Getting a Golden Retriever is one of the most rewarding experiences, as these dogs are mainly associated with positive attributes. They are so lovable, obedient, loyal, and easy to train. Additionally, they are incredible working and hunting dogs, not forgetting great family companions. But what makes a Golden Retriever so recognizable is its unique golden coat, which includes many Golden Retriever haircut styles!
Golden Retrievers have a dense double coat known for its propensity to shed. Because of this, it is crucial you groom your dog regularly so that its coat stays in the best condition.
This is why we’ve listed the most stylish Golden Retriever haircut styles guaranteed to make your dog look awesome. We’ll also discuss crucial grooming information to help keep your Golden Retriever healthy.
Before you scroll down this list of Golden Retriever haircut styles, check out: Are Golden Retrievers Smart? (2023) and Best Shampoo for Golden Retrievers! (2023).
Do Golden Retrievers Need Haircuts?
As mentioned earlier, a Golden Retriever’s coat is unique and beautiful. That said, grooming is crucial to keeping your pet dog healthy.
However, one essential aspect to consider is that this breed will not require a full haircut. As the owner, you should never attempt cutting the whole coat off. Doing so can pose risks to your dog, such as:
- Increased skin irritation
- Inability to regulate heat, cold, and moisture
- Ruining the dog’s look
Instead, you should ensure that you trim the whole coat to a suitable length. Trimming is an excellent activity as it will ensure that the hair does not get tangled or grow unruly.
Trimming will also keep your dog’s coat visible, show off its facial features (like the eyes and the nose), and free your pup from dirt. It will also enhance the look of your dog’s coat, making you more confident in its appearance.
Apart from trimming, a simple haircut can also be of great benefit to your dog. Cutting the hair after a certain period will mean that you have maintained the dog’s look.
How to Give a Golden Retriever a Haircut
A Golden Retriever has flowing fur that covers the dog’s entire body. As such, giving them a very close haircut will end up with different features than you originally intended. So, how do you give a Golden Retriever a haircut, and when?
It is simple. Ensure you keep your dog’s fur at a medium length or longer than usual regarding specific dog breeds. It is what makes the signature golden coat stand out. You will need a short trim after some time to maintain its look.
However, only cut a few inches, and don’t shave it all off when trimming. Shaving the dog may result in discomfort due to ingrown hairs and skin irritations.
The hair may also grow back differently than the previous ones. In this case, a short trim is the best way to maintain your dog’s appearance and make him look great.
Golden Retriever Haircut Styles
Now that we understand how to correctly give your dog a haircut, it is also important to understand what makes a Golden Retriever look great. And a good way of doing this is to talk about which Golden Retriever haircut styles are trending.
Styles are important in dog types as they reflect the dog’s overall temperament and look. And we’ve put together some of the best Golden Retriever haircut styles to help you pick what looks best on your dog.
1. Puppy Cut
This hairstyle is one of the simplest haircuts you will come across. The cut is usually the same regardless of the breed, and is achieved by cutting the fur to a length of about half an inch over the entire body.
A puppy cut is usually easy to maintain since it doesn’t require styling. The results will always be the same whether done by a professional or if you choose to do it yourself!
Puppy cuts also provide the utmost comfort for the dog; his fur won’t tangle, it’s cool, and your dog will be able to move around freely. As an added bonus, you will be sure to limit the fur amount that gets to your furniture.
However, even though it is a short cut, you should always ensure that you leave enough hair on the dog to protect it from the sun’s ultraviolet rays and stray parasites.
2. Summer Cut
During summer, many dog owners prefer to shave their dog’s fur, and this is okay for many reasons. For instance, shaving the dog during summer could keep him cool and comfortable. In addition, it will also reduce the dog’s weight, making it simple to move around with ease.
However, shaving will never be your best option for Golden Retrievers. The dog’s double coat protects against the sun’s ultraviolet rays and parasites present in the summer. For this reason, opting for a summer cut, one of the best summer golden retriever haircut styles, is a wise decision.
The summer cut is similar to a simple trim since it involves following the existing shape of the Golden Retriever’s coat. The cut is also more shaped than a puppycut but can be shorter — about an inch or less. Be sure to trim the private areas appropriately and do the same for the feet, ears, and chest.
3. Simple Trim
This style is an appropriate haircut for owners of Golden Retrievers. The cut doesn’t require much cutting and only involves eliminating long hairs. This haircut also ensures that the coat is well-feathered, and owners can improvise it further by thinning the dog’s chest and neck.
Since you ensure the amount of hair you eliminate is minimal, this haircut retains the dog’s coat true to the breed’s shape. Also, even though the simple trim may not make a huge difference to your dog, as it will keep it warm and help protect its coat, it is still important since it makes the dog look presentable.
4. Lion Cut
The Golden Retriever lion haircut is one of the most trendy haircuts you will come across. The haircut effortlessly works for these dogs since they have a thick double coat. A lion cut involves cutting the dog’s hair short on the entire body except for the head and neck, which will look like a mane! It makes the dog look funny and cute; one thing’s for sure – you’ll draw attention!
However, for this style to work, you must cut about 70 percent of your Retriever’s hair short. It is also important to take good care of the dog’s coat when you style this cut. Ensure you maintain it well by brushing it regularly to keep it from getting matted and filthy.
5. Show Cut
This haircut is similar to a simple trim requiring minimal cutting. The dog’s hair is trimmed to the required length. However, with a show cut, the trimming is kept to a minimum to reveal the dog’s precious asset: the beautiful golden locks.
Here, you must feather the fur and trim the ears and paws, remembering the genital areas.
Since the show cut is mainly for Golden Retrievers participating in dog shows, it requires more precise trimming, attention, and upkeep. For this case, you must ensure trimming adheres to the right shape to get that perfect look.
On that note, it would be wise to appoint a professional groomer to handle the cut for you. It will take a bit of money, but it is worth it, especially if your dog gets featured in one of the popular dog shows!
6. The Teddy Cut
This professional haircut is the best option for a Golden Retriever with a long, luscious double coat. The teddy cut helps your dog regulate his temperature, keeping him cool and comfy during the summer.
It involves clipping the hair on the body short while maintaining the natural shape of the legs. The teddy cut also involves trimming the feet and tail while curving them into shape. The end result is a beautiful fluffy dog that looks like a teddy bear.
The cut is ideal for Golden Retrievers since it does not damage the dog’s coat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about Golden Retriever haircut styles? Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive from our readers.
It is indeed fine to cut the Golden Retriever’s hair. However, only shave it partially if you wish to cut it. This is because the Golden Retriever’s coat shields it from external elements. So, cutting it shorter than required will leave your dog vulnerable to sunburn, parasites, and other harmful elements such as ticks and fleas.
Golden Retrievers require a haircut every eight to ten weeks to keep the fur of their coat under control.
Since Golden Retrievers are a bit high-maintenance, they require more frequent professional grooming to keep their coats in check, be it a simple trim or the one of the best winter Golden Retriever haircut styles. Therefore, it is recommended that you visit a professional groomer after every four to six weeks.
To answer this question, the best you can do is to trim the dog’s hair. However, you must understand that it is very important not to shave it completely.
Yes, the Golden Retriever will grow back after several months.
If you wonder if shaving a Golden Retriever will help reduce shedding, then the answer is no. You must understand that the Golden Retrievers shedding period is completely natural, and there’s very little you can do to eliminate it.
Golden Retrievers need frequent grooming if you want them to look beautiful. However, in some cases, the groomer will shave your dog completely, especially when the coat is matted. Generally speaking, there is an upcharge for this is the dog is found to be particularly matted. A reputable groomer will contact you to confirm these additional charges.
The Golden Retriever’s coat is usually long and made up of thick hair. It’s possible to get a short-haired Golden Retriever, but it is rare. A good example of a short-haired Golden Retriever is the Field Golden Retriever.
Conclusion for “Best Golden Retriever Haircut Styles”
A Golden Retriever requires proper grooming. There are many options when it comes to the type of Golden Retriever haircut that best suits your dog.
To ensure you get the best one, we recommend you look for a professional groomer. By taking your dog to them, you will have no problem getting the best cut and trim they can give.
For more guides similar to this list of Golden Retriever haircuts, check out:
- Best Types of Aussiedoodle Haircuts with Pictures!
- Best Labradoodle Haircuts (Puppy Cut, Teddy Bear Cut, etc.)!
- Best Types of Cockapoo Haircuts with Pictures!
If you find these Golden Retriever haircuts interesting, watch “LEARN to GROOM a GOLDEN RETRIEVER in less than an HOUR Timelapse” down below:
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.