GSD Grooming and Supplements

How Do I Groom a German Shepherd Dog? 
Ask any German Shepherd dog owner and they will tell you these dogs come with a lot of hair. Fortunately for us, it's not that hard to get rid of it. Keeping up on daily grooming will cut down on the dog hair in the house significantly. It's not hard to catch up if you get behind in grooming though, there will just be more hair to remove. These tools are recommended for every German Shepherd dog owner.




FURminator deShedding Tool for Dogs
FURminator deShedding Tool for Dogs

The Furminator is the German Shepherd owner's best friend! This grooming tool takes out more loose hair than any other tool. Use it when you get behind or for every day grooming. The handle is ergonomically designed for easy gripping and longer use at a time. You'll never regret buying this tool!

FURminator deShedding Tool for Dogs






While the FURminator is the best and most useful dog grooming tool for GSD owners, it's not the only one that matters. You'll also be needing a shedding comb, a slicker brush, toe nail clippers and dental products.

Let's start with the shedding comb. This comb is distinctive due to it's alternating short and long tines. They reach down past the guard hairs and grab that undercoat! Using this comb daily or at least weekly will cut down on the fur flying.


Evolution W6165 Shedding Comb with Rotating Teeth
Evolution W6165 Shedding Comb with Rotating Teeth

This shedding comb is the classic style with a nice sturdy handle that fits well in your hand. Comfort is important during grooming! The teeth on this comb rotate slightly making it a bit easier to use for long grooming sessions.

Evolution W6165 Shedding Comb with Rotating Teeth









JW Pet Company GripSoft Shedding Comb for Dogs
JW Pet Company GripSoft Shedding Comb for Dogs

This shedding comb has a heavy duty shaft, which is great for grooming large breed dogs.It's a little more stylish than the one listed above too.

JW Pet Company GripSoft Shedding Comb for Dogs












Another grooming tool you'll need as a GSD owner is an undercoat rake.These rakes really help during shedding season. They reach down past the guard hairs and pull out that stubborn undercoat that has to be removed for a healthy coat.


JW Pet Company GripSoft Double Row Undercoat Rake Dog Brush
JW Pet Company GripSoft Double Row Undercoat Rake Dog Brush

This undercoat rake matches the comb above (if that matters to you!) and is ergonomically designed to be comfortable for long grooming sessions.

JW Pet Company GripSoft Double Row Undercoat Rake Dog Brush








The slicker brush is used in daily grooming to help keep your pup looking her sharpest. Run it over the dog's coat for a sleek finish. If used daily with the shedding comb you'll notice a real reduction in shedding.


Miracle Coat Slicker Brush
Miracle Coat Slicker Brush

This large head slicker brush is perfect for German Shepherd Dogs. It covers a lot of fur in one swipe. Just what you need to clean up your dog on a daily basis.

Miracle Coat Slicker Brush


That covers the daily and weekly grooming for your GSD (except for dental care, we'll cover that later). Next up is bathing. You only need to bathe your German Shepherd every three to six months. That may seem like a long time between baths, but these dogs have oils in their coats that can be washed away with too many baths. Less is best! Spot clean your puppy as much as you need to, but when it comes to a full bath wait until shedding becomes an issue. Always use a quality protein shampoo. Never use human shampoo on any dog.


Earthbath All Natural Shampoo, 16-Ounce
Earthbath All Natural Shampoo, 16-Ounce

You almost can't go wrong with an oatmeal bath. This oatmeal blend shampoo is perfect for those full baths.

Earthbath All Natural Shampoo, 16-Ounce












FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo
FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo

I admit to never having used this FURminator product myself. However, my co-worker at the grooming shop used it on double coated dogs and loved the results. Some people really swear by this product. I know the grooming tool works wonders so I believe in the raves over the shampoo.

FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo







You'll need to check your dog's toenails for splits and length on a weekly basis. If your dog spends a lot of time on concrete chances are that they will not need their nails clipped as often. German Shepherd Dogs have black toenails. These can be a little tricky to clip. Start at the tips and just take a little off at a time. There is a place on the back of the nail where the quick meets the top part of the nail. You want to clip the nail as close to that spot as possible without going beyond that point. If you don't feel comfortable clipping your dog's nails let your veterinarian or groomer do the job for you.


Millers Forge Dog Nail Clip, Large
Millers Forge Dog Nail Clip, Large

I personally have used this brand and style of nail clippers for over 15 years both professionally and personally. They do a wonderful job on the thick nails of German Shepherds and they stay sharp for a very long time.

Millers Forge Dog Nail Clip, Large








Daily dental care is as essential for your pet as it is for you. By taking care of your dog's teeth on a daily basis you will save money at the veterinarian's office in the long term. You may even extend your dog's life by taking care of her teeth! It's fairly easy to brush a German Shepherd's teeth since they have a large mouth. The toothpaste is tasty so the dogs generally like it. Start when your dog is young. The younger the better. Get your dog used to you handling their mouths. It's as straight forward as brushing your own teeth. Put the toothpaste (a small amount) on the tooth brush and go over the dog's teeth in small circular motions. Keep a towel handy; there will be a lot of slobbering. That's it! Do it daily!


Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Natural Dog Dental Kit
Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Natural Dog Dental Kit

This is a great starter kit for daily dental care for your GSD. It has a large toothbrush and a tube of peanut butter toothpaste. It also comes in beef and liver flavors so shop for your favorite!

Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Natural Dog Dental Kit








How do I clean those giant German Shepherd Ears?
Luckily German Shepherd have large upright ears that don't get too dirty. If you look inside and see a lot of dirt or there is a foul smell go to the veterinarian. You may be dealing with an infection. Cleaning a German Shepherd's ears is not that difficult. Grab some paper towels, cotton balls and ear cleaning solution and get the dog in position (seated in front of you). Put the ear cleaner on the cotton ball and rub inside the dog's ear. Go as deep as your fingers will let you, no farther. Never use a q-tip unless you know what you are doing. Next, dry the ear with the paper towel. Then get out of the way while the dog shakes his head for a minute!

Zymox Ear Cleanser With Bio-Active Enzymes, 4 oz.
Zymox Ear Cleanser With Bio-Active Enzymes, 4 oz.
Zymox ear cleaner is one of the top of the line. It gently cleans dirty ears and inhibits bacterial growth.

Zymox Ear Cleanser With Bio-Active Enzymes, 4 oz.











How can I help my German Shepherd's coat?
 The first thing to look at when your pet has a flaky or dry coat is the type of food you are feeding. Is it quality dog food? Most flaky skin conditions are caused by food allergies or cheap dog food. Check out these quality premium dog foods before looking into supplements for your German Shepherd. Once you've got your dog on good quality dog food, the next step is a stop at the veterinarian's office for allergy testing. If your pet does not have an allergy the flaky dry skin could just be from dry air in the home. You may need a skin and coat supplement for your GSD to have a lush feeling coat.

Skin and Coat Supplement for Dogs and Cats (Omega 3 Fish Oil, Vitamins, Amino Acids, Minerals) 60 Bacon Flavor Chewables.
Skin and Coat Supplement for Dogs and Cats (Omega 3 Fish Oil, Vitamins, Amino Acids, Minerals) 60 Bacon Flavor Chewables.

These bacon flavored chewable tablets are highly palatable and easy to feed. These tablets will give your dog's system the extra boost it needs to make his coat soft and flake free!

Skin and Coat Supplement for Dogs and Cats (Omega 3 Fish Oil, Vitamins, Amino Acids, Minerals) 60 Bacon Flavor Chewables.


What's a hot spot and how do I treat it?
A hot spot is a skin inflammation that forms on some dogs. It may be due to allergies or even stress. Take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible to diagnose a hot spot. If you can't get to the vet or your dog has suffered from hot spots in the past and you know what to look for and treat you can use over the counter medications to give your pet some relief.

Sulfodene First Aid Skin Medication for Dogs, 4oz.
Sulfodene First Aid Skin Medication for Dogs, 4oz.

Sulfodene is the first name in hot spot treatment. Place a small amount on a rag or cotton ball and dab on the affected area liberally. Take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Sulfodene First Aid Skin Medication for Dogs, 4oz.