Dog Community

dog brush

jaye

Posted : 3/31/2006 11:55:42 AM

what kind of brush should be used for a dog that has about 1 inch length fur?

Berner_girl

Posted : 3/31/2006 12:27:05 PM

I'm assuming double coated? A curry brush and a slicker should do you fine. You can find both at just about any local pet supply store or at Dog.com. I've also heard really good things about the FURminator. (Check out Dog.com as well for that one.)

jaye

Posted : 3/31/2006 1:55:09 PM

whats a curry brush?

Berner_girl

Posted : 3/31/2006 2:29:34 PM

It's a rubber brush. The one you'll find in pet stores is called the Kong ZoomGroom and it comes in different colors.

jaye

Posted : 3/31/2006 9:13:59 PM

i guess its double coated, i dont know how to tell about that. the pound thinks its a german shepherd mix. when i was a kid we always used a regular hair brush to brush our dogs, just curious if theres any reason that wouldnt work?

huskymom

Posted : 3/31/2006 11:46:04 PM

Depending on the regular hairbrush and the time of year you will be brushing. If I used a regular hairbrush on Crusher I would still be brushing out his winter coat when it started to grow baack in. My friend that has a GSD uses one of those long blade looking things that come apart and you drag it down the dog to pull off the old coat. It looks barbaric if you ask me but it really works when they blow thier coat. We have however noticed it does nothing on a husky coat.

For normal everyday brushing I think one of the normal everyday people brushes would do the trick. I mean the ones with the pins that have the little colored ends. They make them for dogs too but I havent seen a difference, besides price.

By the way I vacuum my dogs.

jprinz99

Posted : 4/1/2006 7:09:27 AM

the long blade looking thing is called a shedding blade. You can find it cheap at farm and equine stores, although lots of pet stores also carry them. Go for the one with leather handles and that can open up. It is shaped like a big upside down tear drop/loop. You can use the smooth side for scraping water off and the toothed side for shedding out. Be careful going over boney parts, like the spine.

glenmar

Posted : 4/1/2006 7:49:39 AM

On a shepherd or shepherd mix you HAVE to have a brush that gets down to both layers of fur. And this is that time of year when they shed like crazy.....

Berner_girl

Posted : 4/1/2006 10:34:41 AM

Double coated means that the dog has a coarse layer of outer fur to protect him from the elements and a softer undercoat to keep him warm. Single coated dogs typically have fine hair like a Yorkie or a Cavalier.

mrv

Posted : 4/1/2006 11:05:08 AM

I use under coat rakes (long, short and double teeth) Each tool takes a different layer of hair it seems. I also blow coats out with a dog dryer although a reverse feature on a shop vac can also work. I also use the gray handle 4 blade mat breaker to take out under coat. All the tools need to be used carefully since the teeth or blades are metal and can injure skin. I use a flea comb to get at the dense short hair on legs.

jaye

Posted : 4/1/2006 2:33:09 PM

thanks everyone, how often should i brush my german shepherd mix dog? im getting her probably on monday, im so excited!

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/1/2006 7:30:20 PM

Probably once or twice a day, since you just have one dog, and it's an activity that helps with bonding. It helps with shedding, and increases the time between baths, and it's a great way to get to know your dog's body, in case something new pops up. If you brush her on the porch before you come in, and give her a light spritz with grooming cologne or an essential oil mix, you can really reduce the need for bathing. I have a friend who does this with her two GSDs, and she hasn't bathed them since last year. I'm going to go help her bathe them on the next warm day that I have time to. They really don't smell at all, but they've got some buildup on their coats from the cologne

jaye

Posted : 4/1/2006 9:16:22 PM

great info thanks )