Not all breeds of dogs are the same. You need to consider what is good for your German Shepherd. And the main factor to consider is that they are a double-coated breed of dog. The growth of their topcoat and undercoat vary. 

Now, there are two main reasons for cutting a German Shepherd’s coat: give relief to them during the hot months of summer, and to control your german shepherds shedding. Read more about how to control the shedding and how to properly trim a German Shepherd’s coat.

Does A German Shepherd Need Grooming?

Absolutely, German Shepherds need regular grooming! Despite their reputation as low-maintenance dogs, these intelligent working breeds require consistent care to keep their coats healthy and your home fur-free. German Shepherds’ double coat sheds year-round, with heavy seasonal shedding twice annually. Regular brushing around 3-4 times a week removes loose fur, distributes natural oils, and gives you a chance to check for skin issues or parasites.

Beyond coat care, grooming includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental hygiene—all essential for your GSD's overall health. Proper grooming not only keeps your shepherd looking sharp but prevents matting and reduces allergens in your home. Keep in mind that every German Shepherd is different, and grooming time will vary on the size of your dog.

Quick Tips For Grooming Your German Shepherd’s Coat

Before cutting your German Shepherd’s coat, here is some basic information first that may help you.

1. German Shepherds Have Four Different Coat Lengths

GSD’s come in four distinct coat varieties, each requiring slightly different grooming approaches. The standard medium-length double coat is most common, featuring a dense undercoat with a straight outer coat that's weather-resistant. Some GSDs have short coats, which shed less but still need regular brushing. Long-coated German Shepherds have beautiful feathering around their ears, legs, and tail, requiring more frequent brushing to prevent tangles. The rarest variation is the plush coat—slightly longer than standard but shorter than long-coated, creating that luxurious teddy bear appearance. 

Understanding your shepherd's coat type helps determine the best grooming routine and tools needed to maintain it properly.

2. Grooming During Shedding Season

Shedding season for German Shepherds is no joke—it's often called "blowing coat" for a reason! Twice yearly, usually in spring and fall, your GSD will shed their entire undercoat in preparation for seasonal temperature changes. During these periods, daily brushing becomes essential to manage the fur explosion. Invest in an undercoat rake or deshedding tool specifically designed for double-coated breeds. 

3. How Often Should a German Shepherd Be Brushed

For everyday maintenance, brush and blow your German Shepherds coat 3-4 times weekly with more frequent sessions during shedding season. This way, it also keeps your dog’s coat shiny, and it contributes to your home’s overall cleanliness.

Professional grooming services can be beneficial every 4-6 months for thorough coat maintenance, nail trimming, and ear cleaning, though regular at-home care remains essential between appointments.

4. Overbathing Your GSD

Regular baths with deshedding shampoo can help loosen dead fur, but avoid over-bathing your German Shepherd, which strips natural oils. Consider outdoor grooming sessions when possible, and have your vacuum ready for indoor cleanup. Professional grooming services can be particularly valuable during peak shedding times.

It is recommended that bathing is done every 3-4 months.

Tips For Cutting Your German Shepherd’s Coat

1. Do Not Shave Your German Shepherd

Before anything else, it is not advisable to shave your German Shepherd’s coat. Shaving will take away your German Shepherd’s protection from the cold and heat. Brushing and proper cutting will be sufficient. Shaving will affect your dog’s natural protection from insect bites. Shaving will also affect the growth of both the topcoat and undercoat. You will see that it won’t grow back in the same way, with the topcoat growing together with the undercoat. In effect, the dust and other particles get stuck in both layers now.

2. Focus on Trimming

Many owners are tempted to cut their German Shepherd’s coat, especially in the hot months. Instead of shaving, trimming is a better option so as not to remove all that precious double coat.

Try to bathe your dog with organic shampoo, or at the very least, avoid strong shampoos. Bathing your german shepherd will soften their hairs to prepare them for brushing later on. It will also remove excess hairs.

Dry your German Shepherd with a towel to wipe away excess water. Use a dog hair blowing machine if you have, or a high velocity dog dryer. This is another effective way at removing your dog’s loose hairs. Blow in the direction of hair growth, and not back and forth.

Brush your dog’s coat to bring out the shine and remove more hairs. Brushing will also straighten their coat in preparation for trimming. Begin trimming from the neck, moving toward the back. Focus only on feathered or overgrown areas.

You may just want to simply trim a few hairs here and there, and not all over. Remember that their double coat serves a purpose. This is just to polish their overall look. 

3. Use the Right Grooming Scissors

Although there really is no special dog hair cutter for German Shepherds, you can use a good pair of dog grooming scissors. If you are a novice, you may want to practice with curved scissors, especially as you notice, your GSD has a lot of curves. This can be used to trim around the legs, chest, tail, and behind the ears, using smooth, careful motions. Finish with the head, trimming lightly and cautiously

There are straight scissors available too, for grooming dogs. But don’t get the long one, such as the 7” or 8”, as you might hurt your German Shepherd if you’re not used to these scissors. Many prefer the shorter pair even if it is more time-consuming.

Finishing Touches

As a quick summary, bathe, dry and brush your German Shepherd prior to trimming. Keep a steady hand and make sure too, that your dog is calm and ready for a cut. Simply trim parts to protect the double coat to finish off your German Shepherd’s grooming routine.

Don’t forget to take frequent breaks to keep your dog relaxed and check your progress, and reward your pup with praise or treats afterward to make the experience positive. With consistency and care, finishing your grooming session with a careful trim will leave your dog looking clean, healthy, and comfortable.