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:
- A dog has been neglected and his coat is severely matted. Brushing/trimming out the mats isn’t even an option.
- 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. Seriously. Do it. You will thank yourself. I had a hard time justifying spending $100 on a simple table with an arm. I kept trying to think of ways my husband and I could build one, but I worried it wouldn’t be sturdy enough. So, after reading MANY reviews, I finally purchased a 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. I’ve used so many different undercoat rakes, including the FURminator, over the past several years and this is by far my favorite. Don’t get me wrong, I love the FURminator, just not for my pyrs.
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
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 tangles
The Stuff is magic–not even exaggerating. When we moved, I slacked a bit in
Try a de-matting comb
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…
Misaki says
April 21, 2014 at 8:24 amHahaha 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.
Kelsie says
April 21, 2014 at 11:11 amAt least you’re good for your grooming! Mauja and Atka are squirmy monsters. They just roll across the floor until I finally give up!
Singing Dogs says
April 21, 2014 at 8:27 pmBeautiful dogs! Hope doing their nails isn’t too bad as a Great Pyrnese could probably easily muscle away.
Kelsie says
April 21, 2014 at 8:33 pmThankfully, we have worked a ton on handling their feet. They keep pretty still 🙂
Sandy says
April 21, 2014 at 11:07 pmIt is hard to imagine that this table can hold the weight of your big dog!
Kelsie says
April 22, 2014 at 7:12 amIt says it can hold up to 200 pounds! So far, so good!
Susan says
April 23, 2016 at 5:35 amWhat kind was this table? I have 3 pyrfect dcoated post winter:)
Barbara Rivers says
January 1, 2015 at 2:49 pmVery 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!
Jonathan Lewis says
November 22, 2016 at 5:00 pmShould 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?
Nadine says
April 18, 2017 at 2:00 pmLots 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!
Teresa says
May 30, 2017 at 12:15 pmYou 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.
Robin says
April 30, 2018 at 11:54 pmThe 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.
Claira says
June 26, 2017 at 4:11 pmThis 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!
Dog Groom Arena says
August 10, 2017 at 10:45 amYes I now know how to groom my coated dog thanks for this piece of information
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tom alex says
February 8, 2018 at 1:24 pmniceee
Julie says
February 19, 2018 at 9:24 amThis 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!
Sherry says
December 11, 2018 at 12:10 pmI use a horse shampoo fir white horse. It’s purple in color, but the horse come out nice and white, gets rid of any manure or pee they may lay in!
Robin says
April 30, 2018 at 11:55 pmThank you, I love your posts and your gorgeous dogs.
chattyK says
May 6, 2018 at 2:22 amI 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!
Brittany Smith says
October 9, 2018 at 11:16 pmHello,
We just bought two Pyr puppies and I am curious what kind of shampoo or conditioner we should use if we bathe them
Gregory Chapel says
December 24, 2018 at 1:37 pmI’m so glad I stumbled upon this article in my research. I just got two pups one long hair one short. I made the mistake of attempting to shave my long hair. Big battle with little reward.
Now I know why this is and that it’s a good thing that I failed.
He may require more grooming than his sister but, he’s so lovable that it’s worth it.
Thank you for the important information.
Kim Adams-Johnson says
March 3, 2019 at 4:18 pmGreat advice! Any recommendations on waterless shampoo? The thought of getting our Pyrs wet when it’s 10 degrees out isn’t appealing to any of us!
Stacy says
April 27, 2019 at 9:31 amThanks for the Oster recommendation! Works awesome!!