The Art Of Grooming Your German Shepherd
German shepherds are beautiful dogs. But, they require regular grooming to keep their double coat in great shape.
They also shed a lot. Regular grooming will help reduce the shedding so that it’s easier to vacuum up from your house and car.
By keeping your dog on a regular grooming schedule, you will ensure that their skin and coat are healthy and keep them looking good. You’ll also save yourself some effort when it comes to cleaning up their trail of fur.
To help you groom your German shepherd, we’ve put together this guide:
Weekly de-shedding
Use a de-shedding tool once a week. A de-shedding tool will pull out the loose fur from their undercoat, prevent mats, and cut down on the amount of fur in the house. While you’re at it, inspect their skin to ensure it's healthy and free of parasites.
Some tools you can use for this include an undercoat rake or a Furminator. These tools can be hard on their skin and fur so be mindful that you don’t break the skin or fur. Choose one that works well for you and your dog enjoys.
German shepherds blow their coat twice a year. When this happens, you may need to increase your de-shedding to twice a week until it’s under control.
Slicker brush twice a week
To remove loose fur and dirt from their fur, run a slicker brush over your dog twice a week. A slicker brush will loosen and pull out loose hair but won’t pull hair from the undercoat like a de-shedding tool. The slicker brush is great for giving your dog a sleek appearance and is gentle on the skin and coat.
Bathe a few times a year
If you keep your dog well brushed, you probably won’t have to bathe them more than a few times a year (unless they play in mud or roll in something stinky).
German shepherds tend to have sensitive skin, which can be irritated by frequent baths. When you do bathe your dog, be sure to use a product that won’t dry their skin or strip it of its natural oils. Using a bath brush will help remove dead fur.
Always use a good pH balanced shampoo followed by conditioner, to make brushing easier. If your dog is suffering from skin problems, there are lots of products available, such as de-shedding shampoos and products that can help control yeast overgrowth and more.
Weekly ear care
German shepherds have large erect ears that can gather dirt and bits of grass. Just like their skin, many German shepherds have sensitive ears, and some dogs are prone to yeast or bacterial infections.
To prevent ear problems, gently wipe out your dog’s ears with ear wipes each week, without putting the wipe into the ear canal. If your dog’s ears seem dirty, you can also use a self-drying wash, such as Epi-Otic, to flush dirt and debris out of the ears and then pat the outer area dry.
Never stick anything down into your dog’s ear canal. If your dog’s ears are red, they're shaking their head, scratching, or there is an odor, they may have an infection that needs to be treated by a vet.
Monthly paw and nail care
How often you will need to trim your dog’s nails varies from dog to dog. Some dog’s nails grow faster than others. Some don’t walk on surfaces that naturally wear them down. However, a good rule of thumb is to check your dog’s nails monthly and trim them as needed with a good nail clipper.
If you prefer not to cut your dog’s nails, a grinding tool such as a Dremel can be helpful. The best tool for you will depend on your comfort level, your dog, and how thick your dog’s nails are.
It will help if you start handling your puppy’s paws and nails when they are very young to get them used to it. This will make it easier when it comes time to cut their nails for the first time. By trimming a little at a time, you can prevent cutting too close to the quick, which can cause your dog to become nervous about nail trims.
When you cut your dog’s nails, take time to inspect their pads and between their toes for any signs of injury or health concerns. If needed, trim the long hair from between their pads to help keep their paws cleaner. This also helps prevent them from slipping on hard floors.
Dental care
There are many ways to help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Always provide your dog with plenty of toys and chews. Choose treats from the Veterinary Oral Health Council. There are even dog foods that contain dental cleaning properties, like Eukanuba and Hills.
You can also brush your dog’s teeth with dog-friendly toothpaste, use dental wipes, and talk to your vet about cleanings.
Hygiene trims
You should never shave your German shepherd. Their fur helps regulate their body temperature and keeps them warm in winter and cool in the summer. However, some dogs can benefit from a hygiene trim.
A hygiene trim, also known as a sanitary trim, is most often used on long-coated dogs, those with especially dense fur, and aging dogs. The purpose of the trim is to prevent urine and feces from sticking to their fur. The trim involves using a clipper to trim the fur around the anus, genitals, and abdomen if needed.
Eye and face care
Dog wipes or unscented baby wipes are great for wiping off your dog’s face and eyes when needed. You can also use eye wipes to get rid of any gunk.
Feed a healthy diet
Diet plays a huge role in the health of your dog, including their skin and coat. Be sure to feed high-quality protein and omega 3’s to keep your dog’s skin nourished from the inside. If your dog suffers from dry skin, dandruff, or itching, it could be their skin is too dry or their skin barrier is damaged, and they may benefit from a diet change.
Final tips
- When grooming your dog, it's best to always stick to dog-friendly products and avoid human beauty products.
- Always keep sharp scissors and the like away from your dog.
- Read labels and avoid any human products, such as toothpaste because they often contain xylitol, which is toxic.
- Always take the time to look for changes in your dog’s skin and feel for lumps and bumps.
- If you find a mat, apply conditioner and gently comb it out.
We hope you find these tips helpful. Please feel free to share with your friends.
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