Best Deshedding Tools for Dogs
A deshedding tool pulls out loose hair before it lands on your couch. The right one depends on your dog’s coat, not on which brand is most famous.
Updated October 27, 2026. Research by The Pet Gear Lab team.
Disclosure: Some links on this site are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Picks are labeled Research pick because they come from published testing and owner reports. How we pick.
The short answer
The FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool is the best deshedding tool for most short and medium double coats: its steel edge reaches under the top coat, and a button pushes out the hair. For long, thick coats, the JW Pet Gripsoft Double Row Undercoat Rake is gentler. For short, smooth coats, use the KONG ZoomGroom.
Key facts
- AKC Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein says shaving a double-coated dog makes it susceptible to heat stroke.
- VCA’s vets say double-coated dogs such as Huskies and German Shepherds shed heavily twice a year, in late spring and late fall.
- FURminator’s guidance, as reported by Canine Journal, is every couple of days in peak shedding and two to four times a month otherwise.
- The AKC says to use gentle pressure when brushing, especially with tools that have blades.
Double-coated dogs, like Huskies, Labs and German Shepherds, have a soft undercoat that sheds in big waves. They need a tool that reaches down through the outer coat. Short, smooth coats do better with a rubber brush or glove. Curly coats that do not shed much need a slicker brush and a comb instead.
Most of the risk comes from the sharpest tools. Blade deshedders work fast, but pressing hard or going over one spot again and again can irritate the skin. We explain how to use them gently below.
We sorted the picks by job.
Quick picks
Best overall, a blade deshedder for double-coated dogs that shed heavily
Best undercoat rake, for thick double coats and loose fluff
Best slicker brush, for tangles and daily brushing on most coats
Best for short, smooth coats, a rubber curry brush that dogs tend to enjoy
Budget pick, a two-sided pin and bristle brush for light grooming
How to choose
Start with the coat, not the brand. The AKC says short coats do well with a natural-bristle brush or a grooming glove, while long and double coats need a tool that “can reach down under that outer coat.” VCA’s vet-written grooming guide matches slicker brushes to curly, non-shedding coats and grooming gloves to smooth coats.
Check that your dog has an undercoat. A deshedding blade or undercoat rake only helps if there is loose undercoat to remove. Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, a vet quoted by Bustle, says to confirm your pet actually has an undercoat first. Poodles, Shih Tzus and other continuous-growth coats need brushing, combing and haircuts instead.
Pick the right size. Bladed deshedders come in widths for small, medium and large dogs. A wide head covers a big dog faster but is hard to use on the face, legs and armpits. Chewy’s FURminator listing, for example, sizes the tool by your dog’s weight.
Prefer rounded or rotating teeth for sensitive skin. Cutting-style rakes and sharp blades work fast. Dr. Greenstein says cutting-style rakes can damage the top coat and the delicate skin of finer-haired breeds.
Plan on two tools. Many groomers use a slicker brush first to break up thick areas, then a rake or deshedder for undercoat, then a comb. Master groomer Helen Schaefer, quoted by Bustle, describes exactly that routine for double coats.
Think about cleanup. Self-cleaning buttons save time. Tools without one need hair pulled off by hand after every few strokes.
Coat types and how often to brush
Double coats and single coats. A double coat has a soft, dense undercoat under a coarser layer of guard hairs. VCA’s vet authors list Huskies, Malamutes, German Shepherds and many retrievers as double-coated, and say these dogs shed heavily twice a year, in late spring and late fall. Short coats without a distinct undercoat shed at a low level all year. Continuous-growth coats, like the Yorkshire Terrier’s and Shih Tzu’s, shed little and need regular haircuts.
How often to brush. There is no single rule, but the sources agree on a range:
- Double coats: The AKC says many double-coated dogs need brushing at least weekly, with more during heavy shedding. In peak season, heavy shedders “may need brushing several times a week or even daily,” the AKC says.
- Long, silky or curly coats: VCA says these need daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats.
- Short coats: VCA says short-coated dogs may need brushing less often. The AKC suggests brushing against the grain first, then with it.
- Blade deshedders: FURminator’s guidance, as reported by Canine Journal, is every couple of days during peak shedding and two to four times a month the rest of the year. Chewy’s FURminator listing suggests deshedding weekly.
Why not to shave a double-coated dog. It is tempting to shave a shedding dog in summer. Vet sources say not to. The AKC’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Jerry Klein, says shaving “makes the dog susceptible to heat stroke,” because the undercoat helps regulate body temperature. VCA warns that shaved dogs have “a higher risk of overheating, sunburn and even skin cancer.” The coat can also grow back wrong. The AKC says the undercoat grows back faster and can crowd out the guard hairs, leaving a patchy coat. VCA notes a rare problem called post-clipping alopecia, where hair is slow to return for up to two years, especially in plush-coated breeds like Huskies and Pomeranians. Shaving also does not stop shedding, the AKC says. Leave shaving to your vet or groomer for medical reasons or severe matting.
Which tool does what.
- Blade deshedders (like the FURminator) have a fine steel edge that catches loose undercoat through the top coat. They remove a lot of hair quickly. They work best on short to medium coats. Canine Journal cautions that a very long top coat may be damaged by the blade.
- Undercoat rakes have one or two rows of pins that comb out loose undercoat without cutting hair. They suit thick, long double coats. Rakes with rounded or rotating pins pull less.
- Slicker brushes have fine, bent wire pins. They break up tangles and pull out loose hair from medium, long and curly coats. They are the everyday brush for many dogs.
- Rubber curry brushes and grooming gloves use soft rubber nubs. They grab loose hair on short, smooth coats and feel like a massage to many dogs. In a vet-reviewed PetMD article, Linda Easton says rubber “will remove the undercoat without scraping the skin” of short-haired pets. They do little for long coats or tangles.
Do not overdo the blade. The AKC says to “use gentle pressure, especially with tools that have blades.” FURminator’s directions, as shown on 1800PetMeds, say to keep the edge off the skin, avoid repeated strokes in the same area and avoid the ears, paws, legs and genitals. They also warn that dogs with sensitive skin “may suffer brush burns even with light combing.” Do not use a blade on cuts, sores, skin conditions or matted coats. If you see redness, stop.
When shedding is a health question. Normal shedding comes and goes with the seasons. The AKC says to call your vet if you see bald patches, inflamed skin, thinning fur or a sudden jump in hair loss. Causes can include allergies and hypothyroidism. No brush will fix those.
What to know about these picks
We have not tested these tools. Our main hands-on source is Your Best Digs, which tested eight brushes over two weeks on a Border Collie and a terrier mix. Its June 2023 scores are the tester’s judgment, not measured hair weights.
We also used NBC Select’s 2024 guide built from interviews with professional groomers, and two Dogster roundups from 2026. Dogster says its lists are made with in-house veterinarians and that hands-on testing happened “in some cases,” but it does not name a vet reviewer or say which tools were tested. PetsRadar, The Vet Desk and Bustle supplied some details and the Amazon links we used to check ASINs. They describe owner reviews and specs more than testing.
CNN Underscored’s dog brush test, FURminator’s own site and Amazon product pages could not be accessed for this update. We did not find a Wirecutter, The Spruce Pets or Whole Dog Journal deshedding tool roundup. Claims such as “reduces shedding up to 90%” come from makers, and we found no independent test of those numbers. Dogster’s top deshedding pick was a horse shedding blade. We found too little detail on it to make it a pick.
Specs come from maker pages or retailer listings. We do not list prices, since they change often.
Specs compared
| Pick | Best for | Tool type | Coat type | Sizes | Self-cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool | Best overall | Stainless steel blade | Short to medium double coats | 1.75, 2.65 or 4 in (to 90 lb) | Yes, eject button |
| JW Pet Gripsoft Double Row Undercoat Rake | Best undercoat rake | Double-row rake, round tips | Thick, long double coats | Not listed | No button |
| Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush | Best slicker brush | Slicker, retracting pins | Medium and long coats | Head 5.8 x 3 in (PetsRadar) | Yes, pin-retract button |
| KONG ZoomGroom | Best for short, smooth coats | Rubber brush | Short, smooth coats | Puppy/small or regular/large | Not listed |
| Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush | Budget | Pin and bristle combo brush | Light upkeep between sessions | Not listed | Not listed |
Specs from Chewy listings and PetsRadar, October 2026. Sizes and hair-length versions vary; check the listing.
The picks in detail
Home Dogs Research pick
FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool
Best overall
Verdict: The best-known blade deshedder, and the one groomers and roundups name most often for shedding short and medium double coats. Use it gently and not too often.
What it does well: Dogster named the short-hair version the best overall brush for short-haired dogs, and named the FURminator its best value in its deshedding roundup. Groomer Wynona Lynch, of VCA Mountain View Animal Hospital, recommended the short-hair version to NBC Select for short-haired breeds. The stainless steel edge reaches under the top coat, and a button pushes out the collected hair. FURminator sells separate versions for short and long hair. Chewy lists the short-hair tool in three widths: 1.75 inches for dogs up to 20 lbs, 2.65 inches for 21 to 50 lbs, and 4 inches for 51 to 90 lbs. On Chewy it holds a 4.7 out of 5 rating across about 1,070 ratings.
The downsides: Dogster warns “the teeth of this tool are sharp and may scratch the skin.” The maker’s own directions warn of brush burns on sensitive skin. NBC Select notes the edge can dull without care. Several Chewy owners report the handle coming off after some months, and one says the ejector “does not reach the edges.” It is also one of the more expensive tools in this guide, and the size and hair-length versions are easy to mix up when ordering.
Skip it if: your dog has a non-shedding or curly coat, a very long silky top coat, or sensitive or irritated skin. For long, thick coats, an undercoat rake is the gentler choice.
See it on Amazon Affiliate link
Home Dogs Research pick
JW Pet Gripsoft Double Row Undercoat Rake
Best undercoat rake
Verdict: A low-cost, non-cutting rake for thick double coats, with good owner ratings but no hands-on test we could find.
What it does well: Dogster’s double-coated roundup named it the best value and called it “the best brush for double-coated dogs for the money.” Chewy describes two rows of round-tipped teeth, angled so they run parallel to the skin, and a non-slip handle. Chewy’s answers say it can be used daily or as needed, on dogs and cats. Owners rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 528 ratings, and it was in stock when we checked.
The downsides: Dogster says it is “ineffective for breeds with short fur” and that some people find the handle bulky. One Chewy reviewer with a Golden Retriever wrote that “it hardly took any hair off at all.” Another said the teeth were too long for a medium-short dense coat. It has no self-cleaning button. We found no independent test of how much hair it removes.
Skip it if: your dog has a short or smooth coat. The only rake tested hands-on in our research was the FURminator Grooming Rake, with rotating pins. Your Best Digs said “it worked wonders on our border collie,” but Chewy listed it as discontinued when we checked.
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Home Dogs Research pick
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
Best slicker brush
Verdict: The everyday brush that did best in the one hands-on test we found, and a good first step before raking a double coat.
What it does well: Your Best Digs named it best overall and said it “worked the best on both our long- and short-haired dogs.” The Vet Desk also named it best overall. A button on the handle retracts the pins so the hair slides off. PetsRadar lists the head at 5.8 by 3 inches, which suits bigger dogs. Master groomer Helen Schaefer, quoted by Bustle, recommends starting double coats with a soft slicker to break up thick areas before using a rake.
The downsides: The metal pins can scratch thin coats if you press hard, Bustle notes. Dogster says the eject button must be held down while brushing and can break. PetsRadar says the head may be too large for the face and quotes one owner whose plastic cracked near a bolt. Feedback on very thick or very short coats is mixed. The Chewy listing we tried no longer loaded as a product page.
Skip it if: your dog has a short, smooth coat. A rubber brush or glove will do more. For a small dog, look for a smaller slicker.
See it on Amazon Affiliate link
Home Dogs Research pick
KONG ZoomGroom
Best for short, smooth coats
Verdict: A soft rubber brush for short-haired shedders and bath time, not a tool for long or double coats.
What it does well: NBC Select named it the best multipurpose brush. Groomer Allie Akhmarova told NBC she uses it on short-haired breeds that shed, and that it can clean and massage the coat during a bath. Chewy lists it in a puppy/small size and a regular/large size. Owners rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 1,973 ratings.
The downsides: In Your Best Digs’ test on a Border Collie and a terrier mix, it “removed only a few hairs” from both dogs, and the tester found it awkward to hold. Neither dog had a smooth coat, so this result may not apply to a Boxer or Beagle. NBC says it removes less hair and fewer tangles than other tools. Chewy’s answers say it “might not work as well for detangling.” One owner says to replace it once the nubs wear down.
Skip it if: your dog has a long, thick or tangle-prone coat. If your dog dislikes brushes, a rubber grooming glove is another option. NBC’s glove pick was the Delomo Pet Grooming Glove, though Dogster notes gloves do not hold fur well, so more hair ends up on the floor.
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Home Dogs Research pick
Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush
Budget
Verdict: A cheap pin-and-bristle brush for light upkeep between deshedding sessions, with real durability complaints.
What it does well: Dogster’s double-coated roundup named it best overall and called it “affordable and double-sided.” In Your Best Digs’ test, the detangling side worked well on the Border Collie’s ruff and withers. Chewy lists stainless steel pins with safety tips on one side and soft nylon bristles on the other. It was in stock, with a 4.5 out of 5 rating across 1,262 ratings.
The downsides: Dogster says it is “cheaply made” and lists “breaks easily” as a con. Several Chewy owners report the handle or pin pad coming loose within weeks. Your Best Digs said it “didn’t do much” on the terrier mix and that cleaning it “was a chore.” It is a general brush, not a true deshedder, so it will not pull out much undercoat during a heavy shed.
Skip it if: your dog is blowing its coat or has a dense double coat. Pair it with the FURminator or the undercoat rake instead of relying on it alone.
See it on Amazon Affiliate link
Questions people ask
How often can I use a FURminator on my dog?
Less often than you might think. FURminator’s guidance, as reported by Canine Journal, is every couple of days during peak shedding and two to four times a month otherwise. Keep sessions short, use light pressure, avoid going over one spot again and again, and stop if you see redness.
Should I shave my double-coated dog in summer?
No, unless your vet advises it. The AKC and VCA both say shaving raises the risk of overheating and sunburn, and the coat may grow back patchy. Regular brushing to clear loose undercoat helps air move through the coat instead.
Is an undercoat rake or a deshedding tool better?
It depends on the coat. A blade deshedder removes more hair fast on short and medium double coats. An undercoat rake is gentler on long, thick coats because it combs hair out without a cutting edge. Many owners use a slicker brush first, then one of these.
What is the easiest way to get dog hair off the couch?
Brushing outdoors and more often during shedding season cuts down what lands on furniture. For what does land there, a reusable pet hair remover like the ChomChom Roller is a simple fix. It cleans fabric, not your dog, so it is not a grooming tool.
Sources and further reading
- American Kennel Club, Harriet Meyers, “Is It OK to Shave Your Dog’s Coat in Summer?” (updated March 27, 2026)
- American Kennel Club, Harriet Meyers, “How Should You Groom a Double-Coated Dog? What to Know” (updated November 19, 2024)
- American Kennel Club, Elaine Waldorf Gewirtz, “What Is a Double-Coated Dog? Coat Types, Grooming, and Care” (updated October 6, 2026)
- American Kennel Club, AKC Staff, “Dog Shedding: When Dogs Shed Most and How to Manage It” (updated August 5, 2026)
- American Kennel Club, AKC Staff, “Scourge of the Sofa: a Shedding Dog” (updated January 22, 2018)
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Courtney Barnes, DVM, Ryan Llera, DVM, Tammy Hunter, DVM, Cheryl Yuill, DVM, “Grooming and Coat Care for Your Dog” (updated January 30, 2026)
- VCA Animal Hospitals, “Grooming Tips to Keep Dogs & Cats Cool in Summer” (date not shown on page)
- VCA Animal Hospitals, “Choose the best brush for your pet” (date not shown on page)
- PetMD, Teresa K. Traverse, reviewed by Dr. Katie Grzyb, DVM, “What Should You Have in Your Spring Pet Grooming Kit?” (updated March 19, 2019)
- Bustle, Maria Cassano, “The 5 Best Undercoat Rakes For Dogs & Cats, According To Vets” (May 30, 2021)
- Bustle, Wesley Salazar, “The 4 Best Brushes For Double-Coat Dogs” (updated March 13, 2023)
- Your Best Digs, Gene Gerrard, “The 8 Best Dog Shedding Brushes” (June 16, 2023)
- NBC Select, Mili Godio, “The best dog brushes for all coat types, according to experts” (May 8, 2024)
- Dogster, Chelsie Fraser, “10 Best Dog De-shedding Tools in 2026” (updated July 4, 2026)
- Dogster, Nicole Cosgrove, “10 Best Brushes for Double-Coated Dogs in 2026” (updated June 17, 2026)
- Dogster, “10 Best Brushes for Short Hair Dogs in 2025” (date not shown on page)
- PetsRadar, David Crookes, “Best dog brushes 2026” (updated January 20, 2025)
- PetsRadar, David Crookes, “HERTZKO Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush review” (October 27, 2021)
- The Vet Desk, Jessica Kim, “10 Best Dog Brushes for Shedding in 2026” (January 5, 2026)
- Canine Journal, “Best Deshedding Tool For Dogs: Furminator vs. Dakpets vs. Shedmonster” (updated January 9, 2023)
- 1800PetMeds, FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool for Short Hair Dogs (directions and warnings)
- Chewy listings and owner reviews for each pick
Product details change. Confirm the model, coat length and size on the retailer page before you buy. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice.
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