How to Stop Golden Retriever Shedding (What You Can and Can’t Change)
We earn a commission if you buy through links in this post, at no extra cost to you.
About the health information here: it comes from vet groups and vet schools, but we’re dog owners, not vets, so for anything about your own dog’s health, check with your vet.
The short answer: You can’t stop a golden retriever from shedding. Goldens shed moderately all year and heavily once or twice a year, when they blow their undercoat. What you can do is catch the hair before it lands: brush once or twice a week, daily during a coat blow, and call your vet about bald patches or sore skin.
In this guide
- How bad do golden retrievers shed?
- What is the golden retriever shedding cycle?
- Can you stop a golden retriever from shedding?
- How do you reduce golden retriever shedding?
- Undercoat rake or FURminator: which is better for a golden?
- Does fish oil help with shedding?
- Should you shave a golden to stop shedding?
- When is golden retriever shedding a sign of a health problem?
- How do you keep golden hair under control at home?
- Lab vs golden retriever: which sheds more?
- Is there a non-shedding golden retriever?
- FAQs
- Bottom line
How bad do golden retrievers shed?
Pretty bad. The AKC rates golden shedding a 4 on a 5-point scale that runs from “No Shedding” to “Hair Everywhere.”
Goldens have a thick, water-repellent double coat: a long, smooth outer coat over a soft, fuzzy undercoat. The AKC says they shed heavily once or twice a year and moderately the rest of the time.
So there’s no hair-free month. There are lighter months and heavier ones. Golden owners on Reddit have their own names for what piles up: tumbleweeds, golden fuzz bunnies and, in a bad week, the furnado.
What is the golden retriever shedding cycle?
Think of it as a steady background shed with one or two big events on top.
-
All year: moderate, steady shedding. The AKC says a good brushing once or twice a week removes much of the dead hair before it reaches your furniture.
-
The coat blow: for dogs that shed seasonally, the heaviest shedding usually comes in spring and fall. Changes in daylight and temperature set it off. In spring, dogs drop the heavier winter coat. In fall, they shed to make room for thicker insulation.
-
How long it lasts: the AKC says shedding season usually runs a few weeks to a couple of months.
The AKC says goldens blow coat “once or twice a year,” so a golden with one big shed and a golden with two are both normal.
Puppies. Puppies lose their puppy coat between 4 and 6 months, though it can start as early as 12 weeks or wait until about a year. Some longer-coated breeds go through “the uglies,” a few months of looking patchy or shaggy while the adult coat comes in. The AKC also notes that some puppies barely shed and then shed a lot more as adults, so a tidy puppy doesn’t promise a tidy adult.
After a litter or an illness. The Merck Veterinary Manual says temporary hair loss can happen during pregnancy and nursing, or several weeks after a severe illness or fever. If your golden just had puppies or was very sick a while back, a big shed now may be linked to it. Mention it to your vet either way.
Can you stop a golden retriever from shedding?
No. Shedding is part of a dog’s normal hair growth cycle. Old hair falls out as new hair grows in. No brush, food, supplement or haircut turns that off.
One of the most-commented threads on r/goldenretrievers this year asked, “What’s your secret to control the shedding?” Out of 395 comments, the top answer was one word: “Acceptance.”
That’s the honest place to start. The part you can change is where the hair ends up: in your brush, or on your couch.
How do you reduce golden retriever shedding?
You can’t shrink the amount of hair your golden drops. You can pull it out on your schedule instead of theirs. Here’s the routine the AKC and the Golden Retriever Club of America point to:
-
Brush once or twice a week with a slicker brush. That’s the AKC’s baseline for goldens.
-
Go daily during a coat blow. The AKC says brushing turns into a daily job during heavy shedding, and suggests switching to a coat rake or shedding tool once the undercoat really starts coming out.
-
Use bath day. Baths help loosen dead hair. Just make sure your golden is completely dry before you brush, which the AKC stresses. Groomers often follow a bath with a high-velocity dryer and line combing to lift out loose undercoat.
-
Dry with cool air. The GRCA’s grooming guide calls a cool drying blow dryer an excellent investment, and notes it’s handy for “blowing” away coat when your dog is shedding.
-
Finish with a comb. The AKC suggests a slicker brush followed by a comb at least once a week for double-coated dogs.
Line brushing, mats and the comb test are all in how often should you brush a golden retriever? (and how to do it right).
A slicker brush that fits a golden: a large slicker, since the AKC names the slicker as the golden’s everyday brush (a research-based pick, not one we’ve tested):
Undercoat rake or FURminator: which is better for a golden?
Golden owners don’t agree on this one, so here are both sides.
For the blade. The FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool has a stainless steel edge. The maker says it reaches through the topcoat to remove loose undercoat without damaging the topcoat or cutting the skin, and that its tools reduce loose hair from shedding by up to 90% with regular use. That’s the maker’s own claim, and we didn’t find an independent test of it. Some owners like it. One golden owner said it worked very well on their first golden.
Against the blade. Other owners won’t let one near their dog. As one put it on r/goldenretrievers: “NEVER USE A FURMINATOR ON A GOLDEN.” In the same thread, another owner said a basic undercoat rake works better and skips the worry about cutting hair.
Where that leaves you. We didn’t find a study on either tool, so nobody can settle this with data. Even the maker sets limits. It says to use the tool 1 to 2 times a week for 10 to 20 minutes, use fewer long, gentle strokes instead of going over one spot again and again, take extra care around the belly and legs, and skip it on pets with particularly sensitive skin.
If you’d rather skip the debate, start with an undercoat rake. The AKC names a coat rake for heavy shedding, and Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida suggests an undercoat rake alongside regular brushing. Whatever you use, stop if you see thin patches or red skin, and check with your vet.
An undercoat rake that fits a golden: a double-row rake, which the maker designs for thick, dense undercoats (a research-based pick, not one we’ve tested):
Check price on AmazonCheck price on Chewy
If you want to try a blade, get the large size for long hair. The maker sizes it for dogs over 50 pounds, and the breed standard puts adult goldens at about 55 to 75 pounds (a research-based pick, not one we’ve tested):
Check price on AmazonCheck price on Chewy
Does fish oil help with shedding?
The evidence is thin.
You’ll see claims that fish oil cuts shedding within a few weeks. We couldn’t find research behind that.
The best study we found was small. Twenty-four dogs with poor-quality coats got fish oil capsules or a placebo every day for 90 days. Coat scores improved in the fish oil group from about day 60, then slipped back to where they started by day 180, three months after the capsules stopped. The study scored coat quality, not how much hair fell out.
So fish oil might help a dull, dry coat while your dog is taking it. We didn’t find good evidence that it shrinks a normal seasonal shed. Ask your vet before you add any supplement.
Food does matter in one way. The AKC recommends a high-quality food made for your dog’s age, and the Merck Veterinary Manual lists poor nutrition, especially too little protein, among the causes of hair loss.
Should you shave a golden to stop shedding?
No. Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida puts it plainly: a shaved golden will still shed.
The two layers of a golden’s coat work together to protect the skin from sun, heat, cold and moisture. Shaving doesn’t make a dog cooler, because dogs don’t cool off the way people do. It can also leave the skin open to sunburn.
The coat may not come back right, either. The AKC explains that the undercoat and topcoat grow back at different rates, so the undercoat can outpace the topcoat and leave a coat that no longer works the way it should. Owners who’ve been through it call the result a “Golden Baldriever.”
When is golden retriever shedding a sign of a health problem?
Normal shedding is spread over the whole body, and the skin underneath looks healthy. Call your vet if you notice any of these:
-
Bald patches or thinning fur in one spot or several.
-
Losing a lot of hair all at once.
-
Skin trouble where fur is missing: redness, swelling, pimple-like bumps, bleeding, a bad smell, or dry, scaly skin.
-
Scratching, licking or chewing. Merck says itching should be looked into first. Allergies and fleas are both common causes of hair loss.
-
Even thinning on both sides of the body, especially along the trunk, the back of the thighs or the tail, along with low energy or weight gain. Those can be signs of hypothyroidism. Merck lists goldens among the breeds most prone to it, usually between 4 and 10 years old, and names dryness, excessive shedding and slow regrowth of hair as early skin signs.
Only your vet can sort these out, sometimes with skin scrapings, cultures or a biopsy. More on the conditions goldens are prone to in golden retriever health issues: what to watch for (and when to call the vet).
How do you keep golden hair under control at home?
A short household checklist:
-
Brush on a schedule. Every bit of undercoat in the brush is a bit that never reaches the floor.
-
Vacuum often with a high-efficiency (HEPA) vacuum. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says regular use of one can cut allergen levels.
-
Check the brush roll and wheels. One owner on r/goldenretrievers said they repair their vacuum every other weekend because hair wraps around the wheels and rollers. Another said their goldens wore out every vacuum they’ve had, including a robot vacuum in about a year.
-
Cover the couch. Washable slipcovers or blankets on fabric furniture make cleanup a load of laundry.
-
If someone at home has allergies: keep the dog out of the bedroom and run a HEPA air cleaner in the bedroom or living room, as the ACAAI suggests.
Lab vs golden retriever: which sheds more?
On paper, it’s a tie. The AKC gives both breeds a 4 out of 5 for shedding, and both have a thick, water-repellent double coat.
The differences are in coat length and timing. The AKC lists the Lab’s coat as short and the golden’s as medium, and it tags the golden as a seasonal shedder and the Lab as a regular one. If you’re picking a retriever to avoid dog hair, neither one will do it.
Is there a non-shedding golden retriever?
No. Every purebred golden has the same double coat and sheds.
Most “non-shedding golden” searches are really about goldendoodles and other golden mixes. The AKC says mixed breeds sold as hypoallergenic are just marketing, because their genes are unpredictable and don’t produce non-shedding dogs. It also says no dog, purebred or mixed, is completely hypoallergenic, since people react to dander and saliva as well as hair.
A study the AKC cites even found some of the highest allergen levels in coat samples from low-shedding Poodles. If allergies are the real worry, talk to an allergist before you choose any breed or mix.
FAQs
Do golden retrievers shed more in summer or winter?
Neither, really. The heaviest shedding usually comes in spring and fall, when changing daylight and temperature trigger a coat change.
How long does a golden’s coat blow last?
The AKC says shedding season usually runs a few weeks to a couple of months. Brush daily until it settles.
Can you brush a golden too much?
With a slicker brush or rake, regular brushing is what the AKC recommends, daily during a coat blow. With a deshedding blade, stick to the maker’s limits of 1 to 2 sessions a week. More on brushing in how often should you brush a golden retriever? (and how to do it right).
Bottom line
You can’t stop a golden from shedding, and shaving won’t do it either. Brush once or twice a week, daily in a spring or fall coat blow, use bath day to loosen undercoat, and start with a rake (or use a blade only within the maker’s limits). Bald patches, sore skin or constant scratching aren’t normal shedding, so check with your vet.
Get the free Golden Puppy 90-Day Plan: the before-day-one shopping list (grooming kit included), a daily schedule at 8, 10 and 12 weeks, and a week-by-week checklist for your first three months.
Keep reading: how often should you brush a golden retriever? (and how to do it right) · golden retriever health issues: what to watch for (and when to call the vet) · golden retriever puppy checklist: what to buy before day one
Sources
-
American Kennel Club, “Golden Retriever” breed page (shedding level, coat type, grooming, nutrition): https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden-retriever/
-
American Kennel Club, “Labrador Retriever” breed page (shedding level, coat type): https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever/
-
American Kennel Club, “Dog Shedding: When Dogs Shed Most and How to Manage It”: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/managing-dog-shedding/
-
American Kennel Club, “Double-Coated Dog Breeds: Care, Grooming, and Shedding”: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/double-coated-dog-breeds/
-
American Kennel Club, “Scourge of the Sofa: a Shedding Dog”: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/scourge-of-the-sofa-a-shedding-dog/
-
American Kennel Club, “How Should You Groom a Double-Coated Dog?”: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-groom-a-double-coated-dog/
-
American Kennel Club, “Why Do Puppies Shed Their Coat?”: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-puppies-shed/
-
American Kennel Club, “Hair Loss in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatments”: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/hair-loss-in-dogs/
-
American Kennel Club, “Does a Completely Hypoallergenic Dog Exist?”: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/do-hypoallergenic-dog-exist/
-
American Kennel Club, “How to Make a Dog-Filled Home Comfortable for Guests with Allergies”: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/dog-filled-home-comfortable-for-guests-with-allergies/
-
Golden Retriever Club of America, “Grooming Your Golden” by Joanne Lastoka: https://grca.org/about-the-breed/articles/grooming-your-golden-joanne-lastoka/
-
Golden Retriever Club of America, AKC breed standard: https://grca.org/about-the-breed/akc-breed-standard/
-
Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida, “Grooming Your Golden”: https://grrmf.org/education/well-being/grooming-your-golden/
-
Merck Veterinary Manual, “Hair Loss (Alopecia) in Dogs”: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/skin-disorders-of-dogs/hair-loss-alopecia-in-dogs
-
Merck Veterinary Manual, “Hypothyroidism in Animals”: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/endocrine-system/the-thyroid-gland/hypothyroidism-in-animals
-
Combarros D et al., “A prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the effects of an n-3 essential fatty acids supplement (Agepi ω3)… of dogs with poor quality coats,” Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 2020: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32505998/
-
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, “Pets, Dog and Cat Allergies”: https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/pet-allergies/
-
FURminator, Undercoat deShedding Tool Large Dog Long Hair (maker page): https://www.furminator.com/products/tools/deshedding-tools/undercoat-deshedding-tool-large-dog-long-hair
-
FURminator, FAQs (maker page): https://www.furminator.com/tips-and-info/faqs
-
Coastal Pet Safari Double Row Undercoat Rake (maker description on Chewy listing): https://www.chewy.com/safari-double-row-undercoat-rake-dog/dp/226586
-
r/goldenretrievers, “What’s your secret to control the shedding?” (395 comments; top answer “Acceptance.”): https://redd.it/1va96t1
-
r/goldenretrievers, FURminator thread (owner comments for and against, undercoat rake comment): https://www.reddit.com/r/goldenretrievers/comments/1oqbbjw//nnj27zh/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/goldenretrievers/comments/1oqbbjw//nnhmu6c/
-
r/goldenretrievers, shedding and vacuum thread (vacuum repair and worn-out robot vacuum comments): https://www.reddit.com/r/goldenretrievers/comments/1o6yf0i/_/njjxqi4/
-
r/goldenretrievers, owner words “tumbleweeds”, “golden fuzz bunnies”, “furnado”, “Golden Baldriever” (via our Voice of Customer file): https://redd.it/1nv8cae · https://www.reddit.com/r/goldenretrievers/comments/1ptzijh/_/nvkqx8p/ · https://redd.it/1q0i6ww · https://redd.it/1tbsfls
