How can you take care of your German Shepherd’s coat? Read on as we give you some tips on how to groom your German Shepherd and tell you about some common German Shepherd grooming tools…
German Shepherd Grooming Tips
German Shepherds are not particularly oily dogs that need a lot of baths. They do, however, have a very thick coat, so grooming is essential. You want to brush them regularly and feed them a proper diet to keep their fur looking healthy and shiny. Regular brushing also reduces unwanted shedding. I’m sure you’d agree that pulling loose hair out with a brush is much more preferable than having it fall out onto your floors and furniture.
Professionals say that you should thoroughly brush a German Shepherd twice a week. A good brushing will remove loose hairs from the undercoat and the guard coat. You want a deep brushing. And this does need to be done year round and German Shepherds shed throughout the year, not just in the warmer months.
Again, your German Shepherd does not need frequent bathing as their body does not produce as much oil as other breeds. Over bathing your dog can lead to over drying of your dog’s fur, which will cause them to shed more. Only bathe your German Shepherd when you notice that their coat is starting to feel grimy or when they look dingy.
When it’s time for a haircut, remember to only cut the hairs on the bottom of your dog’s feet, the excess fur hanging off the tummy, and thighs, and excess fur around the anus. Cutting away excess fur will give your dog better traction and help maintain the cleanliness of your dog. You do not, however, need to cut any fur from their back, head, neck, chest, or tail. The hair in these regions do grow in such a way that they doesn’t need to be cut. When your dog needs to thin out it’s coat in these areas, it does so by shedding.
German Shepherd Grooming Kits
Some of the brushes and other tools you’ll need for grooming your German Shepherd are slicker brushes, natural bristle brushes, metal rakes, a pair of scissors, metal combs, shedding blades and pin brushes, besides shampoos for occasional bathing. All of these German Shepherd tools are easy to use, but you should be cautious with them. Using a brush improperly could cause you to pull too hard on the German Shepherd’s fur and using the blades without safety training could cause injury to the dog or yourself. Make sure to read all instructions and consult an experienced groomer if you’re not sure of how to use the tool or what the proper technique is.
