Slicker Brushes for Golden Retrievers

Goldens are not a difficult coat to maintain, but they are a relentless one. They shed year round and heavily twice a year, and the long feathering on the tail, chest and back of the legs tangles quietly if it is not brushed through.

Feathering is the priority

The body coat on a Golden is fairly forgiving. The feathering is not. Tail feathering in particular collects grass seed, sand and burrs, and once it knots it is very easy to end up cutting it out and spoiling the tail shape. Brush the tail, chest, ear fringes and the back of the legs first, while you and the dog are both still patient.

Getting the undercoat out

Most of what lands on your sofa is undercoat, not the golden topcoat. Longer pins reach it. Work in the direction of hair growth, in overlapping strokes, and stop when the brush stops filling. Ten minutes twice a week removes a surprising amount of what would otherwise end up on your clothes.

After swimming and after baths

A wet Golden coat mats faster than a dry one, especially the feathering. Towel first, then brush while the coat is still damp rather than waiting until it dries. Pair a large brush for the body with a medium for the legs and tail. Our 4-in-1 shampoo is worth adding here because it detangles as it cleans, which makes the post-bath brush considerably shorter.