Grooming Great Pyrenees can be a lot of work. Their coats are thick and even though they only blow their coats twice a year, they shed all. year. long.
If you’re using the wrong tools, grooming Great Pyrenees will be that much more difficult. Over the years I’ve given a lot of products a try, and here are my top five grooming tools:
Oster Grooming Rake
The Oster Grooming Rake is hands down my absolute favorite tool for grooming Great Pyrenees. I’ve tried so many rakes, and this one gets deep into the undercoat without cutting the fur. My only complaint about the Oster Grooming Rake is that the handle isn’t very comfortable. However, I just wrapped some electrical tape around the handle and it made all the difference!
I get asked a lot about using a Furminator on a Great Pyrenees or breed with a similar coat. My advice is always no. Every time I have used it on a pyr, it has cut and damaged their fur.
Related: Great Pyrenees: Myth or Fact?
The Stuff Dog Conditioner
I get a LOT of questions about how I keep the fluffies so white. The majority of that is their self-cleaning coats, but The Stuff is my other weapon. Use it wet or use it dry–The Stuff helps repel dirt, add shine and silkiness, and remove mats and tangles.
Mauja, Atka, and Kiska all have slightly different coat types, and this works great for all of them. Plus, they have extremely sensitive skin and Kiska is allergic to EVERYTHING, and this doesn’t bother them at all.
Dremel
Yes, a real dremel–not a pet dremel. I couldn’t even get Kiska’s five-month puppy nails shortened with the pet dremel I picked up.
If your dog is new to the dremel, take it slow. I prefer it because I don’t worry about them flinching and knicking their quicks. It can also help slowly push the quick back if it has gotten too long. I always keep styptic powder on hand, just in case I get the quick.
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
There are plenty of great slicker brushes out there, but the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is my favorite for grooming Great Pyrenees. After raking out the undercoat, I like to use a slicker brush to get any remaining loose fur and smooth the coat.
I particularly like this one because it’s “self-cleaning”. With a simple push of a button, the bristles retract, making it easy to remove the fur. It also has a very comfortable ergonomic handle.
Related: Grooming a Double Coated Dog
Oster A5 Animal Grooming Clipper
I tried my hardest to trim their grinch feet with grooming scissors and I failed every time. Their feet always looked like they had bowl cuts. Not cute. The Oster A5 Animal Grooming Clipper is a great tool to nix the grinch feet without leaving a horrible haircut.
Let’s face it–even the best-groomed animals can develop a mat here or there. Last time Mauja had a UTI, she developed one “down there”, and these clippers were helpful in safely removing it.
I could have included several other tools I use for grooming Great Pyrenees, but these are the basic five I use weekly, if not daily. Happy grooming!
Do you have a must-have grooming tool that isn’t on this list? Tell us in the comments below!
THIS! https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Christensen-Slicker-Medium-Coral/dp/B00KAKFR7Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1533069144&sr=8-3&keywords=chris+christensen+big+k+slicker+brush
It is magical!
The reviews on this brush are not so good in terms of quality vs cost.
Maybe so, but I’ve been using one for a while now and I am loving it. It was an investment. Probably overpriced. But my Pyr will tolerate it better than other brushes and it does pull out a lot of undercoat – so, it’s worth it in my eyes.
What do you do to keep their skin healthy? My 2 1/2 year old Malika has hot spots, despite good grooming, baking soda and otmeal soothing baths, cool spots to lie down in, and several courses of antibiotics from the vet. They come and go, but right now are particularly bothersome.
Have you thought about changing your food? I have had 2 dogs with wheat and corn allergy. They had horrible hot spots until I figured this out. Best of luck to you.
I agree with the food change. We had the same problem and a no grain food with only using baby shampoo on her with lots and lots of rinsing stopped the problem. She had a small place on her back before we figured it out. When the vet shaved it, it went on for ever and looked like raw meat. It was awful. Now no more licking or scratching.
Fish oil. Works great as well for joints too
What tip do you suggest using on a Great Pyrenees?
Thank you so much. As a new owner I’m relying on the kindness of strangers to help guide me. I’m learning a lot Ana and am very appreciative for any advice I get.
We are new parents to a Pyrenees mix and I appreciate any and all suggestions too!
What kind of attachment do you use with the Dremel for their nails? I had never thought of using a Dremel (great idea for sure!), but wouldn’t want to use something too harsh.
I’m dying to know this as well!
This diamond coated dremel attachment is an absolute MUST for any dogs with nails thicker than toothpicks! This dremel attachment won’t get hot as quickly like the sandpaper heads so you can dremel longer, and they last forever (I’ve been using the same one on 4 dogs for 6 years).
https://www.amazon.com/ShearsDirect-Diamond-Wheel-Rotary-Kit/dp/B00XV8314A/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=diamond+dremel&qid=1554184310&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-1
I accidentally used a ferminator on my great pyr mix (just once!) before reading this post and now am worried I’ve damaged my dog’s coat forever. Is there a way to care for the coats as they grow back? Can anyone speak to this?
Fur grows back. I wouldn’t worry.
Hi there, thanks for all your helpful tips and tricks. Our Pyrs/Husky is an outdoor dog here on our ranch and we need to trim his pantaloons. Do you have any suggestions? The trimmer you suggested or scissors? Thanks, Kayla
Kelsie, weve had Pyr’s for years…my most recent, Tundra, is my best yet, in some ways…How did you get started here giving advise…perhaps I would too, if I knew how.
I have a 5yr Pyrenees, Winston and a 8wk old Pyrenees/Newfoundland. Winston barks at her and at times ignores her. My husband is afraid Winston might hurt her. How do we acclimate them. Winston is an inact male. Julia
Good question. I’ve always thought a male with a female should be ok. Generally a male with another male or two females could be more of a problem. I’d be curious to know how others introduce another Pyr of the same sex. Ve heard of Pyrs not being compatible with same sex dogs. Could anyone give suggestions on how to help everyone get along?
We’ve had 5 working Pyrenees over the years and working Terriers also. We’ve found that it realistically takes about a year for the older dogs to accept puppies.
What do you use to clean your pyr’s ears?
My Pyrenees gets terrible knots and mats in his tail. The slicker brush, which he loves everywhere else on his body, pulls too much and hurts. Should I try a detangle spray and/or another type of grooming tool? Please help!
Oster Grooming Rake – I hope you have a long-lasting good relationship w/this tool. The screws came out of ours, and they can’t be screwed back in. Best rack we ever had, but after purchasing 2 of them, we had to switch do a different brand.
What did you switch to?
Wow! Lots of great info about tools. Thanks!
Thanks, Got excellent information. That’s what I was looking for. It’s a very informative and useful post for a dog lover.
I’ve read and been told never to shave the Great Pyrenees coat, sometimes does not grow back and are at greater risk for sunburn, they have very tender pink skin.
If possible put 30 minutes aside out of your week to brush your Great Pyrenees. Both of you will be so happy!
It’s is spring now and my big male, Atticus is shedding all over the place,
I need to brush, brush, brush! Good love to all !
I just want to say that I love our new dog, a Great Pyrenees named Nero. He is simply wonderful and because he was a rescue, I can’t imagine how anyone can not want to love and care for him. He is beautiful, majestic, funny, strong, and so much more! I am so grateful!
Congrats on your new dog! How lucky he is to have been rescued by you! I have a female Great Pyrenees named Ellie who is 15 months old. I just love her so much!
Congratulations, i am on my third Great Pyr rescued. They are wonderful! Like any other dog breed is good to do some reading and understanding their needs, behavior and care. I think people fall in love with the beautiful fluffy puppies and then it turns out they can’t handle the size, dog hair or counter surfing and just “let them go”,😞
Thank you for opening your heart to a dog in need of a good home 💜
Omg my 10 month old Pry Drago, loves to counter surf lol, you are so right about people not doing any research on gaint dogs and the. Don’t know how to deal with them. He eats whatever he can put in his mouth.
lots of helpful information but also lacking some. Can you explain what drimmel attachments you use on the nails, can you elaborate on and maybe suggest a grooming kit as far as scissors and cutting devices go? like just regular scissors or is there a special kind like the comb looking ones. also you mentioned keep an eye out on their ears, keep an eye out for what? and is there any sort of ear drops pyrenees owners could use to prevent whatever issue occurs with their ears?
My 6 year old Great Pyrenees smells so bad, it actually burns my nose. The vet put her on Cephalexin 500mg 2X daily and Apaquel. She smells worse than ever. I feel really bad for her. She is obviously uncomfortable, though she rarely digs or scratches. She pants more than usual. I’m considering a raw diet. But I’m having a difficult time finding a decent guide. I can easily smell her from 15 feet away. Any suggestions please?
I hope you learned of other options months ago. I just saw your post and while I do not have a medication or alternative suggestion…I hope you were able to either get more info from your vet or consulted with another vet or teaching vet school hospital such as Cornell or Tufts. I am so sorry for what you both were going through and hope All is Better Now!!! 🙂
I am so thrilled to have found this as we are looking at adopting a Great Pyrenees. We have her over for a week on a trial run and have quickly discovered we are in need of adequate grooming tools. The rake is especially important.
Thanks for sharing!
Oh thank heaven’s for this post! I usually take my baby to the pros but with Life things, that hasn’t been feasible and her butt-fluff is getting matted pretty bad. Plus she hates me messing with it so any tips or tools to help are awesome! Thanks for writing this!