Our GSD Team had a dog wash fund raiser to raise money for the ACS.  We had a groomer donate her time doing brush outs, nail clips, etc for a donation.   She used a furminator on Molly (who is a long coat) and it broke off her hair.  Her coat looks horrible, choppy and flat.  Has anyone else noticed that result with the furminator?

I have not changed her diet - I feed Royal Canin.  My other two stock coats look great, no issue.  Her fur almost looks thin in batches.

I will see if I can post a before an after picture to show you.

Cheryl

I use a Zoom Groom before using the Furminator on my Molly. Her coat hasn't suffered from it but I also don't get crazy with it. I loosen up the undercoat with the Zoom Groom, making it easier to run the Furminator through. I don't spend a lot of time with the Furminator though. Just a quick run through and we're happy.

Perhaps the groomer got a bit overzealous with it

I normally don't post or pay attention to this type of thread, but I kinda hacked my boy with the Furminator.  I learned that ya gotta take it easy with those things.  It is a razor with teeth.  Soft, short and slow strokes or you will begin to shave the dog.

as with any of the grooming tools with blades you cant go in cack handed.

used properly it is a fantastic tool that i highly recommend .

you have to be extra careful with coats when using it the the coat should be brushed through first and be completely clean and dry

the FURminator doesn't cut nor does it have a cutting mechanism.  i used to work for a GSD breeder and was in charge of grooming his dogs.  i used it weekly on 50+ GSDs without a single problem.  he breeds working quality dogs with excellent coats.  i also worked in a grooming facility and used it everyday on various breeds without a single problem. 

i recommend this product to anyone and everyone who has a shedding pet.  this is a lifesaver.  some rescues i have worked with have this tool and comment about how it has saved the lives of pets and allowed them to stay in their homes with their families. 

k8ybug18,

Yes, the furminator works.  Everything works.  Cars work, but driven at 95 mph and into a tree, they do not.   Anything used improperly will give you compromised results. 

Furminator is a cutting blade, like ones used on animal clippers.  Yes it will cut the coat.   Many people love the furminator.  I like the undercoat rake. 

surgical clipper blade

Andis 0.1MM Surgical Clipper Blade

Does it even get down to the undercoat of long haired dogs? Seems like it would snag on knots and rip them out. Ouch! I used my furminator twice the first week I purchased it because my dogs were blowing. Now once a week or even skip a week for maintanance.

If you guys want to get rid of all the under coat, then there is nothing better then a force dryer. A bit more expensive, but well worth it. Gets all the under coat out without damaging the dogs hair.

   http://www.groomers.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=101330+PUR&More+Info.x=68&More+Info.y=12