Icelandic Sheepdog shedding — best deshedding tool

Icelandic Sheepdogs are a genuinely underserved breed when it comes to grooming advice — most groomers haven't seen one and the double coat plus that curled tail plume needs specific handling. Managing shedding effectively 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 double coat does nothing — or worse, damages the guard hairs. Can you tell me a bit more? How thick and dense would you say the undercoat is, how long is the outer coat roughly, and how often are you currently brushing?

That tracks perfectly with the breed. Icelandic Sheepdogs have a classic Nordic double coat — the outer layer is coarser and weather-resistant, and underneath there's a thick, soft undercoat that sheds heavily twice a year but contributes year-round. The tail plume and ruff around the chest are the areas where dead undercoat gets trapped longest, so that's always where owners feel like they're fighting a losing battle. Once a week isn't quite enough during active shedding, but the bigger issue is probably the tool. What are you using to brush her at the moment?

That's exactly the problem. A slicker brush works on the surface and tidies the outer coat, but it can't reach deep enough into a dense Nordic undercoat to pull out the loose fur that's building up underneath. You need a proper undercoat deshedding tool for this — and for a dog like yours, my clear recommendation is the FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool for Large Dogs, Long Hair. It's specifically designed to get through the topcoat without cutting it and pull out the dead undercoat from below. Used correctly — with short strokes, moderate pressure, and going section by section — you'll see an immediate and significant difference. That tail plume needs gentle passes along the direction of the curl, and behind the ears work slowly so you don't snag. Used twice a week during heavy shedding seasons and once a week otherwise, most owners see a 50 to 70 percent reduction in loose fur around the home. It's widely available on Amazon UK and it's the tool I'd point any Nordic breed owner toward first.

Good instinct to be careful there. The tail plume on an Icelandic Sheepdog is a defining feature and the fur there is finer and more tightly packed around the curl. With the FURminator, use very light pressure on the plume and always work in the direction the fur naturally lays — don't drag against the curl. Short strokes rather than long sweeps. The FURminator has an ejector button to clear collected fur as you go, which is worth using frequently so you're not dragging built-up fur through the coat. I'd also suggest holding the base of the tail steady with your other hand so you're not pulling on the skin. Done gently, the tool is absolutely safe on the plume — just don't over-do it in one session. Five minutes on the tail plume twice a week is better than fifteen minutes once a fortnight.

That's the right call. Consistency beats intensity with double coats — short regular sessions keep the undercoat manageable and stop it building to the point where brushing becomes a chore for both of you. Once you're into a rhythm with the FURminator you'll notice the house fur situation improving within two to three weeks. Good luck with her.