Do Golden Retrievers have double coats?
Well, the short answer is YES! And is used to protect their skin from external elements such as heat, cold, dirt, and debris.
In this Digdoggy.com guide, you’ll learn
- Why the double coat is important for Golden Retrievers
- How double coats help Golden Retrievers
- other breeds that have double coats
And much more!
What is a Golden Retriever double coat?
Why do golden retrievers have double coat?
A few benefits to the double coat of a Golden retriever include:
- Body temperature regulation for hot and cold weather
- Provides water-resistance
- Repelling dirt and debris
Body temperature regulation
Think of a double coat like wearing an insulated underlayer that helps you to stay cool in hot and warm up in the cold.
As this breed was originally bred for Scottish cold climates to retrieve shot waterfowl, the filtration system double coat provides a protective layer to help with staying warm.
The double coat is the first line of defense for a Golden Retriever to regulate airflow allowing a dog to cool off faster. An ideal temperature for a Golden Retriever is between 50°F (10°C) to 85°F (29.5°C).
What are the negatives to golden Retriever Double coats?
A double coat is made up of two coats, one being an undercoat and the other being the outer guard coat.
Shedding
Undercoats are soft, fuzzy, and thick so they get just about everywhere around the house, in our mouth and on clothes.
Golden Retrievers shed a heck of a lot which can be reduced with regular brushing to remove loose hair.
Maintenenace
Due to the amount of shedding a double coat will be high maintenance as regular home grooming is essential.
A Golden Retrievers coat will need to be brushed around 2 to 3 times per week with a bath every 4 to 6 weeks. However, if you’re using delicate natural products and have a very active dog, then you can step it up to every 2 weeks.
Can you cut or shave a Golden Retrievers Double Coat?
No! you cannot cut a Golden Retriever as their coat is used to regulate their temperature. In doing so, you will cause more damage than good as this will remove a layer of protection for your dogs skin.
That said, you can instead groom your Golden Retriever which involves trimming their coat oppose to completely removing it.
What other breeds have double coats?
This may not have every single dog on the planet with a double coat, but it certainly does have some of the most commonly known breeds.
If you are on the fence about choosing a new pet pooch and would like a double-coated dog, then here is a list of them:
- Akita
- Alaskan Husky
- Shiba Inu
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Great Pyrenees
- Newfoundland
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Havanese
- Siberian Husky
- Australian Shepherd
- Pomeranian
final Thoughts On A Golden retrievers Double coat
Golden Retrievers do indeed have a double coat that is used to protect them in hot and cold weather.
Whilst providing many benefits, a double coat can be very difficult to maintain, resulting in the need for more grooming than you would experience with other breeds.
