However, the breed does shed more profusely once or twice a year, which is when more frequent brushing will help control the amount of hair that ends up around your house. As a German shepherd dog owner, you need the right grooming tools to get rid of any loose hair that has built up. Otherwise, you’ll have balls of fur lying around your house and on the furniture, even if it’s not a shedding season. It's widely recommended that you brush your GSD about every three days or twice a week.
But during the shedding season, which is when they "blow their coat", you’ll need to brush your dog once a day. The shedding season, which typically occurs during spring and fall, lasts for between six to eight weeks, so more work will be required during this time. During this period, you can use an undercoat rake every two days to remove the abundant dead hair, followed by a cleanup with a slicker brush and a grooming comb. Here are the top three grooming tools you should use on your German Shepherd dog’s coat.
1. An Undercoat Rake (De-shedding Tool)
The undercoat rake is one of the best de-shedding dog grooming tools for double-coated breeds like the German Shepherd. The MalsiPree 2-in-1 Undercoat Rake is an ideal choice for your GSD. The tool features a de-matting rake for tangle removal on one side and de-shedding fine teeth on the other side, which removes the heavy undercoat to minimize shedding. With its de-shedding rake and de-matting comb, this grooming tool is designed to effectively tackle shedding.
It is specifically designed to penetrate beneath your dog's topcoat to remove dead hair, tangles, and knots from the undercoat. It's an ideal undercoat brush for German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Siberian Huskies. Dog owners in the U.S. say this grooming tool works well, removes loose hair effectively, and is easy on their dogs. When used correctly, a de-shedding brush alone, as per Wendy Wilson, an AKC Breeder, is enough for routine brushing and de-shedding.
- Brand: MalsiPree
- Product Size: Large
2. A Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
The Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is one of the best grooming tools for GSDs. It features fine bent wires designed to penetrate deep into your dog's coat, making it super easy to groom the undercoat without irritating your furry friend’s skin. The Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is one of the most recommended dog brushes by professional groomers and vets in the U.S. It's both effective and comfortable, with the best part being its self-cleaning feature. This means the brush is so easy to clean.
With just a click of a button, the bristles retract while the hair slides off the brush. As a result, you'll be left with a clean brush ready for another brushing session. "I've tried many brushes/combs over the years for my German Shepherds," a GSD owner named CJ Max writes on Amazon, adding "This is by far the best brush I've found!" According to CJ Max, this Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is easy to use, a snap to clean, and gentle on their GSDs' coats.
- Brand: Freshly Bailey
3. A de-matting comb
The third best brush I recommend for German Shepherds is the SHINY PET Detangling Comb. In a dog's coat, combing is particularly effective in addressing tangles and knots. Brushes may not be as effective in detangling stubborn knots, albeit they are great for removing loose fur. Regular combing helps prevent mats from forming, ensuring your German Shepherd's coat remains smooth and healthy. This dog grooming comb has round teeth that break up tangles. Plus, it effectively removes loose hair, dander, and dirt trapped beneath the coat. DIY dog grooming can be a bit tricky if tools are used incorrectly, which is why the SHINY PET Detangling Comb includes a helpful instructional guide.
- Brand: SHINY PET
Best brushes for German Shepherds, according to GSD owners on Reddit
German Shepherd dog owners on Reddit recommend the following dog brushes:
Conclusion
German Shepherds are heavy shedders, so a good vacuum cleaner is one of the first things nearly every breeder will tell you to invest in. There are, however, several ways to cut down on the shedding. To avoid having balls of fur lying around your house, AKC Breeder Wendy Wilson recommends brushing your German Shepherd dog every other day. Due to the amount of fur that will be released from your GSD’s coat during brushing, Wilson advises German Shepherd dog owners to do the de-shedding outside. Start with the undercoat rake, followed by a cleanup with the slicker brush, and use the de-tangling comb to finish off the process.
