Golden Retriever Care
This post contains some affiliate links. When you click an affiliate link and make a purchase from the merchant we will earn a small commission. That commission is paid by the merchant and not the customer. This does not affect the price of the products you buy. You can read our full affiliate disclosure by clicking here.
Many prospective Golden Retriever owners ask tons of good questions about Golden Retriever care and the training of this wonderful dog breed. To some experienced dog owners, these questions often seem trivial. But, people want to learn all about a certain breed before committing to it. For example, they often ask “do golden retrievers need haircuts?” Yes, they do so please read on…
Grooming Tips for Golden Retriever Owners
Naturally, the regular grooming a Golden Retriever gets is an essential part of their health and well-being. Golden Retrievers have thick, double-hair coats. Regular grooming helps keep the Goldie’s coat healthy, reduces shedding, and grooming maintains their overall hygiene. Here are some Golden Retriever grooming tips to keep in mind:
- Brush them often–Goldies shed a lot so brush them out often. Once a week is adequate, twice a week is better. Golden Retrievers are known for their double coat, so routine brushing needs to be a big part of their care to prevent matting.
- Bathe your Golden Retriever–Every couple of months or as needed will usually do. Only use a veterinary-approved dog shampoo with conditioner so you don’t harm their skin.
- Odor removers–Never use a deodorant, perfume, degreaser, or any kind of odor remover on any dog. Tomato juice works well for skunk spray!
- Clean the ears often–Get the gunk out, but never use any kind of swab which can push wax, dirt, and bacteria deeper into the ear canal. Regular cleaning helps to prevent wax buildup and ear infections. But, don’t aggressively overdo making the ear sore. Only use a clean cotton ball or washcloth with a vet-approved and gentle ear-cleaning solution.
- Trim nails–Do this as needed which is usually about every 4-6 weeks. Your dog may not like it, but this nail trim will help prevent overgrowth and foot pain. Clean out any mud or caked dirt and carefully examine each nail for splitting or injury. Carefully trim long between-the-toes hair. While you’re at it, examine each foot pad for any injury or infection.
- Brush dog’s teeth regularly–daily to prevent tooth and gum disease is best. Only use a vet approved dog toothbrush and toothpaste. Get your dog used to tooth brushing gradually to avoid a big fuss.
This self-cleaning slicker brush for long-haired dogs is effective, easy to clean and has a smart design that makes grooming easy. With over 85,000 reviews on Amazon, this one's a winner.
Along with routine or as-needed grooming, proper Golden Retriever care is highly important for the dog’s good health and general health care. Here are some tips you should consider:
- Feed your Golden Retriever the best–Always feed a high-quality dog food that meets their stage-of-life nutritional needs. If you have trouble deciding which dog food is best for your Goldie, then ask your vet or a brand unaffiliated pet nutritionist.
- Exercise and stimulation–Give your active Goldie lots of exercise and mental challenges. They love it and they need it!
- Vet visits–Take your Golden Retriever to your chosen vet for routine exams and shots. Golden Retrievers are prone to certain health issues, like hip dysplasia and cancer. Regular check-ups and early detection are key.
- Always train well–Use positive reinforcement and never negative reinforcement to train your Goldie. Negativity and punishment will not work! Yelling, profanity, whipping, and general bad trainer behavior will only demoralize any dog. Golden Retrievers are smart, sensitive, attentive, and respond very well to positive training, play, praise and rewards.
Follow this simple grooming and care advice and your Golden Retriever will be a healthy, happy, and smell good dog!
Good Health and Happy Life
Being a Golden Retriever owner, you need to know your dog’s loves and needs. Goldies are natural retrievers of anything that they can carry in their mouths. They will fetch whatever you throw. They are smart, fast learners. They are great with kids and other pets. They love to play and they love the water–any water. Because you are your dog’s teacher and master, he or she will learn the best or the worst from you. One thing’s for sure–if the Goldie gets your worst then your happiness and the dog’s life will be short-lived. Train your dog well, always be a good and patient teacher and train your dog correctly.
Positive reinforcement training will assure that your fur buddy will always be your best friend. He or she will be happy, healthy and well mannered. Knowing the common health issues and lifespan of this breed can help you care for and love your beautiful Golden Retriever.
Golden Retrievers are fun-loving family dogs that have a lifespan range of 10-12 years. However, some may be afflicted with various health problems. Allergies, heart disease, eye disease, hip dysplasia, cancer, and hypothyroidism are always serious concerns. Many of these Golden Retriever concerns are genetic. Picking a good and reputable breeder is key so doing your due diligence is necessary and very important.
Regular veterinary exams will help with health issues that come up as well. Keeping your Golden Retriever at a proper weight, providing healthy exercise, training well, and feeding a high-quality dog food can add up to a long and happy life.
Goldies are known for their great love of hunting, their loyal companionship, and their playfulness. But, many folks want to know “Do Golden Retrievers like water?” The answer is a resounding “YES”. Being a water dog is in their genetic makeup. They are great swimmers with a pure love of being in the water. They will play or work hard in any water. If you are a duck hunter then this easy-to-train breed is a natural choice for you. If hunting ducks is not your thing this breed will fetch anything that you playfully throw into the water. Goldies love to swim, they love to play, they love to fetch, and they love to please you.
Kong's Floating Fetch Toy for water play is perfect for large dogs. Encourages healthy exercise and interactive play - the perfect way to ensure your pup has fun.
Famous Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are beloved all over the world for their friendly personalities, intelligence, and loyalty. Over the years, many Golden Retrievers have become famous for their achievements and adorable personalities. Perhaps the most famous online Goldie today is Tucker Budzyn, Tucker is one of YouTube’s most famous dogs with over 200 videos.
Another celebrity Goldie is Liberty. Liberty was the 2022 Golden Retriever to win the prestigious AKC Obedience Trial Championship. She was recognized for her world-class skills in intelligence and obedience.
These famous Golden Retrievers have captured the hearts of people all over the world with their adorable personalities and impressive achievements. Whether they’re making us laugh with their silly antics or bringing comfort to those in need, Golden Retrievers are truly a breed for all.
Thanks for visiting Pet Hooligans and I hope you found this article on golden retriever care helpful. If you missed our earlier post on the Golden Retriever personality type then head back to read it.
