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5 Golden Retriever Haircuts & Styles in 2024 (With Pictures)

Rachel Giordano

By Rachel Giordano

golden retriever dog being groomed by getting a haircut

Golden Retrievers have luxurious double coats that may need a trim from time to time. The coat can be straight, wavy, or curly and is made up of two parts: a long, smooth outer coat and a soft, fuzzy undercoat. These gentle-natured dogs do not require much trimming, but sometimes, it can be beneficial to keep the hair neat and tidy and to keep shedding down. Generally, brushing the coat is ideal for shedding, but slight trims are sometimes warranted.

In this post, we’ll list five Golden Retriever haircuts and styles to give you an idea of safe haircuts for your fur baby.

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The 5 Most Adorable Golden Retriever Haircuts

1. The Puppy Cut

We’ll start off with an adorable puppy cut for your precious Golden Retriever puppy. This cut is done with thinning scissors by trimming the fur roughly ½ inch from your puppy’s head to their cute toes. Thinning scissors allow you to thin out the coat, which is really all your Goldie puppy will need. Trimming off this much helps keep shedding to a minimum as well.


2. The Simple Trim Cut

The simple trim is just that—simple! This simple trim keeps the Goldie looking clean and neat, and there’s not too much to it. The length of the hair is slightly trimmed, and the fur is feathered. This cut will not alter the shape of your Goldie’s coat, and your dog probably won’t even realize the hair has been trimmed. The chest and neck fur are thinned, and the coat will stay protected for warmth.


3. The Summer Cut

golden retriever dog lying on the sand beach
Image Credit: alexgo.photography, Shutterstock

All Goldie owners know how luxurious the coat is, and in the summertime, your Goldie will feel much cooler with a summer cut. You never want to shave your Golden Retriever, which can damage the coat and cause your Goldie to overheat. A Goldie’s fur and coat are designed to insulate during all weather conditions, and shaving puts your dog at risk for many ailments, such as allergies and even skin cancer.

This cut involves heavily trimming the ears, chest, and feet to give your dog a tidy, graceful look, and roughly ½ inch is trimmed. The private areas are also slightly trimmed.


4. The Teddy Cut

The teddy cut is an excellent alternative to a shave, which should never be done to a Golden Retriever. Instead, the groomer will use a snap-on comb and shears to thin out the coat to make your Golide more comfortable during the hot summer months. The coat will stay neat and fluffy without risking any damage to the undercoat, and the feet and tail will be trimmed to match the new haircut’s shape.


5. The Show Cut

golden retriever dog with show haircut standing outdoors
Image Credit: Karen Culp, Shutterstock

If your Goldie participates in shows, you’ll want them looking their best. Typically, professional groomers are skilled in the show cut, and we recommend using a professional groomer for this hairstyle. Similar to the simple trim, this cut is minimal to show off your dog’s golden locks, keeping everything neat and orderly. This low-maintenance, natural cut involves trimming the ears, paws, and private areas.hepper-dog-paw-divider2

How to Maintain Your Golden Retriever’s Coat at Home

golden retriever grooming
Image Credit: sonsart, Shutterstock

As far as maintenance, your Goldie will require regular brushing with a slicker brush a few times a week to keep tangles and mats from forming. Goldies shed excessively, and rather than trimming the coat too often, brushing helps keep shedding down to a more comfortable level, especially during shedding seasons.

Goldies only need occasional trimming rather than haircuts, and keeping the fur neatly trimmed rather than shaved is essential. These dogs have coats that serve specific purposes, such as regulating body temperatures and keeping the skin protected, which explains why shaving should never be an option.

It’s also crucial not to overbathe your Goldie, as this can strip the coat and fur from its natural oils. Usually, giving your Goldie a bath every 6 to 8 weeks or so should suffice unless they get dirty. When searching for shampoo, it’s best to use one with oatmeal and vitamin E to keep the coat looking healthy, sleek, and shiny. We recommend consulting your veterinarian on shampoo suggestions if your Goldie has a skin issue.

Keeping your pet's skin and coat clean and healthy is very important, but finding a great shampoo can be harder than the actual grooming! We love our Hepper Pet Shampoos because they makes grooming so much easier. These pH-balanced formulas are made with natural ingredients like oatmeal, cucumber, and aloe. They are free of phthalates, sulfates, and soaps and very gentle on your pet's skin. Now you just need to decide which formula is best for your fur baby! Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right option for your pet’s next bath!

Hepper Oatmeal pet shampoo
Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo

Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo
Natural cucumber & aloe scent
Natural cucumber & aloe scent:
Natural cucumber & aloe scent:
Safe for cats & dogs
Safe for cats & dogs:
Safe for cats & dogs:
Rinsing required
Rinsing required:
Rinsing required:
Free of harsh chemicals & nasty ingredients
Free of harsh chemicals & nasty ingredients:
Free of harsh chemicals & nasty ingredients:
Lathers easily
Lathers easily:
Lathers easily:

 

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Conclusion

In addition to their sweet temperaments, Golden Retrievers are known for their soft, silky hair, and as a Goldie owner, it’s important to keep the coat at its best. Remember never to shave your Goldie to prevent coat damage—your Goldie needs the ability to regulate body temperature, and shaving prohibits this natural action. You can use a slicker brush a few times a week to keep shedding down, and only bathe every 6 to 8 weeks unless bathing is necessary to remove dirt and debris.


Featured Image Credit: Dina Gomankova, Shutterstock

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