Best Dog Brush And Grooming Tools For German Shepherd Shedding

Best Grooming Tools For German Shepherds

Your choice of German Shepherd grooming tools will depend on your dog’s coat length. Finding a German Shepherd grooming brush may often seem similar but grooming practices can also vary slightly. You should apply the following criteria when trying to find the best grooming brush for a German Shepherd:

Grooming Brush For Short Coat German Shepherds

Coats of short hair German Shepherds are easier to maintain and it depends on your preferences, but 2 or at the most 3 grooming tools should be adequate. Using an undercoat rake is mandatory for when he sheds his seasonal undercoat (also known as spring & fall blowouts). And of course a basic brush will be required. You could also use a grooming glove or mitt instead, or both if you prefer.

A grooming mitt or glove is ideal if your dog prefers the “petting” feeling and some owners will insist that a brush does a better job, but they are equally as effective and you could use both if your dog likes it.

Medium Coat German Shepherd Grooming Tools

Whilst their coats might be slightly fluffier than their short coated cousins, the grooming tools required for medium coat German Shepherds are the same. Their extra fluff makes them cuter and slightly hairier and that demands daily use of the basic brush to reduce shedding.

Increased and profuse shedding during spring and fall will require you to use the undercoat rake regularly. And using the grooming glove or mitt for variation, while bathing him or giving your dog a little massage is always a nice addition to his grooming routine.

Best Brush For Long Haired German Shepherds

Not surprisingly, the most grooming is required for long coat German Shepherds. But with 3 or 4 essential tools you will still be able to groom your own dog and avoid paying a professional dog groomer to keep his coat healthy and clean.

The dog brush for a long haired German Shepherd is no different though for daily coat maintenance, and the same goes for the alternate use of a grooming glove or mitt for dogs with sensitive bodies. Of course during spring and fall the use of the undercoat rake remains mandatory to control excessive shedding.

One additional tool is required though – the slicker brush. The slicker brush is made up of fine wire bristles that can capture excess dirt, dust and every small piece of dander in the fur of a long haired German Shepherd. The removal of this dirt results in a shiny smooth coat for your German Shepherd.

German Shepherd Shedding Tips

I question I often get asked is “do German Shepherds shed a lot?” and also “how much do German Shepherds shed?”

The answer depends on what type of German Shepherd you own and also on what time of year it is. Generally your dog will shed most in spring and fall because that’s when he will lose his undercoat. Long coat German Shepherds also tend to shed the most because they have thicker coats.

German Shepherds shed quite heavily all year round, but they “blow” their undercoat twice a year – that’s the dense, thick fur that you’ll see under your dog’s coarse top coat.

How To Stop A German Shepherd From Shedding

Knowing how to control German Shepherd shedding can make your life as a pet owner a lot easier. Here is a good German Shepherd shedding solution:

1. Use only high quality food when you feed your dog – that means avoiding cheap dog foods that are full of grain and corn. Foods that have a high meat content are best and they are easy to absorb and digest, and will produce a healthy coat and stop dog shedding. Supplementing his diet with a few teaspoons of olive oil and give him plenty of water to keep his skin well hydrated.

2. Groom your dog properly and regularly – daily brushing with a regular brush (as mentioned above) and using a slicker brush and undercoat rake when appropriate, will remove dead fur and keep the coat shiny at all times.

3. Knowing how to reduce German Shepherd shedding by eliminating any underlying illnesses or infestations is also important. Excessive shedding can be caused by parasites like fleas and lice, fungal and bacterial skin infections, worm infestations and also food allergies. Some medications can also cause skin irritation and kidney & liver diseases should be eliminated.

German Shepherd Grooming – Best Brush For A German Shepherd

Finding a dog grooming brush for a German Shepherd can be quite exhausting as there are so many choices available on the market. The different styles and different names can be confusing but when choosing your German Shepherd brush your first consideration should be what type of coat your dog has. Basically there are 6 dog brush types available:

1. Dog Grooming Combs.

The best comb for German Shepherds must be suitable for long coated dogs. It is used for smoothing long coats, removing small tangles and laying the fur in the same direction. Avoid yanking at large knots with a comb and rather use a dematting tool when tangles are found.

2. Short Hair Dog Brush & Long Hair Dog Brush

The best German Shepherd brush is always made of plastic bristles or wire metal bristles. They often come in very practical two-in-one style brushes. This essential tool for grooming and daily maintenance acts as a German Shepherd shedding brush to prevent excessive shedding and matting.

The plastic bristles help to distribute oil over the skin and are used for removing guard hairs that are loose and cover the softer undercoat, so it’s an ideal undercoat brush for German Shepherds. The wire bristles are used to detangle parts of the undercoat because they are able to reach deeper into the layers of the coat.

3. Dog Grooming Mitts & Grooming Gloves.

These are pairs of mitts or gloves covered with small rubber nobs that brush through the undercoat and guard hairs so you can collect the excess hairs and discard them. They are a more gentle option for dogs that prefer pet grooming gloves to the harder bristles.

The gentle massage action of the gloves distributes skin oils and improves blood circulation and can used on wet fur as well, like when you are scrubbing your dog while he is enjoying getting his bath.

4. Dog Slicker Brushes.

German Shepherd slicker brushes are ideal for long coats and have finer bristles than the basic brushes. They reach the tiny bits of dirt and keep the long coat shiny and in good condition. An added advantage is that many of them are self cleaning too and drop the fur in the trash with the press of a button.

5. Best Deshedding Tool For German Shepherds

German Shepherds shedding can be a big problem in fall and spring when they tend to shed a lot. The best deshedding brush for German Shepherds is called an undercoat rake. It has a double layer of teeth to reach the guard hairs as well as the undercoat and will remove the excess fur from both layers.

Finding the best undercoat rake for German Shepherds is essential, regardless if your dog has a long coat, short coat or a medium coat. Deshedding tools are a must for your dog and the best deshedding tool for German Shepherds is the Furminator German Shepherd brush.

6. Best Dematting Tool For Dogs

A dematting tool is perfect for long haired German Shepherds and can reach the guard hairs and undercoat to detangle knots easily. The sharp stainless steel teeth of the tool remove knots without causing pain and can be used to detangle medium coats and short coats as well.