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Golden Retrievers are famed for their beautiful and thick coats alongside their charming personalities. They shed their fur all year round but more noticeably during fall and spring.
As a Golden caregiver, you will need to regularly groom your pet to keep their coats soft & shiny and to control shedding.
A good place to kickstart your grooming journey is by brushing your dog’s coat at least once a week. You may be wondering if any brush can get the job done.
Some dog brushes can be good for your Goldie while others may damage their good-looking double coats.
Don’t worry, that’s the reason we have compiled this guide. Keep reading to discover the 13 best dog brushes for Golden Retrievers based on our research and experience, ranging from simple slickers to raking tools.
We have also outlined the common types of dog brushes that are good for Goldies and offered some helpful tips on how to choose the best one based on your dog’s coat and shedding.
Our Top Picks for the Best Dog Brushes for Golden Retrievers
- Excellent in removing mats and tangles
- Crowned pins
- Ergonomic handle
- Fluff, detangle and style
- Removes up to 95% of loose hair
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Comfortable grip
- Easy on your puppy's skin
- Excellent de-matting tool
- Highly versatile
- Comfortable handle
- Tough on the knots but safe for your dog's coat
Dog Brushes for Golden Retrievers Reviews
1. Chris Christensen Big G Dog Slicker Brush – Best Overall
Type: Slicker
The Chris Christen slicker brush took up our tight spot for the best overall dog brush for Golden Retrievers.
This red grooming tool combines an ergonomic design that features a slanted base with squarely spaced wire pins.
We were more impressed by how this brush managed to pick up almost all the fallen fur from the dog’s undercoat with just a few glides.
It also has the ability to remove the mats and untangle the hair knots on your dog’s coat to restore their glossy look while being gentle on their skin.
This makes it a must-have tool for people looking for an ideal way to care for their dog’s coat.
The manufacturer includes what they call the ‘GROOMGRIP’ design which incorporates a rubber coating along the handle to prevent the brush from slipping off your hand.
We reviewed the large brush but if you have a smaller Golden Retriever, you have the choice to go for the medium or small-sized models.
Pros
- Excellent in removing mats and tangles from the dog’s coat.
- It has crowned pins that do not scratch the dog’s skin.
- The comfortable grip ensures a stress-free grooming session and is much easier on your palm.
- Offers the best value
Cons
- The rubber coating might be difficult to clean.
2. Poodles & Doodles Brush
Type: Slicker
The Poodoodle slicker brush is crafted with long bent pins that can penetrate your dog’s thick undercoat to pick up the loose fur.
We found it to glide through the coat with ease and it has the power of untangling the toughest hair knots without causing pain to the lovely Golden.
The base has an air-cushioned pad that hosts tightly packed pins for an effective hair care routine for your dog.
The comfy pad also provides a massage-like feeling for your dog during grooming, hence giving them a relaxing sensation to corporate with you in the process.
This purple-colored doggie brush is good for all Goldens due to its ergonomic design that contours the body and gives your arm a comfortable grip.
Pros
- The tightly packed pins leave no mats and tangles behind.
- It has a comfy air-cushioned pad that massages the dog’s skin.
- The bent pins are capped to protect the dog’s skin.
- The manufacturer guarantees a 1-year warranty for all qualifying purchases.
Cons
- The brush may be tough for Goldens with very dense coats.
3. Ryan’s Paw Brothers Extra Long Pin Slicker Brush
Type: Slicker
This slicker brush from Paw Brothers is made with high-quality materials so you can count on its durability component.
The huge marketing points for this brush have to be the widely spaced long pins and the comfy metal handle design.
The spacious stainless-steel pins are ideal for gliding through a Golden Retriever with a dense and thick coat. And with such a nice handle, you can be sure to enjoy the grooming too.
The other talking point on this brush has to be the rectangular-shaped head which adds to the efficiency of grooming by being highly maneuverable on the dog’s coat.
This makes it easy for you to reach deep down into your pup’s undercoat to remove the most stubborn mats and unwinding hair twists without much effort.
We also noticed how the rounded corners prevented the pet’s fur from being caught and pulled during the brushing session.
Pros
- It has extra-long pins that reach the deepest part of the coat.
- The handle is super comfy to hold and work with.
- It has rounded edges that prevent your dog’s hair from being pulled during grooming sessions.
Cons
- The pad might be huge for some younger Golden Retrievers.
4. YIRU Large Firm Slicker Brush
Type: Slicker
If you’re looking for a convenient grooming tool for brushing your Golden Retriever, then you might want to pause and consider this brush.
It is designed with curved pins that can penetrate your dog’s undercoat without harming their naked skin.
These pins are ideal for picking up loose fur from the coat before they stick together to form stubborn tangles deep in the undercoat.
The handle is made with a human design aspect in mind and the top part has a place where you can rest your thumb while grooming.
That’s not all about this brush. The base is made with a soft pad that gives your dog a massage whenever you’re gliding through their fur.
Pros
- It is tough on mats and tangles on the dog’s coat.
- The handle has a comfortable grip and it is connected to the base by a stable fulcrum.
- Made with durable materials.
Cons
- It is not ideal for use when bathing your dog.
5. HERTZKO Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
Type: Slicker
If you have a Golden Retriever with skin sensitivity, then you need to take a close look at this grooming tool for easy handling.
The brush is designed with fine bent wires with plastic tip caps that are comfy on your dog’s skin but very tough on the hair knots and snarls.
A few glides over the coat are enough to get rid of fallen fur to prevent the build-up of tough tangles that may be painful to remove when they get stuck.
The other top selling point for this grooming tool has to be the self-cleaning feature. You don’t need to remove the fallen fur from the bristles with your hand.
With a simple press of a button, the bristles will retract back to the brush leaving the pet hair on the base. This makes it easier to wipe off the hair and keeps the tool ready for the next use.
HERTZKO used high-quality materials in making this brush hence adding to its durability and reliability in use for every single session.
Pros
- Ideal for dogs with sensitive skin.
- It removes all fallen hair and untangles the tough knots.
- The self-cleaning feature makes it easy to clean and maintain.
Cons
- May not be ideal for stubborn tangles.
6. Self-cleaning Slicker Brush – Best Brush for Golden Retriever Puppies
Type: Slicker
If you have a Golden Retriever puppy, then you need an ideal brush that is gentle on their young skin and growing hair.
This aqua-green brush is made with fine pins that can clean up dead hair from your puppy and prevent the formation of tough hair lumps and tangles.
The long & bent pins are crowned with safety massage tips that are soft on your dog’s skin when grooming. This improves your dog’s blood circulation and makes the session enjoyable and less difficult for you.
Moving to comfort, this grooming tool is made with a human-friendly handle design that sits well on the palm of your hand when working with it.
Cleaning this tool has been made easy by the self-cleaning features which work with a simple press of a button.
Pros
- Removes up to 95% of loose hair from the coat.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- It has a comfortable grip.
- The brush is tough on mats while being easy on your puppy’s skin.
Cons
- May not be suitable for tough hair.
7. GoPets Dematting Comb with 2-Sided Rake – Best for Dematting
Type: Rake
This double-duty grooming tool might be what you need for dealing with the tough mats, twists, and knots on your dog’s coat.
The tool can catch anything that gets caught in those copious locks while gliding through the dog’s glossy coat.
If you have a Golden Retriever who forms mats every so often, then this brush will come in handy for you.
The lower side of this de-matting tool is your best helper in removing those tough hair snarls and tangles while the upper deck is a good de-shedding tool that helps to thin out the dense coat.
The huge bonus point of this brush has to be its versatility and how it can fit in different use cases.
The other worthwhile feature that impressed us was the silicone handle that fits on the palm of the hands gently.
This good grasp ensures that you get the right grip to glide through the coat for a complete grooming exercise.
Pros
- It is an excellent de-matting tool.
- It is highly versatile.
- The handle is comfortable to hold and work with.
- The sharp blades are tough on the knots but safe for your dog’s coat.
Cons
- The handle size is a little small in size.
- Some users might find the tool to be heavy.
8. Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Brush
Type: Rake
This is yet another dual-sided raking tool that made it to our list of the best dog brushes for Golden Retrievers.
The upper side is crafted with 9 teeth for de-matting and the lower side has a total of 17 teeth for thinning and de-shedding.
All these sharp, yet rounded teeth are tough on the hair knots while being gentle enough on your pup’s coat and skin. They do not cause irritation or skin damage when used correctly.
This tool is very effective in removing all dead hair from the dog’s coat and anything else that might be caught between the teeth.
For the groomer’s relief, Maxpower made this tool with a comfortable non-slip rubber handle to offer total control when attending to the dog’s fur.
Our review unit was black but this tool comes with a bunch of different color options to choose from. You can also go for the brush size depending on the size of your Golden Retriever.
Pros
- It is outstanding in de-matting and de-shedding
- The handle is comfortable to hold.
- The brush is lightweight hence easy to work with.
Cons
- It might irritate your dog’s skin if used incorrectly.
9. FURminator Grooming Rake
Type: Rake
Our search for the best brush could not be complete without reviewing a unit from FURminator – a household name for pet parents.
This particular tool has rotating metal teeth that offer a convenient solution for dealing with persistent mats and intertwined hair.
It is ideal for Goldens with denser and thicker undercoats which can host lots of loose hair within the curls.
The handle is contoured in an ergonomic design that gives the groomer a comfortable and non-slip grip. This allows you to work on your pet’s hair without straining your palm in discomfort.
Pros
- It removes loose fur and dead hair.
- It helps to prevent hair knotting and tangling.
- The handle offers a comfortable grip.
Cons
- The handle is a bit smaller in size
10. Pet Comb Grooming Brush for Large Dogs
Type: Rake
If you have an adult Golden Retriever, then you might need a tool that covers a large area of the coat with a few glides.
This pet comb for Golden Retrievers is made with titanium steel and rounded pins which are gentle on your dog’s coat.
The pins can penetrate deep into the dense undercoat to pick up dead fur and untangle any hair knot that is caught in between the teeth.
This grooming tool will leave your dog with glossy and wavy hair that is free from the tough mats that dent their beauty.
A bonus point for this grooming brush has to be the massaging feature which relaxes your dog during grooming, and also improves their blood circulation.
The handle is soft and non-slip to give the groomer a comfortable grip when working on their pet’s coat.
Pros
- It is a good de-matting comb.
- The pins are tough on knots but gentle on the dog’s skin.
- It reaches the bottom of a dense undercoat and picks up all dead hair.
Cons
- May not be ideal for puppies
- The rubber handle wears out after repeated use.
11. Undercoat rake for Dogs
Type: Rake
You can get this double-sided rake brush for the price of one. It features one side with widely spaced teeth for de-matting and the other one with tightly spaced pins for shedding control.
The de-shedding side of this raking tool will guarantee you a fur-free home by removing all the loose hair from your dog’s coat before they end up on your furniture.
If you have a Goldie who mats easily, then you can make use of the wide teeth to take on the tough mats, hair twists, and lumps to clear the undercoat.
The teeth are rounded on the outside and this ensures that your lovely double-coated dog is not irritated on the skin when being groomed.
Speaking of irritation, the brush is furnished with a blue non-slip handle that is easy to hold and grip when working on your pet.
Pros
- Ideal for de-matting and de-shedding.
- The handle offers a comfy grip.
- The rounded teeth give your dog a gentle massage while being groomed.
Cons
- The de-shedding pins may not be suitable for Goldens with very long and curly hair.
12. Rexipets Brush & Comb Dog Grooming Set – Best for Deshedding
Type: Bristle & comb
The heavy shedding months of fall and spring are the toughest for Golden Retriever owners. You can get much done during this period by trying out this grooming set by Rexipets.
This set is furnished with effective grooming tools that offer the solution for heavy shedding in Goldies.
You will get a double-sided de-shedding brush that is made with soft bristles pad on one side and a larger pin brush on the other.
The pet brush is ideal for removing dead hair from your dog’s coat and preventing the formation of knots and persistent tangles.
The pins are crowned with rounded caps that are good for massaging your dog and distributing the natural oils on the coat for a glossier look.
You also get a grooming comb with stainless steel teeth to help you get through the dog’s fur for a rounded finish after brushing the pet.
All the tools are designed with comfy handles to make it easy for the groomer to work on their pup’s coat without tiring out easily.
Pros
- The grooming set offers a complete kit for what you may need.
- It gives good shedding control
- The handles are comfortable to hold.
Cons
- It might get difficult to clean the brush during heavy shedding.
13. Hertzko Soft Pet Brush
Type: Bristle & Pin
This is another unit from Hertzko that made it to our list. We were impressed by the combination of practicability and durability compared to the price tag of this brush.
With less than 10 bucks, you are getting a tool that helps you to control shedding in your Golden Retriever during high season.
This oval-shaped brush has plastic bristles with rounded edges that pick up fallen hair from your dog’s undercoat and gives their skin a soft massage.
That’s not all! The manufacturer made this unit with a comfy handle and a thumb rest just near the pivot point.
This means that you can get a good grip on this tool while working on your dog’s coat to remove all the loose fur and mats.
Pros
- It gets the job done by removing the fallen fur
- Budget-friendly dog brush
- It has an eyelet hole for easier storage
Cons
- The handle may get detached on repeated use.
Types of Dog Brushes for Golden Retrievers
1. Slicker Brush
The slicker brush is, without a doubt, one of the best brush types for Golden Retrievers. These brushes consist of super-fine wire pins that are packed on a straight or curved base.
The wire pins are crowned with soft protective nubs which shield your dog from irritation when the brush hovers over the coat.
Slicker brushes are very good for de-matting and detangling long curly hair without causing discomfort or pulling.
These brushes can be used regularly on your Golden retriever without hurting their skin because they are gentle on the dog.
There are a variety of slicker dog brushes in the market and you need to choose the ones that are appropriate for your dog’s coat.
2. Rake
Dog rakes are T-shaped combing tools that are furnished with an easy-to-grip handle and a row or two of closely spaced pins.
These pins have rounded caps that penetrate the dog’s dense coat to remove tangles and loose hair.
They are a good option for Golden Retrievers especially those with very long and curly hair around their chest.
Rakes are more useful for grooming Golden retrievers during the heavier shedding months since they can remove large clumps of fallen hair with a few swipes.
Most raking tools have a double-sided design which makes them effective for an all-rounded grooming session.
You should always use rakes with minimal pressure on your dog’s skin since their rounded teeth could also irritate your dog’s skin.
3. Bristle Brush
Bristle brushes are good for Goldens with shorter coats or those that have already shed their hair. These brushes are furnished with soft plastic bristles that can pick up loose hair from the dog’s coat and stimulate the skin.
A widely-spaced bristle brush is ideal for Goldies since it can get through the dense coat to straighten out the long curly hair.
They are also good for distributing natural oils on your dog’s coat which helps to keep the fur soft, glossy, and moisturized.
These brushes are super gentle on your dog’s coat and they do not cause itchiness and discomfort on your Golden Retriever.
4. Pin Brush
Pin brushes are characteristically oval-shaped and they resemble human brushes. They are crafted with sets of flexible stainless-steel/plastic pins with rounded edges.
Pin brushes can pick up your dog’s fur from the undercoat and they are commonly used during the last phase of grooming dogs.
You should use this brush with caution since the long wires may cause discomfort to your dog if you press too hard.
What Is the Best Brush for A Golden Retriever Puppy?
Grooming the soft fur on a Golden Retriever puppy can be challenging especially when you use the wrong tool for the job.
Slicker brushes with super soft bristles are ideal for Golden Retriever puppies. Such brushes are gentle and delicate on the young dog’s skin.
A soft brush will give your young a good sensation and this can help to make them familiar with the grooming process.
As your Golden puppy comes of age, their coats will become thicker & stronger. So, here you can adjust to a slicker brush with firmer pins and stronger edges.
This will help to keep the mats and tangles away while creating a healthier coat for your furry friend.
How To Choose a Good Dog Brush for A Golden Retriever
Choosing the right brush for your Golden Retriever will go a long way in ensuring you have a smooth grooming session.
The following are some of the things you need to consider when scouting around for a good Goldie brush:
1. Brush Type
The type of brush you need for grooming your dog will depend on how you want to clean their fur and the shedding season.
Slicker brushes and rakes are the most effective doggie brushes for Golden Retrievers since they can penetrate the thick undercoats and pick up loose fur while removing the mats.
This enables you to prevent the formation of intertwined knots on your dog which could get harder to remove when they mature.
A good doggie brush should also be gentle on your dog’s skin, especially the ones you use for grooming skin-sensitive dogs, and they should be friendly to dog shampoo.
2. Brush size
The size of your desired brush is crucial since it will determine how comfortable and effective the grooming session will be.
A very large brush may not be effective in covering small areas such as the legs when clearing up the dog’s coat. A small brush on the other hand may require too much work to finish up the entire coat.
You, therefore, need to strike a good balance between the size you need for a dog brush and how well you want to move it around the coat.
3. Brush handle
The brush handle will determine how comfortable you will be when working on your dog’s coat.
Brushes with non-slip rubber handles are comfortable to hold and difficult to fall off when grooming your canine friend.
They offer the groomer an easy grip while preventing hand fatigue when gliding through your Golden Retriever’s coat.
4. Brush design
Dog brushes come in different designs and shapes. Some of them have been formed in friendly contours that improve the grooming experience both for you and Goldie.
A dog brush with bent pins or bristles will work by following the dog’s body curve with ease hence making the grooming session effective.
Top brushes will have retractable handles and self-cleaning features that make the entire process much easier to round up.
5. Dog shedding
When grooming your Golden Retriever during their heavy shedding months, you need a brush with longer bristles to reach the bottom part of the undercoat.
This will make it easier to pick up fallen fur and remove hair lumps from your dog’s coat. Such brushes will help in controlling shedding on your dog and will keep your home cleaner too and lessen allergies if you are allergic to the fur!
During the low shedding period, you can use a soft bristle brush to groom your dog’s coat. This will maintain their fur’s natural look while spreading natural oils on the coat to keep it shiny.
6. Coat type
All golden Retrievers are double-coated. They have a thick undercoat and a longer, water-repellant top coat.
But they differ in the structure of the hair and their length. Some have straight fur while others have wavy or curly-looking top fur that forms fringes on the edges.
You should therefore choose a grooming tool that works well with the coat type of your dog to maintain its natural look.
Using the wrong brush for your dog’s coat may damage the structure of the coat and even irritate the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should you start brushing your Golden Retriever?
You should start grooming your Golden Retriever right during their puppyhood stage from between 8 to 12 weeks of age.
Goldies are heavy shedders, and you need to control the hair fall by brushing them starting at a tender age.
Start with a super fine bristled slicker brush that is gentler on your young dog’s skin and make sure to introduce them to the process in a friendly way.
2. How often should you brush a Golden Retriever?
The frequency of brushing your Golden Retriever will depend on their year-round shedding pattern and the coat’s length.
We recommend that you brush your Goldie at least once a week or biweekly during their low shedding season. This will aid in removing all loose fur, dirt, and debris that may have been lodged in their undercoat.
During the high shedding months, you can brush your dog daily to remove the loose hair or make it at least 5 times a week.
3. What is the best way to brush a Golden Retriever?
To effectively groom your Golden Retriever, we recommend that you back-brush them starting with the head and proceeding your way downwards to the tail. Do the same from the chest and shoulder, down to the toes.
Make sure to brush the coat in the direction in which the hair grows. Brushing it in the opposite direction might cause breakage which can leave bald patches around the dog’s body.
Always be gentle when working on your dog’s coat and avoid pulling the matted fur without caution.
4. Should I brush my Golden Retriever before or after a bath?
You should always brush your dog before bathing them. This is to remove all the loose fur, debris, and dirt from the coat before washing them thoroughly.
Brushing before bathing also helps in removing the stubborn mats and tangles which could have otherwise made the experience painful for your dog.
5. Does brushing a Golden Retriever help with shedding?
Yes! Brushing your Golden retriever will certainly help in controlling shedding especially during the high seasons.
The soft pins and bristles go deep into the dog’s coat to pick up loose fur that could have otherwise ended up on your furniture.
Regular brushing also prevents the weak fur from creating mats and tangles on the dog’s beautiful coats. Soft brushes will also help in distributing the natural oils on your dog’s coat hence making them glow and get softer.
6. How can I stop my Golden Retriever from shedding so much?
We cannot completely stop Goldens from shedding fur but we can learn to cope with this occurrence. The first thing you need to do is groom your Goldie regularly, especially during the high-shedding months.
This includes brushing your dog every so often and giving them a warm bath at least once every 2 months. This will cut down on the volume of loose fur on your dog’s coat and prevent them from sticking the fur to your furniture or clothes.
The other thing you would want to do is give your dog a well-balanced diet with omega-3 fatty acids. This will help in creating healthy and strong hair that cannot break with ease.
If your Golden Retriever is shedding too much hair, especially outside the normal shedding window, they could be suffering from an underlying medical issue. It is best to reach out to your vet for early diagnosis and possible treatment.
Conclusion
Grooming your Golden Retriever is an important part of keeping their coats healthy and maintaining their shiny look. Getting the right tools for this all-important exercise could just the difference.
From our testing and review of the best dog brushes for Golden Retrievers, we found that the Christ Christensen Big G Dog Slicker Brush is the best overall.
This high-quality brush is furnished with tightly packed bristles that penetrate the dog’s dense coat to pick up all dead hair and debris.
Justus is the lead author at Furs'n'Paws. He is not only a passionate animal lover but also an experienced pet writer and editor with several years of expertise in the field. With a keen understanding of animal behavior and a talent for interpreting the puzzling body movements of pets, he has developed a deep passion for sharing his insights and experience with his readers. Justus is experienced in researching and reviewing pet products, and putting together product reviews and buying guides. He is dedicated to helping pet owners provide the best for their furry companions. His wealth of knowledge and love for animals make him a trusted resource in the pet community.
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