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Coat
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Golden retrievers have long double coats with outer primary hair and inner under coat. A disadvantage of a thick coat is that it makes it difficult for the dog owner to readily identity the presence of fleas and other parasites living on the dog's skin.
Flea Behavior
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Fleas thrive in hot, humid environments, making golden retrievers, with their warm coats, susceptible hosts. Furthermore, golden retrievers are prone to allergies and often lick and bite areas of the skin that aggravate them, making them moist and perfect for flea activity.
Hot Spots
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The most common cause of alopecia (hair loss) in dogs are fleas or other parasite infestations, according to Professorshouse.com. The golden retriever introduces bacteria from their mouth when they bite and scratch the site of infestation on their body, causing "hot spots," where skin becomes infected and hair falls out.
Fleas and Heat
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When they detect the golden retriever's body warmth and the heat from its breath, they jump on the dog to feed off of its blood, according to Pestproducts.com. Without flea treatment, this leads to the hot spot cycle of hair loss for the dog.
Protection
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A golden retriever who suffers from alopecia may need a protective covering over the sparse or bald spots to protect exposed skin from sunburn in excessive heat or sunny weather, according to Petplace.com.
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Golden Retriever Hair Loss From Heat
Having a golden retriever in the family means having dog hair in the house and on virtually everything else. They shed heavily twice a year, in the spring and fall, but will consistently lose hair year-round, especially when you pet and brush them. Golden retrievers also experience hair loss due to fleas and heat.