Deshedding a Keeshond without ruining the coat

A Keeshond is a rewarding coat to manage — but it does need the right approach. That thick double coat with the heavy ruff looks spectacular, and the good news is you absolutely can deshed it effectively without flattening or ruining the appearance. Managing shedding well comes down to three things: the right deshedding tool for the coat type, a consistent brushing routine, and in some cases a diet that supports coat health. The wrong tool for a coat like this — say, a Furminator used too aggressively — can strip the undercoat unevenly and leave the ruff looking thin and patchy. Tell me a bit more: is your Keeshond blowing coat right now or is this general maintenance shedding, and how often are you currently brushing?

That makes sense. A slicker brush on a Keeshond is a bit like sweeping with the wrong end of the broom — it tidies the surface but doesn't reach the dense undercoat where all that loose fur is actually sitting. The ruff concern is valid too: that area is finer and more prone to tangling, so you want something that separates and lifts the undercoat without breaking the longer guard hairs. Can I ask — when you brush, do you work in sections and brush against the lay of the coat, or are you going top-to-bottom with the fur?

That's one of the biggest reasons shedding feels unmanageable on double-coated breeds — brushing with the lay of the coat mostly moves the top layer around. The undercoat only releases properly when you work in sections, lifting the fur and brushing in short strokes from the skin outward. For a Keeshond specifically, I'd recommend the Chris Christensen Oval Pin Brush with the longer steel pins. It's the tool Keeshond and Spitz breed groomers consistently reach for — the long pins penetrate through the thick outer coat and move through the undercoat without scratching the skin or snapping guard hairs. It keeps the ruff volumised and natural-looking rather than compressed the way a rake or Furminator can leave it. Use it with a line-brushing technique — part the coat horizontally, brush a small section from skin outward, move the part up — and you'll start pulling out significant loose undercoat within the first session.

Two things worth adding. First, a high-quality fish oil supplement — something like YuMOVE Skin & Coat — can noticeably reduce shedding volume over 6–8 weeks by improving coat condition from the inside. It won't stop shedding entirely but the fur that does shed tends to release in clumps that brush out easily rather than floating off constantly. Second, a monthly bath with a deshedding shampoo followed by a thorough blow-dry on a low heat setting will loosen a huge amount of undercoat that brushing alone won't shift. The Chris Christensen pin brush works even better on a freshly dried coat. With once or twice weekly brushing using the right technique, you should see a real difference in what's ending up on your sofa within two to three weeks.

Go for the large oval — it's listed as the 428 or the Gold Series Oval Pin Brush on Amazon UK. The larger head covers more ground per stroke which makes a real difference on a thick-coated breed like a Keeshond. It's not cheap, but it's the kind of tool that lasts years and makes every brushing session faster and more effective. Your dog's coat will thank you.