[cassadee7]

I remember reading somewhere (here?) that some people think the Furminator tool damages the coat. Yet so many people swear by it and say it doesn't. What's your experience?

 

[Wolfiesmom]

I like the furminator but I am wondering if it did damage his coat. His coat is gorgeous except for the part where his hind legs meet the body. On both sides the coat is shorter and looks cut. I don't know if the furminator did this or if it's just the way his fur is growing. I haven't used the furminator on that part of him in a month. I am waiting to see if it changes or stays the same.

 

[PupperLove]

I think if it is over-used it could damage the coat. I have not had any damaging effects with the Furminator yet, but in the past, I brushed my dog ALOT with all different kinds of brushes. His hair began to curl up at the ends of each guard hair, and it never really went away. I use the furminator once every 2 weeks about and have not had any trouble so far.

 

[jakeandrenee]

I think it's a great tool when the dog is full grown has both it's coats in. From what I have read, on a mature dog that is blowing it's coat it is a life saver. On a young dog or puppy it could break the coat. I use a good slicker and a comb on Jake, but I have my furminator ready for next year!

 

[Good_Karma]

We only use it once a month or so. A good pin brush works just as well IMHO. Never used it enough to damage the coat. I think more than once a week is a bad idea.

 

[DJEtzel]

Using it more than once every two weeks or for more than a half hour at a time can most certainly break the coat down.

 

[My2Furkids]

Haven't got my puppy yet (2 more weeks, 2 more weeks!!!), but my current girl has a wonderful double coat that sheds like mad. We Furminate her every other day and her coat is soft and shiny. No problems here!

 

[Jax's Mom]

I like the furminator but I am wondering if it did damage his coat. His coat is gorgeous except for the part where his hind legs meet the body. On both sides the coat is shorter and looks cut. I don't know if the furminator did this or if it's just the way his fur is growing. I haven't used the furminator on that part of him in a month. I am waiting to see if it changes or stays the same.

I know exactly what you're talking about, Jax is Wolfie's stunt double.
Jax's coat was like that before I bought the furminator
I once thought he had a bald spot or a growth from across the room.
I haven't noticed any changes in coat from using the furminator but will admit I stopped using it a few weeks ago because of what people said. The brush always just seemed to pull out the dead white undercoat, it never got any of the black topcoat.

 

[Jax08]

I like the zoom groom. It gets Jax's loose hair out, then I use the furminator in the denser areas on her hips and then a fine comb. It seems to work best for me and doesn't pull her hair to much.

 

[Deuce]

I have never used it so I can't comment but this is an interesting thread.

 

[ba1614]

I love my Furminator, I was at my wits end last spring before being turned on to it.
But, I do agree that it would be easy to overuse it, and possibly damage the coat.
We only use it lightly about once a month, with regular, daily, brushing using a pin brush, and that keeps her coat in good shape(IMO).

 

[DnP]

If you are overzelous during use or use it too often, then yes, the furminator will damage the coat. You can damage the coat if you also use it a wet or damp coat. I use it about once a month but use it more often when Phoenix is in full on coat blow to keep up with the shedding. Watch how you use it in those areas that exposes skin b/c it can irritate the skin (like the "arm pit" and the skin where the front of the back legs meet the body.

The furminator can be a godsend if used properly, like any other tool! FYI, if your dog has a brittle/dry coat, then I would not recommend using the furminator as it will break the guard hairs.

 

[Rerun]

We use and love it. I've used it for YEARS. I've tried every grooming tool in the book and the furminator is hands down superior for a shedding dog. The "pin brush" - I assume they mean slicker since a pin brush wouldn't do squat on a GSD - is no where near as efficient as a furminator.

 

[Good_Karma]

We use and love it. I've used it for YEARS. I've tried every grooming tool in the book and the furminator is hands down superior for a shedding dog. The "pin brush" - I assume they mean slicker since a pin brush wouldn't do squat on a GSD - is no where near as efficient as a furminator.

Ack! Yes Rerun, that is what I meant. Dope slap.

 

[chicagojosh]

I use it once a week. i use it for about 15 min on each dog. and i stop just because...the fur is still coming off, but im just burned out after 15 min on each dog ( i have 2).

no damage that i can see, but i could see if i never stopped, and the fur just kept coming how it could be overboard...

 

[Rerun]

I use it once a week. i use it for about 15 min on each dog. and i stop just because...the fur is still coming off, but im just burned out after 15 min on each dog ( i have 2).

no damage that i can see, but i could see if i never stopped, and the fur just kept coming how it could be overboard...

I feel your pain. After awhile you're just tired of brushing!

 

[doggiedad]

i thought it pulled the hair out by the root.
i use an under coat comb. the teeth are spread
apart more, thicker and rounded. i used my neighbors
fuminator once. i stroked my dog with it a couple
of times and i gave it back to my neighbors.

 

[doggiedad]

i use a pin brush after i use an
under coat comb. the pin brush
smooths him out.

We use and love it. I've used it for YEARS. I've tried every grooming tool in the book and the furminator is hands down superior for a shedding dog. The "pin brush" - I assume they mean slicker since a pin brush wouldn't do squat on a GSD - is no where near as efficient as a furminator.

 

[CaseysGSD]

Didn't even know this existed! See, you really do learn something new here everyday!

 

[chicagojosh]

amen to that rerun...

so people educate me....what are guard hairs? thanks