When Do Golden Retrievers’ Tails Get Fluffy?

Golden Retrievers are known for their soft and fluffy coats. However, not all parts of their fur are equally fluffy. One particular area that many Golden Retriever owners wonder about is their tails. When do Golden Retrievers’ tails get fluffy? Do all Golden Retrievers end up with fluffy tails? Let’s find out!

What Makes Golden Retrievers’ Tails Fluffy?

Before we can answer the question of when Golden Retrievers’ tails get fluffy, we need to understand what makes their tails fluffy in the first place.

Golden Retrievers have a double coat of fur, which consists of a dense, soft undercoat and a longer, coarser outercoat. The undercoat is what gives the fur its fluffiness, as it is made up of fine, downy hairs that are designed to keep the dog warm and dry.

When Do Golden Retrievers’ Tails Start to Grow?

Golden Retriever puppies are born with very short tails. As they grow and develop, their tails begin to lengthen, but they remain relatively short and straight for the first few months of their lives.

Typically around 4-6 months of age, you’ll notice longer fur growing in on your puppy’s tail. This is when their adult coat usually starts filling in, and your pup’s tail will get fluffier and fluffier all the way up to the ~18 month mark for most goldens.

When Do Golden Retrievers’ Tails Reach Full Fluffiness?

The process of a Golden Retriever’s tail becoming fully fluffy takes several months. By the time they reach six months of age, their tails should be noticeably fluffier than they were at four months.

However, it can take up to 18 months (or even longer for some goldens) for their tails to reach their full fluffiness potential. The Golden Retriever coat stages are fairly well-established and you should be able to see your pup’s tail and coat fill in on a set pace and with incremental progress.

How to Care for a Golden Retriever’s Fluffy Tail

While your golden is growing her tail fur in, and especially after it’s reached full fluffiness, it is important to take good care of it to keep it looking and feeling its best.

Regular brushing with a soft-bristled brush or comb can help to keep the fur from tangling or matting. You can trim very long or flyaway bits of fur along your golden’s tail, but you should avoid trimming or shaving your Golden Retriever’s tail overall. This can damage the undercoat and lead to uneven growth going forward.

Summary

Golden Retrievers’ tails usually start to get fluffy around four months of age, and reach their full fluffiness potential by around 18 months of age.

Taking care of your Golden Retriever’s tail involves regular brushing and avoiding trimming or shaving. With proper care, your Golden Retriever’s fluffy tail will be a source of joy and pride for years to come!