How to Groom a Golden Retriever: Complete NZ Guide

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in New Zealand, and for good reason. They are loyal, gentle, and endlessly enthusiastic. They also have a thick, water-repellent double coat that needs regular grooming to stay healthy and looking its best.

Whether you are a first-time Golden owner or just looking to improve your grooming routine, this guide covers everything from brushing and bathing to ear care, nail trimming, and managing that famous Golden shedding.

Understanding the Golden Retriever Coat

Golden Retrievers have a dense double coat made up of two layers that work together to protect them from the elements.

This double coat is what makes Golden Retrievers such versatile outdoor dogs, but it also means they need more grooming than single-coated breeds. For more on why double-coated dogs need special care, read double-coated dogs: why they need to be groomed differently.

Never Shave a Golden Retriever

This is the single most important grooming rule for Golden Retrievers. It can be tempting to shave them in summer, but their double coat actually insulates against heat as well as cold. Shaving removes this natural protection and can lead to sunburn, overheating, and permanent coat damage. The undercoat may grow back patchy or with a different texture, and the guard hairs may never fully recover.

Instead of shaving, keep your Golden cool with regular brushing to remove loose undercoat, access to shade and fresh water, and cooling products like mats and frozen toys.

Brushing: The Foundation of Golden Retriever Grooming

Regular brushing is the most important part of grooming a Golden Retriever. It removes loose undercoat, prevents matting, distributes natural oils, and keeps the coat looking shiny and healthy.

How often to brush

• 2 to 3 times per week as a minimum year-round
• Daily during shedding season (typically spring and autumn) when the undercoat blows out

Best brushing technique

• Start with an undercoat rake or deshedding tool to remove loose undercoat from the dense areas: behind the ears, the chest, belly, and hindquarters
• Follow with a slicker brush to smooth the outer coat and catch any remaining loose hair
• Use a metal comb to work through the feathering on the legs, chest, belly, and tail where tangles are most likely to form
• Always brush in the direction of hair growth and be gentle around sensitive areas

Best brushes for Golden Retrievers

Bathing Your Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers do not need frequent baths. Their natural coat oils help keep the coat water-repellent and healthy. Over-bathing strips these oils and can lead to dry, itchy skin.

How often to bathe

Every 6 to 8 weeks is a good guideline, or when your dog is visibly dirty or smelly. Goldens who swim regularly may need bathing more often to remove chlorine or salt residue. For a full guide, read how often should you bathe your dog?

Bathing tips

• Brush thoroughly before bathing to remove loose hair and prevent matting when wet
• Use lukewarm water and a gentle, moisturising dog shampoo
• Work the shampoo through the undercoat, not just the surface
• Rinse thoroughly. Shampoo residue left in the coat can cause irritation and flaking
• Towel dry first, then use a blow dryer on a cool or low-heat setting if your dog tolerates it. Brush while drying to prevent the undercoat from matting

Best shampoos for Golden Retrievers

Ear Care

Golden Retrievers have floppy ears that trap moisture, warmth, and debris, making them prone to ear infections. Regular ear checks and cleaning are essential, especially after swimming or bathing.

How to clean your Golden's ears

• Check ears weekly for redness, odour, discharge, or excessive wax
• Use a vet-approved ear cleaning solution on a cotton ball or pad
• Gently wipe the visible part of the ear canal and the inner ear flap
• Never insert cotton buds or anything deep into the ear canal
• Dry ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing

Signs of an ear infection

Head shaking, scratching at the ears, redness, swelling, brown or yellow discharge, and a strong odour. If you notice any of these, see your vet.

Nail Trimming

Long nails can cause discomfort, affect your dog's gait, and lead to joint problems over time. Most Golden Retrievers need their nails trimmed every 3 to 4 weeks, though active dogs who walk on hard surfaces may wear them down naturally.

How to trim your Golden's nails

• Use a sharp, appropriately sized nail clipper or a nail grinder
• Trim a small amount at a time to avoid cutting the quick (the blood vessel inside the nail)
• If your dog has light-coloured nails, you can see the pink quick through the nail. Stop just before it
• For dark nails, trim in small increments and stop when you see a chalky white ring in the centre of the cut surface
• Keep styptic powder on hand in case of accidental bleeding
• If your dog is nervous, start with one paw per session and reward generously with treats

Dental Care

Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs, and Golden Retrievers are no exception. Regular dental care helps prevent plaque buildup, gum disease, and bad breath.

• Brush your dog's teeth 2 to 3 times per week using a dog-specific toothpaste (never human toothpaste)
• Offer dental chews like Greenies as a daily supplement to brushing
• Schedule professional dental checks with your vet at least once a year
• Watch for signs of dental problems: bad breath, red or swollen gums, difficulty eating, drooling, or pawing at the mouth

For more tips, read dental care for dogs who hate brushing.

Managing Shedding Season

Golden Retrievers shed year-round, but twice a year (typically in spring and autumn) they go through a heavy coat blow where the undercoat comes out in clumps. This is completely normal and there is no way to stop it, but you can manage it.

• Brush daily during shedding season with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake
• Bathe at the start of the coat blow to help loosen dead undercoat
• Use a high-velocity dryer if you have one, as it blasts loose hair out of the coat efficiently
• Vacuum and lint-roll regularly. Golden hair gets everywhere
• Feed a high-quality diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support coat health from the inside out

For more shedding tips, read spring pet grooming tips: how to manage shedding season in NZ.

Skin and Coat Health

A healthy coat starts from the inside. Golden Retrievers are prone to skin allergies and hot spots, so keeping their skin in good condition is just as important as grooming the coat itself. If your Golden is scratching excessively, read why is my Golden Retriever scratching so much?

• Feed a high-quality diet with adequate protein and healthy fats. Read our guide to the best dog food for Golden Retrievers in NZ
• Add an omega-3 supplement like Fourflax Skin and Coat Oil to support skin barrier function
• Check for hot spots, redness, or flaking during brushing sessions
• Keep flea and tick treatments up to date, as flea allergy dermatitis is a common cause of itching
• Dry your Golden thoroughly after swimming to prevent moisture-related skin issues

For more coat care advice, read how to keep your dog's coat shiny, healthy, and full.

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