If your golden retriever leaves a fluffy trail on every rug, couch and car seat, one brush won't fix it. The best brush for a golden retriever is really a small kit: an undercoat rake to pull out the loose fluff, a slicker brush for tangles behind the ears and on the feathering, and a steel comb to check you've reached the skin. Below are the picks for each job, plus a dryer for the twice-a-year coat blow.
Quick picks
| Badge | Pick | Why we like it |
|---|---|---|
| Top pick (slicker) | Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush | Pro groomer brand, long dense pins, handmade in Germany |
| Best budget slicker | Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush | Push-button pin release wipes hair off in a second |
| Best undercoat rake | Maxpower Planet Undercoat Rake | Two sides: one for mats, one for loose undercoat |
| Best deshedder (blowing coat) | FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool, Large, Long Hair | Reaches through the topcoat to the loose undercoat |
| Must-have finisher | Andis Stainless Steel Pet Comb | Shows you whether you really brushed down to the skin |
| Upgrade pick (blowouts) | SHELANDY Groomer Partner Dryer | Blasts loose undercoat out after a bath |
Why goldens need more than one brush
Goldens have a double coat: a soft, dense undercoat close to the skin and longer, water-resistant guard hairs on top. Most of the hair on your floor is undercoat. A slicker alone tends to glide over the topcoat and leave that loose fluff behind, where it packs down and starts to mat, especially behind the ears, in the armpits, and on the "pants" (the long hair on the back of the thighs).
The routine that works for most goldens:
- Undercoat rake over the body, in the direction the hair grows. Weekly most of the year; daily when your dog is blowing coat.
- Slicker brush on the feathering, ears, chest and pants to work out tangles.
- Steel comb through everything. If it glides to the skin, you're done. If it snags, go back with the slicker.
Plan on 15 to 20 minutes a week, and longer during the two big sheds each year (usually spring and fall).
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
Best for: owners who brush often and want a slicker that gets through thick feathering quickly.
Chris Christensen is a professional groomer brand, and the Big G is its large slicker, handmade in Germany. The maker says it has 30% more pins than other slickers, and the pins are long and dense, which helps them reach into a golden's thick chest and leg feathering instead of skimming the surface.
What we like
- Long, dense pins reach deeper into feathering than most slickers
- Made by a brand professional groomers use
- Handmade in Germany
- Comes in three sizes; the Medium or Large suits a golden's body
Keep in mind
- Pricey for a brush.
- It's marketed for doodle and poodle coats. On a golden, use a light hand: the pins are firm, and pressing hard can scratch the skin (brush burn).
Key specs: slicker · long dense pins · sizes Baby G (small), Medium, Large · handmade in Germany
Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
Best for: a budget-friendly slicker for ears, feathering and quick touch-ups.
Totally Goldens, a golden retriever site, picked the Hertzko as its best slicker for tangles and mats on goldens. Its party trick is a button that retracts the pins, so the collected hair slides off in one wipe instead of being picked out by hand.
What we like
- Push-button pin release: clean it in a second
- Budget-friendly
- Good size for ears, armpits and the feathering on the legs
- Several colors, and a 2-pack if you want one for the car
Keep in mind
- The head is small, about 5 × 2.7 inches (12.7 × 6.9 cm per Totally Goldens). On a 70 lb golden's back and sides, that makes for slow going. Use it for detail work and a rake for the body.
Key specs: self-cleaning slicker · retractable pins · head about 5 × 2.7 inches · several colors · 2-pack available
Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Undercoat Rake
Best for: the weekly undercoat session, and the first tool to grab when your golden starts dropping clumps.
Canine Journal picked the Maxpower Planet rake for thick coats and dematting. It's double-sided: a 9-tooth side for working through mats and a 17-tooth side for pulling out loose undercoat. For a golden, the 17-tooth side does most of the work.
What we like
- Two tools in one: dematting side and undercoat side
- Rubber no-slip handle, comfortable for long sessions
- Budget-friendly
- Comes in a small and a standard width
Keep in mind
- Canine Journal says it's "not for use on legs, head, or tail". Keep it to the body and use the slicker elsewhere.
- The dematting side can pull if you rush. Hold the hair at the base with your other hand and work in short strokes.
Key specs: double-sided undercoat rake · 9-tooth and 17-tooth sides · rubber no-slip handle · small and standard widths
FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool, Large, Long Hair
Best for: blowing-coat season, when the undercoat comes out in handfuls.
Canine Journal names the FURminator its overall best deshedding tool. Its stainless steel edge reaches through the topcoat to grab loose undercoat, and a FURejector button pushes the collected hair off. FURminator's own claim is that it "reduces loose hair up to 90% with regular use". For a golden, get the Large, Long Hair version: Large is for dogs over 50 lb.
What we like
- Pulls out a lot of loose undercoat quickly
- Stainless edge reaches under the guard hairs
- FURejector button clears the tool
- Sized by dog weight and coat length, so you can match it to your golden
Keep in mind
- Groomers warn that blade-style tools can thin or cut a golden's guard hairs if overused. Stick to about once a week in shedding season, with light strokes, and use the rake the rest of the year.
- It costs more than a rake.
Key specs: deshedding tool · stainless steel edge · FURejector button · Large = dogs over 50 lb · long-hair version
Andis Stainless Steel Pet Comb
Best for: finishing every session, so you know there are no hidden mats.
A steel comb doesn't remove much hair on its own. Its job is to tell you the truth: run it through the coat down to the skin, and wherever it snags, there's a tangle the brush missed. Andis is a professional grooming brand, and this is a plain, sturdy steel comb.
What we like
- Finds hidden tangles before they turn into mats
- Pro grooming brand
- Easy to keep in a pocket or the car
Keep in mind
- It does nothing for shedding volume by itself.
- Lots of near-identical generic combs are listed nearby. Make sure the listing is the Andis one.
Key specs: stainless steel comb · Andis model 65730
SHELANDY Groomer Partner High-Velocity Dog Dryer
Best for: goldens who get regular baths, and owners who want the twice-yearly coat blow over faster.
A high-velocity dryer isn't a hair dryer: it pushes a strong stream of air that blows loose undercoat straight out of the coat. Whole Dog Journal tested four dog dryers in January 2026 and named the SHELANDY Groomer Partner its budget option, with variable power and a heating element. Used after a bath, it shifts loose undercoat you'd otherwise rake out over the next two weeks.
What we like
- Variable speeds, so you can start low while your dog gets used to it
- Heating element
- Lightweight
- The most budget-friendly dryer in Whole Dog Journal's test
Keep in mind
- Whole Dog Journal rated it below the K-9 Fluffer and Flying Pig dryers, which are stronger for giant double coats.
- It's loud. Introduce it slowly: switch it on across the room, reward calm, then move closer over several days.
Key specs: high-velocity dryer · variable speeds · heating element · lightweight
How to choose
If you're starting from zero
Buy three tools: the Maxpower Planet rake, a slicker (the Hertzko if you want to keep it budget-friendly, the Big G if you brush often) and the Andis comb. That covers most of a golden's everyday grooming.
If your golden is blowing coat
Add the FURminator for weekly, light sessions during the shed, and keep raking in between. If you bathe your dog at home, the SHELANDY dryer removes a huge amount of loose undercoat in one go. For the full shedding plan (deshed, bathe, dry, vacuum), see our guide on what to do when your dog is shedding a lot.
Brushing tips that save the coat
- Brush in the direction the hair grows, in sections, from the skin outward.
- Light pressure. Let the pins and teeth do the work. Red skin after brushing means you're pressing too hard.
- Never shave a golden to cut shedding. The double coat is part of how they stay comfortable in heat and cold, and groomers advise against it.
- Mats behind the ears form fast. Check there every few days, even between full sessions.
- Brush outside or on a sheet during coat blow. Your vacuum will thank you. If your golden rides in the car a lot, a seat cover for large dogs catches the rest.
Comparison table
| Pick | Tool type | Main job | Where to use it | How often |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Christensen Big G | Slicker | Tangles, feathering | Ears, chest, legs, pants | 1–3× a week |
| Hertzko Self Cleaning | Slicker | Tangles, touch-ups | Ears, armpits, feathering | 1–3× a week |
| Maxpower Planet Rake | Undercoat rake | Loose undercoat, mats | Body only (not legs, head, tail) | Weekly; daily in coat blow |
| FURminator Large, Long Hair | Deshedding tool | Heavy undercoat shed | Body | About weekly, shedding season only |
| Andis Steel Comb | Comb | Check for missed tangles | Everywhere | End of every session |
| SHELANDY Groomer Partner | High-velocity dryer | Blow out loose undercoat | Whole body after a bath | After baths |
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your dog, talk to your vet. Bald patches, red or flaky skin, sores, or constant scratching aren't normal shedding, so get them checked before you brush harder.
FAQs
What kind of brush is best for a golden retriever?
A combination: an undercoat rake for the loose fluff, a slicker brush for tangles in the feathering, and a steel comb to check your work. A single brush usually leaves loose undercoat behind.
How often should I brush my golden retriever?
Aim for at least once a week, about 15 to 20 minutes. During the two big seasonal sheds, a quick rake every day keeps the hair off your floors and stops mats forming.
Is the FURminator safe for golden retrievers?
Yes, with a light hand. Pick the Large, Long Hair version, use it about once a week during shedding season with gentle strokes, and switch to an undercoat rake the rest of the year so you don't thin the guard hairs.
Should I shave my golden retriever in summer?
No. Groomers advise against shaving double-coated breeds. Regular raking to remove loose undercoat is what keeps a golden's coat light and airy.
How do I get mats out from behind my golden's ears?
Hold the hair at the base so you don't pull the skin, then work the mat apart with the slicker in short strokes, starting from the outer edge. Finish with the comb. If a mat is tight against the skin, ask a groomer to remove it.
Start with a rake, a slicker and a comb, give your golden 15 minutes a week, and you'll see the difference on your floors within a month.