How to Trim a Long-Haired German Shepherd

German shepherds have a double-layered coat with a soft top layer and a thick, coarse undercoat. Though the breed sheds year round, twice a year it begins heavily shedding its undercoat. Breed enthusiasts refer to this as "blowing the coat," and it typically results in massive clumps of hair on furniture and in carpets. Shiloh shepherds and other long-haired German shepherds are especially prone to excessive shedding, but regular trimming and grooming can keep long-haired shepherds comfortable in hot weather in addition to keeping your house relatively hair-free.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog shampoo
  • Brush
  • Dematting comb
  • Trimming scissors
  • Fur detangler
  • Hair comb
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Instructions

    • 1

      Bathe your dog every few months. Bathing your dog too frequently can cause dry skin and fur, but occasional baths will help keep your dog's coat healthy. If your German shepherd has dry or irritated skin, use an oatmeal shampoo, which soothes the skin.

    • 2

      Brush your dog daily during the summer months. This helps prevent fur matting and removes shed fur that is still stuck in your dog's coat. During the winter and other times when your dog is not shedding heavily, brush it once a week and whenever you notice its hair becoming tangled.

    • 3

      Use a dematting comb to pull apart mats in your dog's coat. Grip behind the mat with your fingers while using the comb. This helps to eliminate pulling on your dog's skin, which frequently causes dogs to hate being groomed.

    • 4

      Trim your dog's fur using trimming scissors and a hair comb. Comb the comb out to the tip of the hair and trim using the comb as your guide. While long-haired German shepherds do not require trimming, doing so can keep the dog's fur even.