The Best Vacuum Cleaner for German Shepherd Hair

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If you are the proud parent of a German Shepherd you have asked yourself this question… What’s the best vacuum cleaner for German Shepherd hair?

I know, because I have too.

Here’s why…

Best Vacuum Cleaner for German Shepherd Hair -Blowing Undercoats

This is what one of my GSD’s blew overnight. It’s only day 2 of coat blowing season!

Yip, that’s what the second day of ‘coat-blowing’ season looks like in my house. And that’s hair from only 1 of my 3 German Shepherds.  This is just the early morning round.

Yes, German Shepherds shed.  A lot!  Of course, if you’re reading this – you already know that.  It’s most likely the reason you’re researching the best vacuum cleaner for German Shepherd hair!

But there’s one little problem…

There are an infinite amount of choices out there.  With different makes, models, and features which one do you choose?

And while you’re researching there’s this nagging question…

“What if I pick the wrong vacuum cleaner and waste my money?”

To take the worry out of vacuum shopping.  And help you make the best choice for your specific needs while keeping your home hair free, I’ve brought you this handy guide. As well as detailed reviews of the best vacuum cleaner for German Shepherd hair.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide

  1. Why you should consider a vacuum as an investment. And why buying a heap of junk will only make your life difficult and cost you more in the long-run.
  2. See the vacuums compared side-by-side with each other in the handy comparison tables.
  3. Easy-to-follow links to my more in-depth reviews – once you’re ready to go deep on the ones you’re interested in.
  4. My practical guide to everything you need to consider before forking out. I promise it’ll help you make the best choice for your needs and lifestyle.

At A Glance: Our Top 2 Picks Dog Hair on Carpets

At A Glance: Our Top 3 Picks Dog Hair on Wood Floors

The German Shepherd Shedder!

Yes, they shed so much that many of us loving refer to our dogs as ‘German Shedders’!

I like to refer to the hair shed all over my house as ‘German Shepherd Glitter’! Sounds silly, I know but hey, the GSD is my breed of choice and I love them, glitter and all!

Your German Shepherd has a double coat.  Which is made up of a soft, dense woolly undercoat and a top coat of thinner, longer hairs.  Both of these coats shed, hence the reason GSD’s are known as heavy shedders.

Your German Shepherd sheds all year round and some new owners are surprised at how much their dog sheds.  Both the top and undercoats shed and they shed all year round.

But it’s during the change of season from colder to warmer weather when the shedding ramps up.  It’s during this time your German Shepherd ‘blows’ her undercoat.  You’ll notice it when tufts of hair appear especially around the hindquarters.  If you pull on these tufts you’ll notice they are not attached to your dog’s skin and come out easily.

Coat blowing can go on for several weeks.  It will seem as though your GSD is going to run out of hair.  But don’t worry, she’s not going bald!

Okay…

Now that we know what we’re dealing with, the next question is how to keep your home as hair-free as possible.

Why You Should Only Consider the Best Vacuum Cleaner for German Shepherd Hair

Covered with Dog Hair -Best Vacuum Cleaner for German Shepherd Hair

Why you should only consider the best vacuum cleaner for German Shepherd Hair.

Buying a vacuum cleaner to keep your home hair-free is an investment for a few reasons.

        • You’re forking out money for a machine that’s main function is to keep your home allergy-free, hygienic and comfortable to live in.  Even more so in your case since you need something that’s going handle large amounts of hair.
        • You want something that’ll do the job well and not go kaput after a month or 2.  I mean, what’s the point of spending your hard-earned greenbacks on a poor quality vacuum cleaner that burns out, jams up or is too lightweight for the job?
        • Plus, you need to make sure you protect your floors.  Using the wrong vacuum cleaner will cause damage to your wood floors or plush carpets.  Costing you more than just the price of a vacuum cleaner.

Comparison of the Best Vacuums for GSD Hair on Wood Floors

Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for Wood Floor Vacuums

JW Pet Tanzanian Mountain Ball Our Top Pick

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro

  • Design: Upright
  • HEPA Filter: No
  • Weight: 7.5 lbs
View on Amazon
Bissell PowerEdge Pet For Hardwood Floors

Bissell PowerEdge Pet For Hardwood Floors

  • Design: 2-in-1, Upright + Canister
  • HEPA Filter: Yes
  • Weight: 13.7 lbs
View on Amazon
West Paw Design Bumi

Eureka Mighty Mite Deluxe

  • Design: Canister
  • HEPA Filter: No
  • Weight: 9 lbs
View on Amazon

If You Have Wood Floor, Click Here to Read About Each Vacuum in More Detail.

Comparison of the Best Vacuums for Getting GSD Hair Out of Carpets

Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for Dog Hair on Carpets

Bissell One Pass Vacuum Our Top Pick

Bissell One Pass Vacuum

  • Design: Upright
  • HEPA Filter: No
  • Weight: 15 lbs
View on Amazon
Hoover Vacuum Cleaner T-Series WindTunnel

West Paw Design Tux

  • Design: Upright
  • HEPA Filter: Yes
  • Weight: 17.8 lbs
View on Amazon

If You Have Carpets, Click Here to Read About Each Vacuum in More Detail.

Buyers Guide: Choosing the Best Vacuum Cleaner for German Shepherd Hair

Okay, so buying a vacuum cleaner is not rocket science.  And vacuuming itself is a no-brainer.  Just flip the switch and off you go!

But there are a few things you should consider while you’re shopping for your new vacuum cleaner.  This buyers guide will help you put everything into perspective so you can shop with confidence and make an informed decision.

What will You Be Using Your Vacuum For?

The toughest job for your vacuum cleaner is going to be keeping that heavy-shedding GSD hair under control.  Not only that, but dogs bring other debris into your home from outside.  Things like grass, leaves, dirt clumps, dust, and even pebbles.  So you need a vacuum cleaner that can handle the tough job of keeping things under control.

The Weight of the Vacuum

The weight of the vacuum you buy is more important than you might think…

There’s nothing worse than struggling to push and pull a machine that’s an uncomfortable weight for you.  Even if it is a self-propelled vacuum.

And your build is important too.  If you’re like me, lugging around anything weighing more than 20 lbs or so sounds like hard work.  If you’re petite you might want something even lighter.  Of course if the man in the house vacuums regularly, weight might not be an issue.

Also, if you have a medical issue like arthritis or back problems the weight of the vacuum is an even more important factor.

Factor in Replacement Parts

Nothing lasts forever!  And because your vacuum will be working hard to keep that hair under control you might need to replace things like bags and filters more often than someone who doesn’t have a dog that sheds all-year-round.

If you choose a vacuum with a bag, price the replacements and make sure they are easily available.  Most filters can be washed and air-dried but there is usually more than one filter and at some point, these might need replacing.

All the vacuums in this review have replacement parts available on Amazon.

Consider your Lifestyle

First and foremost the vacuum you decide on must be able to keep up with shedding dog hair.  Whether you choose an upright or canister vacuum, don’t worry, neither have the upper hand here.

With the technology of today whether you use a bagged or dirt-cup vacuum makes no difference.  It’s all about the suction power, filtration system and of course how well you care for your machine.

If you’ve got an above-average floor space to keep hair free the motor power and dirt volume should be a strong consideration.

If you’re an apartment dweller, the size of the machine is important.  Since your space is limited choosing a vacuum cleaner that’s designed for easy storage is a must.

And of course, if you have stairs to vacuum and don’t want to lug around an upright vacuum, then a canister machine might be a better choice for you.

What Floor Type Are You Vacuuming?

Wood Floors

In this article, I reviewed several vacuum cleaners that do 2 things well…

      1. Keeping up with the year-round shedding of your German Shepherd.
      2. And, respecting your wood floors.

There’s nothing worse than permanent black scuff marks on your beautiful wood floors.

You can go with either a canister vacuum or an upright – they both do a great job.  A canister vacuum like the Eureka Might Mite with a bare-floor nozzle will help you get into tight spaces and tricky corners.  If you choose an upright vacuum make sure you can turn the brush roller off.  It tends to blowback debris and you also run the risk of scratching those exquisite wood floors.

Carpet Floors

Just like for wood floors, whether you go for a canister or upright vacuum is a matter of preference.  A motorized powerhead like the turbo brush on the Bissell One Pass Vacuum Cleaner is ideal.

Also, a vacuum cleaner with various height adjustments is important.  This will ensure you can vacuum your plush high pile carpets, area rugs, and mats with confidence.  The Hoover T-Series Wind Tunnel Pet Rewind is a prime example of a vacuum that does just that.

The main goal when choosing a vacuum for your carpeted floor is to pick one that will give you the suction power necessary to keep those carpets in pristine condition.  And just as importantly, one that won’t damage your carpets.

Understand How The Vacuum Works

In general vacuums all come with a set of standard attachments…

      • Extension Wand
      • Crevice Tool
      • Upholstery Nozzle
      • Dusting Brush

There are vacuums that have extra attachments like the Hoover T-Series which comes with an air-powered hand tool. But the Bissell Power Edge Pet Hard Floor vacuum is a plug and play vac with no attachments needed.

Understanding the cleaning power each tool provides will help you choose the right vacuum cleaner for your specific needs.

Allergies

Does anyone in your home suffer from allergies?

If allergies are a concern, you should consider a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.  Or at least one with more than one filter to help trap the dog hair, dander, dust, and dirt.

Be prepared to clean the filters regularly.  This might be a pain but keeping the filters clean will maintain suction power and ensure that allergy-causing irritants are kept to a minimum.  Which means less sneezing and wheezing!

Don’t Get Hung Up on Price

The best vacuums are often NOT the most expensive.  And often an inexpensive model provides the same performance as a model which is double the price.

The important point here is to choose a vac that fits your pocket AND does what you need it to do.  What’s the point of buying a vac with a ton of switches and functions that you don’t need?

Overall Ease of Use

We all enjoy using something that’s simple and comfortable – especially when it comes to vacuum cleaners.  So maneuverability and overall ease of use are important.

Taking this into consideration when shopping for your next vacuum means looking out for features like a swivel head, easy to reach and use fingertip controls, a comfortable handle, and a useful carry strap.

Noise Levels

My German Shepherds [and me] are sensitive to very loud noise.  And from my research, noise levels are a concern for many customers.  If this is you then you should consider how noisy the vac is.

If you live in an apartment, you might want a machine that emits less noise to avoid bothering your neighbors.  Any vacuum will sound louder in a large room with an echo.  Between canister and uprights, it’s usually the canister vacuum that’ll be more gentle on your ears.  Although as I mentioned before a customer review on the Bissell One Pass said the noise level of the vac had no effect on her dog.

Conclusion

Now you have all the information you need to shop with confidence and make the best vacuum choice for your needs.

Whether youโ€™re looking for the best vacuum cleaner for German Shepherd Hair, the best vacuum for dog hair on wood floors.  Or the best vacuum for getting dog hair out of carpet.  Now finding the perfect match will be frustration-free and fun.

And the one you choose will be one you and your floors will love for many years to come.

Check out my favorite vacuum cleaner choices on Amazon…
Bissell Power Edge Vacuum (For Hard Floors)
Shark Navigator Pro Lift-Away (For Hard Floors)
Hoover T-Series Wind Tunnel Pet Rewind (For Carpets)

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About the author: Gabriella is a certified professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. She has a special passion for teaching GSD guardians to train their dogs with kindness and clarity using positive reinforcement methods without force, pain, or fear. Join “Dog Speak” for free dog training tips and advice from a professional dog trainer.

  • Danielle Hendrickson

    So I am curious what your thoughts are on these vacuums long term. I am going through 1 every 1-2 years between my GSD and Lab (They are inside dogs, yes I suck and only vacuum once every 2-3 day ๐Ÿ™ ) The problem I run into is they get to a point that during a single vacuum session of my hallway and small living room, I have to tear it apart because it gets clogged and loses probably 75%+ of its suction. The belts also start to go bad quickly, and make weird noises and smell, I am constantly changing them. It really makes vacuuming frustrating and makes me wonder if its really so bad to live in filth, lol. They all do Great for about the first 6 months then go down hill from there. I had a Shark Navigator Pro Lift away and loved it aside from the hoses getting holes in the most inconvenient places that i couldn’t figure out how to change. Since it died on me I have had a Shark rotator of some kind, It was REALLY small.) Dyson ball Animal. An inexpensive one from Walmart and currently have a Bissell Pet Hair Eraser turbo. I am desperate for suggestions that will last a little longer.

  • Michelle

    I’m looking for a vacuum that works on both hardwood floors and carpet and I didn’t find it here. Who wants to deal with 2 different vacuums?? Not me!! We’ve had German Shepherds for 15 years and I would never have nothing but a GSD,shedding and all. But I want a vacuum that does my hardwood floors, travertine floors and carpet. Back to looking for the answer!!

    • Hi Michelle,

      Thanks for leaving your comment. That is indeed a tough one! I have a mix of carpet and hard floors too but went with a vacuum for hard floors because that’s mostly what I have. Let me know if you find a dual vacuum that takes care of both. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Shevy

      I just got a GSD pup for my Mom. I know the shedding is coming so I want to get ahead of it by getting the best vac possible. Heโ€™s mainly in a room with Tile & Hardwood. Is there any vacuums thatโ€™s good for both?Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

    • Hi Shevy,

      Thanks for your question.

      I recommend looking into these vacuums that I have reviewed. I also have tiled and hardwood floors. And these are by far the best options for keep floors free of shedding coats.

  • Wow, I had no idea Germans shed that much. I’m no stranger to seeing tumble like hair weeds coming out from under the beds and sofa, but happy to say I’ve never seen the likes of that ๐Ÿ˜€ But thanks for sharing a quick and easy solution to it all. ๐Ÿ˜€ Happy vacuuming!

    • Hi Rocio,

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Yip, they shed that much and more! Thankfully coat blowing is not all year round. But even general shedding needs daily control. Grooming daily helps through.

      Vacuuming is my friend. It’s usually the time when I plan my next move to take over the world! Mwhahahahaha [she says with her little finger glued to the side of her lips] ๐Ÿ˜‰ LOL!

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