Best Deshedding Tools for Heavy Shedding Breeds (2026 UK Guide)

Heavy shedding breeds such as Huskies, Malamutes, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labradors and similar double-coated dogs, shed on a different scale to most dogs. They need a tool that removes large volumes of loose undercoat quickly, holds up to daily use, and can handle a dense double coat without damaging the topcoat. For these breeds, the Fur Magic Deshedding Tool & Dematting Comb bundle or the 3-in-1 Grooming Kit give the best combination of speed, coverage and durability.

 

What makes heavy shedding breeds different

Most dogs shed loosely throughout the year. Double-coated breeds operate on a different cycle. They “blow” their coat twice a year, typically in spring and autumn, releasing dense amounts of undercoat in a concentrated period. During a coat blow, a Husky or Malamute can shed enough hair in a week to fill a carrier bag. A German Shepherd or Golden Retriever isn’t far behind.

Outside of coat blow season, heavy shedders still shed more than the average dog year-round. The grooming tool requirements are different because of three factors:

• Volume: you need a tool that removes a lot of hair per session, not just surface-level brushing.
• Frequency: heavy shedders need grooming every 2–3 days during coat blow, and weekly the rest of the year.
• Coat density: the undercoat of a Husky or Malamute is thick enough to blunt light tools quickly; you need stainless-steel teeth that hold their edge.

 

Top picks for heavy shedding breeds

Best overall: Fur Magic Deshedding Tool & Dematting Comb

The Fur Magic Deshedding Tool & Dematting Comb is the strongest option for heavy shedders. The bundle gives you a full-size stainless-steel deshedding blade, designed to remove high volumes of undercoat efficiently, and a dedicated dematting comb for the dense tangles that form in areas like behind the ears, under the forelegs, and around the collar. 

• Full-size stainless-steel blade built for high-volume undercoat removal
• Dedicated dematting comb handles the thick tangles heavy shedders develop
• Two-tool coverage without needing to buy separately
• Non-slip handle designed for sustained use during longer grooming sessions
• Reduces shedding by up to 95% with consistent use

Best for: German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Malamutes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and any large double-coated breed.

Best complete kit: Fur Magic 3-in-1 Pet Grooming Kit

The Fur Magic 3-in-1 Pet Grooming Kit adds a self-cleaning slicker brush to the deshedding and dematting combination. For heavy shedders, the slicker finishes the job after the deshedding blade has removed the bulk undercoat; it smooths the topcoat and picks up any remaining loose hair. The self-cleaning button ejects collected hair instantly.

• Deshedding brush removes bulk undercoat quickly
• Dematting tool handles knots in dense coat areas
• Self-cleaning slicker for finishing and topcoat smoothing
• Self-cleaning button means no stopping to clear the brush mid-session
• Works on large and small dogs and cats

Best for: Owners who want a complete three-stage grooming routine in one kit. Particularly useful during coat blow season when you’re grooming every couple of days.

Best for long-coated heavy shedders: Fur Magic Deshedding & Dematting Comb

The Fur Magic Deshedding & Dematting Comb is the right tool for long-coated heavy shedders like Rough Collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Golden Retrievers. The dual-sided design handles both the undercoat volume and the mats that form in feathering and around the collar. Available in Large and Medium sizes.

• The deshedding side for heavy undercoat removal
• The dematting side for knots in feathering and dense areas
• Stainless-steel teeth hold their edge through sustained use
• Reduces shedding by up to 95% with consistent use

Best for: Rough Collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Golden Retrievers, and any long-coated breed where mats are as much a concern as shed volume.

Best for short-coated heavy shedders: Fur Magic Deshedding Tool

The standalone Fur Magic Deshedding Tool is the pick for short-coated heavy shedders, such as Labradors, Boxers and similar breeds, where matting isn’t a concern but shed volume is high. The stainless-steel teeth penetrate the short coat to lift loose undercoat that would otherwise end up embedded in furniture and fabrics. Used twice a week, it reduces visible shedding significantly.

• Stainless-steel deshedding teeth designed for high-volume removal
• Reduces shedding by up to 95% with consistent use
• Lightweight and easy to handle for quick regular sessions
• It comes in three sizes: large, medium and small.

Best for: Labradors, Boxers, Beagles, and short-coated dogs with dense undercoats.

Eco-conscious option: The Fur Magic Wooden Deshedding Tool offers the same undercoat-removal performance with an eco-friendly wooden handle.

 

Breed-by-breed: what you’re dealing with and what works

Siberian Husky

Extreme double-coat shedder. Blows coat twice a year in a dense, heavy moult. The undercoat is thick enough that it needs a full-size blade, not a comb. Daily grooming during coat blow is not excessive. A slicker brush after the deshedding blade speeds up the session considerably.

Recommended: Fur Magic Deshedding Tool & Dematting Comb + 3-in-1 Pet Grooming Kit during coat blow season

Alaskan Malamute

Similar to the Husky but with a coarser, denser coat. Mats form quickly in the dense undercoat, especially behind the ears and under the forelegs. The dematting comb element of the bundle is particularly important for this breed.

Recommended: Fur Magic Deshedding Tool & Dematting Comb

German Shepherd

One of the heaviest year-round shedders. The medium-length double coat blows twice a year but sheds significantly even outside of moult. Grooming every two to three days during peak shedding keeps hair manageable.

Recommended: Fur Magic Deshedding Tool & Dematting Comb

Golden Retriever

The feathering (the longer hair on the legs, chest and tail) mats easily while the body coat sheds heavily. You need a tool that does both. The Deshedding & Dematting Comb handles the full coat well.

Recommended: Fur Magic Deshedding & Dematting Comb

Labrador Retriever

Short coat, high volume. Labradors shed more than their short coat suggests. The undercoat is dense and the shed hair is fine enough to embed in fabric. The standard Deshedding Tool works well, used twice a week.

Recommended: Fur Magic Deshedding Tool

Border Collie

Medium double coat with significant seasonal moult. The rough-coated variety has longer feathering than mats; the smooth variety is easier to manage. A dual-sided comb handles both coat types.

Recommended: Fur Magic Deshedding & Dematting Comb

Bernese Mountain Dog

Long tricolour double coat; beautiful but demanding. Sheds heavily year-round with a pronounced spring moult. The long outer coat and dense undercoat need both deshedding and dematting in every session.

Recommended: Fur Magic Deshedding & Dematting Comb

Samoyed

Dense white double coat that mats severely if not maintained weekly. The undercoat is thick and comes out in clumps during moult. A full grooming routine, including deshedding blade, dematting comb, slicker, is standard for this breed.

Recommended: Fur Magic 3-in-1 Pet Grooming Kit

 

Grooming routine for heavy shedders

A consistent routine makes heavy shedding manageable. This schedule works for most double-coated breeds:

Weekly (year-round): One full grooming session: deshedding blade to remove loose undercoat, dematting comb on any knot-prone areas (behind ears, collar, forelegs), self-cleaning slicker brush to finish. 20–30 minutes for large breeds.

Every 2–3 days (during coat blow, spring and autumn): Increase frequency rather than session length. A 15-minute deshedding session every couple of days removes far more hair than an occasional long session, and keeps the house manageable.

After every bath: Bathing loosens undercoat significantly. Using a detangling shampoo and conditioner softens the coat and reduces mat formation. Brush before bathing to prevent matting. Brush again once fully dry, never on a wet or damp coat. Post-bath deshedding sessions often yield more hair than a standard session.

Monthly: Deep check of mat-prone areas: behind ears, under the collar, in the “armpits,” and base of tail. Address any mats early with the dematting comb, leaving them to set makes removal much harder and more uncomfortable for the dog.

 

Frequently asked questions

What is the best deshedding tool for a Husky?

The Fur Magic Deshedding Tool & Dematting Comb bundle. Huskies have a thick, dense double coat that requires a full-size stainless-steel blade to remove undercoat volume quickly, plus a dematting comb for the tangles that form during coat blow. Daily grooming during the moult is not excessive for this breed.

How do I manage a German Shepherd’s shedding?

Consistent grooming is the key. Every two to three days during heavy shedding periods, weekly the rest of the year. A deshedding blade to remove the bulk of the undercoat, followed by a dematting comb for any knots, keeps a German Shepherd’s coat manageable. Pair regular grooming with a Fur Magic Reusable Roller on furniture and upholstery for the hair that gets through between sessions.

How often should you groom a heavy shedding dog?

Weekly year-round as a minimum; every two to three days during the spring and autumn coat blow. Short, regular sessions are more effective than infrequent long ones; they prevent mat build-up and remove loose hair before it distributes around the house.

Do double-coated dogs shed year-round?

Yes, but the volume varies significantly. Double-coated dogs shed lightly to moderately year-round and heavily twice a year during their seasonal moult, usually spring and autumn. The spring moult is typically the heavier of the two as the dog sheds its winter undercoat.

Should you shave a heavy shedding dog to reduce shedding?

No. Shaving a double-coated dog removes the undercoat’s insulation function and can cause “coat funk”, where the topcoat and undercoat grow back at different rates and become mixed. Regular deshedding with the right tool is far more effective and doesn’t risk long-term coat damage.

Can a deshedding tool remove all the loose hair in one session?

Not completely, especially during coat blow. A deshedding session removes a significant amount of loose undercoat, but some hair will continue to release over the following days. This is why frequency matters more than the length of individual sessions for heavy shedders.

What’s the difference between a deshedding tool and a shedding blade?

A shedding blade is a looped or flat metal blade designed for large animals (originally horses) and works by scraping loose hair from the coat surface. A deshedding tool has fine stainless-steel teeth that penetrate the topcoat to access and remove undercoat specifically. For dogs, a purpose-built deshedding tool is more effective and gentler on the coat.