Best deshedding tool for Chow Chow undercoat

A dematting comb is great at what it does — breaking up knots — but it was never designed to pull loose undercoat out, which is exactly where a Chow Chow's shedding problem lives. Managing shedding on a double-coated breed comes down to three things: the right deshedding tool for that thick undercoat, a consistent brushing routine (more frequent in shedding season), and in some cases a diet with enough omega fatty acids to keep the coat healthy from the inside. The wrong tool just glides over the top layer and does nothing below it. To point you to the right product — is your Chow's coat currently in good condition aside from the undercoat buildup, and how often are you brushing at the moment?

Your groomer is spot on. Twice a week with the right tool would have been keeping on top of it — you just had the wrong tool for the job, which is an easy fix. Chow Chows have one of the densest double coats going, so you need something with fine, closely spaced stainless steel tines that can get past the outer coat and actually grab the loose undercoat beneath. Can I ask — is she a standard (rough) Chow with the full mane, or the smooth-coated variety?

Perfect, that confirms what I'd recommend. For a rough-coated Chow, get the Furminator for Dogs — specifically the Large Long Hair version. It has a stainless steel deshedding edge designed to reach through that long outer coat and remove loose undercoat without cutting the guard hairs. The FURejector button clears collected hair from the tool quickly, which matters because you'll be pulling out a lot. Used twice a week at maintenance pace, or daily during seasonal blows, it makes a dramatic difference. It's the most widely trusted deshedding tool for heavy double coats and it's what most groomers would tell you to use at home between appointments.

That concern comes up a lot, and it's worth addressing properly. The issues people run into are almost always from over-using it — going over the same section repeatedly or using it daily year-round. On a Chow Chow, use it in long strokes following the direction of coat growth, don't press hard, and limit sessions to around 10–15 minutes to avoid irritating the skin. Done correctly, it only removes the dead undercoat that's already shed — it won't thin the outer guard hairs. A couple of times a week is the right rhythm outside of moulting season. Your groomer can also show you the technique if you want to see it in person first.

Keep it — they do different jobs. Use the Furminator for your regular deshedding sessions, and keep the dematting comb for any tangles that form around the ears, collar area, or back of the legs. Those spots can still knot up on a Chow even when the rest of the coat is well maintained. Having both in your kit is the right setup.