German Shepherds are known to be big shedders. They have double coats (topcoat and undercoat) that shed along with the changes of seasons. This means that they would need a different set of coats whenever the season gets colder or warmer. And this means that you would be brushing and de-shedding your German Shepherd all year round.
But not to worry, because there are a variety of dog brush types in the market that can help make it easier for you to maintain your beautiful German Shepherd’s thick fluff of fur.
German Shepherd Coat Types
As discussed earlier, GSDs have a double coat that is thick and plush. But their coat lengths can also vary. From long-haired plush coats, short lengths with an undercoat, and even long-haired coats without an undercoat.
That’s why you need to determine which coat type your German Shepherd has so you can choose which types of brushes you need to have at hand to help maintain your pet’s sleek and shiny coat.
Types of Brushes Suitable for a German Shepherd Coat
De-Matting Brush / Wide-Toothed Combs
If you want to get rid of matted, tangled, or knotted fur, then you should use de-matting brushes or wide-toothed combs. They are very efficient in removing slight tangles and matt, but if you’re faced with something much harder to de-tangle, then you need water to soften its fur before brushing. Using water makes brushing easier and can also avoid hurting them in the process.
De-Shedding Brush or Rake Brush
De-shedding brushes and rakes are used to remove loose fur that hasn’t dislodged from your pet’s body. Dogs will usually shake them out while they are shedding. Undercoats and coarse hair will be more difficult to remove from the body, so you’ll have to help brush them off. De-shedding and rake brushes are the most common type of brushes that can be used for all dog breeds.
Grooming Gloves or Mitts
If you have a German Shepherd who does not like the traditional brush type, then you can try out grooming gloves. This way, your dog might be more comfortable if they feel like being stroked while you are grooming them. Grooming mitts are also great for massaging your pet. They usually have nubs in them that you can rub on your pet to help calm them down.
They’re also great for removing hair from hard-to-reach places like their face, legs, tails, and even behind the ears.
Undercoat Rakes
A normal de-shedding or de-matting brush might not be effective enough to get rid of your German Shepherd’s undercoat tangles. These are the shorter hair that helps them keep cool during the summer season. Some of them have a very coarse texture, which makes it harder to shake off while shedding. That’s why you need to have an undercoat rake at hand for this particular situation. There are a variety of undercoat rakes in the market, but their primary feature is to get rid of loose undercoats and still keep your pet’s topcoat sleek and shiny.
Slicker Brush
Slicker brushes have thin and flexible wires as bristles. These bristles are suitable for getting rid of dirt, removing loose hair, and even untangling matted or knotted fur from their thick coats. Slicker brushes will need to be used gently since they have small wire bristles that might scratch your pet’s skin. There are also brushes like the pin-type brush where each metal bristle has a rounded tip to prevent injuring your dog, especially if you manage to go deep and reach their skin while brushing.
Taking care of your German Shepherd’s coat
Aside from regular grooming, there is other stuff you can add to your pet care routine to keep your German Shepherd’s fur healthy, like bathing and a nutrient-filled diet.
Although German Shepherd dogs don’t need regular bathing, it still is a crucial activity to help them maintain a clean coat. A bath once every three months will help remove dead skin cells, dirt, or dander that have accumulated through the months that were not removed through brushing.
Also, a diet that contains high protein, like chicken meat, beef, and lamb is a great addition to their food to keep their coats sleek and shiny.
Grooming Tips for German Shepherd Dogs
- Soften your German Shepherd’s fur with water to make it easier to de-tangle.
- Gently get rid of any matted hair, tangles, and knots that might have formed on their fur with a wide-toothed comb or de-matting brush for an easier brushing session. This is to make it comfortable on your German Shepherd and avoid any hair-pulling that might be painful for them.
- Use a de-shedding brush, rake, or undercoat rake, by running it through your dog’s fur several times. Once the brush stops getting any hair out, it’s time to stop brushing.
Reminder: Use gentle strokes when brushing your dog. This will minimize the risk that you might be ripping out hair that is not loose in the first place. You can also train them to like you brushing them, so it can be a pleasurable activity for your German Shepherd and make future brushing easy and fun to do.
- Tip: Keep the topcoat smooth and silky after removing loose hair and tangles with a slicker brush.
Best Brushes for German Shepherds
Easy to Use De-Mattifier Brush for German Shepherds – Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
- #1 CAT & DOG BRUSH - Quality is guaranteed as this brush is voted Best Overall for 2022 by Spruce...
- SUPER EFFECTIVE - This dog and cat hair brush for shedding also detangles fur and removes dirt and...
- PAWS-ITIVELY VERSATILE - This pet comb is PURRfect for cats and dogs of all fur types - the perfect...
- EASY TO CLEAN - Simply retract bristles with the push of a button, then wipe away collected fur...
- PAW-SOME SMART DESIGN - Fine, angled bristles, ergonomic comfort grip, and push-button retraction...
This de-matting brush from Hertzko has a unique feature that makes brushing easy as pie This self-cleaning brush has retractable teeth that dislodges the fur is collected, so you’ll have an easier cleanup with just a push of a button. The brush itself has rows of sturdy metal teeth that can help remove matts, knots, tangles, fur, dander, and even dirt from your dog’s coat.
The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush also has an ergonomic soft grip that is comfortable for the user to hold. Its bristles and design ensure that even with gentle strokes, you can gather a lot of loose fur without scratching your dog.
Key Features:
- Retractable bristles for easy cleanup
- Bent wire teeth that won’t scratch your dog
- Comfortable, anti-slip grip and ergonomic shape
- Bristles will retract with one push of a button
- Great for removing loose hair, dander, or dirt
- Can also be used to detangle knots and matted fur
- Massages skin to help promote blood circulation
Reminders:
- Suitable only for long-haired dogs or pets with thick coats
- Size might be difficult to maneuver on a smaller body
Best Brush for Short and Medium Coats – Pet Neat De-Shedding Tool
- Best pet grooming tool! Leave behind the grooming headache, removing up to 95% of dead hair and...
- A durable shedding tool! This dog and cat comb is MADE TO LAST through long years of effortless pet...
- Healthy, shiny pet coat! Rid your four-legged friend of undercoat and loose hair effortlessly, and...
- TA Thoughtful gift to all pet owners! Easy to use and causing not a speck of discomfort, this...
- 100% SATISFACTION: All Pet Neat products are satisfaction for life. Click Add to Cart now!
Pet Neat’s De-Shedding Tool is a brush that effectively removes loose fur with just a few strokes. Its tiny bristles can collect a lot of shedding from your dog’s coat. This de-shedding brush is perfect for German Shepherds with medium or short-length coats and even those with undercoats. With their durable, stainless steel bristles, they are perfect for short-length fur with wiry undercoats, while having tines that are not sharp enough to scratch your dog’s skin.
The head of the Pet Neat De-Shedding Tool can be detached from the handle for easier cleaning and storage. Its handle even has an eyelet so you can hang it up on a hook.
Key Features:
- Great de-shedding tool for short and medium-length coats
- Perfect for German Shepherds with fur that have a wiry undercoat
- An effective de-shedding tool that collects a lot of fur with just one stroke
- Tines are not sharp enough to scratch your dog
- Detachable head for easy cleanup and storage
Reminders:
- You’ll need to brush it through your dog more if you have a big shedder
- The detachable head might feel a little unsteady for first-timers
- The company offers a 100% lifetime moneyback guarantee if you are not satisfied with the product
Dual-Purpose Brush to Keep German Shepherd Coat in Top Shape – AtEase Accents Eco-Friendly Grooming Brush
ECO FRIENDLY
-No.1 pet grooming brush for your cat or dogMODERN UNIQUE DESIGN
-Double sided bristle brush for dogs or cats is a unique gift for...DURABLE, SAFE & EASY
-Durable dual sided deshedding dematting brush comfortable...100% GUARANTEE
-Free refund if not 100% satisfied
AtEase Accents offer an eco-friendly and extremely effective brush for your big shedder. This grooming brush offers a comfortable pin-brush on one side that can help collect loose fur, and a soft-bristle brush that can help detangle your dog’s fur. Not only is this grooming brush efficient, but it is also made from durable bamboo materials that lessen your carbon footprint. The pin-brush promotes a healthy blood flow and encourages the production of natural skin oils for a silky, healthy coat.
For an everyday grooming brush that can help maintain your German Shepherd’s coat in tip-top shape, AtEase Accents is a perfect choice.
Key Features:
- Eco-friendly bamboo handle with eyelet for easy storage
- One side has a pin-brush for de-shedding fur and a calming massager
- The brush side has soft bristles that can help detangle fur
- Stylish and multi-purpose brush
- Everyday grooming tool for your German Shepherd
Reminders:
- Might be too small for large dogs, but still as effective
- Not as effective for deeply matted or entangled fur
Ergonomic Brush for All Types of Coats – Pat Your Pet Grooming and De-Shedding Gloves
- EASILY REMOVES HAIR - Preen while you pet! These dog and cat brush gloves remove even the toughest...
- LARGE COVERAGE - These cat and dog grooming gloves are completely covered in bristles that allow you...
- NO DISCOMFORT - Our cat and dog hair remover set will make your grooming routine go from a tedious...
- FASTER GROOMING - Cut your grooming time in half. Our cat and dog grooming supplies ensure a short...
- HAIR-FREE HOME - By removing your pet’s matted and unwanted fur, these dog and cat grooming gloves...
A grooming mitt or glove is great for dogs who are a little bit uncomfortable with the standard brush. But with Pat Your Pet’s Grooming Gloves, brushing time will be a lot more enjoyable for your GSD. This ergonomic grooming mitt has both pointed finger nubs for removing loose hair, and rounded nubs to massage your dog while brushing. Its construction also makes it easy to brush over hard-to-reach places like the head, legs, and tail.
The soft nubs and flexible design also make it a suitable brush for all types of coats and lengths, so it’s definitely a great choice for your German Shepherd. Boasting with a glove design, you can feel and control how gentle or rough you can be with your dog’s fur to get all the tangles and loose fur out of their coats.
Key Features:
- Glove design makes it easy to clean around the face, legs, and tail
- Has both pointed and rounded nubs for effectivity and comfort
- Can de-tangle and de-shed all types and lengths of coats
- Can also be a comfortable massager for your pup
- An easy to manipulate design that can go through and deep into your dog’s fur
- Has Velcro strap to keep the glove in place while in use
Reminders:
- Can be quite loose for small hands, but still does the job well
- Loose hair will not stick to the gloves, so make sure you have a mat or blanket to catch the fur or get a vacuum ready after your brushing session
Best Undercoat De-Shedding and De-Mattifying Brush – Pat Your Pet 2-Sided Undercoat Rake
- Dual-Head Design: 2 sides, 2 coats, 1 tool! Use the 9-teeth side of this dog and cat brush for...
- Skin Safe: Pamper your pet - pain-free! The teeth on this dog brush for shedding are rounded to make...
- This deshedding brush is perfect for cats and dogs with thick, long fur - but it's great for coats...
- Easy Grip Handle: Get even the nastiest knots out with ease! Our dog and cat brush for shedding has...
- Comes with a "paw tag" for your keychain or pet collar!
The Pat Your Pet 2-sided Undercoat Rake has a lot to offer for your German Shedder. It has a rake that can help thin out matted fur and another side that rakes all the loose undercoat of your German Shepherd. But it doesn’t stop there, because this 2-sided rake can also help trim your pet’s topcoat to keep their fur tidy and sleek.
Its dual-sided teeth also help cut through even the thickest matted fur to make it easier to groom. It has rounded tips, so it won’t hurt your dog even when you go deep into their fur. The handle of the Pat Your Pet 2-Sided Undercoat Rake has a non-slip and comfortable rubber grip for user comfort.
Key Features:
- 2-sided rake brush for de-matting and de-shedding
- Great for long-coated dogs with undercoats like German Shepherds
- Has blades on the teeth for thinning and cutting off matted fur
- Each tooth of this rake has a rounded tip to protect your dog from the blades
- Has a rubber, non-slip grip for comfortable use
Reminders:
- Your dog might need to get used to the rake first if you’re using it for the first time
- If possible, try to wet and untangle fur that has become deeply knotted to avoid hurting your dog while brushing
Dual-Purpose Brush to Keep German Shepherd Coat in Top Shape – AtEase Accents Eco-Friendly Grooming Brush
ECO FRIENDLY
-No.1 pet grooming brush for your cat or dogMODERN UNIQUE DESIGN
-Double sided bristle brush for dogs or cats is a unique gift for...DURABLE, SAFE & EASY
-Durable dual sided deshedding dematting brush comfortable...100% GUARANTEE
-Free refund if not 100% satisfied
AtEase Accents offer an eco-friendly and extremely effective brush for your big shedder. This grooming brush offers a comfortable pin-brush on one side that can help collect loose fur, and a soft-bristle brush that can help detangle your dog’s fur. Not only is this grooming brush efficient, but it is also made from durable bamboo materials that lessen your carbon footprint. The pin-brush promotes a healthy blood flow and encourages the production of natural skin oils for a silky, healthy coat.
For an everyday grooming brush that can help maintain your German Shepherd’s coat in tip-top shape, AtEase Accents is a perfect choice.
Key Features:
- Eco-friendly bamboo handle with eyelet for easy storage
- One side has a pin-brush for de-shedding fur and a calming massager
- The brush side has soft bristles that can help detangle fur
- Stylish and multi-purpose brush
- Everyday grooming tool for your German Shepherd
Reminders:
- Might be too small for large dogs, but still as effective
- Not as effective for deeply matted or entangled fur
The products featured on this page were last updated on 2024-09-15 /. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
