How to Take Care of the Fur of a Black Labrador Retriever

Black Labrador retrievers have short, coarse hair, which can appear easy to care for. It is, but it can't be neglected. Black labs shed less than golden labs; however, black labs do shed a little and tend to have two periods each year where they shed excessively, known as "blowing their coats." When this happens, it's important to brush more frequently and use different equipment if you don't want a carpet of black fur. Otherwise, grooming is low-maintenance and must be tended to weekly rather than daily.

Things You'll Need

  • Wire brush
  • Rake or shaving blade
  • Shampoo
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush your black lab with a wire brush once a week. This rejuvenates healthy oils that promote good skin in your lab. If you have a golden lab, brush daily. However, black labs are relatively low-maintenance.

    • 2

      Bathe your black Labrador retriever once every four to six weeks. While many breeds need more frequent bathing, this can dry out your black lab's skin. Brush more frequently and bathe less frequently for optimal skin. Brush your lab before a bath to remove all dead skin and hair.

    • 3

      Use a rake or shaving blade on your black lab twice annually when it blows its coat. There is no exact time frame for this, but it usually happens in the spring and fall. You will notice loose tufts of hair on your dog. When this happens, take it outside and use a rake, such as a Furminator, to remove all loose hair. Use caution when using the rake and shaving blade because too much pressure can hurt your dog's skin.

    • 4

      Bathe your black lab in warm water after raking out the dead hair. Once your dog is lathered in shampoo, brush through the hide with the wire brush to loosen even more.

    • 5

      Blow dry your black lab to remove the remainder of the hair. Luckily, with a black lab, you will only have to do this twice a year.

    • 6

      Spray on a gloss finishing rinse after baths. This looks especially nice on black labs because it makes their black coloring look sleek and shiny.