What Is Necessary to Groom a German Shepherd Dog?

German shepherds are large dogs that are well proportioned and strong. They are easy to groom because they do not need frequent baths. They do have two coats of fur; one of them an undercoat, which does lead to a lot of shedding. You will need to use specific equipment and brushes to control a German shepherd's coat and to provide proper grooming.

  1. Slicker brush, Metal Comb and Rubber Curry Brush

    • Start the grooming process by using a slicker brush. Start at the head and follow the natural lines of the body to the tail. The slicker brush will get rid of excess hair and loosen shedding hair. Follow the slicker brush with a metal comb, again going from head to the tail to remove more hair. Go over the entire coat with a rubber curry brush to give a German shepherd's coat a shinier appearance, to remove dead hair and to massage the skin. You need to brush the dog's hair weekly to maintain a healthy coat.

    Rake Brush and Shedding Blade

    • Use a rake brush to remove shedding hair from the undercoat and to prevent matting and tangling. Brush the back of the neck, hind quarters and chest carefully because they contain the thickest undercoat. Shedding blades are commonly used on German shepherds during their shedding season. Do not use shedding blades unless you have received the proper training from professional groomers, otherwise you could harm your dog. Use shedding blades by starting at the back of the dog and moving to the front. Place the blades on the dog and gently pull back with mild pressure to remove shedding hair. Ask someone to help you hold the dog while you use the blades.

    Dog Nail Clippers and Scissors

    • Dog nail clippers and scissors are an important part of a German shepherd's grooming process. Use nail clippers when the the dog's nails have become too long. Long nails can split, causing pain and can change the way a dog walks. Use sharp clippers to trim nails and avoid cutting nails too short. Use scissors to trim excess hair on and between the paws, and in places like the ears.

    Shampoo

    • Unlike many other breeds of dogs, German shepherds do not require much bathing. Bath German shepherds only when necessary to avoid irritating their skin and stripping them of essential skin oils. When bathing a German shepherd, use a gentle shampoo will be easy on the dog. Also look for a shampoo that gives dogs the characteristics you want, such as a shiny coat, or prevents ticks and fleas.