Golden Grooming 101: Grooming a Golden Retriever

Summary

To keep your Golden Retriever healthy, comfortable, and looking their best, follow a consistent routine that includes brushing, bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care. This will reduce shedding, prevent skin issues, and help you catch potential health concerns early.

Golden Retrievers are a favorite breed among dog lovers for many reasons, including their beautiful, feathered coats—but just like great power, that gorgeous fur comes with great grooming responsibilities. Their dense double coat sheds year-round and requires regular maintenance to stay healthy and free of mats.

Whether you've recently brought home a Golden Retriever puppy or have owned the breed for years, establishing a grooming routine is an important part of responsible care.

Here's everything you need to know about grooming Golden Retrievers, from brushing and bathing to caring for their ears, teeth, paws, and skin.

How Often Should Golden Retrievers Be Groomed?

It’s good to groom your Golden Retriever regularly throughout the week. Some tasks should be completed more frequently than others. 

A general grooming schedule includes:

• Brush: 3–7 times per week (daily during seasonal shedding)

• Bath: Every 6–8 weeks or when dirty

• Trim nails: Every 3–4 weeks

• Clean ears: Weekly and after swimming

• Brush teeth: Daily or several times a week

• Check eyes and skin: During routine grooming

Sticking to a schedule keeps your Golden comfortable while making grooming sessions quicker and easier over time.

Why Proper Grooming Matters

Proper grooming keeps your dog looking clean and beautiful—but more important, it supports your Golden Retriever’s overall health. 

Regular grooming helps:

• Reduce shedding around your home

• Prevent mats and tangles

• Remove dirt and debris

• Distribute natural skin oils

• Check for fleas, ticks, or skin irritation

• Lower the risk of ear infections

• Keep nails at a healthy length

• Support healthy teeth and gums

Routine grooming also gives you the chance to bond with your dog while helping them become comfortable with being handled.

Types of Grooming a Golden Retriever Needs

Coat Care

Golden Retrievers have a water-resistant double coat made up of a soft undercoat and a longer outer coat. Their coat is important because it protects them from hot and cold weather. But it also means they shed consistently throughout the year. Taking care of your Golden’s coat is an essential part of grooming. 

Regularly brushing is the best way to remove loose hair and keep the coat healthy. Avoid shaving your Golden Retriever unless your veterinarian recommends doing so.

Brushing

Brushing is one of the most important parts of Golden Retriever grooming.

Most Goldens should be brushed at least three to four times per week, with daily brushing recommended during heavy spring and fall shedding seasons. It’s a good idea to spray tangled coats with water before brushing. 

Start by brushing backwards with a pin brush to loosen and collect any debris, then brush the coat forward in the direction it grows. 

Consistent brushing helps:

• Remove loose undercoat

• Prevent painful mats

• Spread natural oils

• Remove dirt and debris

• Check for ticks, fleas, cuts, or bumps

Pay extra attention behind the ears, under the front legs, around the tail, and on the feathering of the legs, where tangles commonly develop.

Brushing Product Recommendations on Amazon

• PAWFUME Dog Detangler Grooming Spray: $12.94

• Dipoo Self Cleaning Shedding Brush: $12.99

• Swihauk Self Cleaning Slicker Brush: $19.99

• EquiGroomer 5-Inch Undercoat Deshedding Brush: $20.95

• Docrok Pet Grooming Combo - Deshedding Brush with Metal Comb: $24.99

Bathing

Dogs certainly require less bathing than humans, but it’s still an important part of the grooming process! Golden Retrievers typically only need a bath every six to eight weeks unless they've gotten especially muddy or smelly.

Before bathing, brush your dog's coat to remove loose hair and tangles. Use lukewarm water and rinse thoroughly twice to prevent shampoo residue from irritating the skin. Dry the coat completely afterward, especially around the ears. Then give your pup another brush!

If your pup loves swimming, always rinse their coat after time in pools, lakes, or the ocean. This will remove chlorine, salt, or other debris.

Shampoo and Conditioner

Always choose shampoos made specifically for dogs, as human products can irritate your dog's skin.

A gentle, moisturizing shampoo helps maintain your Golden's healthy coat, while a dog-safe conditioner can reduce tangles and leave the feathering softer and easier to brush.

Shampoo & Conditioner Recommendations from Amazon:

• Burt’s Bees for Pets Tear Free Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner with Buttermilk: $7.48

• Burt's Bees for Pets Oatmeal Dog Shampoo with Honey: $7.98

• Veterinary Formula Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs and Cats: $9.92

• Wahl USA Dry Skin & Itch Relief Pet Shampoo for Dogs: $9.99

• Wahl USA 4-in-1 Calming Dog Shampoo with Lavender Chamomile Scent: $8.56

• earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo: $19.95

• earthbath, Oatmeal & Aloe Conditioner: $18.99

• Douxo S3 PYO Medicated Dog Shampoo with 3% Chlorhexidine for Dogs: $24.99

Haircuts

Unlike some breeds, Golden Retrievers don't require regular haircuts. All they typically need is some light trimming around the feet, ears, tail, and sanitary areas.

This minor trimming is easily done at home, but it never hurts to schedule appointments with a professional groomer every few months to ensure a tidy appearance. 

When trimming at home, start with the fuzzy fur around the bottom of your dog’s feet. Then, brush up their hair between their toes and trim so that the hair does not pass the pads of their paws—it should be about ½ inch long.

Move onto the fuzzy fur on the back of your Golden’s legs, which will flare out a few inches.

From there, you can thin the undercoat around your dog’s chest and neck with thinning shears if there’s excess hair. When combed out, the coat should be flat and balanced.

Finally, carefully trim the ears and tail.

Product Recommendations from Amazon:

• Professional 5 in 1 Dog Grooming Scissors Set: $15.99

• oneisall 4 in 1 Dog Grooming Kit with LCD Display: $29.99

• oneisall Dog Clippers for Grooming Thick Heavy Coats: $49.99

  
  

Paws and Nails

Nail Trimming

Trimming your Golden Retriever’s paws is about more than maintaining a prim and proper appearance. Long nails can actually make walking uncomfortable and even affect your dog's posture over time.

Most Golden Retrievers need nail trims every three to four weeks, although active dogs that spend plenty of time on pavement may naturally wear their nails down. The American Kennel Club recommends trimming once a month.

Nail Trimming Products from Amazon:

• iToleeve LED Dog Nail Clipper with Light: $20.99

• Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder -Quiet Electric Pet Nail Trimmer: $29.97

• Heusom Silent Groom Pro Pet Nail Grinder: $39.95

Paw Cleaning

After walks or outdoor adventures, inspect your dog's paws for mud, burrs, small rocks, or cuts. Keeping the fur between the paw pads neatly trimmed can also help prevent debris from becoming trapped.

Paw Cleaning Wipes from Amazon:

• Wags & Wiggles Hypoallergenic Dog Wipes: $5.87

• Best Pet Supplies 8" x 9" Large Dog Wipes - Cleaning and Deodorizing for Paws and Coat: $9.59

• Earth Rated Pet Wipes for Dogs and Cats: $9.98

Oral Care

Dental care is an important part of your Golden's overall health.

Brush your dog's teeth daily whenever possible using dog-safe toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. If daily brushing isn't realistic, aim for several times each week. 

During grooming, check that your dog's gums are pink and healthy-looking. Persistent bad breath, bleeding gums, or loose teeth should be evaluated by your veterinarian.

You can also support good oral hygiene with veterinary-approved dental treats or dental chews. 

Oral Care Products from Amazon:

• Dental Care Finger Wipes 60 Counts: $6.98

• Vet's Best Dog Toothpaste & Dog Toothbrush, Dental Kit: $12.18

• Greenies Veterinarian-Recommended Adult Natural Dental Dog Treats (Value Pack): $39.98

• Oxyfresh Premium Pet Dental Care Solution Pet Water Additive: $18.95

Ear Care

Golden Retrievers' floppy ears can trap moisture, making them more prone to ear infections, especially if they swim frequently.

Check your dog's ears weekly for redness, unpleasant odor, excess wax, or discharge. Clean them with a veterinarian-approved ear cleaner and always dry the ears thoroughly after baths or swimming.

If your Golden frequently shakes their head or scratches at their ears, this could be a sign of infection; contact your veterinarian to get down to the bottom of any potential issues.

Eye Care

During grooming sessions, examine your Golden Retriever's eyes for redness, swelling, excessive tearing, or discharge.

You can gently wipe away minor debris using a soft, damp cloth, but persistent irritation or noticeable changes should be evaluated by your veterinarian.

Ear Care Products from Amazon:

• Ear Cleaner Finger Wipes 60 Counts: $6.98

• Virbac EPIOTIC® Advanced Ear Cleanser: $13.59

• Pet MD Dog Ear Cleaning Wipes – Otic Cleanser for Dogs - 100 ct: $14.99

Skin Checks

Every grooming session is an opportunity to inspect your dog's skin.

As you brush through the coat, look for:

• Fleas or ticks

• Hot spots

• Rashes

• Dry or flaky skin

• Cuts or sores

• New lumps or bumps

Finding skin problems early can make treatment easier and helps keep your Golden healthy and comfortable.

Final Thoughts

A consistent grooming routine is one of the best ways to support your Golden Retriever's health. Regular brushing, bathing, nail care, ear cleaning, and dental care help keep your dog comfortable while preventing many common problems before they become serious.

Starting these habits early—especially when your Golden is still a puppy—can make grooming a positive experience for life. With a little routine maintenance, your Golden will enjoy a healthy coat, happy skin, and plenty of wag-worthy adventures.

Note: Golden Puppies is a participant in Amazon’s affiliate program. If you purchase a product through one of our links, we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.