According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the German Shepherd is the second most popular breed in the US, even though they do shed. Yet there are many ways to cut down on shedding. In this buying guide, we’ll recommend the best brushes for German Shepherds to help with their coats and shedding. So if you’re wondering whether the grooming brushes you have are the best for your German Shepherd, keep reading!
We’ll also provide a quick overview of the German Shepherd breed and their general grooming needs. And we’ll answer some common questions about GSDs and their coats.
This review will show you a list of the best dog grooming brushes for double-coated dogs. We focused on these because double-coated dogs need a particular type of brush to keep their fur healthy, tangle-free, and glossy.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the best brushes for German Shepherds in 2023!
Grooming Your German Shepherd
All German Shepherds have a double coat of a soft undercoat and a harsh outer coat. The double coat helps keep GSDs warm in winter and cool in the summer. So it’s best never to clip or shave a GSD.
Both coats need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting and tangles and help with shedding. The best brushes for German Shepherds will depend on the type of coat your dog has.
Your German Shepherd will need a few different grooming brushes, including a slicker brush, a bristle brush, and a de-shedding tool. When choosing which grooming products to stock at home, look at premium products and see which types of devices are the most appropriate for your dog’s coat type and breed needs.
Best Brush Types For a German Shepherd
- A slicker brush: Slicker brushes are great for removing loose hair and mats and tangles. They have fine metal bristles that reach deep down into your dog’s coat.
- A bristle brush: Bristle brushes are suitable for daily brushing, as they help distribute the natural oils in your dog’s skin. They can also help to remove loose hair and debris from the coat.
- A de-shedding tool: De-shedding tools are designed to remove the undercoat, which is the main source of shedding. They have sharp teeth that safely cut through the undercoat without harming the topcoat.
In a rush? Here are the top picks!
- Pros
- Great for shedding German Shepherd
- Grabs hair in the undercoat
- Double-sided brush for easy grooming
- Wood handle that is ergonomic
- 34 stainless steel teeth
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Cons
- None, it's a great overall dog rake.
The We Love Doodles Dog Rake is great at catching shedding hair and brushing a German Shepherd’s undercoat. It features 34 stainless steel teeth that will also cut through the minor tangles that your dog has.
Additionally, it comes with a premium wood handle that is ergonomic. This makes for easy grooming. The dog undercoat rake comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee so if you or your German Shepherd don’t like then you can easily return it.
Features
- No pull teeth that will get shedding hair
- Great for brushing the undercoat
- Removes tangles and mats
- 100% Money Back Guarantee
- Ergonomic wood handle
- Pros
- Suitable for mats, tangles & shedding
- Works through dense and long coats easily
- Works with all dog breeds
- The pins are longer, so they get through the coat.
- Promotes healthy skin, stimulates the blood
- Good grooming guide
- Used by professional dog groomersList Item
- Easy to use
- Cons
- It may be costlier than others but is well worth it.
The We Love Doodles slicker brush is designed for all dog breeds and is by far one of the best slicker brushes on the market. This brush is designed to reach those hard-to-get-to places on your German Shepherd’s undercoat, making grooming a breeze. Each pin is over 1 inch long, so it can easily get deep down into your dog’s undercoat to remove shedding fur.
The We Love Doodles Slicker Brush is also great for removing tangles and mats and can be used on all coat types. The slicker brush features 50% longer, denser, and softer pins when compared to most other slicker brushes on the market, making it the perfect brush for your dog’s coat. Each pin is also angled at roughly 45 degrees so it won’t scratch your German Shepherd’s skin.
The We Love Doodles Slicker Brush also has a comfortable, ergonomic handle that is easy to hold and use. This is another must-have if you’re opting for a professional touch with at-home grooming. With shedding being the biggest pet parent complaint, the We Love Doodles deshedding slicker reaches excess undercoat and allows for easy cleaning and use.
Features
- 50% longer, denser, and softer pins to avoid scratching the skin
- Scratch-free pins
- Non-scratching
- Lifetime warranty
- Ergonomic wood handle
- Ergonomic design
- Pros
- Deshedding tool for large (51-90 lbs.) dogs with long hair
- Easy to use
- Reaches through the topcoat and undercoat safely removes loose hair
- Does not damage the coat
- Reduces shedding by up to 90 %
- Does not cut skin
- The large size is suitable for long-haired dogs 51-90 lbs.
- Cons
- Doesn't get deep down into your dog's undercoat.
The Furminator is a popular line of de-shedding tools, and this product features over 22,000 positive reviews. It’s a must-have for all German Shepherd pet parents. This de-shedding tool effectively removes your dog’s undercoat without damaging the topcoat. It has a comfortable ergonomic grip and is safe to use on all coat types.
We like the Furminator because the edge reaches through the topcoat and safely and efficiently removes loose hair and undercoat. All you need to do is press the button to release the dog’s hair with ease. This product reduces shedding by up to 90 %. The large size works for dogs up to 51-90 lbs. and dogs with long hair. (coats longer than 2 inches) The Furminator has popular de-shedding tools in a wide range to suit every pet parent’s needs.
Features
- Ergonomic handle for comfort and easy use
- Features a long hair stainless steel de-shedding edge
- Features 3 sizes and three styles for short, medium, and long hair.
- Long hair deshedding edge design
- Affordable
- Over 22,000 positive reviews
- A German Shepherd is a must-have grooming tool
- Furejector button for easy hair removal
- Pros
- Reduces shedding by up to 95%
- It works well and removes a lot of pet hair
- Suitable for pets with single or double coats
- Reduces coat issues
- Promotes healthy skin, stimulates the blood
- Leaves a shinier top coat
- Versatile & detachable design
- Hypoallergenic TPR and PP
- No hand cramping when using this tool
- Cons
- The size of the comb may not be as effective for larger, long-haired breeds.
- Won't get deep into your German Shepherds undercoat.
This product has over 41,600 positive reviews and a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, making it one of the top-rated pet brushes available. The DakPets Pet Grooming Brush is an effective way to reduce shedding by up to 95%. It has a comfortable grip and can be used on dogs and cats with short to long hair.
This brush is also very affordable, costing less than $20. You can choose from blue, yellow, and pink grooming brushes with a 60-day replacement refund policy. This brush always seems the best for the German Shepherd’s undercoat with the bristle brush.
This de-shedding brush features a non-irritating 100mm-4-inch heavy-duty replaceable stainless steel pet comb. There is also a safe blade cover that protects the blade’s life span. It’s a quick clean way to remove loose dog & cat hair undercoats while gaining a shinier top coat brush with your Shepherd. This de-shedding tool works for short, medium or long, thick or thin, single or double-coats. This is best used two to three times a week for 10 to 15 minutes each time.
Features
- 3 color options
- Soft grip ergo handle for easy non-slip grooming
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Detachable 4-inch blade
- Suitable for small to large dogs
- 100mm-4-inch heavy duty pet comb/razor
- Crafted with a safe blade cover that protects the blade’s life span
- Durable rubber handle that’s non-slip
- Over 41,600 positive reviews
- Pros
- Allows for pain-free grooming
- Easy to clean
- Spiral flex technology
- Environmentally responsible pet product
- Ergonomic handle for easy grooming
- Detangles your dog's coat without inflicting pain, discomfort, or irritation
- It can be used on either dry or wet dog hair.
- Brush gets loose hairs out without hurting.
- Cons
- The pins aren't that long and the brush head isn't that big. You'll spend a longer time grooming.
The Bio Silk for Dogs Grooming Brush is a great eco-friendly option for those looking for a body brush for their dog. This brush is made from sustainable construction and is plant-based. It is also super gentle on your dog’s skin and coat.
This brush contours your dog’s body to gently and painlessly detangle hair. This is one of our top picks for the best dog brushes! This product features over 3,700 positive reviews and is a must-have for every pet parent, regardless of the breed you pet parent. This brush is best used three to four times a week. Dogs that are sensitive or don’t tolerate grooming down well with this flexible contour brush.
Features
- Affordable
- Two size options: 1 or 48 piece options
- Wide handle grip
- Made from plant-based materials
- Gentle yet effective
- Eco-friendly
- Contours with the dog’s body for effective super soft grooming
- Over 3,700 positive reviews
- A Biosilk Pet product
- Pros
- Effective at removing loose hair
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Allows for a healthy coat sheen
- Gentle while contouring the body
- Spiral flex technology allows for painless technology
- Cons
- Bristles won't get deep down in your German's Shepherd coat. Only good for short-haired GSD's.
This is one of the best dog brushes for those looking for an eco-friendly option. The brush is made from sustainable construction and is plant-based. It is also super gentle on your dog’s skin and coat. This brush contours your dog’s body to gently and painlessly detangle hair.
Not only is this eco-friendly bristle brush priced affordably, but it features boar bristles for optimal grooming. This product features over 3,700 positive reviews. This brush is gentle enough to be used daily for best results.
Features
- 2 options: 1 or 48 pack
- Eco-friendly dog brush
- Wide handle grip
- Sustainable construction
- Plant-based materials
- Affordable
- Boars bristle for gentle grooming
Customer Review
“I have a very long-haired dog and this brush works great especially getting the undercoat off for the summer months. Bristles are holding up very well and it is very easy to clean and remove hair.”
German Shepherd Short Coats
If your German Shepherd has a short coat, you will only need to brush them once or twice a week to prevent matting and tangles. A slicker brush or a bristle brush will work well to remove any dirt, debris, or loose hair from the coat. You should also use a de-shedding tool once a week to help remove any dead undercoat causing shedding.
Heavy Shedding
If your GSD is going through a heavy shedding period, you can use the Furminator daily. Keep in mind that tools like the Furminator, when misused, can damage your dog’s coat, so it’s best to watch a few grooming videos on how to use the Furminator?
Furminator Deshedding Video
Watch this video to learn how to correctly use a Furminator:
It’s also good to de-shed outdoors because significant amounts of fur will be released from your GSD’s coat during grooming. As for bathing, try not to bathe your GSD too often as it will strip their coat and skin of natural oils.
Diet plays a massive role in the amount of shedding your GSD does, and if you find that your GSD is shedding way too much, consider a diet change and reach out to your veterinarian.
Long Coat German Shepherds
If your German Shepherd has a long coat, you will need to brush them more often to prevent matting and tangles. A slicker brush, a bristle brush, and a de-shedding tool should be used 2-3 times a week.
Some German Shepherds have what is called a plush coat, which is a more extended version of the short coat. The plush coat is the least everyday German Shepherd coat, and the American Kennel Club does not recognize it as an official coat type.
The plush coat can be either straight or wavy, and it is medium to long. The undercoat of a German Shepherd with a plush coat is dense and soft, and the outer coat is thick and long. German Shepherds with a plush coat require more grooming than those with a short coat, and they are more prone to matting.
You may also need to use a detangling spray or conditioner to help prevent matting. Grooming a German Shepherd is relatively easy, but it does require some regular upkeep. Brush your dog every day to remove loose hair and to avoid matting. German Shepherds also need to be bathed every few weeks, and their nails should be trimmed regularly.
German Shepherds are relatively easy to groom, but they require regular upkeep.
The German Shepherd
The AKC describes this truly magnificent breed as “Generally considered dog kind’s finest all-purpose worker, the German Shepherd Dog is a large, agile, muscular dog of noble character and high intelligence. Loyal, confident, courageous, and steady, the German Shepherd is truly a dog lover’s delight.”
The German Shepherd is a large breed of dog originally bred in Germany in the late 1800s. They were initially bred as herding dogs, but they are popular pets and working dogs today. German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal, and protective, making them great family dogs.
German Shepherds have a thick, double coat that can be medium to long. Their coat is made up of a dense outer layer of fur and a softer undercoat. The outer layer of fur protects the dog from weather and debris, while the undercoat insulates them from heat and cold. German Shepherds shed year-round, with heavier shedding during the spring and fall.
Conclusion For The Best Brush For a German Shepherd
Grooming German Shepherds is not difficult, but it does require time and patience. If you use the correct grooming tools and techniques, you can keep your German Shepherd’s coat healthy and looking its best.
German Shepherds are double-coated dogs, which means they have a top coat and an undercoat. The topcoat is made up of longer, coarser hairs, while the undercoat is shorter and softer. The undercoat protects the dog from the elements and helps to regulate its body temperature. The topcoat repels dirt and water and keeps the dog’s skin healthy.
German Shepherds shed year-round, though they shed more heavily twice a year during shedding season. You will need to brush your German Shepherd more frequently to help remove loose hair from their coat during these times.
Regular grooming not only helps to keep your German Shepherd’s coat healthy, but it is also a great way to bond with your dog. Spending time grooming your German Shepherd will help create a strong bond between you and your dog and can be a relaxing experience.
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Claudia Bensimoun is a writer who specializes in dog content and veterinary topics! Aside from writing for We Love Doodles, Claudia also writes for other major dog blogs like Fido Friendly, Animal Wellness Magazine, and the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). She has a ghostwritten over 50 different dog e-books. Her passions include animal welfare, veterinary research, and wildlife conservation.
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