Wolfdog.org forum - View Single Post

04-07-2009, 03:05

I've never trusted the Furminator on dogs with hair any longer than a lab. The problem with the Furminator, is that it's a clipper blade on a stick:

http://grooming.petedge.com/Andis-Ul...CategoryId=396

Using a blade to strip out hair like that is actually a grooming technique that the Furminator company decided to make money off of, because it's obviously easier to use that than an actual clipper blade. However, they market its use on breeds that really run the risk of coat damage. You CAN use it on a double coated breed like a CsV or husky, but since it actually is a blade, it's very easy to damage the guard hairs instead of just the undercoat if you're not careful with the direction you use it, and if you use it on the longer portions of the hair and not just the shorter ones. Also, using it doesn't just get out the undercoat that your dog's naturally shed, it's also cutting the undercoat, slicing it out of your dog's fur. So yeah, you can keep getting more & more coat out, but eventually I've heard of people using it so much, they leave bald spots!

I personally like a good, hard slicker brush ( http://grooming.petedge.com/Millers-...CategoryId=276 ), a metal comb and/or undercoat rake ( http://grooming.petedge.com/Master-G...CategoryId=479 ), and a flea comb to REALLY get as much hair out as you can ( http://grooming.petedge.com/Master-G...CategoryId=479 ).

Incidentally, I've finally waited a good 12 weeks between my Buddy's baths, and his coat does seem better! I know he'll never have a show dog coat or anything, but I've noticed a difference in its weatherproofing. I still don't think I'd wait any longer than that between his baths, since it helps so much with his shedding, but his coat is beautiful now!

04-07-2009, 03:05	#15
Vicky Guest Posts: n/a	I've never trusted the Furminator on dogs with hair any longer than a lab. The problem with the Furminator, is that it's a clipper blade on a stick: http://grooming.petedge.com/Andis-Ul...CategoryId=396 Using a blade to strip out hair like that is actually a grooming technique that the Furminator company decided to make money off of, because it's obviously easier to use that than an actual clipper blade. However, they market its use on breeds that really run the risk of coat damage. You CAN use it on a double coated breed like a CsV or husky, but since it actually is a blade, it's very easy to damage the guard hairs instead of just the undercoat if you're not careful with the direction you use it, and if you use it on the longer portions of the hair and not just the shorter ones. Also, using it doesn't just get out the undercoat that your dog's naturally shed, it's also cutting the undercoat, slicing it out of your dog's fur. So yeah, you can keep getting more & more coat out, but eventually I've heard of people using it so much, they leave bald spots! I personally like a good, hard slicker brush ( http://grooming.petedge.com/Millers-...CategoryId=276 ), a metal comb and/or undercoat rake ( http://grooming.petedge.com/Master-G...CategoryId=479 ), and a flea comb to REALLY get as much hair out as you can ( http://grooming.petedge.com/Master-G...CategoryId=479 ). Incidentally, I've finally waited a good 12 weeks between my Buddy's baths, and his coat does seem better! I know he'll never have a show dog coat or anything, but I've noticed a difference in its weatherproofing. I still don't think I'd wait any longer than that between his baths, since it helps so much with his shedding, but his coat is beautiful now!