4 Dogs Dog Brushes

Best Brush for German Shepherd: Top 6 Brushes & Epic Buyer’s Guide

brushing german shepherd

The German Shepherd is a large, beautiful breed that has a thick, plush double coat. This breed must be brushed regularly for coat health and to keep your home from being overrun by pet hair. Using the best brush for German shepherd can help you get your shedding problem under control, while ensuring your pooch has a gorgeous, healthy coat that’s properly maintained. As a German Shepherd owner myself, I’ve done all the research for you GSD owners, and have tried out many of the most popular dog brushes on the market. I’ve narrowed it down to six brushes that have what it takes to keep your canine well groomed, while reaching deep down to remove debris and loose hair. I’ve also created this buyer’s guide, to teach you what features to look for in a brush that will work for your pet.

Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that includes each brush that made it onto my top six list, how it rated, and other important information. This will help you find the best brush for German shepherd, based on your dog’s specific fur type and grooming needs.

Brush for German Shepherd Comparison Chart

ProductCoat TypeBrush TypeWorks for Matted FurRating
Furminator Undercoat
Tool Dogs deShedding

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AllDesheddingYes
Hertzko Self Cleaning
Slicker Brush

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Long-HairedSlickerYes
DakPets Pet
Grooming Brush

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ShortDesheddingYes
KAYI Dematting
Dog Brush

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AllUndercoat RakeYes
BV Dog Brush

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AllPinNo
GoPets Dog
Grooming Brush

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PinYes

Best Dog Brush Overall-Furminator Undercoat Tool Dogs deShedding


Our Rating: (5/5)

This de matting tool will help you easily groom your German shepherd by removing loose hair without damaging their topcoat. The Furminator undercoat brush features stainless steel edges that are able to reach through the outer coat to easily and safely remove loose hair. The brush also has an ergonomic handle that makes it more comfortable to use and easier to control. The curved edge of the brush also promotes user comfort.

Pros

  • Regular use of the de matting brush will reduce shedding
  • Quality stainless steel bristles
  • Ergonomic handle
  • Can work for long haired and short haired German shepherds

Cons

  • Price
  • Can scratch the skin if not used carefully

Conclusion

This grooming tool will make brushing your German shepherd a breeze. While it can work well for different types of coats, this deshedding brush does an excellent job of removing mats and tangles from long haired German shepherds, without damaging the topcoat.

Best Self Cleaning Slicker Brush-Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

If brushing your German shepherd is a huge challenge, then you’ll love how easy to use this Hertzko self cleaning German shepherd brush is. It does an excellent job of getting out the toughest, mats, knots, and tangles, all without hurting your pet. The high quality bristles consist of fine bent wires that penetrate deep into the coat so you can reach mats and tangles. Even better, this brush is perfect for long hair and actually massages a pet’s skin as it works. This brush is also easy to clean, just hit the button and the bristles will retract so you can remove clumped fur. This self cleaning slicker brush is the best brush for German shepherds who normally don’t tolerate other grooming tools well.

Pros

  • Self cleaning
  • Gets rid of mats and tangles
  • Does not damage the skin
  • Designed for long haired German shepherd
  • Ergonomic handle

Cons

  • Not recommended for short haired German shepherds

Conclusion

German shepherd owners will appreciate how effective this pet grooming tool is. Able to easily remove hair from a German shepherd’s coat, this is one of the best grooming tools for pets who normally have trouble with a deshedding tool. Perfect for German shepherd grooming, this brush for German shepherds will work well for all breeds with longer coats, or dogs who have fur that’s prone to mats.

Best Brushes for German Shepherds with Short Hair-DakPets Pet Grooming Brush


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This deshedder for German shepherds was designed by pet grooming experts. The brush is designed to reduce shedding by as much as 95%. The German shepherd brush is made out of

Non-irritating materials and comes with heavy duty stainless steel prongs. The included safe blade cover is designed to promote a longer lifespan, so the bristles won’t bend or break. This is the best brush for German shepherds with short hair, but it may struggle to reach deep down into the overcoat to reach the dog’s skin.

Pros

  • Can reduce shedding by 95%
  • Durable
  • Stainless steel prongs
  • Safe blade cover

Cons

  • Not recommended for a long haired German shepherd

Conclusion

One of the best brushes for German shepherds with short hair, this brush is gentle, simple to use and designed to tackle knots and mats. This de shedding tool makes grooming your German shepherd much easier, thanks to the unique bristle design. While it’s not suitable for a long haired German shepherd, if you have a short haired dog, it will protect their skin from painful scrapes and scratches.

Best Brush for German Shepherd Prone to Mats-KAYI Dematting Dog Brush


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This German shepherd brush features a two in one stainless steel tooth design that’s perfect for longhaired German shepherds. The dual-sided blade design works well on stubborn tangles and mats, reaching deep down into the undercoat. This is a German shepherd grooming tool that’s gentle on the skin and will not leave behind scrapes and scratches. The de shedding tool comes with an ergonomic handle with a non-slip grip made out of durable rubber. Additionally, the teeth of the brush are rust resistant.

Pros

  • Gentle on the skin
  • Removes matted fur
  • Affordable
  • Stainless steel head design
  • Easy to use deshedding tool

Cons

  • May pull hair

Conclusion

This easy to use deshedding tool will remove tangles and mats from your pet’s undercoat and is one of the best brushes for long haired dogs. Able to effectively and gently remove mats, dirt, and debris from your dog’s coat, this tool will come in handy, especially when a German shepherd blows out their undercoat two times a year.

Best Pin Brush for German Shepherds-BV Dog Brush


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This de shedding brush for German shepherds features a bristle design that can help to remove dirt, tangles and loose hair. It also has an ergonomic handle with a grooved grip that improves control and user comfort. The round tip pins will prevent the brush from scraping and scratching the skin. Unfortunately the soft bristle design makes this deshedding tool a poor choice for German shepherds with an undercoat, since the bristles are much too soft to effectively work out matted fur.

Pros

  • Gentle on skin
  • Round tip pins
  • Comfortable handle
  • Low price

Cons

  • Not recommended for pets with double coats

Conclusion

When you brush your German shepherd, you need a brush that can handle your dog’s coat. If your pet is prone to big mats, then you may want to keep looking, since this brush has bristles that just aren’t tough enough to remove mats without pulling hair. Overall, this model features a durable design and will work great for dogs with sensitive skin.

Most Versatile-GoPets Dog Grooming Brush


Our Rating: (4/5)

This bristle and pin brush will work for most coat types. The double sided design allows you to choose which side to use, based on coat type and length. The rounded ends of the pins promote a more comfortable grooming experience when you’re brushing your German shepherd. The brush also has a non-slip grip that makes it easier to handle and more comfortable to use. The brush is designed to get rid of tangles and mats, thanks to the unique bristle design that can penetrate deep down into the coat to groom the undercoat without scratching the skin.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Versatile
  • Works for short and long hair
  • Low price

Cons

  • Bristles break easily

Conclusion

Using this brush will make German shepherd grooming much easier. This is the best brush if you’re looking for a versatile model that can handle a German shepherd’s coat, and one that can also be used for other dogs in the home. Now, you can use the same model to brush your German shepherd and other long and short haired cats and dogs in the home.

Brush for German Shepherd Buyer’s Guide

There’s no one magic brush that will work for every German Shepherd. This breed has a beautiful, striking coat that requires regular brushing to care for it properly.

Unlike many other breeds, the German shepherd dog has a double coat, which protects their skin from extreme temperatures. But this type of double coat also means double the shedding during certain times of the year and requires regular brushing all year long.

The German Shepherd Dog’s Double Coat

german shepherd getting brushed by a woman. The german shepherd's coat is medium length and black and tan. The german shepherd is very calm and he is sitting on the ground.A rake brushed is being used

A canine can have a single or double coat. The double coat is a second coating of fur that’s known as the guard coat. This guard coat is designed to protect the canine from water, dirt, and extreme temperatures.

The fur in the guard coat is very wiry, which allows it to deflect water and dirt before it can reach the skin. This can prevent skin infections due to dirt and debris buildup.

These coats serve a couple of functions during different times of the year. In the wintertime, the fur will trap heat close to the dog’s skin. In the summertime, the coat helps to reflect the light from the sun, preventing a dog from overheating.

This double coat allows a canine to handle a wide variety of weather conditions, comfortably.

Single coated dogs only have one protective coat. This means that a single coat canine isn’t well-suited for colder climates.

Unique Grooming Needs

Not all German shepherds coats are the same. You’ll find that their coats come in different lengths and sizes. While rare, there are some German Shepherds that have a single coat. When competing in dog shows, a German shepherd must have an undercoat to qualify. According to the American Kennel Association, a German shepherd with a single coat is considered flawed and not qualified to compete in dog shows.

Some German Shepherds will have a short-length coat with a shorter undercoat that’s just an inch long, while medium-length coats will have a much longer undercoat.

German Shepherd Dog Shedding

You may have found yourself living with pet hair all over your clothes, furniture, and pretty much every other surface in the home. Without regular brushing, your home can quickly become overrun with dog hair, especially during the fall and spring months when the German shepherd sheds their undercoat.

Because of their excessive shedding, this breed must be brushed often. Ideally, they should be brushed daily. Of course, since German Shepherd coats, brushing needs, and hair length can vary from dog to dog, there’s no one brush that will work the same for every GSD.

Types of Brushes for German Shepherds

the owner is combing a German Shepherd Dog outside

There’s a wide range of brushes to choose from for your German Shepherd, including:

  • Deshedding brush
  • Undercoat rake
  • Pin brush
  • Slicker brush
  • Bristle brush

Each type of tool will work for different types of German shepherd coats. Choosing grooming tools for your pet can be pretty confusing and can take some trial and error. Most groomers recommend three brushes for the GSD:

  • Undercoat rake
  • Slicker brush
  • Bristle brush

Bristle

These brushes will have bristles that are made out of plastic or wire. Wire bristles have a better reputation for reaching deep down into the fur and can be used to detangle the undercoat and remove loose hair and debris. Brushes with plastic brushes are a better choice for removing loose guard hairs and can also help to distribute natural oils. Both types of bristle brushes can be essential for daily grooming, especially if you want to prevent excessive shedding and matting.

Slicker

The slicker tool is perfect for longer German shepherd’s coats due to the finer bristles. With this type of brush, you can get rid of dirt and debris in the fur. Many also have a self-cleaning feature, so all you have to do is push a button to clean out the brush.

Undercoat Rake

The German shepherds best grooming tool is one that can handle knots. Rakes are perfect for tackling knots and tangles in a short or long coat. Additionally, they can also easily reach the knots in the undercoat. An undercoat rake can collect loose fur from the undercoat and is an essential grooming tool for all fur lengths.

The Tools You Need Based on Fur Length

You’ll need the best dog brush to target the outer coat. For the undercoat, you’ll need to use a grooming rake to get rid of tangles, mats, and knots. If your pet also has fleas, I recommend incorporating a flea comb into your usual grooming process.

Brushes for Short-Haired German Shepherds

If your pet has a short fur, then I recommend using a rake for their undercoat and a bristle brush for their outer coat. The bristle brush consists of bristles that are tightly packed and designed to easily remove loose hair while distributing the natural oils in the fur to make it shiny and healthy.

Brushes for Long-Haired German Shepherds

Since even a short coat and coats that are medium length or long have a tendency to develop tangles and mats, you’ll want to go with a grooming rake and a slicker brush. A slicker tool will have tightly spaced, fine wires that can easily untangle matted fur.

Undercoat Grooming

To target the undercoat, you’ll need to use a good grooming rake. It tends to work the best to penetrate the thick fur to remove dead undercoat, loose debris and dirt, and tangles. However, you’ll need to use this tool carefully to prevent it from scratching your pet’s skin.

When purchasing a rake, make sure you choose a model that has a length of pins that matches the length of your dog’s fur. You don’t want to end up with a rake that’s too long or too short. If the bristles are too short it will be unable to penetrate the thick fur. If the bristles are too long it can easily irritate a dog’s skin.

Grooming a German Shepherd Dog without an Undercoat

For long-haired dogs with no undercoat, you’ll want to avoid using a rake since it can easily scratch your dog’s skin. Use a pin brush instead. Pin brushes can be made out of rubber, bamboo, metal, and plastic and look a lot like a brush designed for humans.

When shopping for a pin tool for your German shepherd’s thick fur, regardless of the type of material it’s made out of, look for one that rubber pins at the end of the bristles. This is a great safety feature and one that can prevent the tool from scratching the skin.

How Often Do German Shepherds Shed?

deshedding german shepherd

This breed, regardless of fur length or type, sheds quite a bit year-round, in addition to a heavy shed twice a year. When the seasons change, they will blow their undercoat in order to prepare for the hotter weather. They will shed again at the end of summer, with a new undercoat coming in. This way, they’re able to easily adapt to the environment and remain comfortable, whether they live in a cold climate or hot climate.

Unlike the rest of the year when only a handful of hairs can come out over a matter of a few days, twice a year, you’ll find large clumps of fur all over the house and yard.

Can I Stop a German Shepherd Dog from Shedding so Much?

There’s no way you can stop a German shepherd dog from shedding completely. What you can do is control the amount of hair found all over the home and your clothing. This can be accomplished by brushing your dog every day, using the grooming tools I’ve recommended here.

Another way to cut down on how much your dog sheds is to feed them a good diet, one that contains the right vitamins and nutrients. A balanced, complete diet can promote fur and skin health, while minimizing shedding. Your pet may also benefit from taking an omega 3 fatty acid supplement. Omega 3s can keep your German shepherd’s skin moisturized, which can also reduce shedding.

Brushing Tips

Brushing a dog can be a real challenge if your pet doesn’t enjoy being brushed or has had a bad past experience with grooming. Using the right brushes, you can ensure your pet remains comfortable and relaxed during the brushing process. If you have a dog that does not enjoy being brushed, keeping their favorite treats on hand and giving them to your dog every few minutes can cause your dog to look forward to future brushing sessions.

  • For German shepherd grooming, begin by having your pet lie down on the floor. Begin the brushing process by using an undercoat rake. This will help you easily remove any mats, tangles, and knots. Be sure you remove all of the mats before you move onto the next step.
  • After you have removed knots and mats, you can use a de-shedding tool, which will help remove any loose fur from the undercoat and outer coat.
  • Use a normal bristle brush to remove loose fur. This will give the outer coat a smooth finish.
  • Once you have finished brushing your dog, make sure you give them another treat, to reward them for their good behavior. Using positive reinforcement when you brush your dog will make brushing a more positive experience for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should I Brush My German Shepherd Dog’s Coat?

A German shepherd’s fur should be brushed daily. At the very minimum, shoot for brushing your dog three to four times a week. This will keep the dog’s fur free from loose hair, dirt and debris.

Should I Take My German Shepherd to the Groomer?

Every dog can benefit from regular grooming. A German shepherd may need to see a groomer if they have a long fur that has become severely matted. Daily brushing can prevent tangles, mats, and knots.

Can German Shepherds get Haircuts?

No. Never shave this breed if it can be prevented. They do not need to have their hair cut. Their fur is designed to protect them from intense heat or cold. Shaving them will take away this protection.

Final Thoughts

The best brush for German Shepherd will work for your dog’s coat type, whether they have a double coat or single coat, short, medium length, or long fur. In most cases, you’ll need to use a couple types of brushes to properly take care of your dog’s fur and remove trapped debris, dirt, and tangles. The dog brushes I’ve included in my list for large dogs all earned top marks for their durability, effectiveness, and a design that has a dog’s comfort in mind.

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