FURminator Review – Part 1… and Give Away (TIME’S UP!)
Since there is so much information to share about the FURminator, this will be a two part review (read part 2 here). We have been using the FURminator forever, well, as long as it has been in existence anyway. I find it hard to believe that anyone could not have heard of this product before, yet it’s true. The FURminator is a groomer’s best friend, and their secret against every pet owner’s worst shedding nightmare. The FURminator has it’s own designated premium spot in our grooming shop.
We use it on all breeds of dogs that shed from Golden Retreivers, to Shepherds, Huskies, and Newfoundlands. The FURminator may also be used on short coated breeds that shed and they also have cat tools for your shedding felines and even an equine deshedding tool. The standard doggie FURminator deshedding tool comes in three sizes, you can see the small and large sizes in the photo above. In this review we will be using the medium size tool pictured below which is ideal for medium sized dogs.
Use of the FURminator on Airedales, particularly in show coat is a frequently asked question around here. We would like to shed some light on the topic and dispel some of the myths in part 1 of our review. Part 2 will show the tool on other breeds of dog (such as Newfoundland) that are much more prone to shedding and will show case what this tool can really do, it will make you say WOW.
We use and recommend the FURminator on our Airedales, both clippered and those that are stripped and in show coat. Many Airedale (and other Terrier breed) owners, especially owners of show dogs are reluctant to use the FURminator on their dogs because they believe that the tool will cut the hair. However, the FURminator does absolutely no more cutting of hair than a standard stripping knife.
The entire premise of the tool is to remove the undercoat that is the cause of shedding. It pushes down past the top coat and guard hairs to only remove the soft undercoat. You can very easily see the difference on an Airedale between the hair that is removed with the FURminator and hair that is stripped out with a standard stripping knife and confirm that it is indeed only taking undercoat. Hair removed with the FURminator is soft and much lighter in color (grey in color when removed from the jacket saddle area). Another way to be sure that it is not cutting is to examine the hairs that are removed for a sharp, cut end which they clearly do not have.
Here is Ava, Woodcrest Avanti Revival, one of our current show dogs. She already has one major and some additional points. Ava is out of our English line that has a very hard coat with great, dark coloring. Her coat is a bit longer here than it would be for a show, but perfect for our review.
Ava before:
Ava after:
You will notice in the after photo that her jacket is shinier and much darker in color (more black) than in the before photo and that the undercoat that is removed is very gray. (Tan hairs in the pile of removed coat are from the hip/thigh area). Additionally, it becomes easier to grasp the guard hairs during stripping with less undercoat in the way.
You use the FURminator by simply brushing through the coat in the direction of the growth in the same manner you would use any brush or comb. I also hold the skin taught with my other hand as I would when stripping.
I have created a simple video of how the FURminator is used with an Airedale as our model. (Video is large and may take some time to load, Direct Link)
Another terrific use for the FURminator is getting rid of those clipper lines. The better you are at grooming the smoother the coat should appear after clipping. However, sometimes in particular coats these clipper lines are practically unavoidable. In particular they are quite visible in extremely hard coats and especially hard coats with a lot of undercoat such as the coat of terrier puppies. The FURminator will be your new best friend after you use it on areas where clipper lines have been left. It pulls out the undercoat that is holding the hair in these perfectly distinct lines and leaves the coat with a better blended state where the lines have disappeared.
Here is Hannah, a pet Airedale with a very hard coat who is clippered. In these photos her jacket has just been taken down with a skip 7 which leaves a nicer texture on a Terrier than a finish blade. You will notice in the after photo that not only are the clipper lines removed, but the coat is also darker with the lighter colored undercoat gone.
Hannah BEFORE:
Hannah AFTER:
The warning in the FURminator product info insert is no joke. Do NOT use the FURminator on a freshly stripped dog that is down to skin (phase method) as it will irritate the skin. Also, be careful not to press down too hard when using the tool or brush burn on the skin might result. If your dog has skin allergies that make the skin very sensitive or any sores you should not use this tool. I would also be extremely careful using this tool on dogs that have any warts or other bumpy skin areas.
You might think that the FURminator is a bit pricey retailing anywhere from $35 to $70 at most pet stores for the various sizes. However, this tool is well worth every cent. If you have a dog (or cat) that sheds you will not regret this purchase.
Lucky for you, we are also giving away a brand new FURminator tool and a few other goodies to one lucky reader, courtesy of FURminator. To enter this give away simply comment on why you love the FURminator or why you need one! Alternately, share your grooming tip or trick with us in the comments of this post. Any comment will do. Comments will be numbered in the order that they are received and the winning comment will be selected randomly and announced on Friday, March 20th. DEADLINE EXTENDED – Now: comment on the part 1 review post here and on the part 2 review post to double your chances at winning, new deadline is midnight Sunday, March 22 and we will announce the winner on Monday, March 23.
TIME’S UP! The submission period for our give away has ended, thank you for participating!
Grand Prize
1 FURminator professional deShedding tool (sized Medium) valued at $49.99
1 FURminator waterless deShedding shampoo and conditioner (8 fl oz) valued at $16.99
1 bag FURminator deShedding treats for dogs (12 oz) valued at $12.99
1 FURminator deShedding Shampoo (sample size of 2.4 fl oz)
1 FURminator deShedding Solution (sample size of 2.4 fl oz)-total prize package valued at $79.97+
-all items courtesy of FURminator Inc.
Look for the second part of our review next week (prepared to be wowed by the awesomeness that is the FURminator) as well as additional opportunities to enter the give away and increase your chances of winning.
FURminator Inc. – Product Website
@FURminator_Inc on Twitter
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Tags: cat, coat, deshed, dog, fur, FURminator, Give Away, Grooming, product, review, shed, shedding
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Mar 09, 2009
I purchased a FURminator a few months ago and it definitely does a great job. I have one cat who loves to be groomed with the FURminator so much that he comes running when I get it out. It works especially well on my black lab. The first time I tried it out on her I had a whole waste can full of hair! I was amazed because any other grooming tool I have used on her before gets very little of the loose hair. I would like to win so that I can give this as a gift to my friend at work to use on his guide dog. Thanks!
Mar 09, 2009
I definitely want to try the furminater. I have 2 Airedales, one is from England and has a very hard dense coat. She looks overweight almost! The other sheds more and the coat is not as dense. Also her saddle is looking more tan than black.
Mar 10, 2009
Really need a furminator as the athritis is kicking in now and raking is taking longer and lomger to do. Impressed by the article.
Mar 10, 2009
I have heard about Furminators, but have not taken the plunge yet. I have 2 Border Collies with relatively short coats, but they still shed quite a bit. I’m anxious to see next week’s lesson on non-airdales.
Mar 10, 2009
Hi! I would love to win a furminator! I dog groom for a living, and I am always borrowing the furminator from the groomer next to me. I have been wanting to purchase a furminator but have been budgeting it in, between all the other necessities. So, the opportunity to win one is wonderful! I use the furminator on pugs, shepherds, labs, dachshunds, etc… It really pulls the under coat and really makes the dog look & feel better, it also cuts down on drying time. I had know idea you could use it in the handstripping department nor removing clipper lines. So, that will be nice with three personal Airedales, and on those people who request their labs and other short breeds shaved down to remove clipper lines. Great stuff!
Thank you for the opportunity! Wendy
Mar 10, 2009
I have 4 dogs, but any tool that makes grooming faster and easier would be a big plus for my scared dog Sunny. While Sunny has gotten more comfortable with being handled and the duration I can brush him has increased, getting more hair out in a shorter time would be fabulous.
He’s lived with me for over 3 years and with a thick black coat that comes in for a Vermont winter, it doesn’t take long for mats to form in the spring and summer if I don’t get the undercoat taken care of. He’s too fearful to be bathed so brushing is the best I can do for him.
Mar 10, 2009
Hello, I would love to win the FURminator, because I have a 13 month old Airedale and the shedding has taken over our lives; the hair is EVERYWHERE. The vet confirmed that he is healthy, and the shedding is now due to any health issues, but there is nothing that he can recommend. My only hope is the FURminator!
Mar 10, 2009
The FURminator is an excellent grooming tool, highly recommended! Check back at Dogged Dogdom for more chances to enter the FURminator give away.
Mar 11, 2009
We are the proud owner of a 2 year old Hairedale. We are constantly chasing around her hair babies around the house. In winter we let her coat get longer and shaggy, Sheena is definitely a lot a work with the her winter look. I have been wanting to try but reluctant. Help me FURminator your my only hope. Why is it that dog fur sticks to everything but the dog! We would love to win a FURminator!!
Many thanks for the reviews!
Mar 12, 2009
Wow thanks for a great review of this product! I have been on the fence about purchasing as nobody had really addressed the use with hard coated terriers! With my carpel tunnel I have been looking for other ways to minimize the hand stripping on our Wire Hair Fox Terrier. Thanks again!
Mar 13, 2009
I would love, love, love to have a FURminator. I’ve been looking at them, but figured it was a bunch of hype. We’ve got two dogs, a crazy cat, and hardwood floors, there are uncontrollable furballs during the shedding seasons no matter how much I brush them, dustbust, sweep, and dust. Even if I don’t win I am really glad you did this review. I will definitely invest in one.
Mar 14, 2009
I have a short hair shedding dog and a very furry kitty- we would love to use the furminator to take care of some of tha fur around here, but it has been a bit pricey for us.
Mar 14, 2009
[...] the original post: FURminator Review – Part 1… and Give Away – DOGGED DOGDOM – The … Tags: are-quite, best-friend, Dog Grooming, dogs, getting-more, skin-stays, sunny-while, [...]
Mar 16, 2009
HELP SAVE MY DOG AND MY MARRIAGE! My wife is fed up with the amount of hair our 2 year old Golden Retriever leaves in the house. We have to vacuum every couple of days and have lint rollers in every vehicle and room in the house. She is ready to get rid of the dog but he’s my baby boy. Please help, WE NEED A FURMINATOR!!
Mar 17, 2009
I would love to win a furminator. I have 3 dogs and the fur is aways flying. Great Review!
Mar 18, 2009
I would do anything to get rid of the amount of hair our dog leaves in the house. I call it dumbe weed. Fred Smilek is the acting president of the Society to Save Endangered Species. It was founded two years ago by Fred Smilek along with his two best friends Charles and Jonathan. http://www.fredjsmilek.com
Mar 20, 2009
Would be the greatest for my heinz. He wouyld just love it and save a lot of cleaning for me.
Mar 20, 2009
I would love to win the Furminator! I have Irish Setters and have an older girl with spay coat that is very cottony and mats easily. I clipper her and use a Mars stripper now, but it takes forever to get her to look good. The Furminator might cut down on some of the time spent, which would be good, since she can only tolerate so much grooming at any one time.
Mar 21, 2009
This is a wonderful addition to my deshedding arsenal. It would be nice to have my own and not have to borrow the shop FURminator. That way I could bring it home for the dogs I do in my home.
Mar 21, 2009
We already have the large FURminator for our Newfoundland. Although he isn’t shedding heavily yet, using this tool to stay on top of the bit of shedding that exists is surely helping my husband’s allergies. I can’t wait until spring REALLY hits to see this tool in real action.
Mar 21, 2009
My friend was so excited about the Furminater she went out and bought one! She loves it… I have to have one ….
Mar 22, 2009
Listen, this shedding is no joke! Poor mom goes through ten bazillion of those sticky rolling things a month. I go everywhere with her which is nice for me, but moms car and our couch and bed look like they’re growing a coat of their own. I would love the FURminator. I love to be brushed and mom likes to wear black pants every once in a while
Mar 27, 2009
[...] the original here: FURminator Review – Part 1… and Give Away TIME’S UP! – DOGGED … Tags: are-quite, best-friend, coat, Dog Grooming, dogs, duration, especially-hard, extremely-hard, [...]