7 Best Brushes for Golden Retrievers w/ Simple Tips for Effective Brushing

Often considered the “golden boy” of dog breeds, it’s hard to find something negative to say about the golden retriever. Developed in the Scottish Highlands, the Golden Retriever began popping up in the early 1900s but didn’t truly become popular until President Gerald Ford showcased his own retriever, Liberty, to the American people.

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While the golden retriever’s sweet and loyal temperament captured the hearts of millions, it was their deeply golden fur that earned them their name. Even today, most people recognize the retriever by their rich, stunning coats and feathery tails.

Unfortunately, as beautiful as they may be, anyone who owns a golden retriever understands just how high-maintenance those lustrous coats can be. Without proper upkeep, the light-colored fur of a golden retriever can end up everywhere—from your couch to your favorite black shirt. While even proper grooming might not be able to completely erase your retriever’s hair from your home, it can significantly reduce the amount of shedding your pup does.

While it may vary from dog to dog, brushing your golden retriever once a day (in addition to other grooming) is a good goal to aim for. Not only can you remove most of the loose hair they’re shedding, but you can also get rid of any dirt or debris that sticks to your retriever from their outdoor playtime.

It’s also important to keep in mind that, since golden retrievers have longer hair, their fur tends to mat or tangle more easily than some other breeds. Without regular brushing, your retriever’s beautiful coat could become knotted, unhealthy and coarse. This is complicated by the fact that twice a year golden retrievers experience a “coat blow,” meaning their fur falls out in clumps so that it can grow back healthier. While beneficial for your dog, it can lead to a lot of shedding.

With so much upkeep, it’s important to make sure that you have the best golden retriever brush for your pup. Although many brands claim that they can take care of all your dog’s grooming needs, only a few can actually live up to those statements. Luckily, you don’t need to guess which brush will get the job done—we’ve already reviewed some of the most popular products for you.

Keep reading for a closer look at the top golden retriever brushes of 2023:

Different Types of Popular Golden Retriever Brushes

Although the frequency at which you brush your golden retriever is important, the type of brush you use matters just as much. There are several different kinds of dog brushes out there, but only a few are popular choices for golden retriever owners:

Slicker Brush

Like many dogs, golden retrievers have two layers: a top coat and an undercoat. Not only does this make their fur thicker, but it also makes it more difficult to remove loose hair and debris that may get embedded in the undercoat.

The fine, rigid bristles of a slicker brush are designed to dig deep into thick coats and collect loose fur and dirt. In some cases, a slicker brush may be able to more effectively reach knots or tangles that are located in the undercoat of your dog.

Undercoat Rake

If you begin to notice that your golden retriever constantly gets knots, tangles or mats in their undercoat, you may want to invest in an undercoat rake. As the name suggests, the undercoat rake uses sturdier metal lines that gently “rake” the bottom layers of your dog’s fur and the surface of their skin.

Keep in mind that the undercoat rake’s main purpose is to deal with tangled or knotted fur—and it may not collect loose fur or debris as well as a slicker brush or pin brush. Many golden retriever owners choose to use an undercoat rake in combination with another dog brush.

Pin Brush

The pin brush is a popular choice for golden retriever owners and may look similar to a hairbrush. Unlike a slicker brush, which closely packs its wires together, the pin brush has longer, flexible wires that are spread farther apart (usually on an oval or cylinder-shaped surface).

Although pin brushes can easily pick up loose hair or debris from your retriever’s top coat, they usually aren’t able to penetrate much further. However, this type tends to be more comfortable than slicker brushes and may be a better choice for golden retrievers that can’t stand brushing. In some cases, a pin brush may also contain a bristle brush head as well.

Hound Glove

Not all dogs enjoy the grooming process, and some may do everything they can to avoid being brushed. Fortunately, for the dogs that can’t stand regular brushes, there may be a way to make the activity a little more comfortable.

A hound glove, which usually looks like a large mitt with rubber bristles, is another popular choice for golden retriever owners. Instead of making your dog feel as if they’re being brushed, the hound glove can fool them into thinking they’re only being pet.

Keep in mind that, while a hound glove can be effective at removing loose hair or debris, it usually isn’t the best tool for untangling knots or mats.

Best Brush for a Golden Retriever

FURminator Long deShedding Edge Dog Brush

Our Hands Down Favorite

Managing the thick, soft fur of a golden retriever can be a chore—but the FURminator Long deShedding Edge Dog Brush makes it seem effortless. Since the patented design of the brush has been developed a groomer, you may find that you yield professional results (even without stepping foot in a salon).

The FURminator brush includes a stainless steel deShedding edge to remove loose hair from the undercoat as well as a curved, ergonomic handle to make grooming a little more comfortable for you.

While no brush can ever completely get rid of loose hair, the FURminator is designed to reduce up to 90% of loose hair from shedding with regular use.

6 More Top-Rated Golden Retriever Dog Brushes

We may have named the best golden retriever brush, but here are six more choices to pick from:

HandsOn All-In-One Bathing & Grooming Gloves

For the golden retriever that doesn’t enjoy regular brushing, the HandsOn All-In-One Bathing & Grooming Gloves may just be the innovative solution you need. With rubber nodules located on the palm and fingers, the glove is able to capture excess hair and dirt.

During bathtime, the HandsOn glove is the perfect tool to massage the shampoo into your pup’s fur (and may be more pleasant than using regular gloves). Since the mitt fits over your hand, the glove may be able to promote bonding between you and your dog whenever it’s brushing time.

Safari De-Matting Dog Comb

Anyone who owns a golden retriever knows how often their pup’s fur tangles or mats—which is why the Safari De-Matting Dog Comb may be just what you need to get rid of those pesky knots.

Although the comb is designed to gently rake and detangle matted fur, the high-quality stainless steel blades are still sharp enough to ensure that it can take care of even the toughest mats. To make sure the blades don’t pull your retriever’s hair or poke their sensitive skin, the comb also uses rounded ends.

Besides handling troublesome knots, the Safari comb can also help improve blood flow and stimulate hair growth.

JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush Soft Pin

Even if a brush is comfortable for your dog, it may not always be comfortable for you to hold—especially in long grooming sessions. Fortunately, the JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Soft Pin Brush solves this by using comfortable, non-slip grips. Unlike some other choices, the JW brush is unlikely to cause cramping oar sore joints.

This may also be an ideal choice for golden retrievers that have sensitive skin. Although the brush uses metal “teeth” that can break up matted fur and collect loose hair, the position of the bristles help prevent the brush from painfully raking against your pup’s sensitive skin.

Dakpets FURblaster Deshedding & Light Trimming Tool

To deal with loose, dead fur while also stimulating the growth of new hair, the Dakpets FURblaster Deshedding & Light Trimming Tool may be exactly what you need.

Not only is it designed to reduce shedding and loose hair up to almost 90%, but it also uses a lightweight handle to ensure the process is comfortable for you as well. To protect the lifespan of the metal blade, there’s even a quick-release button to remove it. Once you’re done grooming your retriever, you can easily take the blade off and store it until you need it again.

Safari Double Row Flea Comb for Dogs

Golden retrievers who spend time outside are always at risk for fleas, ticks or other troublesome pests that may try to latch onto their lustrous coats. Even with the use of flea products, there’s always a risk—which is why the Safari Double Row Flea Comb for Dogs can help you make sure your flea treatment is working properly.

If you do find a pesky pest in your dog’s fur, the comb can safely remove it and root out any more. In addition to fleas or ticks, the Safari Flea Comb can also help identify dry skin or coat issues that other grooming tools don’t—all you need to do is start brushing.

Andis Premium Large Pin Pet Brush

For a simple brush that can effectively remove any loose hair or debris embedded in your dog’s coat, the Andis Premium Large Pin Pet Brush is a perfect choice. Not only do the pinhead bristles make the experience more comfortable for your retriever, but soft-grip handle can help lower the risk of hand fatigue (regardless of how long you have to brush).

Along with collecting loose fur or dirt, the bristles can also help promote follicle growth within your pup’s coat and spread natural oils across their skin.

5 Simple Tips to Properly Brush a Golden Retriever

  1. Brush your dog from top to bottom. When grooming your dog, it’s important that every area of their coat gets some attention so that loose hair or debris doesn’t build up.
  2. Use a slicker brush or undercoat rake to detangle mats. Instead of trying to force your way through a troublesome knot with a pin brush and hurting your dog, try using a slicker brush or undercoat rake instead. These brushes are specifically designed to deal with tangles and less likely to pull on your dog’s skin. However, if those tools still can’t conquer the mat, you can use a sharp pair of scissors to cut it out.
  3. Try brushing your golden retriever after you’ve given them a bath. After bathing, your retriever’s long, wet coat may dry in tangles or clumps unless you properly comb it out. Using an undercoat rake or hound glove to remove tangles and deal with loose hair can go a long way in keeping your retriever’s coat soft and fluffy.
  4. Do not continuously brush over the same area. Although some places may collect more loose fur than others, continuous brushing in the same spot can irritate your pup’s skin and cause brush burn.
  5. Generally, it’s a good idea to start with a slicker brush to deal with tangles, and use a pin or bristle brush last. Although they may not be as thorough as a slicker brush, the long wires on a pin brush may be able to reach deep knots that a slicker cannot.

FAQ Regarding Golden Retriever Brushing/Grooming

  • How much do golden retrievers shed? – Although it may vary from dog to dog, you can count on your retriever shedding a lot. Not only do these dogs shed all year-round, but they also experience bi-annual coat blows (which means they end up shedding much more than usual).
  • Can you over-brush a golden retriever? – Although golden retrievers do require plenty of grooming, it is possible to over-brush your pup. If you continuously brush the same areas on your dog’s coat or try to groom them several times a day, your retriever may experience brush burn. Brush burn irritates the skin and can make the process painful for your pup in the future. To avoid this, try sticking to a set grooming schedule and never brush the same areas more than three times in a row.
  • How often do I need to brush my golden retriever? – While every dog is different, you should generally brush your golden retriever once a day. Unlike short-haired dogs, the retriever’s long coat makes them easily prone to tangles, mats, and dirt. Grooming your dog on a daily basis can ensure that tangles and mats stay minimal, and your dog’s coat remains soft, healthy and shiny.
  • What is the best golden retriever brush type? – Slicker brushes are a popular option for many golden retriever owners, but if your dog’s fur tangles easily, you may find an undercoat rake more useful. In some cases, owners may invest in one or two different brush types since many kinds, like the pin brush or flea comb, are designed for specific purposes.
  • How can I help my golden retriever enjoy being brushed? – Not all golden retrievers may enjoy being brushed, but there is one thing you can do to win your dog’s favor. Along with making sure the brush is comfortable, using positive reinforcement can teach your retriever that brushing is a good thing. Every time your dog is cooperative with the brush, feed them their favorite treat.

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