Best Brush for Golden Retriever – Our Top Pick Revealed!
Published: Last updated: by Jessi Larson Affiliate Disclosure: We hope you love the products we've recommended! As an Amazon Associate we earn a small share from qualifying purchases.The Golden Retriever has beautiful, flowing fur that’s also thick, dense and easily tangled. That leaves the question: What’s the best brush for Golden Retriever pups?
The right brush will keep your dog’s lustrous locks looking healthy, shiny, and well-maintained.
Grooming, however, isn’t a favorite activity for all Goldens. It can be awkward, uncomfortable, and sometimes even stressful.
That’s why you need the best Golden Retriever brush.
The right brush makes grooming easy for both you and your dog. And it will feel good on your Golden.
Buyer’s Guide: Best Brush for Golden Retriever
With all the options on the market, you’re likely asking yourself, “What is the best brush for Golden Retriever dogs?”
That’s a great question – and we’ve got the answers.
To create our best brush for Golden Retriever guide, we took into account thousands of user reviews, manufacturer standards, breed recommendations, and more.
Our Top Brush
Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
The innovative design makes this brush easy to use and simple to clean while perfectly grooming your Golden.
Our pick for the best brush for a Golden Retriever is the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush.
With a press of a button, the fine bent wires pop out from the brush and provide deep penetration into a Golden’s coat. It’s able to groom both the inner and outer layers of their fur without scratching the skin.
When you’re done, another button press retracts the wires, leaving behind a clump of hair for easy cleanup.
Pros:
- The gentle brush removes loose hair and eliminates knots, tangles, dander, and even trapped dirt
- Cleaning the brush is super easy
- The comfortable grip and anti-slip handle are a plus for pup parents
Cons:
- The price is a bit higher than other brushes
- Users say it doesn’t work as well on breeds with shorter coats
The Runner-up
Pet Neat Pet Grooming & Deshedding Tool
The ultimate deshedding tool, this brush removes up to 95% of loose hair and tangles for a healthier, silkier coat.
The runner-up for best brush for Golden Retriever pups is the Pet Neat Pet Grooming & Deshedding Tool.
This is our go-to brush for our Labrador Retriever, Toby, and it also works great on Goldens.
The stainless steel comb smoothly runs through fur, digging up loose hair and dander and leaving behind a slick, silky coat.
Pros:
- Grooming is super quick and easy – finish in 10 minutes flat
- The stainless steel comb is designed to stand the test of time
- You’ll see the difference in the amount of dog hair in your home (we can attest to this!)
Cons:
- Clean-up is not as simple as it is with a self-cleaning brush
- Users should be careful not to press too hard when grooming
Other Top Brushes
Glendan Dog Slicker Grooming Brush
This massaging brush removes mats, dander, and trapped dirt and even helps improve your dog’s circulation.
Coastal Pet Long Tooth Undercoat Dog Rake
The precision tapered pins of this rake penetrate deep into your dog’s coat to remove loose hairs and prevent mats.
Pat Your Pet Rake Grooming Tool
With a 2-in-1 dual head that painlessly cuts through tough tangles, this is a good choice for dogs with extra matted fur.
HappyDogz Pro Slicker Brush
Your dog will feel like it’s getting a massage with this wide, gentle brush, which promotes shiny, tangle-free fur.
Detangling Pet Comb with Steel Teeth
With both long and short metal teeth, this comb cuts grooming time in half, which is great if you have an impatient Golden.
About the Golden Retriever’s Coat
A Golden Retriever has what’s called a double-layered coat. This means it has both an inner layer and an outer layer.
Short and close to the skin, the inner layer is designed to provide protection. In the summer it keeps a dog cool while in the winter it keeps them warm.
On the other hand, the outer layer is longer, denser, and intended to repel water. Often times this layer is wavy, but it can also be straight.
Brushing a Golden’s coat regularly is important for a number of reasons.
For one, this helps reduce shedding and unwanted hair in your home. It also ensures their hair doesn’t get tangled and matted.
And last but certainly not least, brushing will help your dog’s coat look healthy, shiny, and well-maintained.
Best Brush for Golden Retriever: What You Should Look For
Dog brushes come in all different shapes, sizes, and styles. To help you pick the right one for your pup, it’s a good idea to know the different types of dog brushes and what they’re designed for.
Slicker brush
A slicker brush is typically rectangular in shape and has fine wire bristles placed in rows closely together.
These pins remove mats and tangles from a Golden’s outer layer and smooth and shine their coat in the process.
Pin brush/comb
With its long, wide-spaced wire pins, a pin comb is another good tool for detangling a Golden’s coat.
If your dog’s coat is generally well maintained and you want to smooth it over quickly, a slicker brush might be a better fit. But if your Golden is prone to mats and tangles, it’s a good idea to add this to your grooming toolkit.
Bristle brush
As the name implies, a bristle brush is made of either natural or synthetic bristles. This makes the brush much softer – but also much less effective for dogs with longer coats, like the Golden Retriever.
Instead, this is a better brush for pups with short or wiry hair.
Undercoat rake
A rake looks like a pin brush but with fewer and longer pins. It reaches deep into double and heavy coats and removes unwanted undercoat.
Deshedding tool
Deshedding tools look like a comb with small teeth that are attached to a handle. When dragged across a dog’s coat, the tool removes loose hair in the inner layer and leaves a dog’s top layer looking healthy and well-groomed.
Rubber mitt
You might have also noticed that pet suppliers sell a glove with small rubber teeth attached. These rubber grooming mitts help smooth out a dog’s coat and promote skin circulation.
Ultimately, though, they’re better for short-haired dogs and not quite right for a Golden Retriever.
Tips for Grooming a Golden Retriever
Grooming a Golden isn’t as hard as it looks – but that doesn’t mean it’s easy either.
People may be intimidated by the breed’s thick, flowing fur and think that it requires a lot of upkeep.
Sure, there are other dogs out there that require less grooming, but in reality, the Golden Retriever is fairly easy to care for once you get into a regular routine.
1. Brush their coat regularly
To keep a Golden’s coat in tip-top shape, it’s recommended that you brush them out once or twice a week.
According to grooming experts, you should start at their head and move backward, making sure you don’t miss any areas.
Regular brushing helps prevent tangles and mats and makes each subsequent session much easier.
One tip: Always make sure your dog’s coat is dry before brushing.
2. Gently remove mats and tangles
If your dog’s fur does get matted and tangled, don’t fret. There are easy ways to make things right.
Start with a brush. Any one mentioned above in our best brush for Golden Retriever guide will do.
First, take the entangled piece of fur, hold it up, and brush the ends slowly and gently without pulling on their skin. From there, slowly work down to the bottom until the tangle is entirely removed.
If this doesn’t work, however, you can always cut out the affected area with a scissors. Just be extra careful, of course.
For dogs with extra challenging coats, it’s always a good idea to reach out to a professional groomer!
3. Give your Golden regular baths
Another important part of grooming your Golden Retriever is bath time!
Regular baths help remove dirt and debris and keep your pup’s coat looking healthy and well-maintained.
Golden Retriever experts recommend bathing this breed about once a month to every six weeks. If your dog’s gone swimming or gotten dirty, however, an impromptu bath is always in order!
4. Trim their nails
We can’t talk about grooming without mentioning the need to trim their nails.
Like all dogs, the Golden needs their nails trimmed regularly. You can do it by yourself with a nail clipper or grinder, or you can take your pooch to your local groomer.
Goldens generally need their nails trimmed about every 4-6 weeks.
5. Don’t forget their teeth
And finally, one often overlooked area for dog grooming is their teeth. A canine’s chompers need some love, too!
To keep your dog’s teeth healthy and shiny and their breath smelling fresh, you can brush them with a toothbrush and pet toothpaste (really!) or use dog dental wipes.
What if Your Dog Doesn’t Like Being Brushed?
Some Golden Retrievers love getting their coat brushed out. Others not so much.
There are even more pups who fall somewhere in between.
To help make brushing a pleasant experience for your dog, a few extra steps can go a long way. Here are some helpful tips.
1. Pick the right time
Timing is everything. That includes when you choose to brush your dog.
It’s always best to pick a time when your dog is calm and happy. If they’re hyper, anxious or just not their best selves, this is not the time to go all out on grooming.
2. Show them the brush
This may sound silly, but it helps to show your dog the brush beforehand. Let them sniff it and see what it is.
By doing this, a dog will feel more comfortable with the object you’re moving up and down their body, and it won’t seem as scary or invasive.
3. Go slowly
Another important tip is to start out slowly so you don’t startle your Golden.
Be gentle and reassuring. Praising and petting your pup lets them know they’re a good dog.
As mentioned before, picking an option from the best brush for Golden Retriever list is ideal because they all move through fur smoothly and softly.
4. Reward them with treats
When you’re done brushing your dog, don’t forget to dole out a treat. This signals to your dog that this is a good experience and they did well.
The next time you’re ready to brush your pup, they’ll have a positive connotation with the act and feel better about the process.
How to Maintain a Dog Brush
The expenses of owning a dog can add up quickly if you’re not careful. Sure, a dog brush isn’t going to break the bank, but it’s always a good idea to make it last as long as you can.
Tips for getting the most out of your dog brush include:
- Always remove the hair afterward. Don’t let it build up on the brush.
- Wipe it down from time to time. This prevents dirt and grime from building up.
- If your dog likes to chew, keep it out of reach. (Our dog Toby destroyed a few brushes in his day!)
Conclusion: Best Brush for Golden Retriever
With their long and lustrous double-layered coat, the Golden Retriever isn’t the type of dog that can use just any brush.
This breed needs something that gently but firmly combs through its coat and can stand up to its thick locks.
All seven options in our list of Golden Retriever grooming tools are great for this breed.
Ultimately, you know your pup better than anyone and what’s right for them.
Is a slicker brush the right choice for their fluffy fur? Or is a de-shedding tool better since it helps eliminate excess hair like they so badly need?
You could also buy more than one. A brush is great for everyday care, but a rake can help cut through mats and tangles if your dog’s coat is prone to extra snarls.
Our recommendation: The Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is a great overall brush that all Golden Retriever parents should own.
If you’re sick of your dog shedding all over your house, then it makes sense to also get a de-shedding tool or rake to remove excess hair. And if mats and tangles are a major issue, a pin comb can target problem areas.
No matter which one you pick, your dog will have a soft, shiny, and healthy coat thanks to you!
Other Top Grooming Tips
Since we’re on the topic of grooming a Golden, here are a few other articles you might want to check out:
- 10 Home Grooming Tips You Should Know
- What to Do When Your Dog Hates Taking a Bath
- 4 Brilliant Tips to Keep Your Dog’s Coat Shiny and Healthy
- Dog Dental Cleaning: Essential Info You Need to Know
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