[Luvapup]

Our 7 month old dog is really starting to shed - can anyone recommend a good grooming brush that will help us out?

[MrAndrew]

Hvae you tried the Furminator? It sells like hotcakes out of my store and people can't stop talking about how well it works.

[Lara's mom]

I see it has a blade...What is the possibility of a wiggily JRT being cut by this tool?

[MrAndrew]

That's a great question, I haven't heard of any pet getting injured by a Furminator. Basically it is an undercoat brush and the only 'sharp' part on this tool is in-between the metal comb-like parts, where the the fur goes in-between. I'd be happy to an up close picture of it if you want

[Lara's mom]

My Lara doesn't have an undercoat but, my Bailey does. I'd love to see a bigger picture.

[MrAndrew]

I guess I was a little off, "The Furminator does not cut the hair but grabs and removes undercoat hair quickly and easily."

We had a demo model in the store but I can't seem to find it and don't want to break open a sealed one. Here's an image of how it looks, semi upclose.

[Lara's mom]

Thank you. It might be a good thing for Bailey. She's a border collie - spaniel cross and has loads of undercoat!

[Lunareclipse]

My dogs love their undercoat rake. It also doubles as a back scratcher for them.

[oes forever]

you could try a love glove for your jrt. its a rubber glove with little bobbles that cling to the hair. dogs love them.
or a deshedding blade. but use this carefully. its like a hack saw blade bent over.
or a zoom groom.
ferminators dont work on all coat types, ive tried it on my staffy cross and it does nothing but on a collie or spaniel there great. not the cheepest tool.

ferminator also do a shampoo and lotion, you have to leave it on a while but its great stuff.
theres also lots of things you can do with thier diet too but i am no expert on that.
why is it that short haired dogs are the worst for loosing hair???????
i have an old english sheepdog who doesnt moult just sheds as we do and i have never noticed any hair, i also have a pomerian who you just find hair on us and bits here and there, then theres the staffy cross who just coats all the carpets in fine white hairs that the hoover hates picking up!
good luck with your battle!

[mrandrei]

Furminator is the way to go. It is the best one for dogs that shed alot. They sell it at Petsmart but it costs like 30 dollars.

[sweetdog888]

I am using Furminator and it's very effective and easy to use.

[OrangeDog]

It is very easy to hurt a dog using a Furminator. You can burn and abraid the skin and distroy the coat unless you really know what you are doing. I have been a groomer for 13 years and have seen dogs whos owners have done a lot of damage by using one of these tools. If you know how to brush correctly there is no need to use one of these blades to remove shedding hair. The best way to remove shedding hair is with a "Greyhound Comb" that has both fine and coarse teeth.

[cookie]

Furminator is a good tool. They make a knockoff that you can get in Walmart for a few dollars less, and it works really well. My pug would give tons and tons of undercoat with this, you could make a second dog out of all the pulled fur!!

You just have to brush a bit easier than with a regular brush so as not to irritate the skin. I don't think the "blade" part is actually on the edge of the teeth that touches the skin, so it won't hurt the animal. But it is a metal edged instrument, so you have to be easy with it.

A shedding blade is good, too, it's a longish blade-like brush that is similar to a grooming tool for horses.

[OrangeDog]

Shedding blades ARE horse tools and should NEVER EVER be used on any dog. Not only can you slice open the dogs skin (remember horses skin is much tougher than a dogs) it also does not remove undercoat but actually CUTS the top coat thus damage to the hair results.

[Lara's mom]

Thank you so much for the warning. I was considering purchasing one of these things but, in view of what you said, I'll stick to the old fashioned brush and comb!!! I appreciate your honesty and input!!!

[Todd]

Here's a fairly informative article I found. Don;t really know from experience because my dog has very short hair. You guys already mentioned some of these methods. Though I'd just share this though;

everywhere! Dog hair has an uncanny knack for appearing in the oddest places – your dinner plate, refrigerator, bathroom soap dish, and on your pillow. Unless you possess a completely hairless dog (like the American Hairless Terrier), there is no such thing as stopping a dog from shedding. It is this natural loss of hair that makes way for new coats to emerge. Depending on the breed of dog you possess, you will find that shedding can greatly vary. In order to prevent the problem from taking over your life and home, consider a couple of the methods listed below:
Why Do Dogs Shed?

With the exception of a select few breeds, dog shedding is the natural process of removing dead hair that permits the growth of a new coat and that allows a dog to better adapt to climate changes in temperature that occur on a seasonal basis. For example, some breeds experience shedding in the spring, as they lose their winter coats.

While normal shedding occurs once or twice, some dogs seem to shed all year round, which is common in dogs that spend most of their time indoors. Usually, when indoor dogs step outside their home, they experience unexpected changes in weather. This is why some dogs naturally enter a period of continuous shedding in an attempt to appropriately regulate their overall body temperature.

In some cases, physical issues can cause a dog to shed a great deal of hair. A visit to the veterinarian can rule out or diagnose a skin infection, ringworm, mange, cancer, or stress. Also, keep in mind that it is not normal for a dog’s coat to thin out, as it grows older. Bald spots often characterize abnormal hair loss, which is a call for immediate action.

When looking for a new dog and you prefer a light shedder, try considering a Maltese, Scottish Terrier, Toy Poodle, Bichon Frise, Airedale, or Cockapoo. While most of these dogs possess short hair, do not mistake this as a sure sign for light shedding. Jack Russell Terriers are constant shedders despite their short hair [1]. As for the worst, keep in mind that breeds with double coats (such as Great Pyrenees and Siberian Huskies) possess a soft undercoat and a coarser topcoat. These heavy shedders remove excess hair once during the springtime and again in the fall.
Dog Shedding Prevention

No matter how much you try, dog hair has a way of showing up in the darndest places within a household. If you want to stay ahead of the shedding – proper grooming is the key to prevention. Instead of allowing the hair to cover your entire residence, taking care of the removal process yourself can prevent excessive shedding in the home. For starters, begin by brushing your dog at least once a day and then consider the following prevention tips:

a) Slicker Brush:
One of the best tools for keeping loose hair from falling out of your dog’s coat is to use a slicker brush. A thorough grooming session using this type of tool is suggested for once per week.

b) Stock Up on Common Grooming Tools:
Having an assortment of hair grooming tools in your possession is a good way to prevent unnecessary shedding. A shedding comb is pulled through the hair until the coat becomes smooth. Dog breeds with double coats work best with an undercoat rake, which pulls out loose undercoat. Some dogs experience a matting of the fur, in which a dematting rake cuts through the clumps of hair and acts as a detangler.

c) Buy a Grooming Mitt:
To prevent shedding in shorthaired dogs with a single coat, a grooming mitt (sometimes referred to as a “hound mitt”) is a glove with little nubs that works out loose hair. It is recommended to follow up with a bristle brush to remove the loosened hair.

d) Horse Shedding Blade:
Sounds gruesome – but dogs with short, thick double coats can benefit with the use of a horse shedding blade – easily found at feed stores, tack stores, and mail order catalogs. With little pressure, simply pull excess hair with an uncomplicated glide of the tool.

e) Wool Cloth:
Some double coat breeds of dog respond well to wool cloths rubbed onto their coats on a daily basis.

f) Vacuum:
Some pet owners have trained their dog to accept the disturbing sound of a vacuum cleaner, where some of the brush attachments have been known to work wonders on a shedding dog [2].

g) Visit the Veterinarian:
Some shedding problems are not normal and a visit to the vet can rule out underlying health concerns, such as a thyroid imbalance.

h) Infrequent Baths:
Frequent washing of a dog’s coat can strip away natural oils that can transform a shiny, lustery coat into a harsh, dry, and brittle mess. When a bath is needed, make sure to use mild soap, baby shampoo, or coconut-oil shampoo in order to decrease the hair loss that comes from a dry coat [3].

*Also, have any of you guys though about trying a fish oil supplement? Omega fatty acids have been proven to increase skin/coat health. It may even help with shedding.

[must_Love_dogs24]

Hi there, what kind of dog do you have? because depending on the type of coat i wouldn't suggest anything yet. The furminator seems like an ok tool but you have to look at what it really it. Its actually a surgical blade with teeth close enough together to not cut your dog. But the problem with this is it can not only pull undercoat out but cut some long hairs on top of the coat. This tool would be ok for a dog like a golden retriever.

[OrangeDog]

Furminator should NEVER be used on a golden... it will DESTROY the dog's coat!! If you have a trained groomer using it the furminator may be ok on a double coated breed such as a husky but it is easy to do harm so you are much better off learning to brush correctly with a brush and comb.