German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) are arguably one of the most beautiful breeds of dogs out there. However, this beauty doesn’t come without its caveats. Although this playful and protective breed usually boasts a beautiful black/brown coat, they also tend to shed. Taking good care of your German Shepherd’s coat will significantly reduce the amount of shedding.
Here are the best ways to care for your German Shepherd’s coat:
- Make sure you have the correct grooming products.
- Thoroughly brush their coat on a regular basis.
- Bathe your German Shepherd only when necessary.
- Encourage healthy coat growth with a nutritious diet.
- Give them supplements to enhance growth and shine.
Whether you’re a new owner to a German Shepherd or you’re tired of spending money at the groomer all the time, it’s helpful to know how to care for your German Shepherd’s coat properly. This article will explain in detail how you can do this.
Make Sure You Have The Correct Grooming Products
No dog is exactly like another. Brushes and other grooming products that work for one dog breed may not work for the next, and German Shepherds are no exception. If you don’t want to spend a bunch of money at the groomer, here’s a quick overview of good products to have for German Shepherds grooming and care:
- Rinsing attachments: When bathing your German Shepherd, you must rinse the coat thoroughly to prevent itchiness and discomfort. If your shower doesn’t have a detachable head, it may be worth buying a dog-specific rinsing attachment.
- Brushes in various styles: Slicker brushes are the most common brush type used on German Shepherds. The brush is suitable for removing loose fur and is meant for all hair lengths. Other German Shepherd owners like using undercoat rakes to help get a deeper brushing.
- Dog shampoo: German Shepherds have varying coat lengths, but shampoos are marketed specifically for the breed. Whether or not it’s breed-specific doesn’t matter, but you should always make sure to use dog shampoo, never human.
- Grooming gloves: These aren’t actually necessary when grooming, but the silicone nods on the gloves help promote good blood flow while grooming your German Shepherd’s coat.
Thoroughly Brush Their Coat On A Regular Basis
Regularly brushing your German Shepherd’s coat will significantly reduce the number of fur balls you find around your home. Experts recommend brushing your dog’s coat once every other day. There are several different brushes and deshedding tools you can use to do this.
Best German Shepherd Deshedding Tools
Because German Shepherds have two separate coats, it’s essential to use tools that can get all the way down to the skin without hurting your dog in the process. Here are three of our top choices for deshedding tools.
FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool
Commonly recommend, the FURminator can reach deep into your German Shepherd’s coat and remove hair from both the under and topcoats. It has an ergonomic handle to make it easier to keep hold of while grooming and can be cleaned simply by pushing a button to release hair into the trash.
HandsOn Pet Grooming Gloves
While brushing is supposed to be therapeutic for animals, there may be times when it hurts. Using grooming gloves allows you to massage your German Shepherd’s skin while brushing to encourage blood flow and reduce the discomfort that may come from brushing.
HertzCo Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
For general brushing and maintenance, this self-cleaning slicker brush will get rid of mats and reach deep into the coat without hurting your dog. While the bristles are very fine, they’re guaranteed not to bend, so you don’t need to worry about constantly buying new brushes.
The best thing about this brush is that it can be cleaned immediately by simply pressing a button to release trapped hair into the garbage.
Bathe Your German Shepherd Only When Necessary
While brushing should be done frequently throughout the week, you should only bathe your GSD once every couple of months. Because German Shepherds have two coats rather than one, they’re more protected from dust and other impurities.
Their top coats act as a barrier to their undercoat, and any blemishes that don’t come away with brushing can be spot cleaned with dog-specific cleaning wipes.
However, it’s okay to bathe your dog more often during flea season as a preventative measure. If you do this, though, you’ll need to make sure their skin gets rehydrated to avoid dry, itchy, and irritated skin. Many German Shepherd owners do so by using coconut oil after bath time.
Best Bath Time Products For German Shepherds
Because German Shepherds tend to develop dry skin, it’s important to make sure you use moisturizing shampoos and oils to encourage hydration. It’s also essential to have the right tools to wash away all shampoo after washing. Here are three great products to help.
Tropiclean Pet Shampoo
This pet shampoo on exfoliates and moisturizes without using any soap or parabens. It’s also fragrance-free, which is ideal for German Shepherds as fragrances may irritate their skin. This specific shampoo helps with shed control and also has a matching pet conditioner sold separately.
Waterpik Pet Wand
A shower sprayer is a good investment for those who don’t own a detachable shower head if you plan to do regular German Shepherd grooming at home. This one in particular, is popular among dog owners because it has multiple spray modes, an 8-foot flexible hose, and it can connect to your indoor plumbing or your outdoor hose with an included adapter.
Raw Paws Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
Using coconut oil after each bath is excellent for rehydrating your German Shepherd’s skin. GSD undercoats have natural oils that keep the skin hydrated, and when they get a bath, those oils are stripped away. This coconut oil gives their skin time to reestablish those oils without dealing with itchiness. Coconut oil is also edible and entirely safe for your dog to ingest.
Encourage Healthy Coat Growth With A Nutritious Diet
Any dog needs to have a healthy diet for their health, but eating healthy also encourages good coat growth and shininess. German Shepherds, in particular, must eat foods with easily digestible carbs and grains (rice, barley, oats, etc.) rather than wheat or corn to avoid stomach issues.
Food ingredients that specifically help promote a shiny coat can be any food made up of vegetable and fish oils. These foods give your German Shepherd healthy fats and Omega-3 fatty acids, two proponents to healthy coat growth.
Give Them Supplements To Enhance Growth And Shine
Along with healthy meals, it may be helpful to give your German Shepherd supplements to make their coat shinier. While they may likely get a good amount of fish oils from their food, you may want to consider giving them a little extra if you find their food doesn’t contain a sufficient amount.
However, you should always consult with your veterinarian before starting your dog on any supplements. You may want your German Shepherd’s coat to look shiny, but if they’re already getting enough from their food, then you may end up hurting them in the long run.
This same sentiment goes to all other tips on this list. Your vet will know better than anyone what will work best for your four-legged friend, so it’s important to listen to what they have to say.