blow" their coat in spring and fall. The AKC says goldens shed a little all year and heavily once or twice a year. A coat blow can last a few weeks, and it can feel like the hair never ends.
- Loose undercoat gets stuck. Dead undercoat does not always fall out on its own. It gets trapped under the top coat and comes out bit by bit on your floor, unless you brush it out first.
- The brush is not reaching the skin. A brush that only skims the top coat makes the dog look neat but leaves the loose undercoat behind.
- Indoor light and heat. Shedding is mostly triggered by daylight and temperature. Dogs that live indoors with lights and heating often shed a bit all year instead of only in two big waves.
- Skin, diet or health problems. Allergies, fleas and some health conditions can cause extra shedding. If the shedding comes with bald spots, red skin or itching, that is a sign to call your vet (more on this below).
7 ways to stop your golden retriever shedding so much
1. Brush more often, for less time
Short, regular sessions beat one big battle. Aim for 10 minutes, 2 or 3 times a week. During a coat blow, a few minutes every day keeps the hair on the brush and off the floor.
2. Go after the undercoat
This is the step most people skip. Use a deshedding comb that reaches past the top coat. Work in small sections, comb in the direction the hair grows, and use short, gentle strokes. You will be surprised how much soft hair comes out of a dog that "looked brushed."
3. Hold the fur and work in layers
Lift the top coat with one hand and comb the layer underneath, then let a little more hair down and repeat. Line brushing like this gets to the skin instead of skimming the surface. It also helps you spot any hidden tangles.
4. Do not forget the feathering
The long hair behind the ears, on the chest, the back of the legs, the "pants" and the tail holds a lot of loose hair and tangles easily. Finish these spots with a metal comb. If the comb glides through from skin to tip, you are done.
5. Brush before and after every bath
Brush out loose hair before the bath, because water makes tangles and mats tighter. In the tub, a rubber brush helps loosen more undercoat while you lather. Rinse very well, dry fully, then brush again. A lot of undercoat lets go after a bath and a good dry.
6. Never shave a golden to stop shedding
It is tempting, but the AKC advises against shaving or clipping a golden's coat. The top coat protects the skin from sun, water and burrs, and a shaved double coat can grow back patchy. A shaved golden still sheds, just shorter hairs. Brushing is the real fix.
7. Look at food, fleas and skin
A healthy coat starts on the inside. Keep your golden on a complete, good quality food and keep up with flea prevention all year. If you are thinking about adding a supplement like fish oil, ask your vet first so you get the right type and dose for your dog.
The tools we recommend for golden retriever shedding
A quick note: we make these tools, so we are biased. Here is why we recommend each one for golden retriever shedding.
Dematting Comb & Deshedding Tool for Cats & Dogs
This is our top pick for a shedding golden. The 17-tooth side pulls out loose undercoat, and the 9-tooth side breaks up small tangles in the feathering with short strokes. Use light pressure and do not scrape the skin.
"I just tried it on our Golden Retriever and it works on her fur as well. She doesn’t have matted fur but sheds a lot."
Review by susan marazzi
Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
Great for the quick everyday brush that catches loose hair on the top coat. The coated pins are gentle, and one click of the button pushes the hair off the brush, which matters a lot with a golden.
Metal Comb for Cats & Dogs
The finishing check. The dual-length stainless teeth with rounded tips slide through the feathering behind the ears, legs and tail. If it snags, there is still loose hair or a small tangle to work out.
Pet Rubber Wet & Dry Brush
Use it in the bath to work shampoo down to the skin and loosen undercoat, or dry for a quick massage-style brush. A nice pick for goldens who are not fans of brushing yet.
A simple 15-minute shedding routine
- Pick a calm time, like after a walk, and have a few treats ready.
- Go over the whole body with the slicker brush to pick up loose top coat hair.
- Switch to the deshedding comb. Work in small sections from the neck to the tail, lifting the top coat so you reach the undercoat.
- Comb the feathering behind the ears, chest, legs, pants and tail with the metal comb.
- Check that the metal comb glides from skin to tip everywhere. Give a treat and stop while your dog is still happy.
- During a coat blow, repeat steps 2 to 5 every day for a few minutes.
If your golden is not a fan of the brush, our guide on why your dog hates being brushed has 7 ways to make it easier.
When to call your vet about shedding
Heavy shedding on its own is normal for a golden. Call your vet if you notice any of these:
- Bald patches or thinning fur
- Red, flaky or irritated skin, scabs or hot spots
- Lots of scratching, licking or chewing
- Fleas or flea dirt
- A sudden change in shedding, along with weight change, low energy or other signs that your dog does not feel well
The AKC notes that allergies, hypothyroidism and other conditions can affect skin and coat health, so it is worth a check-up if something seems off.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for my golden retriever to shed this much?
Yes. Goldens are one of the heavier shedding breeds because of their double coat. Shedding a little all year, with one or two heavy waves, is normal. Bald spots, red skin or itching are not, so call your vet if you see those.
When do golden retrievers shed the most?
Most goldens shed the most in spring and fall, when they "blow" their coat. Each wave can last a few weeks. Indoor dogs often shed more evenly through the year.
How often should I brush my golden retriever?
Two or three times a week works for most goldens. During a coat blow, brush every day, even if it is only for a few minutes.
Will shaving my golden retriever stop the shedding?
No. A shaved golden still sheds, and shaving can harm the double coat and leave the skin open to sun and bugs. Regular brushing that reaches the undercoat is the better fix.
Does bathing help with shedding?
Yes, when you do it right. Brush first, bathe, rinse well, dry fully, then brush again. A lot of loose undercoat comes out after a bath. If your golden has tangles, read why mats get worse after a bath before you start.
You will never have a golden that does not shed, and that is part of the deal with such a sweet dog. But with a few minutes of brushing a week and the right tools, you can keep most of that hair on the brush and off your couch. Your golden gets a healthier coat, and you get a little more time between vacuuming.