Drying coats for labradors and golden retrievers

Labradors and golden retrievers need a drying coat that covers a big, deep chest and belly and keeps a soaked double coat off the car seats. Size by weight: our L fits 24–35 kg and XL 35–45 kg. Measure the chest too, and if your dog falls between sizes, go up.

Why are labs and goldens so hard to dry?

Both breeds are retrievers, and many will find water on any walk. Their coats are built for it. The Royal Kennel Club breed standard describes the labrador's coat as short and dense with a "weather-resistant undercoat", and the golden retriever's as flat or wavy with good feathering and a "dense water-resisting undercoat".

That undercoat is the problem after a swim or a downpour. The outer coat sheds some water, but whatever soaks into the dense undercoat stays there, close to the skin. A towel takes off the surface wet; the undercoat takes much longer. Goldens add feathering on the legs, chest and tail, which holds water and mud like a spaniel's.

Which size: L or XL?

The Royal Kennel Club lists both breeds as large. Their breed standards give heights rather than weights, and individual dogs vary a lot, so the only reliable way to choose is to weigh your own dog.

Size Dog's weight
M 14–24 kg
L 24–35 kg
XL 35–45 kg

Then measure:

  1. Back length: from the base of the neck, where the collar sits, along the spine to the base of the tail.
  2. Chest: all the way round the widest part, just behind the front legs. Press the tape down through a thick coat so you measure the dog, not the fluff.

Compare both with our size guide. Our robe pulls over the head with no buckles, so a broad, deep chest needs room. If weight says L but the chest is near the top of the range, choose XL. Our drying robe size guide walks through it in more detail.

If your dog is over 45 kg, or close to it with a big chest, email support@rainhound.com with the breed, weight and measurements before ordering. XL is our largest size.

How to dry a double coat

  • Towel against the hair. Working against the direction of the coat helps the towel reach the undercoat.
  • Use two towels on a soaked dog. One fills up quickly.
  • Squeeze, don't scrub, on a golden's feathering, to avoid tangles.
  • Let a robe do the long part. On the drive home, a robe keeps working on the back, chest and belly while your dog rests.
  • Finish at home. A dense undercoat will still be damp after a short drive. A dry towel, a warm room or, if your dog is relaxed about it, a hair dryer on a low heat and low speed setting, as Blue Cross advises.

The PDSA warns that a dog who stays wet and gets cold is at risk of hypothermia, and older dogs are among those most at risk. If your dog is shivering, drowsy or unsteady after a wet walk, get them warm and contact your vet. Our guide on whether it's bad to leave a dog wet covers the signs.

A car routine for big, wet dogs

  1. Let your dog shake off outside the car.
  2. Towel the paws, legs and belly at the back of the car.
  3. Pull the robe on before your dog gets into the boot, so the wettest fur never touches the floor.
  4. Use a boot liner or seat cover as a second layer for very muddy days.
  5. Restrain your dog. The Highway Code's rule 57 says dogs in vehicles should be "suitably restrained", for example with a dog guard, cage or seat belt harness.
  6. At home, take the robe off and hang it up to dry.

For more on routines at the car, see how to dry a wet dog after a walk.

What about all the hair?

The PDSA names both labradors and golden retrievers among breeds that shed a lot, and says that keeping on top of grooming means they're less likely to shed all over the house. The Royal Kennel Club suggests grooming a labrador once a week and a golden more than once a week.

Brush once your dog is fully dry, so you aren't pushing wet mud around. Blue Cross says grooming mitts are useful for removing dirt and dead hair from short-coated breeds but not recommended for medium to long-haired coats, which makes a mitt a better fit for a labrador than a golden. For dogs that moult a lot, it suggests an undercoat rake or de-shedding tool. For the hair left behind in the car, see how to get dog hair off car seats.

Questions owners ask

What size drying robe for a labrador?

Weigh your dog: L is 24–35 kg and XL 35–45 kg. Check the chest against the size guide, and if your dog is between sizes, go up.

What size for a golden retriever?

The same approach: weigh, then measure back and chest. Measure through the coat to the body, as a golden's coat can make a dog look bigger than it is.

Is a drying robe the same as a waterproof coat?

No. A drying robe goes on after the walk to absorb water and keep the car dry. A waterproof coat is worn during the walk to keep rain off. Our robe has a waterproof backing, but it isn't a raincoat for walking in.

Will a robe fully dry a labrador?

Not on a short drive. Expect a damp dog rather than a dry one, and finish drying at home.

What we make for this

The Rainhound Drying Robe (£39.99, all sizes) slips over the head with no buckles and covers the back, chest, belly and upper legs. It has a waterproof backing to keep car seats and the boot floor dry, and a reflective inner layer designed to hold in your dog's own body heat. L fits 24–35 kg and XL 35–45 kg. Wash at 30°C and hang to dry; no tumble dryer or fabric softener. UK delivery is free.

For a short-coated lab, our hair removal glove (£14.99) is a wearable grooming glove that also lifts hair off car seats and sofas. If you have two dogs, or want a spare robe for wash days, the two-robe bundle is £55.99 with a free glove.

Sources

Back to blog