Now that it's shedding season.

Comments

• ljowen123

  March 2009 edited November -1

  I think it really depends on the coat - I use the furminator and do that every couple of days when Jazz begins to shed for about 15-20 minutes.
• McYogi

  March 2009 edited November -1

  It seems like I can brush them and get 5 slicker brushes full of hair and another half dozen of the furbuster and think I'm finally done, just to cuddle with them and be covered in hair again. So I would say "neverending" is the amount of time that should probably be spent brushing a shiba when they are in full-shed mode I figure it's just easier to tolerate a little extra lint roller-ing for a few weeks.
• starry

  March 2009 edited November -1

  I saw the furminator on sale for 49.99 at my local grocery store
  amazon is selling it for 21.00
  i think this is a sign that I should buy it...i hope it works
  I brush toki once a day with a fine tooth comb and then a soft brush
  there is still lots of hair
• Kaddy

  March 2009 edited November -1

  I use the furminator on Keiko as well - she tends to shed in stages, so I do her butt one day, then the sides a few days later... I just get the parts that looks like they're coming out in clumps.
• wliu003

  March 2009 edited November -1

  Ohh thanks for the info starry, that is pretty cheap for the furminator. over 50% off. I may consider it as well.
• Kaddy

  March 2009 edited November -1

  We also got ours on Amazon - SO much cheaper than in the store!
• wliu003

  March 2009 edited November -1

  How would you guys rate the performance of the furminator?
• ljowen123

  March 2009 edited November -1

  AAAAA++++++ or a 15 on a scale of 1 to 10.
• tsukitsune

  March 2009 edited November -1

  The furminator is awesome, when they are blowing their coat. I don't use it other than that (twice a year, for a few days). A bath helps get out the stubborn shedding hairs right about when they are done blowing coat.
• BradA1878

  March 2009 edited November -1

  Be careful using the furminator, it can damage your dog's coat if over used. It's basically a few blades attached to a stick.
  
  A safer alternative to the furminator is the "Resco #80". A groomer told us about this comb and it works very well at loosening the under coat w/o the potential for damage like the furminator.
  
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• KFontaine04

  March 2009 edited November -1

  I have heard both things about the furminator. That they are great, but they can also damage the coat. That is why I am hesitant to buy one.
  
  I just brush my dogs with a fine tooth comb right now.
  
  Thanks for that link Brad. I will look into that comb as well.
• ljowen123

  March 2009 edited November -1

  Overuse of the furminator can definitely be a bad thing. I know a few friends who brushed a little too long.
• Edgewood

  March 2009 edited November -1

  Yes, I didn't like the furminator at all. It was given as a gift to me. I like a comb like Brad posted (also called a rake). I have had my rake for years (since I had Siberians for many moons before Nihonken) and it works the best of all -- way better than a slicker or the furminator IMHO
• lindsayt

  April 2009 edited November -1

  I think Brad has a Coarse Comb, which is a little bit different from a Rake. The Furminator reminded me most of the stripping tools used on wire coated terriers, designed to pull the coarse hairs, and that's exactly what it did to Ike's guard hairs :(
  I kept seeing a lot of other handlers/exhibitors with Greyhound Combs and pin brushes tucked in their armbands or pocket, so I tried those. The Greyhound Comb was great during the coat blowing, so much easier on my hands and on the dog. The pin brush is nice as a daily touch up.