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When looking for a short haired Golden Retriever, it really depends on what you mean by short.
If you’re looking for a purebred Golden Retriever that has the short coat of a Labrador or French Bulldog, for example, you’re unfortunately out of luck.
But if you’re simply looking for a Golden Retriever with shorter hair than you typically see, you’re in luck.
In this post, we cover everything to do with short haired Golden Retrievers. You’ll discover whether they exist, why some Golden Retrievers have shorter coats, how to deal with their shedding and the best practices for grooming them.
Let’s jump right in.
Table of Contents
Do Short Haired Golden Retrievers Exist?
When someone says “short haired,” it’s difficult to know what exactly they have pictured in their head when they say short hair.
Short hair, to some, is a Chihuahua coat. Short hair, to others, is simply shorter hair than you’d traditionally see on a Golden Retriever.
So, what’s the answer?
The answer is yes and no.
There are types of Golden Retrievers that have shorter hair than average. But, there are no purebred Golden Retrievers with very short coats that you’d see on a breed like a Chihuahua or French Bulldog.
So if you’re simply looking for a Golden Retriever with shorter hair, you should be able to find one. But if you’re looking for a purebred Golden Retriever with considerably short hair, you’re out of luck.
Why Do Some Golden Retrievers Have Short Hair?
Now that we know that short haired Golden Retrievers do exist let’s take a look at why some of them have shorter hair than others.
There are only really 2 types of Golden Retrievers. One is a working/field Golden Retriever, and the other is a show Golden Retriever.
Working Golden Retrievers were bred to have shorter hair. This is because they needed to be able to swim in water and work in all sorts of weather conditions without their coat getting in the way.
Show Golden Retrievers were bred to have longer hair. This is because they needed to meet the breed standard for shows, which called for a long, thick coat.
This is why you’ll typically see Golden Retrievers with shorter hair on working farms and Golden Retrievers with longer hair in homes or at shows.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. You’ll find some working Golden Retrievers with longer hair, and some show Golden Retrievers with shorter hair.
But in general, that’s why some Golden Retrievers have shorter hair than others.
Both types of Golden Retrievers come in a variety of different shades, from red to cream to your standard golden.
The Best Way To Get a Short Haired Golden Retriever
As we’ve established, if you’re looking for a Golden Retriever with shorter hair, you should be able to find one.
But where’s the best place to look?
Considering the more traditional Golden Retriever in many homes has a longer coat, you may have to speak with a few breeders to find one that breeds Goldens with shorter hair.
Also, because the working variety of Golden Retrievers is more energetic given their history, they’re less desirable for a family with children.
Which makes breeders less likely to breed these types of Golden Retrievers.
But if your heart is set on a purebred Golden Retriever with short hair, you can visit websites like Greenfield Puppies, Lancaster Puppies, or AKC’s Marketplace.
These websites allow breeders from across North America to list their puppies for potential owners to view.
It’s a great place to find breeders to contact and learn more about their litters to see if you can find yourself a short haired Golden Retriever.
Also, if you’re not opposed to it, you could always adopt a Golden Retriever mixed breed. If a Golden is crossbred with another dog with a shorter coat, they can inherit the short coat you’re looking for.
While they’ll be a little different than a purebred Golden Retriever, they’ll still have many of the lovable qualities you’re looking for.
Are Short Haired Golden Retrievers Better For Allergies?
One of the most common questions people ask about short haired Golden Retrievers is whether or not they’re better for allergies.
While no dog is truly hypoallergenic, some breeds are less likely to trigger allergies than others.
And because Golden Retrievers have such long hair, many people assume that their hair is what triggers allergies.
But that’s not the case.
It’s actually the dander and saliva from a dog that causes allergies, not the hair.
So whether a Golden Retriever has long or short hair, they’ll still produce the same amount of dander and saliva.
This means they’re just as likely to trigger allergies in someone allergic to dogs.
Best Ways To Deal With Short Haired Golden Retriever’s Shedding
Even though a short haired Golden Retriever’s shedding won’t be as noticeable as their long haired counterparts, they’re still going to shed.
And if you’re not prepared for it, their shedding can become a nightmare.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to deal with a short haired Golden Retriever’s shedding.
One of the best things you can do is to brush them regularly. This will help to remove any loose hair before it has a chance to fall out and end up on your furniture or clothes.
Daily brushing is the best habit to get into.
You should also try to bathe them every 4-8 weeks. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that could be clinging to their fur.
A healthy diet is also super important for shedding. Make sure they are getting enough protein and omega-three fatty acids is crucial.
These nutrients will help keep their coat strong and healthy. When a dog’s coat is damaged or unhealthy, they will shed more than usual.
And finally, you should make sure to vacuum regularly. This will help pick up any hair your dog has shed so that it doesn’t end up all over your house.
You can also try getting a robot vacuum to help with their shedding. These are helpful to keep things looking presentable until you have time to do a more thorough cleaning.
By following these simple tips, you should be able to keep your short haired Golden Retriever’s shedding under control.
When Does a Golden Retrievers Coat Fully Grow In?
A Golden Retriever’s coat will take about two years to fully grow in.
During that time, their coat will go through a few different stages.
When they’re first born, their coat will be short and downy.
As they start to grow, their coat will become coarser and thicker. And around six months of age, their coat will start to become longer.
During their first year, their coat will continue to grow and thicken. And by the time they’re two years old, their coat will be fully grown in.
After that, their coat won’t grow in length.
Why You Should Never Shave a Golden Retriever
Shaving a Golden Retriever can actually be detrimental to their health.
Their coat helps to protect them from the sun and keep them cool in the summer. It also provides insulation in the winter and helps to keep them warm.
Shaving their coat removes all of that protection and can leave them susceptible to sunburns, heat stroke, and hypothermia.
Not only that, but it also negatively affects how their coat grows back.
If you shave a Golden Retriever, their coat will grow back thicker and more coarse than it was before.
This is because their undercoat and topcoat will grow back simultaneously. Making their undercoat longer than it should be and their topcoat shorter than it should be.
Which makes their overall coat thicker and denser, causing them to get even warmer during the warm summer months.
So, even though shaving your Golden Retriever in the summer might be tempting to help them stay cool, it’s not a good idea.
It’s best to just brush them regularly and keep them well-groomed.
How To Keep a Golden Retriever’s Hair Short
The best way to keep a Golden Retriever’s hair short is to take them to a professional groomer. They will be able to trim their hair down to a manageable length.
You can also learn how to do it yourself, but it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
If you do decide to trim your dog’s hair yourself, make sure to use sharp scissors and be very careful.
You don’t want to accidentally cut their skin. Start by trimming the hair around their face and then work your way down their body.
Be sure to go slowly and avoid cutting too much off at once. You can always trim more off later if you need to.
When trimming their hair, you should aim for a length that’s about two inches long. This will help to keep their coat short and manageable.
And remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. It’s better to have too much hair than not enough.
Final Thoughts
I hope this post has helped you to understand everything there is to know about short haired Golden Retrievers.
As you can see, it’s a bit of a nuanced discussion. While no purebred Golden Retriever has a short haired coat as you’d see in other breeds like a Chihuahua, they can have shorter coats.
If you’re interested in getting a short haired Golden Retriever, you can either find one at a breeder or adopt one from a shelter.
Just be sure to do your research first and ensure you’re prepared to take care of them properly.
Other posts you might find interesting:
Are Golden Retrievers Good With Kids? (100+ Owners Asked)