Buying guides
Best Deshedding Tool for Golden Retrievers: How to Choose
A Golden Retriever's coat is medium-long with a dense undercoat and feathering on the legs, chest and tail, so the best kit is an undercoat rake for shedding, a slicker brush for the feathers and a metal comb to finish. Brush a few times a week, daily during seasonal sheds, and never shave the coat to reduce shedding.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 10, 20263 min read2 sources
What a Golden coat needs
Goldens have a water-resistant double coat: a dense, soft undercoat beneath a longer outer coat. The AKC explains that this kind of undercoat insulates in cold and helps trap cooler air near the skin in heat, and that it sheds heavily during seasonal changes, a process called blowing coat. VCA recommends combs or stiff bristle brushes for medium-length shedding coats such as retrievers.
The feathering behind the ears, on the backs of the legs, the chest and the tail tangles more easily than the body coat. That makes a Golden a two-tool dog: one for loose undercoat on the body (a deshedding tool or rake), another for the fine, tangle-prone feathers.
Tools compared for Goldens
Undercoat rakes have long, rounded teeth that reach through the outer coat and pull loose undercoat, and the AKC notes groomers use a rake or quality steel comb for this. They are the safest heavy-duty deshedding tool for a coat this long. Bladed deshedding tools remove a lot of hair quickly, but on a Golden they can cut the outer coat and leave it ragged, so use them sparingly if at all.
Slicker brushes work through feathering and denser areas; use light strokes. A metal comb with wide and narrow teeth finds tangles the brush missed, especially behind the ears. A bristle brush or rubber curry is useful for a final polish on the body.
A routine that keeps shedding down
Outside the seasonal sheds, brush two or three times a week: rake the body in the direction of growth, slicker the feathers, then comb through. During a coat blow, rake daily for a couple of weeks, working section by section from the back of the dog forward. For more, see our guides on how to reduce dog shedding, whether Golden Retrievers shed and the best deshedding tools.
Brush before bathing, because tangles tighten when wet, and dry the undercoat completely afterward. Many owners find a high-velocity pet dryer, used on a calm dog, blows out a remarkable amount of loose undercoat after a bath.
Best set-up for each dog
For a Golden puppy, use a soft slicker and comb for a few minutes at a time to build tolerance before the adult coat comes in. For a heavily coated adult, a rake with two rows of teeth reaches deeper. For a senior with thinner skin, use lighter pressure and shorter sessions, and let the dog lie down.
For a dog that swims often, rinse off chlorine or salt and dry thoroughly, then brush once dry; damp undercoat against the skin is a common start of hot spots. Trimming the feathers neat is fine; reducing the whole coat is not.
What to avoid
Avoid shaving a Golden for summer. The AKC warns shaving a double coat removes both layers, may regrow unevenly, does not cool the dog and can increase the risk of sunburn and skin problems. Avoid scissors on mats, which VCA warns against, and avoid heavy pressure with any tool.
Stop and ask your vet if you find red, moist patches, hair loss, scabs or a strong smell under the coat. A Golden that sheds much more than its usual seasonal pattern, or whose coat becomes dull and thin, may have an underlying health issue worth checking.
Grooming tool working surfaces
| Tool | Physical working surface | Check before use |
|---|---|---|
| Undercoat rake | Long spaced teeth | Tooth ends,length and spacing |
| Slicker | A field of fine pins | Pin condition and pressure |
| Metal comb | One or more tooth spacings | Whether teeth pass without catching |
| Bristle brush | A soft bristle surface | Cleanliness and condition |
| Bladed deshedding tool | A cutting or edged working surface | Exact directions and professional guidance for the coat |
Common questions
What is the best deshedding tool for a Golden Retriever?
An undercoat rake is the safest heavy-duty choice for a Golden's longer coat, paired with a slicker brush for feathering and a metal comb to finish.
How often should I brush a Golden Retriever?
Two or three times a week most of the year, and daily during seasonal sheds. Brush before every bath and dry the coat completely afterward.
Are bladed deshedding tools bad for Golden Retrievers?
They can cut the longer outer coat and leave it ragged if used often or with pressure. A rake removes undercoat with less risk. Use blades sparingly, if at all.
Should I shave my Golden Retriever in summer?
No. The AKC explains the double coat helps keep a dog cool, and shaving can damage it and raise the risk of sunburn and skin problems.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
