Fur on the couch, fur on your clothes, fur mysteriously in your food — shedding is a fact of life with dogs. But there's a big difference between normal shedding and a fur storm you can't control. Deshedding — the regular removal of loose undercoat before it ends up everywhere — is the single most effective way to manage it. Here's your complete guide.
What Is Deshedding, Exactly?
Deshedding means removing the loose, dead hair trapped in your dog's coat — particularly the dense undercoat — using a tool designed to reach beneath the topcoat without damaging it. It's different from a haircut: you're not shortening healthy hair, you're extracting hair that's already detached and waiting to fall out. Done regularly, deshedding dramatically reduces the fur that ends up on your furniture, clothes, and floors.
Why Dogs Shed
Shedding is a natural, healthy process. Dogs grow new hair continuously and release old hair to make room. Most dogs "blow coat" heavily twice a year — in spring, when they shed the dense winter undercoat, and in fall, when they swap the light summer coat for winter insulation. Indoor dogs, exposed to artificial light and consistent temperatures year-round, often shed moderately all year instead of in dramatic seasonal bursts.
Which Dogs Benefit Most?
Double-coated breeds — Huskies, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Samoyeds, Corgis, Australian Shepherds — are the classic deshedding candidates. Their thick undercoats trap enormous amounts of loose hair. But single-coated breeds benefit too: Labs, Beagles, and Pugs are famously prolific shedders despite their short hair. Even low-shedding breeds appreciate regular brushing for coat health.
Choosing the Right Tool
Not all brushes deshed. Slicker brushes and bristle brushes handle surface tangles and shine, but a dedicated deshedding tool has fine teeth designed to reach through the topcoat and grab loose undercoat hair. Look for:
- Gentle teeth or edges that won't scratch skin or cut healthy topcoat.
- An ergonomic handle — you'll be using it regularly, so comfort matters.
- Easy hair removal. Tools with one-click retractable heads let you eject collected fur with a button press instead of picking it out by hand.
The Furbliss One-Click Deshedding Brush is designed for exactly this job, with a self-cleaning button that makes fur disposal effortless. For heavy shedders, the Furbliss Complete Deshedding Kit bundles everything you need for a full routine.
The Deshedding Routine: Step by Step
- Start with a dry, tangle-free coat. Brush out any mats first — deshedding tools shouldn't be forced through tangles.
- Work in sections. Brush in the direction of hair growth, using gentle, even strokes. Don't press hard; let the tool do the work.
- Follow the grain. Always brush with the coat's natural direction, not against it.
- Cover the whole body. Work systematically: neck, back, sides, chest, belly, legs, and tail. Loose undercoat hides everywhere.
- Clear the tool often. Eject collected fur regularly so the teeth stay effective.
- Finish with a reward. End every session positively so your dog looks forward to the next one.
How Often Should You Deshed?
During heavy shedding seasons (spring and fall), deshed 2–3 times per week. The rest of the year, once a week is plenty for most dogs. Each session should take 10–20 minutes. If you're filling the brush in seconds, your dog needed it — increase frequency. If you're getting almost nothing, you can ease off.
Common Deshedding Mistakes
- Pressing too hard. More pressure doesn't mean more fur — it means irritated skin. Gentle strokes win.
- Over-deshedding. Daily aggressive sessions can irritate skin and thin the coat. Stick to the schedule above.
- Deshedding a wet or matted coat. Always work on clean, dry, detangled fur.
- Skipping the undercoat areas. The densest loose fur hides on the neck ruff, behind the ears, the britches (back of thighs), and the belly.
Key Takeaways
- Deshedding removes loose undercoat before it becomes furniture fur.
- Double-coated breeds need it most, but most dogs benefit.
- 2–3 times weekly in shedding season, weekly otherwise.
- Gentle technique and the right tool matter more than elbow grease.
Take control of shedding season with the Furbliss One-Click Deshedding Brush or the all-in-one Furbliss Complete Deshedding Kit. Shop Furbliss grooming essentials at furbliss.ca.
Related reading
- Undercoat vs Topcoat: Understanding Your Dog's Fur
- Grooming Table Setup at Home (On a Budget) for Canadian Pet Owners
Note: This article provides general information only. Consult your veterinarian for specific health concerns.