Grooming a double coated dog, such as a Great Pyrenees, can be quite the task. But, fear not! It’s not as difficult as it may seem.
I can’t even keep track of how many times I have heard someone ask me, “why don’t you just shave them?”. Shaving a dog with a double coat is rarely ever a good idea. The only time shaving should be done is when it’s absolutely necessary. I can think of two such times:
1. A dog has been neglected and his coat is severely matted. Brushing/trimming out the mats isn’t even an option.
2. Surgery.
Few people realize that a dog’s double coat actually helps them in the winter and summer. Have you ever heard someone say, “my dog is blowing his coat”? For most double coated breeds, this happens twice a year. Once to go from summer to winter and again to go from winter to summer. Currently, Mauja is blowing her winter coat and getting in her summer coat. This means extra shedding! Atka still has mostly puppy coat, so he is slowly shedding that for his beautiful adult fur.
The best decision I ever made when it comes to grooming my pyrs was buying a grooming table
Doesn’t Mauja look just “pyrfect” standing on the table? 😉
The table came with a lead that attaches to the arm and goes around the neck. I wasn’t convinced Mauja and Atka would stand on the table, so I bought a double lead. The lead that is wrapped around the arm can be put around the dog’s waist so she can’t sit down. I only needed this once until they understood the routine.
Related: 5 Must-Have Tools for Grooming Great Pyrenees
Today, I was only doing a simple brush and nail trim. They weren’t in need of a full bath, blow dry, brush, nails, ears, and teeth, so I will just explain what I did. My absolutely favorite tool for brushing out the undercoat is the Oster Undercoat Grooming Rake
To make it easy, I’ll go step by step as to how I groom my double coated dogs. Before beginning, you must figure out how you are going to get your dog on the grooming table. Mine will not jump up and I certainly can’t pick them up. I have taught mine “paws up”. I will say “paws up” and pat the area of the table I want them to put their front paws. Then it’s just a matter of hoisting their hind end up there. If your dog isn’t used to a grooming table, treat treat treat! You want them to like grooming time.
Eventually, I’ll invest in some doggie stairs. For now, this will do.
Start with a rake
Raking out the undercoat is by far the longest step. I brush the floofs two to three times per week, so this only takes me about 15 minutes. If they’re blowing their coat, it will take a bit longer. This grooming rake works like a charm. Have you ever felt a double coated dog and thought their fur felt lumpy? That’s the undercoat getting matted together under their top coat. Brush until your pup feels nice and smooth. 🙂
Try a slicker brush
A slicker brush is great for removing any dead or loose outer coat, and work out their pantaloons. The fur is thicker and longer back there so the slicker brush will really help. I’m also a huge fan of the Groom Genie for keeping the pantaloons mat free.
Use a comb
I like to use the comb to work through the fur on the backs of their legs. This is a place that can get matted easily if not worked the entire way through. I also use the comb over the body to get out any fur that my grooming rake missed.
Spray The Stuff
on mats and tangled areas
The Stuff is magic–not even exaggerating. When we moved, I slacked a bit in Mauja’s grooming. She got these horrible mats in her pantaloons–they were huge. I couldn’t believe they had gotten so big so quickly. I didn’t want to cut all the fur off her back legs so I did some research and came across The Stuff. Spray on the mats and tangled areas and move on to the next step.
A de-matting comb
is the other half of the magic
Once The Stuff has had a little time to sit, I go in with this de-matting comb. I have never had to cut out a mat since using these two products. The two break the mat down so it can easily be brushed out. Easy peasy–you can thank me later 😉
Related: Getting Holiday-Ready with RELIQ
Sleek and shiny
I like to use a pin brush around the face since the fur is thinner there, but I also use it to create a nice finish. I’ll first use the pin brush side to glide through any tangles I may have missed. Then I use the bristle side to make them look sleek and shiny.
Last step, nails!
I will do a future post on how to properly cut nails. I like to use clippers with a safety guard on the back, so I don’t slip or cut too far, or a dremel. (Always keep styptic powder on hand in case you accidentally nick the quick.)
Oh, I forgot to mention… there will be a tad bit of clean up…
Hahaha that looks very familiar. We don’t have a table but I’m pretty good at letting daddy groom me, I’ve even started letting him trim my nails which I hate. We have a few brushes similar to yours, we use one that looks like a torture device, it extends into what looks like a long saw, but it works pretty well.
At least you’re good for your grooming! Mauja and Atka are squirmy monsters. They just roll across the floor until I finally give up!
Beautiful dogs! Hope doing their nails isn’t too bad as a Great Pyrnese could probably easily muscle away.
Thankfully, we have worked a ton on handling their feet. They keep pretty still 🙂
It is hard to imagine that this table can hold the weight of your big dog!
It says it can hold up to 200 pounds! So far, so good!
What kind was this table? I have 3 pyrfect dcoated post winter:)
Very nice article! Our two pups don’t have an undercoat, so they’re pretty much wash-‘n-go K9s 😉 I used to take care of 2 Akitas though, and those guys were double-coated. Beautiful pups, with lots of fur everywhere during blowing season!
Should I be using an undercoat rake in the middle of a cold winter? She is shedding throughout the house, not surprisingly. I fear that this will be taking the undercoat my Pyrenees needs to stay warm during cold weather. Thoughts?
Lots of good info here! Glad to see you recommend not using the furminator on this type of coat since I see so many people doing just that. We use the Paws Pamper Undercoat Rake, it works so well at getting out the undercoat while leaving the top coat undisturbed. Our clients love the results and dogs basically fall asleep while we work on them!
You mentioned the Furminator. Can you tell me more details as to why you don’t prefer it? A pet store just persuaded me to buy one, but would like to know all the pros & cons.
The furminator is a great tool just not of the outer coat of a pyr, it tends to tear it. And get under that coat is what you want to do. I had a lab mix that the furminator was great on. I keep mine and use it on other animals.
This is so helpful, thank you! My husband and I just got a great pyrenees puppy, and are already trying to find ways to cut down on the shedding!
Yes I now know how to groom my coated dog thanks for this piece of information
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This article was so extremely helpful as I have just adopted a 6 year old great pyrenees. I do have a question tho…. what product is best at getting rid of year stains on the Great Pyrenees? I’ve looked at so many things with so many mixed reviews. Thank you so much for your help!
Thank you, I love your posts and your gorgeous dogs.
I was reading about how you invested in a grooming table for your pyrs. You mentioned how you taught them to put their paws up but how eventually you would get stairs. Ok, so first of all we have a rescue. We thought she was 2 when we got her. They think she may be close to end of life based upon the crown on her head. She has arthritis in one hip due to we think a car striking her. But her vet says she also has it in the uninjured one. Also every time we went to the vet, we did the “paws up” thing into the back of our minivan. It was a real struggle. Then it hit me, I had my Dad’s handicapped travel ramp from before he passed. It unfolded and went right to the edge of the minivan. It is not too steep and has traction. Now we use it often for her self pet wash down the street! And it is not a struggle to get in and out.
So look for a used foldout handicapped ramp. Check estate sales just call and ask. Just a thought. This can be used for lots of uses. Handbuilt stairs, it is a lot harder to make them mobile. Good luck with your pyrs! I will keep watching. So will KD!