Do Goldadors Shed? (Lab/Golden Cross Shedding Guide)

The Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever are considered two of the most beloved dog breeds, and when you combine them, you get the Goldador.

This big dog has an equally big and loving heart to match.

Yet how much do they shed? The Goldador is a consistent shedder, which is in line with both its Retriever parents. The dog sheds seasonally as well.

Grooming your Goldador, however, is very straightforward, and this is one of the best ways to keep your floors and furniture fur-free.

In this post, I’ll elaborate further on Goldador shedding, discuss whether or not they are hypoallergenic, and show you how to minimize shedding as much as possible.

Goldador Shedding

Goldadors are high-shedding dogs.

As a mixed breed, determining how much the Goldador will shed is easy to do by looking at both its parents, the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever.

By understanding how the parent breeds shed, you’re going to have a much better idea of what to expect should you adopt a Goldador, as they are essentially a combination of both.

Let’s begin by assessing the ultra-lovable Labrador Retriever.

The Lab is a very high-shedding breed.

Out of a possible 5, I would rate this Retriever’s shedding as a full 5/5.

There are several reasons a Lab sheds so mightily, too.

For one, Labrador Retrievers are large canines. They stand between 22 and 24 inches tall and can weigh up to 79 pounds. 

The larger a dog is, the more surface area it has, which increases its propensity for shedding.

Secondly, the Labrador Retriever is a seasonal shedder. What this means is that the dog will blow its coat or shed more than usual two times per year.

The first time of year this happens is in the lead-up to summer. The Lab has a dense coat for water resistance, and it’s eager to shed that coat as the seasons warm up. 

The second time that seasonal shedding will occur is during fall, as winter approaches. This time, the Labrador Retriever is gearing up for colder days ahead, so they release their light summer coat to make way for a heavier winter coat.

There’s yet a third reason the Labrador Retriever sheds so much relates to its coat length, which is very short.

All dogs grow hair across four cycles. The cycles include an active growth period, a period of stoppage, a brief rest, and then shedding. 

And short-haired dogs tend to go through far more hair cycles in the same amount of time than a long-haired canine will, which in turn can mean more shedding.

This isn’t always the case; some short-haired dogs shed very little. But it is the case with the Labrador, they complete the “hair growth cycle” very quickly.

What about Goldador’s other parent, the Golden Retriever?

The Golden Retriever is a completely separate breed, but it’s still a Retriever, so it unsurprisingly shares a lot in common with the Labrador Retriever.

For instance, the Golden is a big dog as well, sized about the same as a Lab. Golden Retrievers are 22 to 24 inches tall and can weigh up to 75 pounds.

This dog has enough surface area for heavy shedding. 

Golden Retrievers are also double-coated seasonal shedders as well. 

The primary difference between Labs and Goldens is hair length. A Golden Retriever has longer fur that takes slightly longer to complete the hair growth cycle and therefore sheds less.

Overall, I’d rate the Golden Retriever’s shedding as a 4/5.

Now, putting all of this together, and we can get a very good idea as to what to expect with a Goldador. Like their parents, Goldadors are big dogs, measuring between 22 and 24 inches tall and weighing up to 80 pounds. And they’re also double-coated.

As for coat length, there is no set AKC breed standard for the Goldador because they are a mixed breed. And it depends on whether your Goldador takes more after a Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever. But they are generally known to have a medium-length coat.

So, to sum it all up… the Goldador is a double-coated breed that will shed a fair amount year-round and more during seasonal coat blows.

And this means they are typically not the best choice for anyone looking for a low-shedding dog. However, the caveat is that many low-shedders are high-maintenance when it comes to grooming, and that’s not the case with a Goldador – this dog is very low-fuss.

Grooming Your Goldador

Fortunately, for as much hair cleanup as you’d have to contend with if you had a Goldador in the house, grooming this dog is rather easy.

And you can thank both Retriever parent breeds for that.

Grooming comes highly recommended for any dog but especially one that sheds a lot.

For one thing, brushing helps you collect dead hairs so that molting periods aren’t so pronounced. 

And you’ll also spread the natural skin oils across the Goldador’s body that moisturize their skin and prevent excessive scratching that can exacerbate shedding.

The first matter is brushing. 

I would recommend keeping up on your Goldador’s brushing as much as you can. During seasonal shedding spikes, it’s best to brush your dog daily to combat all the loose fluff.

As for those non-seasonal shedding periods, you can brush the dog upwards of three or four times a week and manage the Goldador’s coat well.

What kind of brush is best?

A slicker brush is probably the best choice for everyday brushing. 

To ensure you adequately reach your Goldador’s undercoat, an undercoat rake is a good tool to have in your dog grooming arsenal as well.

And I’d also highly recommend using a de-shedding tool like the Furminator, as this tool will be your new best friend during seasonal shedding spikes.

These are a bit pricier than a regular grooming brush but are well (well) worth it as they are very effective and can save you time.

How often should you bathe your Goldador?

Like many Retrievers, you can wait anywhere from four to six weeks. 

If your Goldador looks visibly dirty, feel free to wash him a little sooner than that.

When you plunk your Goldador in your tub (or in a kiddy pool outside during the warmer months), use a dog-friendly shampoo and lukewarm water to bathe them.

Another aspect of caring for the Goldador is ear and teeth checks.

This hybrid breed is susceptible to ear infections. Every week, make it a point to look at the dog’s ears for signs of redness, swelling, and irritation.

If you see any of these symptoms, consider taking your Goldador to the vet.

You’ll also have to make it a habit of brushing the Goldador’s teeth at least twice weekly but possibly thrice a week to ward off bacteria that can cause tartar. 

How Do You Stop Your Goldador Shedding?

First and foremost, you can stop the Goldador (or any dog) from shedding completely. Shedding is a natural process that almost all dogs go through.

And for the most part, regular brushing should be enough to keep it under control.

However, there are some very effective ways in which you can reduce shedding even further, and limit the amount of brushing you need to do. And that’s what we’ll discuss now.

Assess Your Goldador’s Diet

What is your Golador eating? 

Like all dogs, a Goldador needs a well-balanced, nutritious diet full of proteins, carbs, minerals, vitamins, and fats. 

If your dog is deficient in one or more of these areas, he might shed more frequently than normal.

Another diet-related instance of heavier-than-normal shedding is if your dog is allergic to ingredients in its food.

From wheat to soy, eggs, chicken, beef, and even dairy, dogs can develop an allergic reaction to these and other food ingredients. 

Part of that reaction can include insanely itchy skin that your dog scratches until they’re bald. 

If this is something you’re concerned about, the best idea would be to bring your dog to a veterinarian’s office for food allergen testing to isolate the offending allergen.

There are also dog foods designed to help reduce shedding. These are specially formulated to help your dog achieve optimal skin and hair.

And there are shedding supplements that contain omega-3, which are known to make a difference. At the end of the day, nothing replaces a healthy, balanced diet, but some supplements can be worthwhile, depending on the dog.

Bathing Your Goldador

Unless your Goldador romps in the mud every single day, then you have no reason to bathe them more frequently than once per month.

Overbathing your dog is indeed a risk of making shedding worse. Even if you use mild dog shampoo, the frequency of your bathing habits can dry your dog’s skin out.

And the dryer the Goldador’s skin, the more they are likely to itch and shed.

The type of dog shampoo and conditioner you use is important too. 

It’s best not to use shampoo and conditioner products from your own bathroom shelf and use these on your dog. Instead, use a dog-friendly shampoo with ingredients formulated for a dog’s skin and coat.

Why? Because not only can some dog shampoos actually help remove the old fur, but they can also help reduce the likelihood of unintentionally drying out your dog’s skin and hair.

Once you’re finished bathing, another “ninja trick” that professional groomers use to get rid of tons of loose fur is to use a dog hair blow dryer.

In short, instead of towel drying your dog, a blower drys your dog’s coat AND blows out a lot of the old fur in the process, which can save you a lot of time brushing.

You can even use a dog blower between baths instead of brushing.

Of course, these will cost you more than a towel or brush, but the benefits (removing lots of fur in record time) can far outweigh these costs over time.

Take Your Dog to the Vet

When all else fails, and you feel at your wit’s end with your Golador’s shedding, you can and should bring them to your local veterinarian.

Your vet can diagnose medical conditions, skin conditions, allergies, and other issues that might cause your dog to shed more than normal. 

Shedding is normal in most dogs, even high levels of fur loss. But sometimes, it can be due to an underlying health-related issue, and that’s where your vet should be able to help.

Are Goldadors Hypoallergenic?

No, Goldadors are not hypoallergenic.

And to explain why, allow me to explain and dispel some myths, as there are many misconceptions about what it is that makes a canine hypoallergenic.

In short, a so-called “hypoallergenic dog” only reduces the severity of allergy symptoms in people. No dog can completely eradicate allergy symptoms altogether, as nice as that would be.

The reason? If you have a pet allergy, chances are you’re getting a reaction to their dead skin, also known as dander, as this is the most common trigger of pet allergy.

And since all dogs have skin, no dog is 100 percent hypoallergenic. 

Some dogs are certainly more hypoallergenic than others, though, but the Goldador is not one of them.

Dogs that are more tolerable among allergy sufferers are typically small, don’t produce much dander, and shed very little.

That last part matters because, while the hair itself isn’t the problem, dander sticks to fur, so the more a dog sheds, the more dander is likely to spread around the home.

Is a Goldador Right for You?

Are you still considering bringing home a Goldador, but your mind isn’t completely made up? This section will surely help.

Goldadors are Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever hybrids that are considered designer dogs.

Like other designer dogs, the Goldador was bred solely for looks and companionship. This mixed breed is admittedly quite a deal bigger than your average designer dog, though.

Goldadors are friendly, alert, personable, loving, affectionate, and very loyal. The dog has a low prey drive and is incredibly intelligent.

If you have an apartment, I’d suggest rethinking adopting a Goldador. These dogs are simply too large and energetic. An apartment is likely to feel too cramped for them.

Attesting to its friendly nature, the Goldador gets along well with other dogs. That said, adequate socialization is required, ideally earlier in the dog’s life. 

Goldadors can befriend feline companions as well, but once again, early socialization is key. 

As a tried and true family dog, the Goldador will be your kids’ best four-legged companion. 

I would recommend introducing a Goldador into a household with slightly older kids, though, so that this big dog doesn’t barrel down the little ones.

What about barking?

Thankfully, the Goldador is a quiet canine, barking infrequently. 

Bottom Line 

The Goldador is a mix between the Golden and Labrador Retrievers. It takes after both Retrievers in that the Goldador is double-coated, thick-furred, large, and quite the shedder.

It’s normal for your Goldador to shed quite a lot, especially seasonally, but as explained in this article, there are numerous ways you can get it under control. The main method is grooming, which is very easy with this dog, but diet is another thing to consider.

See our complete shedding guide for more info on winning the battle against shedding. And as always, if you’re concerned with how much your dog is shedding, consult your local vet.