While they’re known for their friendly yet gentle temperament, they’re also considered one of the most intelligent and loyal dog breeds in the world. And with one of the most luscious coats of all the canines, they’re great for a cuddle too!

The one question most commonly asked about these remarkable creatures, however; Do golden retrievers shed?So, do Golden Retrievers shed?

In short – yes, Golden Retrievers shed. And, they shed a lot. If you’re thinking about welcoming one into your home, be prepared for their thick, golden fur to become a regular part of your life. 

But wait. Let’s rewind a little and highlight some of the unique characteristics of a Golden Retriever dog breed (including their fur coat).

The unique abilities of Golden Retrievers

While all pets are extraordinary companions, each with their own unique set of abilities, Golden Retrievers continuously impress us with their talents. They’re often employed as therapy dogs – employing their gentle and empathetic nature to help calm and soothe people – and also as service dogs, thanks to their keen sense of smell and tracking abilities.

They’re said to be one of the smartest dog breeds also. Their high IQ combined with good memory makes them incredibly easy to train and follow complex commands.

This is also where their thick coat of fur comes in too.

Golden Retrievers have a unique water-resistant coat, a feature that allows them to excel in water-based activities. Originally from Scotland and used as hunting dogs, their double-layered coat is designed to protect them from various weather conditions.

However, while their coat is built for all-terrain, it also means that shedding is a year-round process, with certain times of the year being more intense than others.

Maintaining such a unique fur coat requires the right nutrients. A diet that supports a healthy skin barrier function ensures that their fur remains strong, shiny, and capable of withstanding the rigours of their adventurous lifestyle.

Why do Golden Retrievers shed so much?

Golden Retrievers shed more during two key periods: spring and autumn. During these seasons, they go through what’s called “blowing coat,” where they shed their undercoat to prepare for temperature changes. In the spring, they lose their heavier winter coat to stay cool in the warmer months. In autumn, they shed their lighter summer coat to make room for their thick winter fur.

However, shedding isn’t limited to these times. Due to their double coat, Golden Retrievers shed consistently throughout the year. Factors like stress, diet, or even medical issues can affect how much they shed, so it’s important to monitor their health closely.

How to manage Golden Retriever shedding

While shedding is inevitable, it can be managed with regular grooming. Brushing your Golden Retriever several times a week helps to remove loose hair before it lands on your floors and furniture. Bathing them every few months can also reduce excess shedding, and feeding them a high-quality diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can keep their coat healthy.

Different breeds require different nutrition. 

Just as every breed has unique abilities, their diet is unique also. Furthermore, each life stage can have an impact on their nutritional requirements. Royal Canin provides tailored nutritional solutions for your dog at every stage of their life, from puppyhood through to their senior years.

Golden Retrievers benefit from a formulation that helps support the health and beauty of the skin and coat. Royal Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition® range features high-quality protein sources, unique nutrients, and is designed with specific shape, size and texture for each dog’s facial and jaw structures and biting patterns. 

ROYAL CANIN® Golden Retriever puppy is suitable for Golden Retriever puppies up to 15 months old, and helps support the skin’s “barrier” role (exclusive complex) and maintain skin and coat health (EPA and DHA). These nutrients all help to support a healthy skin barrier function which in turn contributes to the healthy appearance of your dog’s coat.

Just like the puppy diet, the ROYAL CANIN® Golden Retriever Adult diet is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of your dog. This diet contains omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA, DHA, and borage oil, to help support your dog’s skin condition.

ROYAL CANIN® is recommended by Vets & Breeders

Chosen with precision, the high-quality raw materials found in Royal Canin dog food are the foundation of our science-led formulas, selected to help your pet feel their vibrant best.

“I am confident recommending Royal Canin diets because the diets do what I need them to do, they are palatable and I trust the science behind them” – Dr Helen Orbell, Director and Dermatologist, Referral Animal Skin Hospital

As pet owners, it’s our responsibility to tune into the unique needs of our pets. Dogs, unlike humans, can’t vocalise their discomfort or explain their dietary needs. That’s why Royal Canin caters to the unique sensitivities of your pet’s breed with 55 years of scientifically tailored nutrition.

So if you’re asking ‘do Golden Retrievers shed?’ and debating how you might manage this characteristic of these beautiful furry best friends, grooming and a breed-specific diet might be the answer.

Next time you marvel at your dog’s intelligence, remember that their incredible skills deserve the best support. Specialised nutrition not only sustains their unique abilities but helps them thrive, ensuring your pet can continue to impress you for years to come!

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Quick Facts:

Height – 33-40cm

Weight – 6-9kg

Lifespan – 12-15 years

Country of origin – UK

Breed type – Terrier

Best breed for:

• Families with children
• Active families
• Owners willing to bring some patience to training

Wire Fox Terrier Breed History

If you were to gather a family reunion of all the terrier breeds, one thing is certain: they’d be down in the dirt seconds after the obligatory tail sniffing!

The Wire Fox Terrier, like all other terriers, was first bred to flush out earth-dwelling prey, in this case foxes, from their underground burrows. Beginning around the 16th century, hunting on horseback with packs of dogs became a popular pastime for the ruling class. Fast forward two hundred years, and fox hunting had developed into a highly ritualised sport for the British aristocracy. By the time the Wire Fox Hound came onto the scene in the 18th century, there were already many other breeds dedicated to the practice: English Foxhounds, Beagles, and this pup’s predecessor, the Black and Tan Working Terrier. 

The Fox Terrier, which came in both a smooth and wire coat, was the result of generations of tinkering with temperament and work ethic. Hunters wanted a dog with endless energy and drive, while sporting a mostly white coat that wouldn’t be mistaken for a fox.

Although today’s Wire and Smooth Fox Terriers may look similar, they are generally considered separate breeds. In fact, the two terriers stopped crossbreeding in many places over a hundred years ago.

Today, fox hunting is banned in most regions of the world, and the Wire Fox Terrier has had to adapt to different lifestyles. Some have gone on to live in the show dog spotlight while others have settled into family life. And though they’ve left their hunting days behind them, this dog has never let go of the personality traits that make them part of the lovable, sometimes difficult, terrier group!

Wire Fox Terrier Personality

Wire Fox Terriers have a set of eyes that will melt your heart, but you can tell there’s quite a bit of mischief going on behind them! These dogs are classic terriers, which means that you can expect the following:

• Curiosity. A Fox Terrier’s inquisitiveness is one of the key personality traits that made them such good hunters. They were bred to explore every nook and cranny until they had sniffed out a foxhole. So, be prepared for that same behaviour to live on in your home.

• Intelligence. Wire Fox Terriers are smart puppers, but you might hear them described more as wily or clever. Their level of intelligence is definitely impressive, but it can also take first time Dog Owners by surprise! It’s important to be two steps ahead of this quick-thinking terrier.

• Independence & Fearlessness. During a fox hunt, a hound might lead the pack to a general area where the prey could be found. But it was the Fox Terrier who was tasked with diving face-first into a den! That takes quite a lot of courage, determination, and independence, all traits that are still prominent in today’s pup. Sure, you might also call that stubbornness, and even reckless abandon. We call it nothing short of amazing.

• Friendliness. Fox Terriers are confident, social doggos who will get along with strangers and family members, provided they’ve had appropriate socialisation. They tend to also get along well with other dogs, and won’t bat an eye at a play session with a much larger pupper. Their friendliness does have a limit, though, and that’s also thanks to their hunting background. These dogs may see cats and other small animals as potential prey, so it’s important to socialise them slowly and carefully if they’ll be living in a household with small pets.

• A fun-loving attitude. Wire Fox Terriers are playful, enthusiastic, and generally a joy to be around. You won’t have a dull moment with this doggo, although you may occasionally want a short break from their liveliness (more on that later!)

As you can see, the Wire Fox Terrier is a true companion, who will sometimes push your buttons. It’s easy to see why they’ve thrived as a family pet long after the end of their fox hunting days!

Trainability & Training Tips

You might have seen words like “independent” and “clever” and thought, “Here we go. This dog is going to be impossible to train, right?” Let us set the record straight that the Wire Fox Terrier is absolutely trainable! They do require an extra bit of patience and persistence, but training is not only doable, but also a great way to bond with this working dog! Here are a few tips:

• Training starts from Day One. We don’t mean that you should be drilling your pup on basic commands within hours of meeting them. But, from the first day of having a Wire Fox Terrier, you have the opportunity to start building the training relationship! This means teaching your pooch to associate you with yummy treats and dog toys, while also getting them used to the sound of your voice and your household schedule. These small bonding moments are crucial in setting up the strong bond that will make them willing to take commands from you when you’re ready to get to work!

• Did someone say treats and toys? Finding the right reward system is an important first step for training this wilful pupper. Many terriers are food motivated, meaning that you might have your best training sessions with a handful of treats or right before you give them their delicious bowl of raw dog food. Others may be more interested in toys, playtime, or verbal praise.

• Don’t try to out-stubborn a Wire Fox Terrier. As you start learning the basics, it can be frustrating to face-off a doggo who will not listen to your commands. Instead, you might see your goal as convincing your pup that listening to you is in their best interest. This is where your stellar reward system comes in handy. By having a variety of different treats on hand, you can keep your terrier focused on you through incentives, rather than trying to force them into submission (spoiler alert: harsh training methods will make this pup double-down!)

• Celebrate small wins and build from there. We’re not saying that you shouldn’t set some ambitious goals like circus dog tricks and agility training. Indeed, Wire Fox Terriers can excel in these arenas! But, it’s also a good idea to start with small, manageable commands and work your way up. Celebrate every accomplishment along the way—you and your doggo deserve it!

Exercise Needs & Living Conditions

You might have guessed it by now, but the Wire Fox Terrier is not a low-energy breed. In general, they need anywhere from a half hour to an hour of exercise (some will need more!) to stay healthy and satisfied. Here are a few ideas to get them active:

• Supervised free play. A fenced backyard is ideal for a Fox Terrier to be able to trot around and follow their nose to their heart’s content. You might even hide a few treasures like their favourite toys or treats around to keep them occupied and racing from tree to fence post to backyard shed. Just make sure to keep an eye on them so that you can disrupt any digging habits before they start!

• Playtime with other dogs. Throwing a Wire Fox Terrier into a dog park might not be the best for every member of this breed since they can be a bit domineering and bossy. But, scheduled playdates with other pups with a similar playstyle is a brilliant way to burn off some energy.

• Jogging. These terriers are just big enough to make excellent running partners if you find that they’re up for it! Always remember to start slow and stick to soft surfaces like dirt or sandy paths if possible. 

• Agility courses. If you can harness their attention all the way through an agility course, you’ll be amazed at how speedy these doggos are. Agility training is a wonderful workout and it will provide some much-needed mental stimulation to your terrier.

• Lure coursing. We always recommend that you try to find a form of exercise that mimics a dog’s original job, and lure coursing is the answer for the Fox Terrier. In this exciting sport, your pup will chase after a mechanical lure that replicates the movements and speed of a fox.

Regular exercise isn’t only important for your dog’s health, but it will also help to stabilise their emotional wellbeing. If you want a pup who is relaxed and content, rather than destructive and high-strung, start by putting together an exercise routine with the help of a dedicated Dog Walker.

Puzzle toys and other mentally challenging games are another way to round out a Wire Fox Terrier’s lifestyle. Especially if they’ll be spending any time at home alone, you’ll want to make sure they have access to a variety of toys with different textures; treat-dispensing toys are also a boon!

Wire Fox Terrier Grooming

The wire coat of this terrier can be intimidating to Dog Owners who aren’t used to it. But caring for this unique coat is definitely manageable, especially with the occasional help of a professional groomer!

On your own, you’ll want to brush your Wire Fox Terrier at least once a week with a slicker brush or comb to prevent tangles or matting. This will also help reduce your dog’s shedding from low to almost non-existent.

Hand stripping is also recommended about every 4 to 6 weeks or as your terrier needs it. This is a process in which dead or weak hairs are pulled out of the coat to instigate new growth. It’s a time-consuming process, so Dog Owners typically rely on the help of a groomer experienced with wire-haired dogs.

If you don’t like the idea of hand stripping, clipping is another option for the Wire Fox Terrier, although many experts say that clipping can change the quality and colour of the coat. And, it doesn’t have the added benefit of improved skin health.

In addition to coat care, grooming needs for this pooch include cleaning out their ears, brushing their teeth, and clipping their nails.

Wire Fox Terrier Health

While this breed is generally quite healthy, it’s always a good idea to be proactive about vet visits and sign your pooch up for a reliable pet insurance plan. The following medical conditions aren’t overly common in the Wire Fox Terrier, but they can sometimes show up in the breed:

• Patellar luxation

• Elbow and hip dysplasia

• Wobbler syndrome, a compression of the spinal cord that can lead to mobility problems

• Eye problems, including glaucoma and cataracts

• Allergies, which often present as dermatitis

Fun Fact

If you follow the Mad Paws blog, you know we’re big fans of the Westminster Dog Show, and all of the amazing doggos who have competed over the years. 

But we have to say, Wire Fox Terriers are kind of like the Westminster VIPs (Very Important Pooches, that is.) They’ve won 15 times in the show’s 145 year history; that’s more than any other dog breed!

The most recent winner was King, who won in 2019. An apt name if we’ve ever heard one!

Final Thoughts on the Wire Fox Terrier 

The Wire Fox Terrier may look distinguished enough to intimidate the competition at Westminster. But, this is truly a lovable dog through and through. They are friendly, happy-go-lucky, intelligent, and funny. There’s always a good time to be had when a Fox Terrier is around!

Of course, terriers as a group have their quirks. They’re wilful and clever, with personalities that exceed their modest stature. Once you learn to roll with the terrier lifestyle, these characteristics are all part of the fun.

If you’re able to give the Wire Fox Terrier the attention and patience they deserve, you’ll be rewarded with one special companion!

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