Best Dog Brushes & De-Shedding Tools For German Shepherds
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German Shepherds originated in Germany in 1899 and were initially bred as herding dogs. They have since become the first choice as police, guard, and military working dogs. Today, German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the United States and have been since the early 1920’s.
German Shepherds are an easy breed to maintain but are considered heavy shedders. If you are concerned about dog hair covering your floors and furniture, you will need to find a good dog brush and stick to a grooming schedule.
Fortunately, we researched and tested several dog brushes and combs to determine which ones work best for your German Shepherd’s coat.
Compare Best Dog Brush For German Shepherds
Lifestage Adult | Lifestage Adult | Lifestage Adult | Lifestage Adult | Lifestage Adult |
Material Plastic | Material Plastic | Material Plastic | Material Plastic | Material Silicone |
Coat Type
German Shepherds have a double coat that protects these herding dogs from rain, snow, and burrs. The outer coat is thick and protects in all environments. The undercoat is softer but thicker. This breed can have long hair, but most have medium-length coats.
German shepherd coats come in three types: rough coat, long hair, and long rough coat.
Brush Types For German Shepherds
De-matting Comb
There are several styles of de-matting combs for dogs, but they are all designed to help you remove knots and tangles. These grooming tools have sharp blades that cut through the hair, removing matted areas of fur.
Slicker Brushes
Slicker brushes have fine, rounded wires that are close together on a flat surface. This type of brush works with all coat types to remove loose fur and help de-tangle.
Pin Brushes
A lot like the slicker brush, pin brushes are made to penetrate thicker and longer coat types. They can be made of plastic, rubber, metal, or bamboo. Pin brushes look similar to brushes commonly used by people.
Shedding Rake
Do not be fooled by the name; this brush is really just a comb with small, harmless teeth. It is useful on almost every coat type to remove loose hair.
Grooming Mitt
A grooming mitt is like a glove with rubber nubs that helps get those hard-to-reach places. It is used to remove dirt, dust, and dead hair easily. This is used mostly for shorter coats.
Product Reviews: The 5 Best Dog Brushes For German Shepherds
Paws & Pals De-Shedding Tool
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Works great on all coat types
- Helps prevent mats, knots and tangles
- Reasonably priced
- Plastic feels cheap and flimsy
- Rubber handle needs better grip
This tool works great for seasonal shedding, especially after a brushing or grooming session. The rubber comfort grip handle is designed to fit easily in your hand for maximum control while using. It does have a release button for removing the brush head for cleaning purposes.
Pet Republique Slicker Brush
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Reduces shedding and loose hair
- Self cleaning
- Smooths and de-mats hair
- Bristles maybe too sharp for some animals
- Brush head is on the larger side
- Bristles may bend easily
The ergonomic, rubber handle and heavy plastic material makes it very durable when using. This brush has a self-cleaning one-push button feature, making clean up a breeze.
Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Great for de-shedding, de-tangling and removing small mats.
- Ideal for daily brushing
- Very sturdy design
- Stainless steel side can come loose
- Bristle side maybe too soft for some coats
- Steel tips may hurt some dogs
The reverse bristle side helps to distribute natural oils to keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny. The handle is rubber coated with an ergonomic grip to make brushing all types of coats simple.
Safari De-Matting Dog Comb
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Can be used on all types of medium to long coat types
- Adjustable for left or right hand
- Smooths and de-mats hair easily
- Works best on longer hair
- Handle is on the hard side
- Thumb rest can be awkward when brushing
This comb can be used on most medium to long-haired dogs and the blades are designed to avoid contact your dogs skin. This brush can be adjusted for use with either hand and has an ergonomic, rubber grip handle.
Mr. Peanut's Grooming Glove
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Silicone
- Can be used all hair lengths
- Adjustable wrist fastener
- Machine wash and air dry
- Budget friendly
- Made for right hand only
- Glove is not tight fitting
- Doesn’t grip loose hair
Grooming Tips
The German Shepherds usually require a quick brushing every few days or so to help remove loose hair. They do shed profusely once or twice a year, and during this time, frequent brushing will help control the hair that might end up around the house or on the furniture.
Despite their constant shedding, German Shepherds rarely need bathing. Only bathe your German Shepherd when he absolutely needs it. Bathing too often will strip the coat of essential oils.
Challenges
German Shepherds have been known to develop allergies that mainly affect the skin. This is typically the result of flea bites, certain foods, or chemicals found in household products. Common food allergies in these dogs include corn or other ingredients in commercial dog food.
When German shepherds come into contact with an allergen, it can produce a harmful reaction that irritates the skin and causes other types of discomfort, like itching and redness. Keep in mind that German shepherds with shorter or lighter coats are more likely to have skin allergies than those with longer, thicker coats.
Final Thoughts
While loyal and loving, German Shepherds require frequent grooming to maintain their coat. Brushes and other tools can help you remove loose hair from the outer and under coats and leave your dog’s coat looking healthy.
