Reddit mentions: The best dog shedding tools

Here's my list of "favorites" for my GSDs:

Chuck-It Balls. By far, the most durable balls I've found. They've got some "give", so they seem to enjoy chewing/chasing them more. Remember, once the ball can fit between their back teeth, it's time to upgrade to the larger size.


The Shark Vacuum is a beast. We've tried any number of vacuums over the years, this one falls into the "Not Stupidly Expensive and Totally Worth It" category. Getting a decent Undercoat Rake goes hand-in-hand with a good vacuum. Rake once a week (three times during shedding season), brush 1-3 times a week, you'll give your back a break no matter what vacuum you buy.

In terms of training treats, we really like the Red Barn Chicken and Liver Rolls. After a while, we use them exclusively for scent training, but it's an excellent (and not expensive!) treat for any kind of training. Cube small, you'll get a ton of mileage out of one roll.

Herm Sprenger Dog Collars make great training collars. Not everyone likes the idea of a pinch/prong collar, so if it's not your thing, look elsewhere. However, if you are planning on training with pinch, these are the best, bar none. We use the small size and just add links as our dog grows - it's almost impossible to injure them with the smaller prongs and they tend to respond better. Please learn how to use a pinch before using one of these extensively - they shouldn't be used for restraint and you should probably wait until 8+ months (a number of people I know even wait till 14+ months for any obedience aside from the "necessities") before doing a ton of training anyway.

I'll stay away from food recommendations as it seems to be such a controversial topic. I will say that there are a ton of good sites out there to research - first figuring out whether you're feeding raw, tube, or kibble and then what to do once you decide.

Last - look for a dog club in your area. I personally like the German Shepherd Dog Club of America - Working Dog Association, but there are a number of places like this. I can tell you irrefutably that my dogs' favorite day of the week is training day. Nothing like getting out there with other GSD lovers and doing some tracking/obedience/protection work.

Hope this helps! Good luck :)

My guy, also called Rocky, looked pretty similar at 15 weeks. He's still got that long, wavy hair. As for grooming suggestions, brush, brush brush that hair! It mats SUPER easily, and there is constantly dirt and other crud stuck in his hair from playing outside, no matter how short we cut him. We try to make sure we brush our Rocky every day, but never more than 2 days without a good brushing - we have a slicker brush, a wire pin brush, and a metal comb. Spray on detangler has been our friend - they have pet safe stuff at any pet store. We also have a dematting tool. It's also in your best interest to get him used to getting his hair cut as early as possible - whether you're going to try and do it yourself or have it professionally done. We waited a bit too long with our guy, but he tolerates it really well as we make sure we always have treats for him. He really likes being brushed, when we can get him to settle down long enough to sit still for a few minutes. Good luck and have fun!

There are so many things that I never would've pictured myself buying, that are absolute necessities these days, haha. As you already said, high velocity dryers are amazing! Not only for drying coats, but also for blowing out dead hair. Collapsible bowls are great for long walks and hikes. A decent cover for the backseat or boot of your car is great if a clean car is something you like, haha. I used to laugh at the idea of poop bag dispensers, but dread the thought of leaving without one now. Treat dispensing toys are a biggie; Indie gets all of his meals from his wobbler, treat ball, etc. Pyramid pans are great for making training-sized treats. Detachable shower heads are game changers for bath day. Peroxide is a must-have for those rare emergencies when you need the dog the throw something up ASAP. I know I'm forgetting a handful of items, but there's a few.

A couple of specific items:

I'm absolutely in love with the SleekEZ brush for my double-coated doofuses. It gets out an absolute crazy amount of undercoat in record time.

Boomerang CollarTags. I hate the sound of jingling tags, and love these things. You can fit a ton of information on them, and they have a lifetime guarantee.

Foggy Mountain coats. I don't really have a reason, I just really love these jackets.

I own and love this comb and this looks very similar to a fantastic comb one of my coworkers uses.

For slickers, Les Poochs makes some pretty awesome ones - their red one is amazing at dematting! Unfortunately they're also really expensive! If you don't mind spending, the Pro Brush (F/F) would be the way to go. If you're cheap like me, this has very good reviews and should perform acceptably as well. I personally like flexible slickers, so I recommend them.

Truthfully I seldom use undercoat rakes. A high velocity blow dryer (k9 brand is good - don't bathe at home without a blower, it's a good investment) serves the purpose for me both with my own dog and with the dogs at work. Still, if you want an undercoat rake, stay away from things that have blades - Furminators, Furminator knock-offs, Mars Coat Kings, coat king knock offs. There's a time and place for those but I would not personally use them on a spitz of any breed. Something like this will do. I also like shedding combs though I haven't found one without a handle yet.

Additional stuff: you need a good pair of nail clippers, and I also recommend spray like The Stuff or Ice on Ice to keep things feeling nice and fresh.

Yeah no problem! Definitely do your research heh lots of info out there for sure about Huskies particularly. As for the dealing with the shedding, tbh the best way to "deal" with it is quite simply to maintain a regular brushing regiment for the dog. Also depending on the time of the year (big season changes mainly) and also weather/temperature conditions, Huskies usually blow their undercoat about twice a year but they do shed regularly! I brush my dog's coat about 2 to 3 times a week and that usually does the trick but like around summer time when they shed the most I brush about 4 times a week because that's how much she sheds Haha! Also husky coats vary from being really short to very fluffy, usually called "wooly" coats, so you have to take that into consideration too like for example my dog has a very lean build with a semi short coat (not as fluffy as the wooly coated Huskies) so when she sheds its usually pieces at a time but if I don't maintain her coat I will often times find tuffs of fur I can literally pull off of her hah. But yea that's the best way I feel to maintain their shedding and make sure to use the proper deshedding brushes/tools since their coats are unique considering they are double coated. I use a tool called the EZ Sleek brush and it works wonders since the brush is designed to lift up the fur from the undercoat and doesn't cut their fur like some brushes do (never shave a Huskies coat unless it's for medical reasons! It damages their overall coat). I recommend that one over the furminator, which is also a great tool to use but I've read mixed reviews and sentiments about it.

I've registered for the Dyson vacuum for this very reason. My parents own it and have 5 long haired cats and hardwood floors, and it has done wonders on hardwood and their furniture. I have friends with cats/dogs who have carpet and also swear by the investment.

The dyson vacuum will take care of all your needs and has so many attachments that do incredibly well. The one I've registered for is so much cheaper on Amazon as well (but it is still spendier than most vacuums): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HNUFRQC?ref_=hit_wr_dt_vr_md_pt

For my upholstry (for now since our current vacuum isn't good) I actually bought this little vacuum and it does incredibly well for both my shiba and kai on both my leather and upholstered couches: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EYFQ28?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

Bathing your shiba during shedding season will help with loosening the hairs and make grooming easier.

I also suggest the following brushes that have done wonders for my dogs and have helped keep our apartment clean during shedding seasons.

Kong Zoom Groom - great for top coat shedding predominantly, but does get undercoat as well, just not as well.

Furminantor - Great to get rid of undercoat or loosening it up. Some people say it damages the top coat, I personally have never noticed, but don't overuse it because I do think it can cause balding, but overbrushing in general can cause balding.

Double teeth Undercoat Rake: MASTER at pulling out undercoat without any damage to top coat.

Deshedding tool: This is also a magical tool to getting rid of the undercoat. I sometimes think it works the best of all the mentioned ones for undercoat at least for Kiba, Taro's fur seems to respond better to the furminantor, while Kiba doesn't release as much from that.

You are SO right about how intelligent this breed is. But they can also be stubborn.. Be diligent with training and stuff for sure. They'll easily get bored so having interesting toys like Kong's that you can stuff worth treats are great. Also invest in some good brushes. No matter what time of year it is he'll be shedding something fierce! They make these grooming tools that look like something medieval but they are amazing for getting up their under coat when they're shedding really bad! Like this one! ... Also: birds love their leftover coat so just leave it out in the yard for them to use for their nests. I did it all the time!


I did also come here just to tell you that your pup is freakin' adorable! Wait until his ears start to perk up... It's hilarious. When mine was still a pup and her ears were still working on standing up they finally did but were so big / heavy they leaned together and she looked like a cone head for weeks... Whenever she ran they would flap together too.. It was hilarious!

I bought this brush which is about half the price of the furminator but I think a pretty good imitation. It is AMAZING. Worth the hype. Great on my midhair kitty.

I have 3 cats in my 500 Sq ft apartment and a primarily black wardrobe. I've had them for years and tried all sorts of things to reduce cat hair. Brushing them helps a lot, of course. We use a brush like this and it helps so much. The cats actually like it too. Also, I try to take off my "outside" clothes as soon I can when I get home. Then I'll change into whatever lounge wear/casual wear to hang out at home. I keep my closet and hamper closed and never let my cats anywhere near them. This reduces the amount of cat hair on work/going out clothes immensely. Finally, a good hand vac that can vaccum anything upholstered (chairs, couches, etc) helps get rid of so much cat hair.

Thanks Vegas.. another friend recommended that and you're right it definitely does help! I've also got one of these that helps a lot too:

Coastal Evolution W6110 Grooming Undercoat Rake with Rotating Teeth, Double Row https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0002DIRYG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_o-viyb839XKYG

I have a short haired dog with a single coat, so not the same type of coat as yours at all. The furminator did very little to pick up hair when I brushed him. His hair kinda glided right through it.

I bought this comb on a whim and the first time I used it on him I took off what looked like a chihuahua worth of hair. Perhaps the furminator just isn't the right comb.

I would definitely speak to a knowledgeable groomer. They will have a better answer than our best guesses.

Please don't use a furminator deshedding tool, it's a blade on a handle. It cuts the guard hairs and does not remove the undercoat very well. It doesn't get down to the skin. I have two huskies, best thing is an undercoat rake. Double row of spinning pins is best ime, like this. Here is a comparison pic of a Furminator vs undercoat rake. You can see the guard hairs the furminator cut out. I brush twice a week, and using a conditioning spray (I use Stazko) helps. I brush every other day during coat blowing. Bathe as needed, about every 2 months or so or after dirty events. Dry with a high velocity dryer like the K9 II to dry quickly and blow out loose undercoat. And yes, dog fur is a condiment!

I have a love/hate relationship with the furminator. I loved it for my cats who have a single length coat (short haired). Then for my Pyr it was a nightmare, it wouldn't stop cutting the top coat, which doesn't grow back.. I stopped using it after day or two. I switched to a comb with spinning teeth, worked like a dream to get out the tangles, without hurting my pup. I spent 3-5 days a week, for 5-6 weeks in the spring to get rid of his undercoat, and viola so much less shedding everyday.

Edit: here's a link to the exact comb i used.
https://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Shedding-Comb-Rotating-Teeth/dp/B0002DIS4K

I like the sleekez....seems to keep it nice and knot free
SleekEZ Original Deshedding Grooming Tool (5 inch) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VC8DQX2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_jfcECbPP89RAE

When my wooly Mally is blowing her coat, it is a multi-step process. Step one is using a slicker brush like /u/blounsbury linked - that helps get rid of most of the loose fur. I then move on to a rake style undercoat brush, often in conjunction with a de-matting rake. That will get the bulk of the undercoat out. The second to last step is using a metal comb to make sure all of the undercoat "chunks" are out. The final step is going over with the slicker brush for the final time.

Understand that this is a multi-day event. While the sound of "blowing the coat" sounds like something that should just suddenly happen, it takes place over a week or so. I measure my Mally's fur output in cats. Day one is usually one cat-sized lump of fur. Day two is like three. By day 3 and 4, we're usually down to a cat a day.

My Shiba uses one brush for his entire grooming process when he's blowing his coat - The Furminator. It does zip for a wooly Malamute (even the long-haired version does nothing).

Never ever ever ever use a furminator on a husky.

Basically it's a razor that strips the guard hairs and they may never grow back. Just like one must never shave a husky unless extreme situation, cutting their guard coat can cause long term damage to the hair folicals.

I use 4 different brushes (1 is 2in1 so 3 technically) in this order

HOP Home of Paws Metal Dog Comb for Grooming Long Hair Cats & Dogs - Pet Steel Deshedding Rake Pin Brush Dog Rake, Lotus Wood https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QNJKGNJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_RIRwDbK2PY2RG

(mine is not a Wahl but it's like this. The shedding blade I only use when they are blowing their coat)
Wahl 2-in-1 Combination Double Row Pet Rake with hair shedding Blade for dog or cat fur by The Brand Used By Professionals. #858424 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00292BRCC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JERwDb4ZERTK7

Millers Forge Universal Curved Slicker Brush Large for Dog Professional Grooming https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073YRVG4V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WKRwDbYF7ZDEV

The long Rake pin brush gets the under coat really well first, then the shorter double Rake and then the slicker. Its a process but it's worth it!

Get a Furminator or a Grooming Glove. Either one works really well. Use it regularly, and fur on clothes will be much less of an issue.

You can't eliminate it completely, but it does help a ton.

Also, buy a cat nail clipper and get him used to you doing his nails now while he's young. Touch his feet often, extend his nails, go through the motions whenever he's nice and relaxed. Making this process a no big deal thing while he's still young will make keeping them trimmed when he's an adult so much easier.

I sit my guys down weekly and go through the motions of clipping their nails, even if they don't need to be clipped (I just touch their claw with the clipper then move on), and give a couple treats after. So now, both my older ones are breezes to clip (kitten still learning!), while my friend's cat is a nightmare that requires sedation at the vet if her claws get really bad.

We adopted a dog from our local Humane Society about a month ago and wanted some insight into how to approach a brushing / grooming routine. The shelter said he is a Rough (Collie).

He has a curly tail and sheds a fair amount.

I currently have a baisc pin brush from Walmart that I'm using every day or two to help with shedding. I'll take off his collar to get out the kinks in there as well.

We have a FURminator for Dogs Undercoat Deshedding Tool that we're using once a week.

Here's a GIF of him running around for a better body shot

Any direction on how to approach this is appreciated.

We use 2 brushes. One is similar to a furminator: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZHUDNS4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The other, which if anything works better, and which our girl absolutely loves, is a grooming glove: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N9KSITZ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I recommend both, but if you were to pick one or the other, I recommend the glove more than the brush.

The ragdolls I've met have super dense coats. We've found that our long hair cat (not a ragdoll), will only tolerate the comb like this that has tines that spin. Congrats on the addition to your household!

Something like this works sooooo well you don't even know. She'll still shed but the amount of hair you can get off is amazing.

Get an undercoat rake

A greyhound comb

And a slicker brush this is my go to.

Brush with slicker brush then go over with undercoat rake paying special attention to the neck/chest, the sides, and the back legs. Lastly run the comb through the dog making sure you get all the way down to the skin.

If needed get a detangling spray. I know Cowboy magic is a good brand.

Take him to a groomer to get him professionally blown out with a high velocity dryer. It will definitely cut back on the shedding.

Don't use a furminator desheding rake on him. All you will do is pull out the top coat and wreck it.

Buy a Furminator from amazon. there's like 5,000 5-star reviews and it really is amazing. medium size is good for cats. I also bought a litter box that has side walls for $9, so the litter stays in, and if you put a plastic litter liner, then clean up will be a breeze. No litter comes out and you pick up the mess easily.

litterbox

Yikes! the Furminator is going up for $26 but you might want to look into the cheaper alternatives

Yea I have a malamute, this worked well when we first started brushing him as a pup. Get him to lie down, pin him gently if you have to with your offhand, brush for a bit, really get into the undercoat (especially in the summer) and remove as much excess as you can, praise him repeatedly and give him a treat. I find the northern breeds respond exceedingly well to food of any kind, almost all training problems can be (at least temporarily) made significantly easier by adding food as a motivator. You can get some low calorie treats (I have good luck with these for training since they're only 3 calories a pop, they sell them at Trader Joes too https://www.chewy.com/charlee-bear-liver-flavor-dog-treats/dp/47199 ) just toss him one or two every 30 seconds to a minute or so and you should see him become a lot more cooperative without needing to worry about overfeeding!

Using treats we've even got the dog begging to be vaccuumed now as well when cleaning the house (which isn't as effective as the brush, but he enjoys it and it means less hair on the floor)!

Edit: It might be the brush as well, I don't bother with the wire brushes on a northern breed, they'll just get all tangled up in seconds and start to pull his hair. Try one of these, you can find these styles in almost any pet store: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27124

I personally find the "Double Row Undercoat" styled brush tends to provide the right amount of effectiveness with the right amount of aggravation the dog is willing to endure to get all the undercoat out. Something similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Wahl-Double-Shedding-Blade-858424/dp/B00292BRCC which also has a shedding blade on the reverse.

I wouldn't worry too much about him getting a little mouthy with the brush either, that's normal when the dog is mildly annoyed. Just keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't come down hard enough to cut himself, but I've never encountered that issue (despite a lot of annoyed moaning and occasionally mouthing/nibbling at the brush in frustration after a long grooming session).

I ended up getting this because some of the reviews claim it to be better? But I don't use it often and carefully..because although it does a GREAT job getting fluff off.. she does end up looking a bit bald :( still cute but no more majestic fluff lol. (although it does grow back quick ish).

Does the furminator do the same?

This it's a great tool and will take the undercoat out very easily.

https://www.amazon.com/Safari-W6116-De-matting-Comb/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499712358&sr=8-1&keywords=matt+rake

Use this for de-matting the back end. Works great and is gentle and safe. Those blades are sharp but the rounded edge is not sharpened.

https://www.amazon.com/Coastal-Pet-Safari-Undercoat-Designed/dp/B0083TSC64/ref=sr_1_7?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1499712440&sr=1-7&keywords=undercoat+rake

and

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DIRYG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_O79wzbCFSBEAN

for de-tangling use an undercoat rake with rotating pins, and the single row static rake to pull the hair out.

https://www.amazon.com/Slicker-Dog-Cat-Grooming-Brush/dp/B00P9MZB9E/ref=sr_1_13?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1499712524&sr=1-13&keywords=dog+brush+slicker

Then I'll use a slicker to make him soft and shiny.

This is a simple tool and works very well. My roommate has a lab and I was surprised how effective this is (I'm used to overwhelming Newfie fluff).

Luckily for me this was my long haired purr monster's favorite brush.

https://www.amazon.com/SleekEZ-Horse-Brush-Grooming-Tool/dp/B00VC8DQX2

looked like a good one to get. I can't afford a furminator right now, but i need to get a grooming tool for my husky to help with keeping his hair from matting when he sheds a lot.

I've ordered a zoom groom however I'm using one of these shedding things too, usually used for horses. looks like some form of torture instrument but it's great as my dog has short white fur that sheds loads! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancol-Ergo-Shredding-Blade-Medium/dp/B001UAQXCS/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1485369486&sr=1-1&keywords=shedding+blade

Sweet buddy! - Looks like he needs some brushy brushy - this is my weapon of choice (only thing that ive found that takes down the undercoat shedding)

I've found that this kind works the best for my shibe! And her fur doesn't get caught in it at all!

Safari Pet Dual-Sided Stainless Steel Shedding Blade https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARR22/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_s62VCbDGVS1H0

Here’s a great brush. Just choose what size you want.

Furminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool for Large Dogs - Long Hair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZMLZZ3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_o-WmDbGEJ391A

https://www.amazon.ca/Deshedding-Grooming-Dramatically-Shedding-GUARANTEED/dp/B00CD0H1ZC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1462398946&sr=8-4&keywords=furminator found this, on sale for who knows how long but seems pretty comparable.

I don't use a furminator because I'm worried about coat breakage, but in moderation I think they are the easiest way to deal with shedding!

For Aussie coat I think a rubber curry comb would work very well. I also like a metal shedding blade. Looks weird, but they really pull hair off quickly- I would try to get one in an appropriate size for your dog. They make them big for horses, but those are kind of hard to use on smaller dogs. Lastly, for any breed with an undercoat an undercoat rake is essential- it basically will brush mainly the undercoat. I have a brush similar to the 'coat king' mentioned here (it is basically an undercoat rake) and it is the tool I use the 90% of the time I am brushing my dog.

I use a metal loop style brush. Works great on my catahoula and pitbull.
https://www.amazon.com/Dual-Sided-Shedding-Deshedding-Grooming-Stainless/dp/B0002ARR22/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=loop+dog+brush&qid=1561997982&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-3

This is essentially the same and half the price. I got one for my husky and it's been awesome.

Also, I think this might be less effective but they definitely hold up. My family has had one for years for our cats and dogs and it doesn't even show rust spots. I also wasn't really thinking about it too hard before, but a grilling brush could also probably be of use.

Hi! wanted to answer your question! This one works WONDERS for our heeler. Blue one, with the green little button. Its like $50 or so but try and go to petsmart, sometimes they have them on sale. I purchased ours there for only $30. Worth every penny. It works so well and gets the undercoat.

https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Edge-Contoured-deShedding-Tool/dp/B01BCE5S0E/ref=sr_1_8?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1518628202&sr=1-8&keywords=furminator+for+dogs

A curry comb/brush like this? We've tried one & it didn't seem to make much difference. Unless you mean something more along the lines of this????

• What type of brush should I buy to prevent as much shedding as possible?
  
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GSEVUQA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1426275693&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=dog+brushes+for+shedding
  
  
• What type of doggy treats should I get to help me train him more easily?
  
  Since he is so young soft dog treats or soft food (or put water or unpasteurized goats milk in hard food to make it softer).
  
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00II6V0Z2/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?qid=1426275810&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=soft+dog+food
  
  
• what brand of dog food should I get for him? He's currently 5 weeks old but he can walk around and run a little more than his litter mates.
  
  See what the people you are getting the dog from are feeding him, slowly transition otherwise you'll end up cleaning up nasty poops.
  
  5 weeks... He isn't even fully weaned yet. They shouldn't be adopted out until 8 weeks. Poor things. Make sure he had a warm bed.
  
  >I will likely have more questions as time goes on but for now that is all, thank you guys for any info you can give
  
  Make sure you get him out enough and I don't recommend puppy pads (teaches bad habits). Take him out every hour, then every two, etc and say potty or whatever word you choose. If he wants to play and doesn't have to pee take him back in so he knows the difference between going out and going potty.
  
  Keep food and trash out of reach or covered well.
  
  Also talk to your vet, see if pup needs formula or not.
  
  

We bought this cheaper alternative on Amazon for our Heeler mix. Works wonders if you keep at it. Her coat stays very shiny and it helps with the constant shedding.

It was this ! :)

So like one of these?

SleekEZ Original Deshedding Grooming Tool Use this outside. The hair goes everywhere.


Also this for your clothes.

For a coat like that, all you really need is a hound glove and maybe a shedding blade

Dog brush, looks like this one to be exact https://www.amazon.com/Conair-Dog-Shedding-Blade-Medium/dp/B005KSOBMA

I got a furminator and when my bun was blowing his undercoat I would easily get that much off him before he would get fed up and run away. And I had to do this almost daily for a few weeks.

https://www.amazon.com/DakPets-Deshedding-Brush-Dog-Stainless-Blade-Effective/dp/B00CD0H1ZC this also works really well

My oldest hates the Furminator/ShedEnder but tolerates a Shedding Blade

It works extremely well on his coarser coat but doesnt seem to do much on our softer pup

We have a shedding blade which does get a good amount of fur but I give up because Stella will not stay still.

Also, buy a furminator style brush and brush once a week. The shedding will all but disappear and they like it. They aren't cheap but they are cheaper than buying socks all the time.

It will depend on the brand of dog food you choose, there a huge price range on different foods. Also the overall health of the dog will vary, some pure breeds can have chronic problems.

For my two dogs (65 and 45 pounds) I spend around $60 (US) per month on food but I give them a high quality food that cost a bit more.

For normal vet appointments, dogs go in a couple time a year for shots and heartworm meds. I'd say roughly $200 for vet and heartworm med per year per dog for a health younger dog.

Plus initial costs for a new dog in a house that doesn't have one, dog dish, toys, leash, collar etc and all the shots a puppy needs. I'd say a rough estimate of initial costs would be around $200ish over the first year. Extra if you want to go to a dog trainer.

You'd have to check licensing or taxes in your area. For the US some cities require you to license your pet, my city charges less if the dog is fixed. It's somewhere around $20 per year per dog.

As a side note, if you do get a Golden grooming will be an issue. I can recommend the FURminator enough.

Edit: Newer model of the FURminator.

I adopted my long-hair just a few months ago, and within a few weeks I was sick of the shedding. I kid you not, this is what every pet owner needs:

http://www.amazon.com/Deshedding-Grooming-Dramatically-Shedding-GUARANTEED/dp/B00CD0H1ZC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413838498&sr=8-1&keywords=deshedding+tool

Honestly, if I had known how well this would work before I bought it, I could see myself paying $50 over even more for this. It really does remove 90% of the hair that I would normally find all over my life.

Brushing your dog once-twice per week will drastically cut down on vacuum needs. I bought one of these for my lab, and brush her 1-2 times per week. Her coat looks much better, she itches less, and I only vacuum half as often.

you sure they didn't mean this?

I like to use that and a quiet vacuum (I empty it into the vacuum and pick up everything around me that fluffed out).

Keep in mind they're dual coated. I use an undercoat pin rake and a slicker bush. I believe this gets both coats.

A lot of dematteing brushes work by cutting the hair, which you might need for heavily matted fur. But if you brush regularly then you shouldn't get a cutting rake. This is just what I've read, but there is a lot of conflicting i information out there.

Undercoat Rake with Rotating Pins https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DIRYG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9xgcBbAG6VCQB

Slicker Brush https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010FEGHFM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_dFgcBbSXQR4HR

I also use a steel comb for sensitivs areas like behind the ears Andis Pet 7-1/2-Inch Steel Comb (65730) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004UTDHP2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jGgcBb1PA9TQ2

You may find a shedding blade invaluable. My mom swears by it for her St. Bernard mix, the thing just pulls out piles of undercoat.

That's what I had at one point.

This is it, isn't it?

Furminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool for Large Dogs - Long Hair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZMLZZ3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jDplDb0CDKYNX

I watched a groomer video recently and found all of these from her video

• http://smile.amazon.com/Coastal-Pet-Safari-Undercoat-Designed/dp/B0083TSC64
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/Steel-Large-Grooming-Style-Ideal/dp/B00Y1NN5TK
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/Safari%C2%AE-Dual-Sided-Stainless-Steel-Shedding/dp/B0002ARR22
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/Your-Dog-078279-102-Combo-Brush/dp/B00ICB3OWU
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/Wahl-Large-Slicker-Brush-858407/dp/B002GKRAWI

I use this for my husky. Works wonders. Just give treats afterwards!

Furminator

Try this instead

I use a furminator brush which is life changing.

Furminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool for Large Dogs - Long Hair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZMLZZ3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_PsWtDb29P10T6

It's a shedding blade for grooming pets.

I use this double rake to comb out any tangles Evolution Double Row Undercoat Rake with Rotating Pins https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DIRYG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_O79wzbCFSBEAN.

I also use a single row rake to pull the hair off after I use the double rake to untangle the hair.

This is the brush that we used. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CD0H1ZC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Non-mobile:

• http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GSEVUQA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1426275693&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=dog+brushes+for+shedding
  
• http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00II6V0Z2/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?qid=1426275810&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=soft+dog+food
  
  ^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

They're all mostly the same so long as its long enough. You could try this double rake

It made by Master Grooming. http://www.amazon.com/Master-Grooming-Stainless-16-Blade-Stripper/dp/B000Y91MF4/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1371488574&sr=1-1&keywords=master+grooming

We had a shedding blade and he loved the thing. It removed so much excess hair. I mean, he still shed so you still needed a roller, but it was far less than before we had the blade.

Furminator gets mixed results. A lot of people say it ruins the coat and is bad for the skin. I personally don't cut any of the hair on my Aussie except for that sanitary trim around her butt. But as Lynolis says, cutting the feathers and the long ear hairs shouldn't be a problem.

I have a metal long comb, a slicker brush, and an undercoat rake. I almost use the undercoat rake exclusively. This is the one I have http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-W6110-Grooming-Undercoat-Rotating/dp/B0002DIRYG/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1397569879&sr=1-1 I got the double row one. It's awesome!

Yes because when he’s clean, that’s when the hair is going to be the easiest to remove.

If you want to brush him in the bath to loosen up the hair (which is a good idea and makes brushing afterwards easier), you’ll want to use something like this. It won’t damage the coat or skin. You can also safely use a metal comb while he’s wet to remove clumps of hair. Or you can use your fingers. Just really scrub him very well.

If you’re using a de-shedding tool such as The Furminator or one of the many versions of it, you will want to make sure that he is thoroughly dry before you use it. If the skin or coat is wet it can cause irritation or damage. You also want to make sure you’re using it correctly. Set an alarm on your phone for 15 minutes and once that time is up, put the brush down and stop. Don’t go over one area more than a few times. You will be tempted to continue because you will likely still be removing large amounts of hair but if you do too much, it will damage the skin/coat. Tools like that are meant more for long term success, so if you use it once a week (and no more than that), you can drastically reduce the amount of shedding. It requires patience though and a lot of people wait until their dogs are dropping their coats and then go crazy brushing with it, which is usually where reports of damaged coats come from.

Your best bet is a combination of the rubber brush, the comb and a slicker brush. These can be used often with very little risk of damage and will remove a lot of hair.

You can get this special tool on amazon, it's meant for horses but I know a lot of people who use it for their heavily shedding dogs. If you use it often it should cut the shedding down.

Safari Dual-Sided, Stainless Steel Shedding Blade https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARR22/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2lf5ybB5SWPSD

Definitely use an undercoat rake (like the one linked), not a furminator - furminators can damage guard hairs because they are sharp and can actually cut them.

https://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Double-Undercoat-Rake-Rotating/dp/B0002DIRYG/ref=pd_sim_199_10?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GC16YM3E5NWBTTWMBF36

It's not too bad so far. Just on the back of her neck and another at the top of her chest. I have this brush http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CD0H1ZC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
but it only seems to work if there are no knots/tangles. I prefer not to shave her because I don't like how it looks and she is only 10 months old and sometimes has to stay in the backyard when I get home from work and I wouldn't want to her be cold.

Honest question, how do you feel about shedding blades for medium to long coated breeds?

I use one because I've heard horror stories about furminator type de-shedding tools, but do shedding blades like the one linked damage the coat when used to remove loose fur?