Why Isn’t My Golden Retriever Fluffy?

I have a Golden Retriever, and he is such a sweet and loveable dog.  I am concerned about is his fur coat. It doesn’t appear to be fluffy like other dogs.  I am wondering why that is, and if there is anything, I can do about it.

I decided to investigate when I had some time yesterday, and here is what I uncovered.

Why isn’t my Golden Retriever fluffy?

If your Golden Retriever isn’t fluffy it is often associated with poor nutrition, improper grooming habits, genetics, underlying health issues, age or something so simple as the weather. 

If your Golden Retriever isn’t fluffy, but it could be related to their diet.  Poor nutrition in the form of inferior food can make a Golden Retriever’s fur, less fluffy.  If your Golden Retriever’s fur isn’t fluffy, it could be related to how often or well they are groomed. Golden Retrievers are big, outdoorsy type dogs that can get dirty quicker than other dogs, making their fur coat less than fluffy. 

When a Golden Retriever’s fur isn’t fluffy, it can be directly related to genetics or even a current or undiagnosed health issue.  Some dogs, regardless of their breed, will not have as fluffy a fur coat as other dogs do.  Health issues can contribute to this, with good health causing a dog to have a shiny and fluffy fur coat.  For you Golden Retriever, if their fur isn’t fluffy, it can easily be related to the weather or even their age.   

Dry weather can cause lackluster and less fluffy fur, and their age can also affect how they look on the outside.  To make a Golden Retrievers coat fluffy again, they may need to be groomed well.  Even if a Golden Retrievers fur coat isn’t fluffy, they are no less beautiful and loveable.

Golden Retrievers are an excellent dog breed.  Their fur is what makes them characteristically who they are as a dog.  Some Golden Retrievers will have fur that is fluffy and long, while others may have fur that is not.

Whatever type of fur coat a Golden Retriever has, it is normal and natural for who they are.  However, some things can make a Golden Retriever’s coat of fur look less than beautiful and fluffy.

Golden Retrievers may have a fur coat that is less than fluffy due to their diet.  Diet is one of the most important aspects of good health for every dog.  When nutrition is inferior, it usually reveals itself in the way the fur and skin look.

What we eat and how good our nutrition is, shows through our appearance.

Golden Retrievers can suffer from other problems like dry hair, excessive shedding, and dandruff.  A nutritious diet that is adequate for their age and health can help combat any health issues and sometimes make their fur fluffier too.

It can be beneficial to offer Omega-3 and Omega-6 supplements to make their fur coat shinier and fluffier but consulting their veterinarian first is always best.

Poor grooming habits can affect how fluffy a Golden Retrievers fur coat looks.  If they haven’t been bathed in a while, they may look less than lovely.  Having a grooming routine can help in this area.

Genetics and health issues can play a part in how fluffy a Golden Retrievers fur coat appears.  Genetics may give your Golden Retriever wavy and slightly shorter fur or the longer fluffy fur that is typical for this breed.

Whatever their parents have, they will likely inherit.  This may mean that they don’t have fluffy fur, but they are no less loveable and beautiful and still an amazing dog.

It is possible to consult their breeder and check their parents’ type of fur, but it will not change what they have inherited genetically.

Undiagnosed health issues can cause a Golden Retrievers’ fur coat to be less than fluffy.  If their diet is good, the weather is moist, and they are bathed regularly, it could possibly mean an underlying health issue.  Lack of fluffy fur is usually combined with other issues in dogs that are suffering health problems.

If lack of a fluffy fur coat is combined with other issues, like they are not eating that much or sleeping more than usual it is best to consult their veterinarian.

Health issues will first usually reveal themselves in how the Golden Retriever looks.  This can sometimes be noticed before other signs related to appetite and sleep patterns.  Consulting their veterinarian can help uncover if there is a health problem.

In some cases, health issues can be cured or managed when caught early. For this reason, it is important not to skip their annual checkups or well visits.  It can be helpful to contact the veterinarian first before making an appointment.

Dry weather can make a Golden Retrievers’ fur not so fluffy as dry air can affect their skin and fur coat.  The best way to combat this issue is to bring them inside the house and perhaps use humidifiers in the home.

If you live in a typically drier region, this may be a good investment option for everyone’s health and well-being.  It can also help to bathe your Golden Retriever a bit more with a good quality shampoo.

Age can also play a role in how fluffy a Golden Retriever’s fur coat will be.  If the Golden Retriever is an incredibly young puppy, it may be best to ignore how their fur coat looks and focus on good nutrition and overall health for the time being.

Once a Golden Retriever is older than three months, they will begin to change and grow in their adult fur coat.  This can take a while, and pet parents won’t likely see that fluffy fur coat for some time.   Somewhere between eighteen months and three years old, Golden Retrievers will have their full-grown adult coat, and, at this point, pet parents can see if it will be fluffy or not.

How can I help my Golden Retrievers’ fur coat look fluffy?

A few things can be done to make your Golden Retrievers’ fur coat look fluffy.

First, it is best, to begin with their diet; ensuring that they have healthy and nutritious dog food and are fed enough is important.  It can help to feed them Omega-3 and Omega-6 Supplements which can make their coat look fluffy and shinier.

These can be offered through natural sources like coconut, fish, and olive oils, to name a few.

It is best to consult their veterinarian since some supplements are not suitable for all dogs.

Secondly, it is important to bathe and groom the Golden Retriever regularly.  The amount of bathing and grooming they need will depend on the individual dog and how dirty they tend to get.

They should be brushed every couple of days to remove knots and tangles in their beautiful fur.  They should also be bathed on average every six weeks.  Some dogs will need more than this amount of brushing and bathing, others less.

Good grooming habits create a healthy, shiny, and fluffy fur coat.

If my Golden Retriever has shorter fur, can they still have a fluffy coat?

No, if your Golden Retriever has a shorter fur coat, it may not be fluffy like other Golden Retrievers.  The same can be said for Golden Retrievers that have wavy fur coats.  They, too, may not have that fluffy look.

While no remedy will create a fluffy fur coat for a Golden Retriever that isn’t born with one, they are no less gorgeous than other Golden Retrievers.  Focus on good nutrition and grooming habits and overall health and happiness instead of what they don’t have.

If I live in a drier climate, should I also offer my Golden Retriever more water to help make their fur fluffy?

Yes.  Living where the weather is drier can make it necessary for a Golden Retriever to have more water.  This would be for their overall health and to combat dehydration issues that can happen in these drier climates.  Extra water would be appropriate, but it may or may not affect how fluffy their fur is.

Focusing on their overall health and how it is affected by the drier climate is most important.  Their appearance and how fluffy their fur coat is should be secondary.

In drier climates, there will likely be adjustments that need to be made for their overall health.  This can include increased amounts of water to combat dryness.  It can also include less time outdoors if the weather is dry and hot and providing humidity inside the house to add moisture.

This can especially be beneficial since dryness affects their respiratory tract too.

Whatever region of the country a Golden Retriever lives in, health is always more important than appearance.

Closing Points

While your Golden Retriever may not appear to have fluffy fur, some things can be done to combat the issue.

A healthy diet and lifestyle may not be able to create fluffy fur where there is none, but it can promote overall good health which is by far much more important.

Whatever their fur looks, fluffy or wavy, if Golden Retrievers are healthy, that is all that matters anyway!