How To Clip A German Shepherd Dog

German Shepherd Puppy And Adult Brushing Schedule

Put your GSD on a brushing schedule to ensure coat and skin health.

How often you brush your German Shepherd depends on if theyre blowing their coat or not.

Dont neglect to brush or you wind up with a mess of dog fur and unhealthy skin!

Keeping to a brushing schedule and routine helps you to stay on top of your German Shepherds health and to catch issues before they become big problems.

German Shepherd Grooming Costs

• $0$100 per month

In terms of grooming, German Shepherds are lower maintenance than other heavy shedding breeds. As long as your dog does not have any known illnesses or issues, you should not have to pay monthly prices. Especially if you brush their teeth, clip their nails, and comb out their hair on your own, you shouldnt pay monthly bills.

With that being said, you may need to pay monthly bills if you are not able to trim the dogs nails or groom it yourself. This can cost about $66 to $100 a month, but this is avoidable if you buy the clippers and trimmers to use on your own.

The Zoom Groom: Best Brush For Wet And Dry Grooming

The Zoom Groom is perfect for both dry and wet use!

The Zoom Groom brush works great for getting shampoo and conditioner onto the skin of thick-coated German Shepherds.

Massaging bristles work through deep undercoats to work products into the coat and hair without discomfort. With gentle rubber tips, this tool is also perfect for dry brushing German Shepherd puppies!

Use the gentle and soft rubber Zoom Groom to work up a cleansing lather of shampoo or to helps reach your dogs skin through their dense fur if you need to apply any treatments.

The wet and dry brush is a convenient tool to keep on hand for times when you need both a brush in the bath and after the bath.

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Do German Shepherds Need Haircuts

In most cases, a German Shepherd will not need their hair cut. Even with the long-haired variety of the breed, the German Shepherd’s coat should not cause the dog any mobility, visibility or hygiene issues. Other breeds have vast amounts of hair and clipping their coat is beneficial to make their day-to-day lives easier. If not, the fur can get in their eyes or make it very easy for their coat to get dirty. This is not the case with German Shepherds.

Another reason a German Shepherd doesn’t need a haircut is because their coat provides important protection. Since German Shepherd’s have a double-layer coat, shaving them to the skin removes both the outer-coat and undercoat. This is problematic for different reasons:

• Cold: in winter, the dog’s coat will help them to keep warm. Shaving the coat or cutting their hair short will stop them from being protected from the cold.
• Heat: German Shepherd dogs are able to well-tolerate hot climates, even with the longer coat variety. Giving them a close haircut means they lose important protection from the sun and they cannot regulate their body temperature properly.
• Injury: removing the dog’s protective coat means they are more prone to scratching and other injuries. Infection is a greater risk. If they fight with another dog, they are also at a disadvantage if they have to protect themselves.

How Often Should A German Shepherd Be Groomed

Your German Shepherd should be brushed 3-4 times a week, eradicating any loose, dead hairs and keeping the fur soft and shiny. Like other breeds, you should be careful of overbathing your German Shepherd, too many baths can cause dry, irritated skin which leaves them exposed to other health issues. With the German Shepherd breed you should also be checking their toenails at least once a week, otherwise you could be leaving your pup prone to injury.

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Is Dog Teeth Cleaning Necessary

Dogs can get tarter, plaque, bad breath, and gum disease just like humans so it is important to keep your dogs teeth clean. Your dogs teeth will need to be cleaned a lot more often than they will need to be bathed.

Its recommended that you brush your dogs teeth at least three times a week, but brushing your dogs teeth every day would be best. You may have to work with your dog to get them comfortable with getting their teeth cleaned.

Make sure you use toothpaste for dogs, not toothpaste for humans. Dogs toothpaste can safely be swallowed by dogs so you dont have to worry about it harming them.

Try putting a tiny amount of toothpaste on each tooth before you start brushing just to relax your dog. You may even want to let your dog sniff and/or taste the toothpaste.

Once your dog is relaxed, brush the teeth in a circular motion, making sure you brush near the gum lines. Try and be thorough but be gentle.

This is one of the things I wish I did more when Allie was a puppy.

I didnt start regularly brushing her teeth until she was older and now its a struggle. Normally, her mouth is wide open, but when the toothbrush comes out her mouth closes up like a clam.

Imagine someone trying to pry open the mouth of a German Shepherd while also trying to brush teeth, Im sure its a comical sight. Luckily, Ive been able to reach enough of her teeth that she hasnt had any dental issues.

Be Ready For Daily Exercises

German Shepherds require extensive daily exercise to stay healthy. These dogs have an amazing energy that needs to be spent. They are good indoor dogs but only when you allow them to run around as much as they want. You can satisfy the dogs need for exercising by playing active outdoor games, running, or jogging. Your dog will love to join you when you are exercising so you can kill two birds with one stone.

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How Do You Cut A German Shepherds Coat

Not all breeds of dogs are the same. You need to consider what is good for your German Shepherd. And the main factor to consider is that they are a double-coated breed of dog. The growth of their topcoat and undercoat vary. The topcoat protects your German Shepherd from dirt and sun exposure, while the undercoat protects from the cold.

Now, there are two main reasons for cutting a German Shepherds coat: give relief to them during the hot months of summer, and to control your german shepherds shedding. Read more about how to control the shedding and how to properly trim a German Shepherds coat.

Boshel Dog Nail Clippers

Certified by animal trainers and veterinarians, this clipper comes with a razor-sharp stainless steel blade to clip your pets nails in one swift motion.

This clipper is great for the thicker nails of a German Shepherd because it is powerful and provides a clean cut with every clip.

The Boshel Nail Clippers have a comfortable easy to grip handle that lends you to a steadier hand when trimming your dogs nails. As an added bonus, the safety stop sensor helps to reduce the risk of cutting the quick, and it includes a handy nail file.

What I Love:

• A razor-sharp blade so you dont have to re-cut
• Easy to grip handle
• Safety Stop to reduce cutting the quick
• Free nail file
• Lasts for many many years

Possible downsides:

• Learning how to use the safety stop sensor has a bit of a learning curve, still possible to cut the quick if not used correctly.

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Epica Professional Pet Nail Clipper

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Features

Comes in 2 sizes small/medium, and medium/large

The different sizes of clippers have their blades spaced according to the size of small to large dog nails

Clippers are made of stainless steel so they stay clean and sharp

You can lock these clippers in a closed position

Handle is made of rubber and comes with a red color

Comes with a lifetime warranty

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How Often Do You Groom A German Shepherd

Whether medium or longhair, a German Shepherd will need a moderate amount of grooming. Some dogs are very prone to tangling and have fine hair which required daily brushing. A German Shepherd should be brushed about 3 times a week. There are different reasons we need to brush a German Shepherd’s coat:

• One of the main reasons for brushing their coat is because they will drop dead hair. If this is not brushed, it will collect in their coat and threaten their hygiene. It will also lead to hair accumulation on furnishings and floors in the home. Dogs will molt much more hair during shedding seasons.
• Brushing also helps us to distribute the natural oils of a dog’s coat to protect them from the elements and other threats to its condition.
• When we brush a German Shepherd’s coat we can check for injury and parasites. We may not be able to spot a small wound, skin condition or parasites such as fleas from looking at them. Once we get in close by brushing we can monitor for issues which threaten their well-being.
• Brushing a dog’s coat helps to remove tangles and knots. This is something which will affect long haired dogs more.
• When we brush our German Shepherd’s hair we also encourage our bond. If they are sheepish about brushing, we need to get them used to the practice. In doing so, we foster a sense of security with them.

If you want more advice, you can take a look at our article on how to brush a dog’s hair properly.

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Wash/bath Your German Shepherd

As well as getting rid of any dead and loose hairs, washing your dog will also help soften their hairs for when it comes to brushing them. Obviously, you need to be careful not to wash your dog too many times or you will do worse than good by removing a lot of the natural oils found in his or her fur. Always look to use dog-friendly, organic and natural products.

Provide An Elevated Bed

Elevated beds provide extra cooling as they dont absorb any heat from the ground. This allows air to flow over your dog, decreasing their body temperature.

These beds are generally inexpensive and come equipped with skid-resistant feet to prevent the bed from sliding across the ground. This is ideal for homes and outdoor areas with super-smooth floor surfaces.

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Now Take Your Comb And Run The Comb Through All The Hair

A comb helps to ensure you have left no spots left unbrushed, and gives you a hand in smaller areas like the face and feet.

Grooming with a comb also shows you any spots you might have overlooked that need brushed. The teeth of the comb are finer and can help you remove any clumps of fur or debris that the rake brush or pin brush might miss.

A comb can also help you pull out sticks and grass that tend to lodge within the coat and could cause skin irritation if left unremoved.

Grooming Tips For Long Nails

The easiest way to determine if your dogs nails are too long is by noticing whether or not you hear them clicking on the hardwood floor.

That said, there is some controversy over this matter. Some folks believe that hearing your dogs nails click is a sign that they need to immediately be trimmed. Others say that the hard floor tends to keep your dogs nails short enough and that you dont actually need to trim them if you have a hard floor.

Regardless of your personal preference, its important not to let the dogs nails get too long. They can scratch your floor, they can be a hazard to anyone that your dog jumps on or accidentally scratches, and theyre actually dangerous for the dog. There are a few reasons why.

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Tips For Determining The Best Possible Clipper And Blade For German Shepherds

Although German Shepherds have a rough and thick coat, they do not need excessive hair clipping.

This breed has a double coat that consists of a dense undercoat and top layer of fur. The top layer is protective, while the undercoat is the source of warmth. Shepherds shed their undercoat during the warmer months to help keep them cool.

Completely shaving your German Shepherd would remove his topcoat, exposing him to the sun and disrupting air circulation. Ironically, shaving your German Shepherd in the summer can make him hotter.

However, they can benefit from using clippers to trim their legs and keep their hair neat.

To determine the best clipper for your Shepherd, select a suitable design for large dog breeds. Multi-Speed clippers with interchangeable blades are ideal for German Shepherd because they allow you to alter the amount of hair you remove from different areas of his body.

Your clipper should also have excellent durability and power to tackle the German Shepherds heavy coat. The type of blade you use on your shepherd will vary significantly between trimming a longer coat and shaving legs closely.

Blades and clippers that stay sharp and cool for extended periods work best for grooming large breeds with lots of hair.

Best German Shepherd Dog Hair Clippers + Tips For Grooming Your German Shepherd

Contents

In this article, we will explain what clippers and clipper blades can handle the task of trimming your German Shepherds thick coat.

This guide will cover the different types of clippers, the suitability of specific blades, and how to determine the best combination for your dog. Well also list the best German Shepherd dog hair clippers and offer helpful tips for grooming your furry best friend.Lets get started.

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Place Your German Shepherd At A Workable Level

German Shepherds like to be in control.

Unless you have reached an exceptional level of mutual comfort handling your dogs paws and nails, you can most easily gain leverage by placing your Shepherd on a table or other sturdy elevated surface.

Groomers use tables because it is easier to work when everything is at eye and hand level, and it gives the pet something to worry about other than what you are doing.

Moreover, dogs are smart, and they quickly begin to associate the table with the fact that you need to conduct serious business with them.

Some dogs enjoy grooming and brushing and may look forward to getting on the table. Others resign themselves to cooperate.

A connection for a leash gives you, even more, authority and control. Discouraging your Shepherd from jumping off the table will prove invaluable.

Brushing Your German Shepherd

Brushing your German Shepherd is extremely important for the overall health of your dogs coat. Frequent brushing helps to rid their fur of dirt and debris, especially since they shouldnt receive frequent baths.

By brushing them a minimum of 4-5 times a week, you cut down on the need to bathe your Shepherd. Ideally, for maximum coat health your German Shepherd should be brushed daily.

Since German Shepherds have a plush double coat, daily brushing will also help to limit the amount of fur that is shed throughout your home.

We all cherish the light that our dogs bring to our lives, but their constant shedding of fur can be quite frustrating in your home. Frequent brushing not only benefits your dog, but its also important for your own well-being.

Its also important to find a quality anti-shedding brush for your GSD. This way, you can get the job done quickly, and the experience will not be uncomfortable for your dog.

If you brush your dog daily with an anti-shed brush, the process will be quick and easy each time, since youre preventing the build-up of hair with each use.

Daily brushing is extremely important during the warmer times of the year, as your German Shepherd is shedding the most during these times. Daily brushing will be mandatory in the efforts of keeping your home clean, and keeping your dog cool by stripping any loose fur.

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Regular Home Health Checks

Your dog’s skin is very good at letting you know there’s a health issue. And it’s difficult to pick this up without checking regularly.

When you groom your dog yourself you can do a thorough health exam. Look for things like:

• Injuries.

Sure you can leave these health checks up to a groomer.

But

Do you really think they’ll check your dog as thoroughly as you will? Especially if there are 10 other dogs waiting in line.

I don’t think so!

Like I mentioned before, home grooming is an excellent bonding experience.

Did you know that every hair on your dog’s body is a receptor for touch?

Yes, your dog loves and needs to be touched. And home grooming meets that need.

Okay, so now you know how to take special care of that beautiful thick coat and what you need to do it right.

But it’s also important that you know exactly how the GSD’s coat works to protect them in winter and summer.