Recommendations please

Layla · Post by **Layla** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:06 am

I need to get a new undercoat rake & was wondering what people had found to be good for chows? Millie's fur is very thick if that makes a difference.....

I've looked locally but no one seems to have any for long haired dogs. Any suggestions greatfully received

TJordan · Post by **TJordan** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 6:36 am

Layla, I don't have any suggestions but I was wondering the same thing myself. In fact I don't have a rake brush I was wondering how they worked?

Layla · Post by **Layla** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:30 am

Well, I've done some research & I'm going to stick with the slicker & brush I think. I got to try one out & wasn't all that impressed to be honest. I've ordered a new brush & slicker as mine were good for puppy Millie but seem less able to cope with her fur now. Milo is also shedding like CRAZY & the new slicker worked great on him. I've gone with these as I hoping they will last better than the ones I have right now & both chows seemed happier to be brushed with them (of course I could be imagining this but I'll take whatever I can get

)

http://www.sitstay.com/store/health/grooming2.shtml

shandilady · Post by **shandilady** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 5:57 pm

Hello, I use a regular rake from PetSmart . It seems to work great for use and Shandi has lots of undercoat that I like to keep out. I just do her in about 3 inch sections. It also works great on the shepherd. Has a comfy green rubber covered handle.

cheriekynb · Post by **cheriekynb** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:20 pm

This is such a good day for you to bring this up!! I took Sid to see Coleen today (Sid's groomer) today. Before I left I asked Coleen to show me these MATS she keeps telling me Sid has (I'm a show me type of person).. Anyways, she took a regular comb and tried to show me mats.
"HMPHF she said, well, Sid doesn't have mats but see how the comb doesn't go through his fur smoothly? That's all undercoat that needs to come out. Ok, I won't shave him and we'll see how it goes."

She used a comb all over him. Sid fur looks great and Coleen got out all that stuff I've been working on for WEEKS! Just using a stupid comb! geez, me and all my fancy gadgets!! hahaha, if she only knew my arsenal of grooming tools, she'd laugh! hahaha..

Layla · Post by **Layla** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:28 pm

I like the comb as well Cheri. It gives that completely groomed look to them

I had one from somewhere but all the teethy things got bent out of shape & now Millie yelps a little at me when I use it. I can't hurt my little diva princess now can I

cheriekynb · Post by **cheriekynb** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:37 pm

NO, must never hurt the Diva!!

That would be like the Princely Sid Vicious ever experiencing an iota of pain!

I totally agree!

Layla · Post by **Layla** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:42 pm

Indeed! I know she's spoilt in lots of ways (or so DH says when he see what I spend on her) but I would happily do it again & again to avoid her ever having to go through what Milo so obviously has. So no bad brushes are a start

cheriekynb · Post by **cheriekynb** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:46 pm

TJordan · Post by **TJordan** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 8:01 pm

A regular comb, or a big tooth comb????? Do tell please!!!

Layla · Post by **Layla** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 9:42 pm

Mine is one with rotating teeth (made by bamboo) half has wider apart teeth (I use for the body) and the other has closer together teeth (legs, face) The rotating teeth make it less 'pull' on the hair. I use if after the brushing & raking. Millie actually likes it

shandilady · Post by **shandilady** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 9:48 pm

I actually have a regular rubber ? bristle people brush that Shandi likes best and it is great for getting out dirty spots from play. She goes to sleep when I use it. A comb for some tougher spots and then the rake for the undercoat. Her fav is the people brush, we use it almost every night before bed. Great lovey time.

sit_by_the_beach · Post by **sit_by_the_beach** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:39 am

I used a slicker brush for my late chow Luna. She had a very coarse upper coat. Her undercoat would come out in tufts.

The same slicker brush didn't do a good job with my new chow Mikki. She has a smooth soft upper or outer coat, her inner coat comes out like dandelion, it's fly away fur like baby duck down bedding feathers. Horrible, I am covered with Mikki's fluff, so are the cats, the windows, walls....

I don't use the slicker at all, I found a 'le salon' long tooth undercoat rake distr. by Hagen.
http://www.hagen.com
What a blessing after weeks of struggling with the slicker. Next year I will buy a furmator, they're supposed to be even better.

shandilady · Post by **shandilady** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:28 pm

That is very close to the rake I use on my girl.

threedogjeep · Post by **threedogjeep** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:52 pm

I think it was Kiwani that advised me. She always had the BEST info...I got a 32-pin rotating rake...by Revolution maybe. THere is a similar version sold in the UK...It has a double row of teeth that rotate. It doesn't pull and Leela just LOOOOVVEES to be brushed. For the withers and tail..and for mats... I use a regular grooming comb.

Red Dragon · Post by **Red Dragon** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:57 pm

If you want to strip some of the thickness out of the fur you can use an Oster rake, get the wide coarse version. You can get them at http://www.petedge.com and the Oster finishing combs are good too, I use the 7" and the 10".

cheriekynb · Post by **cheriekynb** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:57 pm

POOR Sid, I have one of those rakes and one of the teeth is already bent!!

The comb that Colleen used is a metal toothed comb, wide toothed. HAHA, it's actually cool to watch her because she tends to use the same techniques as if she was working on a HUMAN client.

I saw those rotating thingies.. I wondered if they worked.

TJordan · Post by **TJordan** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:38 am

I will try again, I guess it didn't post the first time, or I posted it somewhere weird, Who knows!! LOL

A groomer told me the other day a good way to get the undercoat out is to use a comb (human, not tiny spaces but doesn't have to be giant one either) Weave a rubberband through the comb. Then brush. She says the rubberband will pull out the undercoat.

Haven't tried it yet, but it is worth a shot.

popoki112 · Post by **popoki112** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 7:08 pm

i use something similar to the rake posted. What is the big deal about the furminator? i want to try it, but i don't want my dog to look bald. hahah

sit_by_the_beach · Post by **sit_by_the_beach** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 6:03 am

sit_by_the_beach wrote:<<snip>>

I don't use the slicker at all, I found a 'le salon' long tooth undercoat rake distr. by Hagen.
http://www.hagen.com
What a blessing after weeks of struggling with the slicker. Next year I will buy a furmator, they're supposed to be even better.

I was looking at the pet supply section at WalMart and saw a similar rake as the one pictured above, except it has two rows of teeth. I may buy one for next year.

They also sell a little gadget which looks like a squeegie(sp) for washing windows. It has a rubber blade and works great for removing dog/cat hair from furniture, small area rugs. I want to go back to WM and buy one. My neighbour lent me hers, it works great.

Karin