Furminators, beastly or a blessing

[ADishBestEatenCold]

We mostly do our own grooming on a very regular basis, aiming for comfort and health rather than beauty, but every now and again will opt for the 'works' from a professional.

Recently, though, it seems that every dog groomer in our area is using a Furminator, and everyone seems to think they are grand tools.

But I hate them. Yes the initial effect is huge and dramatic and (with lots of sprays, I think) the groomer can present a lovely looking coat. However, I think that effect is short lived, and after a week or so the coat looks uneven, misshapen and even damaged. At worst, I though I could still see damage over six months later.

Maybe it's a breed thing. I am talking dogs with an undercoat, topcoat and distinct guard hairs, but maybe they work better on other breeds. I have never used one on another species, say a horse.

There are no professional groomers in my area who are not using them.

I use one on dpony, and it is amazing for pulling out loose hair on him. But I don't think I'd ever use it on a dog with separate coat layers as I can see it messing it up.

My dog has a vvvv fine coat, and I'm not willing to risk my life using it on evilgingercat who has a multi layer coat, so can't comment further

The jury seems to be out on them on the forums I have read.

But from a personal view point, I would never use one as I have a Border Terrier and do not see how anything with a cutting blade could be helpful. I know some BT owners love them but the whole point of them as I understand it is to remove the undercoat. This is completely at odds with the idea of stripping the top coat away as far as I understand it.

I have only hndstripped my BT myself so far but am thinking of having him done professionally this spring. I would be extremely unhappy if they used any cutting tool on him.

I have a pug with a double coat and I looooove my Furminator. I use it once a month and it's like a whole other dog comes off her!

Keeps her looking nice and helps (a bit) with the hair everywhere. Although with a heavy shedding breed nothing eradicates it, even hoovering twice a day.

My groomer thinks they are the work of the devil and at All About Dogs at the weekend gave the sales lady short shrift for suggesting that her beautiful groomed dogs needed it. She is normally very mild mannered and look she shot the furminator sales woman had to be seen to be believed.

Mixed reception then. It definitely would seem to me that, while some of the guard hairs manage to be pushed aside by the teeth thus surviving the blade, a lot of the top coat gets 'cut'.

Unfortunately, I still can't find a groomer around here who isn't using a furminator. Seems a popular choice of tool, obviously quicker and easier, but I'd rather find a traditional groomer.