Breed Information | Golden Retriever Society

Golden Retrievers are beautiful and friendly dogs. They get along well with adults, kids, and other pets, including cats. But do they smell? We answer that question, and give you ways to keep your Golden smelling clean and fresh. Do Golden Retrievers Smell A clean, dry, and healthy Golden Retriever should not smell bad. However, just like any other dog breed, Golden Retrievers can develop a bad odor. There are many different causes that could lead to a bad smelling dog. The causes of the smell may include: Natural metabolic secretionsPoor dietYeast infectionRolling in smelly substances It is essential to determine the cause of the smell before looking for a solution. Once you have determined the cause, you can use various techniques to prevent and eliminate the odor. Why Golden Retrievers Smell Metabolic reactions, including skin oils, can cause Golden Retrievers to smell. Moist areas have the most concentration of bacteria and usually produce the most odor. The moist areas include the: MouthNoseUnder the tailEarsSkin folds Apart from metabolic secretions, there are many other causes of bad odor in Golden Retrievers. Health Problems Several health problems may cause Golden Retrievers to smell. Some may have bad breath caused by diabetes or kidney failure. Although normal dog breath is a bit smelly, excessively smelly dog breath may be a sign of poor health. Teeth and gum diseases may also cause bad breath in Golden Retrievers. Gum and teeth diseases may also cause increased drooling. Some of the saliva in a drooling dog may get to its fur, which may cause it to smell even more. The bad odor may also be caused by bacterial infections in the ears, which may cause the dog to shake its head excessively. Watch for this in your Golden and make sure you keep their ears dry and clean. Flatulence can also cause bad smell in dogs. Persistent flatulence may be caused by infection of the intestines or other areas of the gut. An infection of the anal sacs may also cause bad odor in Golden Retrievers. The anal sacs are some form of marking glands located in the anal area. Dogs squeeze the anal sacs during pooping, which causes the sacs to release a smelly secretion. Golden Retrievers can also secrete the smelly secretion onto their fur when scared or excited, which may cause them to smell. Cheese-like Smell These infections tend to occur in moist areas of the dog’s body. Bacterial and yeast infections may cause itching, which prompts the dog to scratch the itchy part. Scratching may cause inflammation, which may worsen the infection. Treating the infection may eliminate bad odors. If you notice your Golden Retriever having a cheese-like smell, consider checking its ears. Golden Retrievers are susceptible to ear infections due to the overgrowth of yeast. Signs of yeast infection in the ears include: Moldy odor from the earsRed, itchy earsDebris on the ear lobes Ear infections may also be a sign of hypothyroidism, a more serious health complication. Infections (Pyoderma) Golden Retrievers are vulnerable to pyoderma, a form of skin infection. This condition is more common in dogs with double coats. Common causes of pyoderma include: Autoimmune disordersAllergiesCancerThyroid diseasesLiver diseases Signs of pyoderma include: Hair lossScalesItchinessPustulesFoul smell Canine Atopic Dermatitis This is one of the most common health complications among Golden Retrievers. Symptoms of canine atopic dermatitis include: Red, dry, or oily skinHair loss around the muzzles and eyesMild to severe itchingSkin lesions Causes of canine atopic dermatitis include: Flea bitesContact with allergensIntolerance to some foods Rolling on Smelly Substances or Water Your dog may become smelly if it rolls on smelly substances. Consider taking steps to ensure your dog does not roll on smelly objects, including grass and dirt. Dogs that have been in water also smell bad. If your Golden has been playing in rain or pool water, its fur may produce a distinct, unpleasant smell. If your dog has been playing on dirty water, consider washing it before the water sticks to its coat. In addition, avoid letting it inside your house after washing it. Infections Common infections that may cause your Golden to smell include yeast and skin infections. Yeast is one of the most common health complications in Golden Retrievers. A bad smell usually accompanies yeast infection. Common signs of yeast infection include smelly paws and ears. Golden Retrievers with yeast infection usually scratch their ears and paws regularly. Take your dog to the vet if you suspect a yeast infection. Skin infections can also cause your dog to smell. Signs of skin infection include regularly scratching, thinning of hair, and flaking of skin. If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, check out our article on Golden Retriever Ear Infections for more information. Bad Diet A poor diet may also cause your dog to smell. Bad diet may cause flatulence and bad breath, both of which can cause your Golden to smell. If your dog starts smelling bad after a diet change, the diet could be the likely cause of the bad smell. Consult your vet for your dog's diet recommendations. How to Improve the Smell of Your Golden Retriever Various factors cause Golden Retrievers to smell. Fortunately, you can use some tips to improve the smell of your dog. Below we list some of the most common ways you can get them back to smelling clean and fresh. Tips to Improve The Smell of Your Dog Keep Your Dog Dry When your Golden Retriever gets wet, it can become smelly. Wet dog coats may also cause infections. Be sure to dry your dog’s ears and skin when they get wet. In addition, check your dog’s ears regularly for signs of infections. Diet and Hygiene Consult a vet to determine the best diet for your Golden Retriever. A bad diet can cause your dog to smell. Wash and groom your dog regularly. Cleaning your Golden gives your dog’s coat a fresh smell. Be sure to check out our articles on how to give your golden a bath and the best shampoos for goldens. Regular cleaning of your dog also removes loose fur on its coat, which may increase bad odor. Remember, Golden Retrievers may be a bit smelly after cleaning, but the smell should go away once the coat dries. Keep smelly objects and substances away from your dog’s play area. This will prevent your dog from playing or rolling on the smelly objects. Be sure to clean all your dog’s beddings regularly. Your dog’s beddings may harbor fleas, bacteria, and parasites. Wash your dog’s bedding with hot water and vinegar or baking soda to eliminate odors. However, avoid using a fabric softener when doing your dog’s laundry to prevent allergic reactions. Regular Grooming Take some time to groom your dog regularly through bathing, drying, and brushing. Regular grooming prevents infection-causing bacteria from accumulating on the coat of your dog. Brushing loose hair helps to stimulate the skin to secrete oils, which prevents bacterial infection and yeast growth. Be sure to check out our article for The Best Dog Brushes for Golden Retrievers. An essential part of grooming is dental care. Consider cleaning your dog’s teeth regularly. Buy a dog toothbrush and use it to brush your dog’s teeth at regularly. Read our article about Golden Retriever Teeth Care for more information. Ask your vet for a dental check up and cleaning to insure that your dog's mouth remains healthy. Your vet should also help you treat gum and teeth infections, if any are found. Talk to a Vet Consult a vet if you cannot determine the exact cause of the bad smell. This is a great option, especially if your dog has had the smell for a long time. Visit a vet if you suspect a medical cause of the bad smell. The vet should provide you with expert advice tailored to your Golden Retriever. Your vet might ask you a few questions to help with the diagnosis, including: When did the bad smell start? When does the dog tend to smell bad? Just remember to bring as much information as you can to the appointment. It helps to get an accurate diagnosis. Conclusion So, like any creature, Golden Retrievers can smell bad. Fortunately the smell can be greatly improved if you can determine the causes. Using our tips above is the first step to keeping your dog clean and smelling great! Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs, and they can smell wonderful as well. It just takes a little time, effort, and love! A great shampoo with very helpful with smell. Check out our picks for the Best Shampoo for Golden Retrievers to see what we use for our dogs.