Are you looking for the best dog shampoos for German Shepherds?
Perfect! You’ve come to the right place!
Finding the right shampoo is vital to ensuring the healthy development of your dog’s skin and coat.
Using the wrong shampoo can cause dull fur and itchy irritated skin.
In this Digdoggy.com guide, you’ll learn:
- The top 5 shampoos for German Shepherds
- How to pick the best shampoo
- Differences in dog shampoos
And much more!
Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep reading to discover our in depth reviews of each shampoo for German Shepherds.
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Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Dog Shampoo
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Best high-End  | Best high-End | The FURminator DeShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo
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Best Budget  | Best Budget | 4-Legger Organic Hypo-Allergenic Dog Shampoo
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 | Burt’s Bees for Dogs Itch Soothing Spray Shampoo
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 | Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Dog Shampoo
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Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On April 16, 2021
Affordable and effective, this shampoo by Veterinary Formula is created with vet-grade ingredients.
Medicated antiseborrheic and antiparasitic shampoo, this formula is made with a lower pH.
The product is soap-free, dye-free, paraben-free and treats bacterial or fungal skin infections.
By using this product you will noticeably see a difference in dogs with bad skin and coat as the shampoo will aid them back to recovery.
Particularly great for rescue dogs, skin irritations, and dogs with fleas this product works fast and is effective in restoring healthy growth.
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Our Top 5 Best Shampoos For German Shepherds
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 German Shepherd shampoos! Keep reading to discover more about our top picks.
Read Also: >> What nail clippers are best for grooming a GSD?
What Are The Different Types of Dog Shampoos For German Shepherds?
For your GSD, the best shampoos are:
- Deodorizing Dog Shampoo
- Medicated Dog Shampoo
- Waterless Dog Shampoo
- Tear Free Dog Shampoo
Deodorizing Dog Shampoo
Dogs that have just rolled around in not-so-pleasant mud or dirt will benefit greatly from using a deodorant shampoo.
This type of product is made with baking soda and Aloe vera making the perfect combination for soothing the skin and coat.
There is also “super deodorizing Shampoo” which is essentially the same thing but made to target deep stench.
Medicated Dog Shampoo
Medicated shampoos are usually vet recommended and use active ingredients to relieve or target your dog’s skin.
A few examples of where medicated dog shampoo would be viable include parasites infestation, fungal and bacterial infections, or dry skin.
They’re designed to bring fast results and in some cases can be prescribed.
Waterless Dog Shampoo
Dry shampoos are designed to be sued without the need for rinsing afterward. Their main goal is to deodorize a dog by absorbing excess sebum and removing dirt.
For most owners, it’s a quick fix but not recommended over a thorough lather, wash and rinse.
Tear-Free Dog Shampoo
Tear-free shampoos are those that prevent the painful sting you get when a product enters your eyes.
They are designed with a hypoallergenic neutral pH balance that you’ll usually find in shampoos for children.
The benefit of using a shampoo like this is that you can wash a dog’s body and face without the need of being overly careful.
Although it’s still recommended to avoid the eye area regardless of the product you are using.
Read More: >> What’s the best shampoo for Golden Retrievers?
What Should You Look For In A high-Quality Shampoo For German Shepherds?
When looking to buy a shampoo brand for your German Shepherd, make sure it:
- Matches your Dogs Needs
- All-Natural
- Conditions His Fur
Matches your Dogs Needs
Find a shampoo that addresses his needs. If your dog has mange, allergies, or dandruff, buy a shampoo that is made to address these needs.
If your dog hates water, then a tear-free shampoo may be the best option.
For example, a dog with fleas will need a shampoo that either allows you to use other topicals or actually targets the fleas themselves.
All-Natural shampoos
These shampoos don’t have artificial ingredients and no artificial scents. dogs like Boxers, Bulldogs and Golden Retrievers are prone to skin issues where these type of shampoos work their magic.
That said if your dog in particular experiences problems with their skin then all-natural is the way to go!
Conditioning
Conditioning shampoos are full of protein to curb hair loss and smooth out tangles. If your doggo has a dry coat he may benefit from conditioning shampoos.
Read More: >> What shampoos are best for dogs with fleas?
Our Reviews Of The Top Shampoos For German Shepherds
Pick #1: Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Dog Shampoo
The Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Dog Shampoo was made for treating skin conditions such as seborrhea, mange, and dermatitis.
This shampoo dissolves dead cells on the skin with its salicylic acid content.
It also treats dandruff, dissolves coal tar, and contains allantoin and oatmeal to treat fungal and parasitic infections.
Using this shampoo just twice per week will bring a noticeable difference even if you don’t leave it on for the full 10 minutes the manufacturer recommends.
Pros
- Will aid a bad coat back to healthy
- Helpful to dogs on steroids for skin issues
- Relieves itchiness
- Grows hair back into bad spots (for most dogs)
Cons
- Grows hair back into bad spots (for most dogs)
Pick #2: FURminator DeShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo
Enriched with papaya leaf extract, calendula extract, and Omega three and six fatty acids, this shampoo promotes a healthy coat and skin.
Other ingredients include aloe vera, blueberry, Malva flower, chamomile, oat proteins, and vegetable protein extract.
The 16-ounce bottle lasts a while and works by targeting loose dead hair.
You may notice hair coming out for hours after using the product which is why I recommend a quick blow and brush down after bathing.
Pros
- Gets out lots of loose fur
- Noticeably reduced shedding
- Made my dog very soft
Cons
- Doesn't work if you leave on less than recommended 5 minutes
Pick #3: 4-Legger Organic Hypo-Allergenic Dog Shampoo
This shampoo by 4-Legger is one out of two percent of dog shampoos that are truly organic certified.
With no petrochemicals, this shampoo is detergent-free, contains only clean vegan ingredients.
Cures dandruff, itchy skin, sensitive skin and has been around with 2015, this brand is one you can trust.
This shampoo lathers well and leaves your dog smelling fresh, but research has told me that it’s no good for allergies and skin issues.
That said, I’d say this will work on mild skin irritations but nothing severe.
P.s. Do NOT get this in your dog’s eyes as many have had long-lasting problems with this product in the eyes.
Pros
- Leaves dog smelling fresh
- Lathers well
- Very easy to rinse out
Cons
- Determinantal to a dog's eyes
- Doesn't particularly do well dogs with skin problems
Pick #4: Burt's Bees for Dogs Itch Soothing Spray Shampoo
Let me start by saying, I’ve been using this shampoo for years!
The product is free of harsh chemicals, colorants, sulfates, and fragrances, and is pH balanced for all dogs.
The company produces a series of shampoos that are tearless, hypoallergenic, oatmeal-based, and 2 in 1.
This shampoo doesn’t lather the way most shampoos will as it contains no sulfates which can strip away your dog’s natural oils.
However, you can be sure there will be no scent and that it won’t irritate the skin.
A particular downside is that in order to get your dog clean, you’ll need to use a lot of product and in most cases to wash twice.
Pros
- Doesn't irritate the skin
- Is really scent-free like advertised
Cons
- Doesn't lather well
- Hard to get dog clean with this and requires several baths
- Super runny liquid
Pick #5: Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Dog Shampoo
Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Dog Shampoo features a blend of essential oils and natural ingredients to soothe damaged skin.
Each bottle contains tea-tree oil, oatmeal, and D-limonene that helps with reducing dry skin, increasing circulation, and moisturization.
I recommend using this product during the summertime when allergies begin to flare up.
It does a great job in relieving allergies but should first be tested as we found some dogs to experience worsened symptoms after using this product.
Pros
- Treats seasonal allergies
- Fast acting
Cons
- Worsened some dogs symptoms
Our Top Pick: Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Dog Shampoo
Our top pick is Veterinary Formula shampoo for dogs.
This natural soothing remedy gets rid of his skin sensitivity and itchy allergies and leaves dogs smelling fresh.
It relieves itchy skin and washes away allergens.
All in all, it is pleasing, effective and contains tea tree, d-limonene, and oatmeal.
A vet-formulated essential oil blend that also works with other tick and flea control treatments.
Final Thoughts On Dog Shampoos For German Shepherds
Finding the right shampoo for a German Shepherd requires a quick assessment of your dog’s skin condition to see what product will best suit them.
You’ll need a product that lathers well in most cases as double coats require a tad more work than others.
Luckily for you, the products we recommend on this list factor in all of the above!
