German Shepherds are all-around awesome dogs with their noble personality, impeccable instincts, and their majestic coats. However, this coat needs a lot of care to keep it in top conditions.
They also shed a lot, which makes a regular grooming routine a must for german shepherds if you don’t want to live in a house where every inch of it is covered with hair.
A good brush can help with that a lot, but with so many choices out there, you may not be sure exactly which is the best brush for a german shepherd.
This is why I’m going to cover the different types of brushes for german shepherds and give you my recommendations in each category.
I have tested a lot of brushes out there, and have been let down so many times before. A brush is the most important grooming tool you can have, so it really needs to be perfect.
Here are my 5 recommendations for the best brushes for german shepherds:
Table of Contents
List of the 5 Best Brushes for German Shepherds in 2021
- The FURminator Undercoat Rake Deshedding Tool – Best Overall
- The Hertzko Self Cleaning Dog Brush – Best Slicker Brush
- The GoPets Dematting Brush – Best De-matting Brush
- The Safari Pin & Bristle Combination Brush – Best Pin & Bristle Brush
- The Delomo Glove – Best Grooming Glove
Without further ado, let’s see what makes these brushes special and what makes each of them the best german shepherd brush in its category.
The 5 Best German Shepherd Brushes in 2021
The FURminator Undercoat Rake Deshedding Tool (Updated) – Best Overall
The best brush german shepherd owners can get and the one that will give them the most value is without a doubt the updated FURminator undercoat rake.
It features stainless steel edges that will reach through the guard hairs and deep into the dog’s undercoat to remove all dead and loose fur.
With every sweep, this undercoat rake will collect a lot of dead hair that would’ve otherwise been thrown around the house, and getting rid of this hair is also easy with the help of the FURejector button which releases all the captured fur in one click.
Grooming german shepherds is a time-consuming process because they are just large and they have long hair that takes time to go through, which makes the relatively large size of this brush perfect for dogs that are in the 51-90 pounds weight range.
The FURminator tries to make deshedding long-haired dogs a painless process, which is why they have made the handle more ergonomic in the last update so you can use it for long without your hands getting tired.
Pros VS Cons
Pros:
- Can reduce shedding by up to 90%
- Easy to use
- The “Fur Ejector” button makes it easy to get rid of the hair in a clean way
- Ergonomic handle that’s comfortable to hold
- The larger size is perfect for German shepherds
Cons:
- While the handle is ergonomic, it needs to be stronger still.
Bottom line
The FURminator undercoat rake is essential for all german shepherd dog owners, it can reduce shedding by up to 95% when using it regularly even if for just 20-30 minutes a day. The Furejector button is a great function and the overall quality for the price is unparalleled.
The Hertzko Self Cleaning Dog Brush – Best Slicker Brush
The Hertko Self Cleaning Dog slicker Brush is considered by many to be the best slicker brush for German Shepherds, and we definitely agree with this consensus. I love this slicker brush because it’s just so easy to use and remove the loose fur and hair from your dog’s coat and then makes it super easy to get rid of it it.
This brush will gently remove the loose undercoat fur along with the mats, tangled hair, knots, dander, and trapped dirt along with any other small particles that may be stuck in there as well.
The fine bristles are made of stainless steel and are very effective in penetrating the guard coats of long-haired dogs, and the bent design makes them gentle on your dog’s skin and does not scratch it if you mistakenly reach it.
The comfortable grip is a great addition to the already-durable construction and the combination of the ergonomic grip with the release button makes the brush easy to use on heavy shedders like your german shepherd.
Pros VS Cons
Pros:
- Ergonomic handle that’s comfortable to use
- Stainless steel bristles with a bent design that can penetrate deep into the coat
- Quick-release button makes it easy to get rid of the fur
- Durable construction
Cons:
- The bristles are not long enough for the really long-haired German Shepherds during the winter months
Bottom line
The Hertzko is the best slicker brush for German Shepherds and will do a great job of cleaning your dog’s coat from tangles, mats, loose fur, and debris.
The GoPets Dematting Brush – Best De-matting Brush
The GoPets Dematting Comb is the best brush for german shepherd owners with super active dogs that get their fur matted and tangled frequently. The two-sided stainless steel teeth are very efective in going through all tangles and mats and there is very little that can stand on its way.
It can be used as a rake on both sides but it has different number of teeth on each side. This means you can use the two sides for different purposes. You can use the side with fewer teeth as a dematting rake as the more sparse nature of the teeth and their sharpness makes it easy for them to cut through any tangles or mats effortlessly.
The side with more teeth can be used as a de-shedding tool for german shepherds as they can grab the loose hair and fur that may be lying around.
The teeth are rounded at the ends to never scratch the skin of your dog, and unlike cheaper alternatives, the metal at the end of this teeth is rounded while similar but cheaper grooming tools will have plastic caps that will fall off with time and expose the sharp ends which will hurt your german shepherd’s skin.
Pros VS Cons
Pros:
- Can go through any mats or tangles effortlessly
- Real rounded metal ends to the teeth not just plastic caps
- Different numbers of teeth on each side makes it more useful
- Ergonomic grip for firm handling
Cons:
- Should not be used on overly matted dogs as it can cut through a lot of hair.
Instead, you should use a dematting shampoo like the one we recommend here before using it to detangle the remaining mats.
Bottom line
The GoPets Dematting brush is the best grooming tool available for getting rid of mats and tangles in your german shepherd’s coat and undercoat. It can go through any mats or tangles easily while still being gentle on your dog’s skin.
The Safari Pin & Bristle Combination Brush – Best Pin & Bristle Brush
The Safari Pin and Bristle combo dog brush is the best brush for german shepherd owners to use for the casual daily grooming. It basically serves as two essential grooming tools in one brush.
In one side, the stainless steel pins can grab out any loose fur, hair, or debris making it a good tool for de-shedding purposes, while the bristles side is great for smoothening your dog’s long hair and distributing the natural oils through their coat.
The comfortable grip handles make the grooming experience effortless and the bristles and pins are just long enough to reach through the guard coat and reach the undercoat but not too long to reach through the undercoat itself.
The large size of the brush also make it a good option for a german shepherd.
Pros VS Cons
Pros:
- The large size is good for a german shepherd
- Comfortable grip handle
- Can be used on short and long haired dogs alike
- Gives the coat of your german shepherd dog a smooth look and feel
Cons:
- The pins need to be more tightly packed
- The pins need balls or rounded ends
Bottom line
The Safari Pin and Bristle combination brush is a good option for daily brushing your german shepherd coat. It can get out all the dirt, debris, and loose fur while also giving the coat a smooth look and feel.
The Delomo Glove – Best Grooming Glove
Every german shepherd owner needs a grooming glove like this one. They are excellent for de-shedding your dog without looking like a grooming tool. You can simply wear it and pat your dog like you usually do and the rubber tips will start collecting all the debris, dirt, and loose fur from your german shepherd coat.
What I really like about it is that my dog would often allow me to use it in areas where they usually wouldn’t let the brush reach. Trust me, if your German shepherd doesn’t want you to reach a certain area with a grooming tail, you will not reach it.
I use it to groom the entire coat of my german shepherd and they just think that I’m petting hime – something which he very much enjoys.
I think every german shepherd owner needs a pair of these, you just can’t go wrong with them.
Pros VS Cons
Pros:
- Your dog will actually enjoy it
- Can reach areas of their coat and body that they won’t let a normal brush reach
- Great for collecting loose hair and fur from their coat
Cons:
- None.
Bottom line
Every german shepherd owner should have a pair of quality grooming gloves like these. They allow you to groom your dog while also petting them, making it a very pleasant time for you and your German shepherd.
Different Types of German Shepherd Brushes
There is a whole large market of grooming tools for german shepherds out there, but if you don’t know what each type of dog brush does, how can you make the right decisions for your dog?
There are some factors that can determine the best type of brush for your dog’s coat. For example, in the spring when he’s nearly naked blowing his coat to replace it with the light summer coat, you really don’t want to use the same brush you would use in the middle of the winter season when their coat is at its thickest.
These are the types of brushes you can sue on German Shepherds:
Dematting Combs and Rakes
Dematting combs and rakes are great for removing the mats, tangles, and other lumps of fur that need removing. They are usually made of spaced metal teeth that can reach down to the undercoat and all the way to the base of their fur.
These are useful for loosening tangles and knots, but some of them can be too sharp and can injure your dog’s skin if you don’t use it with caution.
Dematting combs and rakes are the kinds of specialized tools that you think would not need very often, but you will actually need more than you think – especially if your dog is more active than normal.
Undercoat and de-shedding rakes and brushes
These tools have finer teeth than the previous ones (the de-matting combs and rakes) and they specialize in removing hair from the top coat which is why they are called de-shedding tools.
These tools can be very effective when used regularly and in the right way. They can actually reduce shedding by up to 90%, which means much less hair to clean from around the house.
However, since some of these tools tend to be a bit sharp, you would need to use them with some caution to not hurt your dog’s skin or irritate them.
It’s important to take your time in pet grooming because if you leave your dog with a bad experience they will not want to do it again and this will make things much difficult in the future to ease them back into it.
Slicker, Pin, and Bristle Brushes
These tools are used on the dog’s topcoat to remove the dirt, debris, loose hair, and anything else that may be stuck in there. One time a friend removed a hot wheels racing car from his golden retriever, and to this day I swear I have absolutely no idea how it got there, how it got stuck, and how he didn’t shake it off or get rid of it (it was easily accessible by his paws).
Mostly, though, these are the tools you will use for your daily grooming routine to make the hair look smooth and polished. Since these are the tools you would use most with your german shepherd, you want to choose something that will last, and that will have a soothing effect on your dog.
Deshedding Gloves or Mitts
As the name may suggest, these are deshedding gloves that will be covered in rubber nobs that can hold to any loose hair easily so you can remove a lot of loose guard hair by simply brushing over your dog’s coat.
These are a great option because they seem like you are petting your dog, which you are doing indeed, but you will also be removing all the dead and loose hair from the outer coat.
They will also help distribute the dog’s skin oils and increase blood circulation, making them an all-round winner.
How To Reduce Shedding in German Shepherds?
Even though German Shepherds shed profusely, you can’t stop their shedding. Shedding in german shepherds and all dogs is a natural and important process. However, you can take some steps to make sure you don’t live in a house where everything is covered in hair.
1- Establish a Regular Grooming Routine
A regular grooming routine is the most important thing you can do to control your german shepherd’s shedding. A regular grooming routine will help you keep their coats in top condition. A healthy coat means you can avoid the risks of excessive shedding, but it also means a more predictable shedding schedule.
If you can predict your dog’s shedding schedule, it will be much easier to control it and stop the hair from covering your house.
2- The right tool for the right job
Using the right tools when grooming your german shepherd can make a huge difference in controlling their shedding because good tools will be much more effective than cheaper but less effective tools.
There is a saying that goes something like if you have a day to cut down a tree, you should spend 23 hours sharpening your tools and the one remaining hour to cut it down. The same can be said here. Taking the time to get the right tools and keeping them in top condition can make pet grooming much easier than it would be with bad tools.
3- Regular Baths
Adult german shepherds need a bath every 3-6 weeks to keep their coat clean. Of course, this can be overruled when they go swimming in mud or play in the snow (rock salt is dangerous on them and they should be cleaned if they get some of it on them).
Water can also do a great job of taking away loose hair and fur in their coats that the brushes may have been unable to reach or may have gotten loose enough for the water to snap away from the coat.
4- Take them Swimming
If your German Shepherd is a good swimmer, take them swimming whenever possible. Swimming works just like baths for reducing the shedding but you don’t have to do any work. They are also much more active in the water while swimming than they are in your bathtub, which means stronger water flow through their coats and more loose hair being taken away by the water.
5- A Good diet is essential
A good diet is important for the health of your german shepherd’s coat. You can learn how to create the perfect German Shepherd diet here. Make sure to create a diet that has all the nutrients they need and to keep an eye on their overall health.
You can also consider supplements. If your dog’s coat is not growing properly or if they are shedding excessively, discuss it with your vet and ask them to recommend supplements for your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I brush My German Shepherd?
You should brush your german shepherd every day or at least three times a week. You don’t have to brush all of your german shepherd every day, though. I prefer to groom a part of their body (the back, for example) on one day, then another part the following day (legs), then another part the following day and so on. This gives me the chance to make this a daily routine which is easier for my dog to tolerate and makes it much less stressful for them as well as less tiring for me.
If you do this, try to do it in a way that makes you go over through their whole bodies twice every week or so. Grooming your German shepherd with a good brush will also have a relaxing effect on them, so it will be more like a massage than a grooming session.
How do you brush a German Shepherd’s Hair?
You should brush your german shepherd’s hair in the direction the hair naturally flows into. Use short gentle strokes and make sure your dog is okay with the routine and even enjoys it. Choose a time when the dog is relaxed and in a good mood, and always make sure to give them treats and praise afterward.
Sources:
Should I shave my German Shepherd in Summer?
6 Tips for Grooming Your German Shepherd
How to Brush a German Shepherd Puppy
How to Stop or minimize Excessive Shedding in dogs
