When it came to choosing the right dog, I settled on a golden retriever for their joyful nature, love of the outdoors and top tier cuddles. What I didn't take into account was the hair.
So. Much. Hair.
Because while high shedding breeds are said to shed twice a year, the reality is there is low level shedding going on all the time. Such is the truth in this, I've regularly heard it quipped that golden retrievers shed twice a year, once in spring for six months and once in autumn for six months!
Yes, they are one of the breeds that shed the most and, as such, my house has been covered in – sorry, I mean blessed by – goldie hair for going on a decade now! But all my suffering has not been for nothing, I have amassed a collection of hacks that will hopefully help you cope with shedding and keep your house a fraction less hairy…
When and why do dogs shed?
Golden retrievers shed their thick, water-resistant double coat twice a year. As the weather warms up in spring, they shed their thick winter undercoat and transition to their lighter summer coat. Then in autumn, they do away with their summer coat to make way for a new, thicker winter coat. Really, it’s no different to you and me swapping out our puffer coats for a rain jacket, or boots for sandals. Just, er, messier.
During this season of shedding you can expect a significant amount of hair to come out and the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Sorry. Somebody had to break it to you. The good news is, you can prepare for it accordingly.
The spring shed can start as early as March, but could be April or May, with the autumn shed starting around September or October.
Shedding hacks
1. Invest in the right brushes
When Lowen is going through her spring and autumn glow-up season (as I've rebranded it) I crack out the undercoat rake (I got this one on Amazon). I use this at least weekly during shedding season and my top tip: do this outside, the amount of hair that you'll get out is unfathomable.
Then I get the slicker brush (like this one) out and I try to give her a once over daily during shedding season. Little and often is really useful with this too. If your dog is anything like mine, they’ll love the attention of being brushed. And you’ll get extra points for telling them what a beautiful pup they are while brushing.
2. Plan a strategic bath and blow dry
Golden retrievers don't need bathing often in my experience, but during shedding season it can help to loosen any dead hair. The key here is to dry with a cool hairdryer afterwards, aim it towards the direction you’re brushing in and it will help to pull out a lot of loose hair.
3. Feed high quality food
Your dog's health will benefit tremendously from feeding a high quality, appropriate diet – the best dog food you can afford. But did you know it can also affect their coat too?
The right diet can result in a shiny, healthy coat. On the flipside, a poor quality, filler-heavy diet can cause dry skin and even result in excessive shedding.
4. Get a decent vacuum
Even with daily brushing, tactical baths and a good quality diet, the fact is some dogs just do shed. It’s part of the breed and what you sign up for. So the next few tips are focused on managing the inevitable. And first up? A decent vacuum.
You’ll want a robust, heavy duty vacuum cleaner that can pull stubborn hairs out of carpet fibres with ease – we’ve rounded up the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair here. If you’re inclined to household laziness like me, you might also benefit from a more lightweight cordless vacuum cleaner for a quick swipe around in between the more thorough vacuums.
The ultimate solution is a robot vacuum cleaner! My parents got one when they got their golden retriever (Lowen’s sister, Indy) and it’s been a game changer. They set it to work while she’s out on a walk and they come home to pristine floors. Which is nice, for a few minutes.
5. Seek out dog-proof furnishings
Obviously we can’t all redecorate our homes to suit our pets, but when it is time to upgrade furniture or redecorate a room, it’s worth taking it into consideration. We have a fabric sofa, but opted for machine-washable covers so that we can keep it smelling fresh and hair free.
However when the time comes to upgrade our sofa, I will without a shadow of a doubt be going for leather like my parents. It’s a far more practical option when you’ve got a dog that sheds.
For now, we have a rotation of sofa throws that cover the sofa during Lowen’s shedding seasons. When one goes in the wash, we simply pull another one out so the sofa is never subject to her hair! You can also find blankets that are designed to be pet hair-resistant (like this one on Amazon).
6. Use the best lint rollers
Goldens love a cuddle and I’m powerless to resist, so I am now the proud owner of several lint rollers. These work to pull dog hair from your clothes and soft furnishings, so you can stay close to your friend throughout their big shed.
I have heard excellent things about the Chom Chom roller, so they’re next on my list of things to try along with a new pet hair remover glove (like this one).
7. Shift your mindset
Ultimately, if you have fallen in love with a dog that sheds, you need to accept it is part of having them. Yes it’s a bit inconvenient, but in my experience it is completely outweighed by the joy that having a goldie in the home brings.
Focus on the good stuff – like their lovable nature and unmatched zest for life – and the shedding thing won’t seem like quite such a big deal.
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
