If your dog leaves a trail of fur behind them, a regular slicker brush is probably only catching the surface. Most shedding actually comes from the undercoat — the soft layer underneath the visible topcoat — which is where a proper deshedding tool makes the real difference. The right tool depends heavily on your dog’s coat type, so a one-size-fits-all approach usually disappoints.
Matching the Tool to the Coat
Short-haired dogs (Boxers, Beagles, Labs): A rubber curry comb or a basic deshedding tool works well and is gentle on their thin coat. Long-haired dogs (Yorkies, Shih Tzus, Malteses): Slicker brushes handle tangles and loose fur without pulling on longer strands. Double-coated breeds (Huskies, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers): This is where a dedicated undercoat rake or deshedding tool matters most — these breeds carry a dense insulating undercoat that regular brushes can’t reach. Thick-undercoat breeds (Chow Chows, Great Pyrenees): Heavy-duty deshedding rakes are close to essential, especially during seasonal coat blow.
What to Look For
Rounded or curved teeth rather than sharp blades — these grip and lift loose hair without scratching skin. A curved head that contours to your dog’s body is easier to use and more comfortable for them than a flat blade. If you have a short-haired dog, be cautious with tools designed primarily for heavy double coats; the sharper teeth on some of these can irritate short, thin fur.
Well-Known Options
The FURminator deshedding tool is probably the most recognized name in this category, especially for double-coated and long-haired breeds — though it’s generally not recommended for dogs with coats shorter than about 2 inches. The Andis deshedding tool uses curved (not sharp) metal teeth and works across most coat types, making it a solid general-purpose pick if you don’t want to buy multiple tools. For a gentler option that’s good for puppies or nervous dogs, softer rubber-toothed brushes are widely available and still meaningfully reduce loose hair, even if they’re not quite as thorough as a metal rake.
How Often to Brush
Light shedders generally do fine with once or twice weekly brushing. Moderate shedders benefit from 2-3 sessions a week. Heavy shedders — particularly double-coated breeds during seasonal coat blow — often need 3-4 sessions weekly to keep loose fur from ending up all over your home.