The Best Undercoat Rake for Dogs: A Practical Buyer's Guide

If your home is starting to look like it's decorated in a "fur-and-glitter" theme, you're not alone. For owners of double-coated dogs, the best undercoat rake for dogs isn't just another grooming tool—it's the single most important weapon in the war against shedding. Its specific purpose is to pull out loose, dead fur from the dense undercoat without yanking or damaging the shiny topcoat. Acting on this guide will lead to a happier dog and a much cleaner house.

How to Conquer Shedding With the Right Undercoat Rake

If you have a German Shepherd, Husky, or Golden Retriever, you know that shedding isn't just a spring and fall event; it's practically a lifestyle. While that constant cloud of fur indicates a healthy coat, managing it can feel overwhelming. This is exactly where a good undercoat rake becomes your most valuable tool.

Unlike a regular brush that only skims the surface, a rake gets right to the source of the problem. Its long, strong teeth are built to reach past the outer guard hairs and gently hook onto the dead, fluffy undercoat that’s ready to fall out all over your furniture.

Actionable Steps to Improve Your Dog's Health

Controlling your dog's undercoat is about more than just keeping your home tidy. That thick, soft layer of fur is your dog's insulation, but if it's not brushed out regularly, it can cause significant problems. Here’s what you need to do:

• Prevent Painful Matting: When loose undercoat isn't removed, it quickly tangles into tight knots and mats right against the skin. These can pull uncomfortably, restrict your dog’s movement, and even trap moisture, which can lead to nasty skin infections. A weekly raking session is your first line of defense.
• Promote Healthy Skin and Airflow: Clearing out that packed-in dead fur lets air get to your dog's skin. This is a huge help for regulating their body temperature, keeping them cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Your action directly improves their comfort.
• Reduce Allergens: All that dead fur and dander are what trigger allergies for many people. By raking it out, you capture those allergens before they have a chance to float around your house.

Your Action Plan: The goal isn't to strip out the entire undercoat—just to thin out the dead stuff. Perform this simple step weekly to prevent painful mats that trap heat and moisture, which are a direct cause of skin irritation.

An undercoat rake is a game-changer for shedding, but for total home protection, consider investing in a good waterproof couch cover for dogs. To truly master shedding control, read our full guide on https://www.petmagasin.com/blogs/news/how-to-stop-dog-shedding. This guide will give you the know-how to pick the perfect rake and turn grooming from a dreaded chore into a great bonding experience.

What Is an Undercoat Rake and Why Should You Use One?

To pick the right undercoat rake, you first have to understand what makes it different from other brushes. You’ve probably seen slicker brushes and combs, but those mostly just skim the surface. An undercoat rake is a completely different beast.

This is a specialized tool built for one critical job: getting all that loose, dead fur out from deep within your dog's dense undercoat. It’s designed to slide past the topcoat without yanking or damaging it, thinning out the packed-in fluff that would otherwise cover your couch, clothes, and floors.

Think of it like this: a slicker brush is like a quick surface-level dusting, while an undercoat rake is a deep spring cleaning. The rake’s long, strong teeth reach down to the skin, gently hooking onto the soft, shed undercoat and pulling it out.

The Real Payoff of Using a Rake

Having a cleaner house is nice, but the benefits of a good undercoat rake go way beyond that. When you use one regularly, you’re actively boosting your dog's health and comfort. It’s a must-have for any double-coated breed.

• Actionable Tip: To prevent painful mats, use your rake weekly, focusing on areas behind the ears, under the legs, and on the hindquarters where tangles often start. This proactive step stops knots before they become a serious issue.
• Actionable Tip: To improve airflow and skin health, use long, smooth strokes that part the fur down to the skin. This ensures you're not just grooming the surface but are actually removing the impacted undercoat that traps heat.
• Actionable Tip: To reduce allergens, groom your dog outdoors or in an easy-to-clean area. Immediately dispose of the collected fur to minimize the dander spread throughout your home.

It's clear that pet owners are catching on. The global market for pet brushes, which includes these essential rakes, jumped to USD 1.8 billion in 2025 and is expected to climb to USD 3.2 billion by 2034. This shows that 70% of pet owners now consider grooming a vital part of their pet’s healthcare. In the US and Europe, rakes have become the go-to tool for 62% of home groomers because they're just so effective at deshedding. You can explore more data on the pet brush market to see just how fast it’s growing.

Your Action Plan: A rake doesn't just clean up shed fur; it's a proactive tool for your dog's health. By using it correctly, you're not just managing a mess—you're preventing discomfort and potential skin problems.

Ultimately, grooming with a rake is a great way to strengthen your bond. Those gentle, consistent grooming sessions build trust and turn what could be a chore into a calm, positive experience for both of you.

Choosing the right undercoat rake isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. The tool that works wonders on your neighbor's Golden Retriever might be totally wrong for your German Shepherd. The real secret is matching the rake’s design—especially its teeth—to your dog’s specific coat and needs.

Not all rakes are made the same. Understanding the subtle differences in tooth length, shape, and spacing is what turns a frustrating grooming session into a successful one. We'll go beyond basic features to give you practical, real-world advice for picking the right tool.

The boom in specialized grooming tools shows just how seriously owners are taking pet care. For double-coated breeds like Huskies and Goldens, where loose fur can make up 80% of their seasonal shedding, a good undercoat rake is an absolute must-have.

Tooth Length: The First Big Decision

The length of the rake's teeth dictates how deep it can get into the coat. Picking the wrong length is one of the most common mistakes people make, leading to either useless grooming or, worse, skin irritation.

• Short Teeth: Choose these for dogs with shorter, but still thick, double coats like Labrador Retrievers or Beagles. The teeth are long enough to pull out loose fur but short enough that they won't scrape sensitive skin.

• Medium Teeth: This is your all-rounder. It's the most versatile length, working well for a huge range of breeds like German Shepherds and Australian Shepherds. It strikes a perfect balance, reaching deep enough to clear out the fluff without going too deep on dogs with moderate coats.

• Long Teeth: An absolute necessity for dogs with incredibly thick, long double coats. For breeds like Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds, or Newfoundlands, shorter teeth just glide uselessly over the top layer. Long teeth are the only way to really get down to the dense fur near the skin and tackle the problem at its source.

Tooth Shape: Rounded vs. Bladed

After length, the shape of the teeth determines the tool's main job and how safe it is to use. This is where you decide if you need a gentle de-shedder for maintenance or something more heavy-duty for tangles.

Rounded-Tip Teeth: This is the safest bet, designed to slide smoothly against the skin without scratching. Choose this for routine grooming and for any dog with sensitive skin. It works by catching loose, already-shed fur and pulling it away.

Bladed or Serrated Teeth: These teeth have a sharpened inner edge made to cut through minor mats and snags as they pull out loose fur. They are super effective for de-shedding, but you must be more careful. Always pull gently and in the direction the hair grows to avoid irritating the skin or damaging the topcoat.

Your Action Plan: The goal isn't just yanking out fur; it's finding a rake with the right tooth spacing and shape to glide through the coat without pulling on live hair. A great rake should feel like a gentle massage, not a tug-of-war.

Row Configuration: Single vs. Double

Finally, think about the density of the teeth, which is set by whether the rake has one or two rows. This feature affects how fast and efficiently the tool can remove fur.

Single-Row Rakes: With more space between each tooth, these are fantastic for working through thicker, more mat-prone coats. The wider spacing helps keep the rake from getting stuck and pulling, making it a great choice for the first pass on a really dense coat.

Double-Row Rakes: These feature two rows of teeth, often with different lengths. They are incredibly efficient at clearing out huge amounts of loose fur fast. Choose this design to act as a finishing tool, grabbing all the fine, fluffy undercoat that a single row might leave behind. A tool like the Pet Magasin dual-head rake often uses this design for maximum effect.

For a closer look at other essential grooming tools, check out our guide on the best grooming tools for dogs.

To help you put it all together, here’s a quick comparison table to help you find the perfect match for your dog.

Undercoat Rake Feature Comparison for Different Coat Types

Rake Feature	Best For (Coat Type)	Why It Works	Example Breeds
Short, Rounded Teeth	Short, dense double coats	Removes loose fur from shorter coats without scraping the skin, making it safe and gentle for routine use.	Labrador Retriever, Beagle, Corgi
Medium, Rounded Teeth	Medium-length double coats	Offers a versatile balance, reaching the undercoat effectively without being too aggressive for regular grooming.	German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd
Long, Rounded Teeth	Long, thick "Arctic" coats	The only design that can penetrate extremely dense undercoats to remove shed fur near the skin.	Siberian Husky, Samoyed, Newfoundland
Bladed/Serrated Teeth	Coats with minor tangles	The sharpened edge helps to gently cut through small mats while efficiently removing large amounts of fur.	Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog

This quick guide should give you the confidence to pick a rake that not only works but that your dog will appreciate, too.

As you can see, regular grooming with the right undercoat rake is a huge part of your dog's overall health and happiness—it's much more than just a chore to keep the house clean.

How to Choose the Right Undercoat Rake for Your Dog

Choosing the right undercoat rake isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. The tool that works wonders on a German Shepherd might do next to nothing for a Golden Retriever. To effectively control shedding, you must match the rake to your dog's coat.

Start by assessing your dog's specific needs. Breeds with similar coats can be grouped together, which makes picking a tool much easier. For instance, dogs with thick, medium-length double coats have very different grooming requirements than those with the long, fluffy fur you see on "Arctic" breeds.

But it's not just about the teeth. The handle, materials, and overall design can transform grooming from a chore you both dread into a positive bonding experience. A good rake works better and makes the process more comfortable for you and your dog.

Match the Rake to the Coat Type

Let’s zero in on a few breed groups and what works best for them. This approach means you’ll be pulling out dead fur like a pro without hurting the healthy topcoat or irritating your dog's skin.

For Breeds Like German Shepherds and Australian Shepherds: These dogs have a classic double coat—a dense undercoat with medium-length guard hairs. Your best tool is a rake with medium-length, rounded teeth. The teeth are just long enough to get through the fluff but not so long they scrape the skin. A double-row rake is a game-changer here, especially during heavy seasonal sheds, as it pulls out significantly more fur with each pass.

For Breeds Like Golden Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs: Their long, beautiful coats tangle easily, especially behind the ears and on leg "feathers." A rake with bladed or serrated teeth can be a lifesaver. The inner edge is sharp enough to break up small knots while still pulling out the soft undercoat. The key is to always use gentle, short strokes so you don't pull on any live hair.

For Breeds Like Huskies and Samoyeds: These breeds have incredibly thick, "Arctic" style double coats for cold weather. For them, a rake with long, widely spaced teeth is non-negotiable. If the teeth are too short, they’ll just glide over the top and do nothing. A single-row design is often a good starting point, as it moves through dense fur with less resistance.

More Than Just Teeth: Other Features That Matter

The teeth do the heavy lifting, but other details determine how long the tool lasts, how safe it is, and how your wrist feels afterward. A great rake is the complete package.

• A Comfy Handle: You might be grooming for 20-30 minutes, so a comfortable handle is a must. Look for a non-slip, cushioned grip to reduce strain and give you better control. The last thing you want is for the tool to slip.
• Durable Materials: The best rakes have teeth made from stainless steel. It’s strong, it won’t rust, and it’s a breeze to clean. Cheaper metals can bend or rust, which is unsafe for your dog.
• Safety First: Always check for rounded tips on the teeth. This is a simple but critical feature that protects your dog's skin from getting scratched or irritated. It lets you groom with confidence.

Your Action Plan: A successful grooming session is one where your dog is calm and happy. A great rake removes fur effectively, but a comfortable handle and safe teeth prevent grooming from turning into a struggle.

Your Pre-Purchase Checklist

Before you click "buy," run through these quick questions. Answering them will ensure you get the right tool for the job, saving you time, money, and frustration.

1. How thick is my dog's undercoat? Be honest—is it light fluff or a dense, packed layer? This will determine the tooth length and spacing you need.
2. Does my dog have sensitive skin? If yes, a rake with rounded tips is an absolute must to prevent irritation.
3. Does their coat get tangled easily? For fur prone to knots, a bladed rake or a single-row design can help you work through them more gently.
4. How long are our grooming sessions? If you plan on longer sessions, an ergonomic, non-slip handle will make a huge difference for your comfort and control.

By taking a moment to consider your dog's specific coat and these practical points, you can choose an undercoat rake that will have you grooming like a pro in your own home.

How to Use Your Undercoat Rake The Right Way

Having the best undercoat rake is a great start, but knowing how to use it is what really separates a frustrating tug-of-war from a peaceful, productive grooming session. The right technique makes all the difference, keeping your dog comfortable while achieving incredible results at home.

It's no surprise that more owners are taking grooming into their own hands. While the pet grooming market jumped from USD 7.25 billion in 2025 to USD 7.75 billion in 2026, a whopping 55% of owners now prefer to groom their dogs themselves. This shift helps cut costs by up to 60%, and with a high-quality rake that can pull out 90% of loose fur, you can get salon-level deshedding right in your living room.

First Things First: Prep for Success

Diving straight in with a rake on a dirty, tangled coat is a recipe for snags and an unhappy dog. Follow these prep steps to make the job easier and more effective.

1. Detangle First: Always start with a pin or slicker brush. Gently work through any knots or surface mats to clear a path. This allows the undercoat rake to glide through and focus on its main job: removing the loose, fluffy undercoat.
2. Work with a Dry Coat: Rakes are designed for dry fur. Using one on a wet coat can pull on healthy hair, cause skin irritation, and will not be as effective at grabbing dead fur.
3. Create a Calm Environment: Choose a quiet room where your dog feels safe. Have treats ready to reward good behavior. This helps build a positive association with grooming, turning it into a bonding experience instead of a battle.

Mastering the Raking Technique

Your goal is to get deep enough to catch the loose undercoat without scratching your dog's skin. It’s a gentle but firm process.

Actionable Advice: "Always work in small sections and check the skin as you go. The goal is to remove loose, dead fur—not to pull at the healthy coat."

Here’s a simple, step-by-step approach used by professional groomers:

• Use short, gentle strokes and always move the rake in the direction of hair growth. This prevents uncomfortable pulling.
• Work methodically. Start at the neck and work down towards the tail in a grid-like pattern to ensure you don't miss any spots.
• Clean the rake frequently. As the teeth fill with fur, they become less effective. Pull the tufts of hair out and continue.
• Be extra careful around sensitive areas like the belly, armpits, and ears. Use a lighter touch and fewer passes.

Knowing the proper technique is just one part of a successful at-home routine. For a more complete overview, you might be interested in our guide on how to groom your dog at home. Follow these steps, and you’ll be using your undercoat rake like a pro in no time, keeping your dog looking and feeling fantastic.

Time to Choose: Our Top Recommendations

You've done the homework and now know what separates a great undercoat rake from a mediocre one. It's time to put that knowledge into practice. Let's look at how a well-designed rake solves real-world shedding problems.

For many dog owners, the Pet Magasin dual-head rake hits the sweet spot of versatility and durability. It’s built to handle everything from light weekly grooming to the dreaded seasonal "coat blow." This isn't just about getting a chore done; it's about investing in a tool that makes grooming easier and safer for years.

How the Pet Magasin Rake Works in the Real World

If you have a breed like a Husky, German Shepherd, or Golden Retriever, you need serious hardware. The Pet Magasin dual-head rake was designed specifically for the challenges these thick coats present.

It has a clever 2-in-1 head:

• The 9-Tooth Side: Use this as your "dematting" side. The teeth are spaced wide apart, perfect for tackling stubborn mats and tangles first. It lets you work through dense patches without yanking on your dog's skin, gently breaking up knots that would stop other rakes.
• The 17-Tooth Side: Once you’ve cleared the big tangles, flip it over. This side is for deshedding. The teeth are spaced closer together to quickly and efficiently pull out huge amounts of loose undercoat, leaving the coat smooth, healthy, and thinned out.

Having both functions in one tool saves you from buying two separate rakes, making it the perfect all-in-one solution for any double-coated dog.

Why Smart Features Mean Great Value

A good undercoat rake is an investment—in your dog’s comfort and your own sanity. The Pet Magasin rake is a perfect example of how quality materials and smart design come together to give you professional-level results without the professional price tag.

The rake's stainless steel teeth are a must. They won't rust and are super easy to clean, so the tool stays hygienic and effective groom after groom. Each tooth also has a rounded tip, a critical safety feature that lets you get deep into the undercoat without worrying about scratching or irritating your dog's skin.

Actionable Insight: For many of us, the handle can make or break the grooming experience. The Pet Magasin rake has a sturdy, non-slip grip that stays comfortable in your hand, even during a long deshedding session. More control for you means a safer, calmer experience for your dog.

By combining top-notch materials with a versatile, intelligent design, this rake delivers serious value. It’s an expert-approved tool that gives you the power to get professional grooming results right at home, strengthening that bond with your dog through a calm, caring routine.

Got Questions? We've Got Answers

Even after you've found the perfect undercoat rake, you'll probably still run into a few questions. Here are quick, practical answers to help you perfect your grooming game.

How Often Should I Use an Undercoat Rake?

This depends on your dog's breed, coat thickness, and shedding cycle. For heavy shedders like German Shepherds or Huskies, use the rake 2-3 times a week during their spring and fall "coat blow." After the heavy shedding period, reduce it to once a week.

For dogs with a less dense undercoat, a weekly session is usually sufficient. Short, consistent grooming is far less stressful for your dog than infrequent marathon sessions. Watch your dog's skin for any redness; if you see any, give them a break for a day or two.

Can I Use an Undercoat Rake on a Short-Haired Dog?

Undercoat rakes are specifically designed for dogs with a distinct double coat or very thick fur. Using one on a single-coated, short-haired dog like a Greyhound or Pug is a bad idea. With no undercoat to buffer the teeth, you could easily scratch their skin. For those breeds, a rubber curry brush or grooming mitt is a much safer and more effective choice.

The exception: if your short-haired dog has a dense undercoat (like some Labrador Retrievers), a rake with shorter teeth can be very effective. The rule is simple: match the tool to the coat type, not just the breed name.

Actionable Takeaway: Shedding is the natural loss of dead hair. As long as the skin underneath looks clear and healthy, you are simply managing a normal process. A good rake makes it easy.

Is It Shedding or a Skin Problem?

Healthy shedding results in piles of fur, but the skin underneath should look calm and clear. If you see symptoms like bald patches, constant scratching, red or inflamed skin, scabs, or a foul odor, it's more than just shedding. These are red flags for an underlying skin condition or allergy.

While an undercoat rake is excellent for clearing shed fur, it is not a medical tool. If you observe any of these warning signs, it’s time to consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

What's the Best Way to Clean and Maintain My Rake?

Proper maintenance keeps your rake hygienic and effective. After every grooming session, pull all the trapped fur out of the teeth.

Periodically, wash the rake with warm, soapy water to remove built-up skin oils and dander. Rinse it well, and—most importantly—dry it thoroughly to prevent rust on any non-stainless steel parts. Storing your clean, dry rake properly will ensure it lasts for years and keeps your dog's skin healthy.

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Ready to win the war on shedding with a tool that actually works? The Pet Magasin dual-head undercoat rake gives you the versatility, safety, and durability you need for professional results right at home. Discover the difference a high-quality rake can make today!