Golden Hour

🧴 GROOMING · 4 MIN READ

Never Shave a Golden (Yes, Even in August)

That double coat is an air-conditioning system. Here is what to do instead when it is hot.

A golden’s double coat traps a layer of air that insulates against heat as well as cold, and the outer guard hairs block sun. Shaving removes the system: dogs can overheat faster, sunburn, and the coat may regrow patchy and wrong (coat funk is real). The kindest summer cut is no cut.

What actually cools them

Get the dead undercoat out — that is what blocks airflow. A thorough undercoat rake session twice a week in summer does more than any trim. Add shade, water to swim in, walks at the cool ends of the day, and a wet-towel belly rest after exercise.

Trim, don’t strip

Tidying feet, ear edges, and feathering with scissors is fine and keeps burrs down. If a mat has gotten past you, let a groomer work it out rather than cutting close to skin yourself.

💡 Golden Hour tip
If you can’t get airflow to the skin with your fingers, the undercoat is packed — book a de-shed bath-and-blowout before the next heat wave.

General guidance from golden retriever owners, not veterinary advice. If your dog is sick or hurt, call your vet.