This is my comparison of an Undercoat Rake Vs. Furminator dog grooming tools. 

I am a proud pawrent of an amazing, shaggy, border collie/golden retriever mix named Ollie. He has a ton of majestic fur that I brush routinely to keep his mane luscious and flowing. 

Both the undercoat rake and furminator help keep your dog’s fur manageable. But they have different methods for removing fur from your pooch. 

Let’s get started with an in-depth look at what sets these brushes apart. 

Undercoat Rake Vs Furminator Comparison

Both the undercoat rake and furminator remove the undercoat on thick-coated dogs.

But, their method of removal is different.

An undercoat rake will remove dead, fluffy undercoats from shedding dogs, leaving the topcoat shiny and healthy.

It is designed to safely cut through mats, knots, and tangles in the outer coat while removing loose undercoat fur in double-coated dogs. 

The Furminator helps thin out your dog’s fur while eliminating all of their dead hair. 

It does not cut the fur.

The furminator is popular among dog pawrents who have double-coated pooches who shed all year round.

De-shedding Capability

The undercoat rake has round, stainless steel blades that are sharp on the inside.

When used correctly, they won’t cut or scratch your pooch’s skin, but they can cut through stubborn mats while picking up undercoat fur.

The undercoat rake is good if your dog has long, thick hair that is prone to mats, tangles, and knots as it cuts through these better than the furminator.

The furminator claims to minimize shedding by up to ninety percent. 

Almost every time I use the furminator on Ollie, I am left with a TON of fur to dispose of which would have otherwise ended up on the floor of my house. 

Regular use lessens the likelihood of your pooch developing uncomfortable mats and tangles forming in their undercoat.

Breed

The undercoat rake is suitable for a wide variety of breeds as it is available in a variety of tooth widths.

It is especially useful on double-coated and heavy-coated breeds.

Likewise, the Furminator is available in 5 sizes to fit all dog breeds.

No matter what breed your pooch is, you should be able to find both an undercoat rake and furminator to suit your needs. 

Fur Removal Method

The undercoat rake has many short, sharp, and curved blades that help to remove the undercoat.

The rake cuts the fur making it easier for you to remove any mats that your pooch may have.

The Furminator is designed to reach through the topcoat to quickly and effectively remove loose hair and undercoat without damaging the coat or cutting the skin.

It removes so much loose fur that you will be surprised your dog has any left on him! 

Ease of Use

Use the undercoat rake when your dog’s hair is dry.

Hold the root of the hair with one hand, and comb with the other hand along the direction of hair growth.

Where there are severe hair knots, start from the end of the hair and gradually move to the root of the hair.

Comb gently and give your pooch lots of rest and treats!

Just remember, do not brush your dog’s fur too hard.

It is recommended to start with an undercoat rake with fewer blades and work your way up to one with more blades.

This method is easier on your pooch and will make the grooming experience a little nicer. 

The Furminator has an ergonomic handle and long teeth that reach through your pooch’s topcoat to remove loose undercoat fur.

Simply brush in the direction of your dog’s hair growth. 

The Furminator has a nifty self-cleaning mechanism so you don’t have to remove the fur from the tool manually each time you use it.

Weekly de-shedding is recommended so you don’t have to spend all day brushing your dog!

Verdict

The Furminator is best for de-shedding dogs.

With regular use, the furminator is excellent at decreasing the amount of fur a shedding dog leaves behind.

An undercoat rake is excellent for removing mats in our long-furred friends. 

A furminator is likely all you will need for shedding, short-haired dogs.

Most long-furred pooches will benefit from a combo of a couple of different styles of brushes.

I use 3 different brushes for my gorgeous long-haired pooch, Ollie.

A regular bristled brush for his topcoat, a furminator for removing the undercoat, and an undercoat rake for removing mats that inevitably develop because I don’t stick to a regular brushing schedule. 

Although lately, I have been more consistent with Ollie’s grooming.

Here’s why.

I scheduled it on my calendar.

Every Saturday at 3 pm, a BRUSH OLLIE alert appears on my phone and that’s what I do.

Otherwise, he would be a walking disaster!

What’s your go-to brush for your pooch and why?