This page is for anyone who shares a house, a car and most of a couch with a golden retriever. Three things about the breed drive nearly every gear choice: a thick double coat that sheds all year and blows out once or twice a year, a 55 to 75 lb body that needs big-dog sizes, and hips and elbows that deserve a little thought as your dog gets older.
How we picked. We haven't used these products ourselves. Every pick below comes from our existing roundups, so the brush, bed and crate we suggest here are the same ones we suggest everywhere else on the site. Each one shows its evidence level: a named independent tester, a crash certification, or specs only.
Golden retriever at a glance
| Golden retriever | |
|---|---|
| Weight (AKC) | 65–75 lb (male), 55–65 lb (female) |
| Height at shoulder (AKC) | 23–24 in (male), 21.5–22.5 in (female) |
| Coat (AKC) | Medium-length, thick, water-repellent double coat |
| Shedding (AKC) | 4 of 5: heavy once or twice a year, moderate the rest of the time |
| Energy (AKC) | Needs "plenty of daily exercise" |
| Harness size | Measure the chest; in Ruffwear's chart that's M (27–32 in) or L/XL (32–42 in) |
| Bed size | Big Barker Large (48 × 30 in), the size Barker Beds lists goldens under |
| Car crate | A CPS Certified crate in Intermediate size, or a CPS Certified harness |
Size and coat figures are from the AKC's golden retriever page. Your dog may sit outside the standard, so the tape measure always wins.
What matters for golden retriever gear
The coat comes first. The AKC says goldens "heavily shed their thick, water-repellant double coat once or twice a year" and shed moderately the rest of the time. It suggests brushing with a slicker once or twice a week, and daily when the coat is blowing. Most of what lands on your floor is soft undercoat, and a slicker alone tends to skim over it. That's why we suggest a small kit, not one brush.
Size up everything. A 70 lb dog needs a bed with real foam under the hips, a harness long enough in the back, and a car restraint rated for the weight. Small-dog favorites often don't come big enough, or fit badly when they do.
Joints, where they touch gear. The AKC notes that responsible breeders screen goldens for hip and elbow dysplasia, and it recommends talking to a vet before starting strenuous or high-impact exercise. For gear, that means three things: a deep, solid foam bed as your golden ages, a harness that leaves the shoulders free, and a ramp instead of jumping in and out of a tall SUV. None of that prevents or treats a joint problem. It just makes daily life easier on a big body.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your dog, talk to your vet. The AKC's chief veterinarian lists these among the signs of arthritis: trouble standing up from lying down, reluctance on stairs or jumping onto a bed or couch, and muscle loss in the back legs. If your golden shows any of them, book a vet visit before you buy gear.
Best gear for a golden retriever
Brush: Maxpower Planet Undercoat Rake (plus a slicker)
Size to buy: the standard width. Evidence level: Specs only; a Canine Journal pick.
Why it suits a golden: the rake does the job a slicker can't. Its 17-tooth side pulls loose undercoat out from under the guard hairs, and the 9-tooth side works through mats. Canine Journal picks it for thick coats, and says it's "not for use on legs, head, or tail", so keep it to the body.
Pair it with a slicker for the ears, chest feathering and "pants". Totally Goldens picked the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker as its best slicker for tangles on goldens, and a button retracts the pins so the hair wipes off. Evidence level: Specs only. The head is small (about 5 × 2.7 inches), so use it for detail work rather than the whole body.
Our full kit, with a steel comb and a deshedding tool, is in the best dog brush for golden retrievers roundup.
Dryer: SHELANDY Groomer Partner (for coat-blow season)
Evidence level: Tested by Whole Dog Journal.
Why it suits a golden: a high-velocity dryer blows loose undercoat straight out of a wet coat. The AKC also says the coat must be completely dry before you brush after a bath, and a golden's coat stays damp for a long time on its own. Whole Dog Journal tested four dryers and named this one its budget-friendly option, with variable power and a heating element. It's loud, so introduce it slowly. Stronger options are in our best dog dryer picks.
Harness: Ruffwear Front Range
Size to buy: measure the girth just behind the front legs. Ruffwear's chart runs M 27–32 in and L/XL 32–42 in. Evidence level: Tested by Treeline Review.
Why it suits a golden: goldens love to sniff, greet and occasionally haul you toward a pond. The Front Range has a back clip for easy walks and a front loop for steering a puller, and Treeline Review's trainer prefers its kind of design, with a strip running down the chest that leaves the shoulders free. It has four adjustment points and foam padding. If your golden is a committed puller, our guide to stopping a dog pulling on the leash pairs the harness with training.
Bed: Casper Dog Bed, Large (or Big Barker for older goldens)
Size to buy: Large (rated to 90 lb). Evidence level: Tested by Reviewed and by TechGearLab.
Why it suits a golden: it's the one bed we know of with a year-long review on this exact breed. Reviewed's tester used it with her 50 lb golden retriever and reported no lumps or breakdown in the foam after a year. The catch: Casper lists the inner sleep area at 35 × 25 inches and 3.5 inches deep, so it suits a golden who curls up or leans on the bolster more than a big sprawler. It isn't waterproof either.
For a sprawler, a senior, or a golden who's slow to stand up, step up to the Big Barker 7" with Headrest in Large (48 × 30 in), the size Barker Beds lists goldens under. TechGearLab named it its best bed for large breeds after testing 13 beds. Evidence level: Tested by TechGearLab. It's 7 inches of three-layer foam with a 10-year no-flatten warranty, but no waterproof liner as standard.
More options are in our large dog bed and orthopedic dog bed guides.
Crate: Gunner G1 Kennel, Intermediate
Size to buy: Intermediate. Evidence level: Independently certified (CPS), in Small, Medium and Intermediate.
Why it suits a golden: the Center for Pet Safety lists the Gunner G1 Kennel with Strength Rated Anchor Straps as CPS Certified with a 5 Star rating, and the Intermediate was tested with a 75 lb test dog, which covers the AKC range for both sexes. One crate does home and car. The Large is not on the CPS list. Gunner says gunner.com is its only authorized retailer unless it states otherwise, so check who the Amazon seller is. If your golden is bigger than the standard, the Lucky Kennel is CPS Certified in Large with a 110 lb test dog. Both are in our heavy duty dog crate roundup.
Rather ride on the back seat? CPS also lists the Sleepypod Clickit Sport harness as CPS Certified, 5 Star, in Small to X-Large, with per-size ratings of Medium 45–90 lb and Large 75–90 lb. Our dog car seat guide covers it.
Golden retriever owner FAQs
What's the best brush for a golden retriever?
There isn't one brush that does it all. An undercoat rake pulls out the loose fluff, a slicker handles tangles on the ears, chest and pants, and a steel comb tells you whether you reached the skin. The AKC suggests a slicker once or twice a week and daily brushing when your golden is blowing coat.
What size harness does a golden retriever need?
Measure the girth at the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs, and match it to the brand's chart rather than the weight. In the Ruffwear Front Range, Medium covers 27–32 inches and L/XL 32–42 inches. If your golden sits on the line, size up and adjust down, and check that two fingers fit under every strap.
What size bed does a golden retriever need?
Measure your golden from nose to the base of the tail while they lie stretched out. Barker Beds puts dogs up to 40 inches long on its 48 × 30 inch Large, and that's the size it lists goldens under. A dog who sleeps curled up can go smaller, and the Casper Large, rated to 90 lb, suits curlers.
What size crate does a golden retriever need?
For a crate that also goes in the car, choose a size that's on the Center for Pet Safety's certified list. The Gunner G1 Intermediate was certified with a 75 lb test dog. Your dog should be able to stand without ducking, turn around and lie flat, so measure your dog's height at the top of the head and your cargo area before you order.
Should I shave my golden retriever in summer?
Groomers advise against shaving double-coated breeds, because the coat helps them cope with heat and cold, and the dog keeps shedding anyway. Regular undercoat raking does more for the hair on your floor. Our guide to a dog shedding a lot covers the full routine and the signs that need a vet.
Do golden retrievers shed a lot?
Yes. The AKC rates golden shedding 4 out of 5: they shed moderately all year and heavily once or twice a year, when the undercoat blows out. A slicker once or twice a week keeps on top of it, and daily brushing during the heavy shed. Our dog hair off the couch guide handles the rest.
When do golden retrievers shed the most?
Usually in spring and fall, when the coat blows. The AKC says goldens shed heavily once or twice a year, and most owners see it as the seasons turn. That's when the rake and slicker come out daily. Our dog shedding season calendar shows what to expect month by month.
How often should I bathe a golden retriever?
Only occasionally, says the AKC, so a bath when your golden is dirty or smelly is plenty for most. A bath in shedding season helps loosen dead hair, but the coat must be completely dry before you brush. A weekly bath isn't needed. Our how often to bathe a dog guide has a coat-by-coat schedule.
How much exercise does a golden retriever need?
A lot. The AKC says goldens need "plenty of daily exercise", and the UK Kennel Club puts it at more than 2 hours a day. Split it into walks, fetch and swimming. The AKC recommends asking your vet before strenuous or high-impact exercise like long runs or bike rides.
Do golden retrievers get cold in winter?
A healthy adult golden usually copes well, thanks to the thick double coat. The AKC's vet advice is to keep play to 15–20 minute sessions when the windchill drops below 20°F, then warm up inside. Puppies, seniors and dogs with arthritis feel the cold more and may need a coat. See keeping a dog warm in winter.
Start with the rake and a properly measured harness. Those two will change your week more than anything else on this page.
