It’s the sleek brush that’s so well-made that you actually have to watch out for knock-offs. We’re talking about the ‘FURminator’, of course… but is it really that good? Today we’ll talk about using the FURminator for German shepherd grooming and give you the inside scoop on what this brush is all about.
We’ll let you know if it’s good for your German Shepherd and why that might be, as well as the best FURminator model to use for German shepherds and some useful tips that will come in handy.
Let’s talk about the mighty FURminator and what it can do for your German Shepherd!
Table of Contents
Is The FURminator Good For A German Shepherd?
Yes! Brushing your German Shepherd not only reduces shedding, but it’s very good for the dog’s skin. The FURminator is not only designed for this, but it’s such a consistent top-market seller that a number of competitors have stooped to cloning it! We can’t attest to the ‘clone’ models, but the original is definitely an excellent grooming tool that is great for your German Shepherd.
Why Are FURminators Good For German Shepherds?
So, why is the FURminator making so many waves? As it turns out, there are several advantages to using this specialized brush on your German Shepherd. Let’s take a look at the top 4 perks of this product in the sections below.
Fit For Both The Topcoat And The Undercoat
While a ‘shedding blade’ is commonly recommended for this type of grooming, that option comes with a serious caveat. The shedding blade, while good for the topcoat, can actually damage the fur on your dog’s undercoat quite easily.
The FURminator is designed to work well with both the top and bottom coat, so it can remove hairs that are shedding, as well as loose or excess bits of fur on the undercoat without damaging it. The curved edge of this grooming tool is the key to this, as it’s more effective than the looped or straight blade design of the old-style deshedding blades.
Reduces Shedding And Dandruff
With regular brushing throughout the week, the FURminator can reduce shedding by as much as 90%. This is great news for you, your dog, and your furniture. As brushing is also good for the skin, this can help reduce dandruff, and the FURminator’s design makes it a much less abrasive option than the standard deshedder.
Quick Release For Disposing Of Shed Hairs
As you brush and collect all those stray hairs, one thing you’ll notice with most grooming tools is that you then have to pull out most of the excess hair by hand. This is not the case with the FURminator, as it actually has a ‘quick release’ button that lets you dump those hairs and get back to brushing.
This makes cleanup a little easier and reduces your overall grooming time in the bargain.
The Furminator Design Is Easy To Handle
Another grooming caveat is the time it takes to brush out your German Shepherd, and this is compounded quite a bit if the tool you are using isn’t designed with extended use in mind.
The FURminator handle is ergonomically designed, so it’s comfortable to hold and won’t tire you out quickly, and the curved edge of the tool moves efficiently through your Shepherd’s fur with an ease that you’ll definitely notice.
What’s The Best FURminator To Choose For Your German Shepherd?
The best model FURminator for your German Shepherd is going to be the ‘FURminator Deshedding Edge Dog Brush’. It’s got a stainless-steel blade, as well as the ergonomic plastic handle that we mentioned so that it is both light and effective for grooming your dog.
When you are shopping for one, you’ll notice that they come in small, medium, and large, but regardless of the size of your Shepherd, you should always go with the large or even the extra-large model. It gets the job done for any size shepherd, and you won’t have to replace it anytime soon as your dog grows.
Long Or Short Hair FURminator For German Shepherds?
Now that you know the general model and size, should you go with the long or short hair FURminator model? This is going to depend on your dog, but we’ve got some advice that should point you in the right direction.
For German Shepherd Pups
As German shepherds are a short-haired breed, you’ll definitely want to go with the short hair model as this is going to be the best fit for their type of fur. With a puppy or a smaller juvenile, then this is going to be the one case where you’ll get a ‘medium’ FURminator brush rather than the larger models.
So for pups or very small juveniles, get the medium short-hair FURminator.
For Older Shepherds 51 To 90 Pounds
For older shepherds of a weight ranging 51 to 90 pounds, go with the large or the extra-large FURminator for the best results. Though you could still use the medium, it takes longer with the smaller tool, so the large and extra-large are going to be the better fit.
What If My German Shepherd Is Over 90 Pounds Or Has A Coat Thicker Than 2 Inches?
If your German Shepherd is larger and has a fuller, thicker coat than most, then you will want to go with the extra-large FURminator for long-haired dogs. This will give you the extra reach to ensure that you are efficiently brushing the overcoat while maintaining the undercoat as well.
For quick spotting, just look for the FURminator with the red handle!
Tips For Using The FURminator On Your German Shepherd?
As with any tool, there are ways to get the job done more efficiently, and in this section, we’re going to share them with you so that you may take full advantage. Below are some tips for getting the most out of grooming your German Shepherd with the FURminator.
Brush Outside If You Can… Cleanup Is Easier
While the quick-release is a definite blessing, some fur is always going to fall. This means that you should groom outside whenever you can. It keeps your cleanup to a minimum and helps with the unavoidable stray hairs that are going to fall whenever you groom your dog.
Detangle First, Then Brush
The FURminator does NOT detangle hair, so you should deal with any tangles carefully, by hand, before you start a grooming session. This will help to make the grooming session more comfortable for your dog and reduce the chances of any snagging from surprise tangles.
Make Sure Your Dog’s Fur Is Dry Before Brushing
Wet shepherd fur will be more prone to breakage should your FURminator get unexpectedly snagged. This is also ideal for reducing dandruff, as well. So, for best results, make sure that your dog is thoroughly dry before you begin any grooming sessions.
Short, Targeted Strokes Will Work Better Than Long Strokes
Use short, sure strokes when grooming your dog instead of long strokes. Long strokes tend to be less efficient towards the end, so short strokes will ensure that the FURminator can do its job properly. Basically, the short strokes are the best way to get both the overcoat and undercoat thoroughly for a good, even brushing.
Don’t Push Too Hard… Let The Tool Do Its Job
The design of the deshedder blade means that you only need to press firmly, though with a light hand. The blades will get where they need to go to do the grooming job right, and not putting too much pressure on the tool helps to prevent accidental snagging.
Will A FURminator Deshed Your German Shepherd?
Yes. With frequent brushings, the FURminator is quite an excellent tool for removing excess hairs. As your dog sheds, the regular grooming will pull out those old hairs so that your dog is looking good and not shedding all over your furniture.
How Often Should You Brush Your German Shepherd With The FURminator?
With the FURminator, you will only have to brush your dog 1 to 2 times a week. These sessions should take you only 10 to 20 minutes, with the exception of heavy shedding times like when your Shepherd is shedding their winter coat.
You can brush more if you like, of course, and this will reduce the time required for brushing sessions, but 1 or 2 times a week will do just fine.
In Summary: There’s A Reason The Furminator Gets Copied So Much!
German shepherd shedding is a common cause for grumbling with many owners, and if you are among these, then the FURminator might be well-worth your time. It’s a step up from the standard deshedding blade that Veterinarians recommend, and with its ergonomic design and quick-release feature, it’s as easy on you as it is on your Shepherd’s fur.
Finally, unlike a standard deshedder, the FURminator is a tool designed to brush out both the overcoat and the undercoat, so over time, your dog may become less averse to grooming. Without the ‘surprise’ snags you get from a standard deshedder, grooming sessions with the FURminator might become your dog’s new ‘favorite thing’.
Give it a try and see for yourself why everyone keeps copying this tool!
