German Shepherds, also affectionately known as German shedders, have rightfully earned their nickname.
GSDs have a double coat. This means that there are actually two layers of hair, and outer and inner. Some GSDs have short and medium-length coats, and others have long hair. But regardless of the length of the hair, one commonality is the amount they shed. A lot.
They don’t just shed in the summertime, they are year-round shedders. They will however shed their entire undercoats 2 times per year. During spring to summer transition as well as fall and winter to changes.
And usually, one hairbrush is not enough. There are few different types of hairbrushes which are helpful to keep your German Shepherd well-groomed with a healthy coat.
For a first time German Shepherd owner, choosing the right brush can be challenging just because of the sheer number of different types of brushes available. Choose a brush that is designed specifically for the type a coat your GSD has.
When brushing your GSD, it’s important to purchase a brush designed specifically to target the undercoat of your dog. These brushes are designed so that they do not disturb the overcoat of your dog, while at the same time effectively untangling knots and mats.
The GripSoft Double Row Undercoat Rake Dog Brush is a solid choice for this task.
This brush has 2 rows of round-tipped teeth which allow it to grab onto dead and shedding hair while avoiding scratching and disturbing your GSD’s skin. A number of similar brushes on the market do not come with round-tipped teeth
Brushing Tip: when using this brush and you come across a mat in the undercoat of your dog’s fur, the brush will become more difficult to pull. Do not just pull harder to remove the mat. Instead, reposition the brush about an two inches in front of the mat and gently repeat the brushing motion. It may take several passes to remove the mat, but it is a much more pleasant experience for your dog.
This brush also has a comfortable handle for you to hold onto, and it is reasonably priced.
My next choice for a de-shedding your GSD is Furminator Tool for Dogs. This brush is effective for removing a lot of undercoat with minimal effort.
I actually purchased two of these brushes – one for my long haired GSD and one for my short hair dog. Prior to buying these years back, I was using one standard brush for all of my dogs. I have found that using one specifically designed for the type of coat made brushing much easier for me and more pleasant for my dogs.
The brush comes in 5 different sizes, all aimed towards the size of your particular dog. One feature of this brush that I just can’t get enough of is the “fur ejector” button.
For years I was picking hair out of brushes with my fingers and getting it all over the place, but this feature eliminated that need. You just push the button and the hair slides down the teeth and into your hand. And like the Gripsoft brush listed above, the Furminator has a large handle that is easy to hold on to.
Brushing Tip: Your GSD should be brushed regularly, but be careful not to overdo it. Understand that there is such a thing as too much brushing.
The coats of hair on a German Shepherd work much like insulation in a home. The outer coat traps both warm and cool air underneath it which works to regulate your dog’s internal temperature. So do not be overeager and too aggressive with the brush and your dog.