Best brush for a German Shepherd
A German Shepherd's dense double coat needs a proper deshedding tool that reaches the undercoat, not just a slicker brush that only manages the top layer. A tool like a deshedding comb or blade, used regularly and more often during their heavy seasonal shed, makes a genuinely noticeable difference to loose hair around the house.
Why this coat needs a specific kind of brush
German Shepherds carry a dense, soft undercoat beneath the longer, coarser guard hairs, and a standard slicker brush mostly catches the top layer without shifting the loose undercoat sitting beneath it. That undercoat is what comes out in handfuls during a seasonal blow, and it is exactly what a slicker on its own struggles to reach.
A dedicated deshedding tool, such as a shedding blade or a double-sided deshedding and flea comb, is designed to pull that loose undercoat out without damaging the topcoat above it, which is the real difference between a brush that looks like it is working and one that actually is.
What actually works
A self-cleaning deshedding grooming comb or a purpose-built shedding blade, worked through in sections against the direction of hair growth, removes far more loose undercoat than a slicker alone. Many owners find a slicker still useful afterwards for smoothing the topcoat, used as a finishing step rather than the main tool.
Consistency matters more than any single product. A quick session a few times a week keeps loose hair from building up between grooms, which is far more manageable than one long session every few weeks trying to catch up.
How often to groom, and keeping skin healthy underneath
Outside of the twice-yearly heavy shed, a couple of sessions a week is generally enough to keep on top of normal hair loss. During a seasonal blow, daily brushing for a week or two makes a real difference to how much ends up on the floor and furniture instead.
While you are working through the coat, it is worth checking the skin underneath for dryness, flaking or irritation, since a thick double coat can hide skin problems that would be obvious on a shorter-coated breed. A dog who scratches more than usual or has visibly flaky skin is worth mentioning to your vet.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Ancol Ergo Wooden Handle Slicker Brush
A stainless steel slicker brush on a wooden handle, for short, long, wiry and curly coats
From£6.99
Wahl Competition Series Clipper Blades
High-precision, chrome-plated clipper blades with a rust-resistant finish, available in 17 sizes for every coat type and clipping style.
From£37.99
Ancol Ergo Double Sided Comb
Ancol Ergo Double Sided Comb: a SGL grooming comb for combing the coat
£8.79
Ancol Ergo Grooming Glove
A rubber grooming glove for dogs, for removing loose hair on wet or dry coats
£9.79
Wahl Pet Grooming Scissors with Finger Rest
Stainless steel finishing scissors with ergonomic offset handles — perfect for tidying around eyes, ears, mouth, and paws.
£5.49
Ancol Ergo Universal Slicker
A universal slicker brush for dogs, for coats from smooth to curly
From£6.79
Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles
A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.
£18.99
Slicker Brush for Dogs — Detangling & De-shedding
An ergonomic slicker brush with anti-scratch pins that works through tangles and removes dead hair from top and undercoat.
From£9.99
Groom Professional Curved Soft Slicker Brush
A professional-grade curved slicker brush with soft pins, designed to groom delicate and soft-coated pets without discomfort.
From£8.99
Round-Tipped Deshedding Rake Comb
A double-sided undercoat rake with rounded stainless-steel blades that gently cut through mats and remove loose hair. The non-slip ergonomic handle makes deshedding dogs and cats quick and comfortable.
From£8.99
Self-Cleaning Deshedding Slicker Brush
A deshedding grooming tool for dogs and cats that lifts loose undercoat and eases out tangles, with a self-cleaning button that releases the trapped fur in one press.
£25.99
Common questions
- Do German Shepherds need brushing every day?
- Not usually outside of their seasonal shed. A couple of sessions a week is generally enough the rest of the year, but daily brushing during their twice-yearly heavy shedding period makes a real difference to how much loose hair ends up around the house.
- What's the difference between a slicker brush and a deshedding tool?
- A slicker mostly manages the topcoat, while a deshedding tool such as a shedding blade or comb is built to reach and remove the loose undercoat sitting beneath it. German Shepherds have a lot of undercoat, which is why a deshedding tool makes such a noticeable difference for this breed specifically.
- Will brushing stop my German Shepherd shedding completely?
- No, and nothing will — shedding is a normal, ongoing process for this breed, especially during their seasonal coat blow. Regular brushing manages how much loose hair ends up on your floors and furniture rather than stopping the shedding itself.
- Can I shave a German Shepherd to reduce shedding?
- It is not recommended. A double coat helps regulate body temperature in both hot and cold weather, and shaving it can disrupt that regulation and sometimes affect how the coat regrows. Regular deshedding brushing is the better way to manage loose hair without interfering with the coat itself.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.