German Shepherd laying down on the grass and looking

Best Shampoo for German Shepherd: Top 4 Picks for 2024

• Updated on August 17, 2023

  • This review contains affiliate links. Read more here.
  • Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

The best shampoo for German Shepherd is the Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo, in case you are in a hurry and just want to find out what our top recommendation is.

German Shepherds love to be active and have fun.

This means you need to pay attention to their hygiene to prevent skin conditions or unpleasant smells.

Just like we need shampoo to make sure that our hair and scalp are completely clean, your dog needs shampoo.

However, he needs a shampoo formulated to work specifically for his double-layer coat.

So, we created this best shampoo for German Shepherds buying guide to help you choose the best dog shampoo for your pooch.

Let’s begin!

The 4 Best Shampoos for German Shepherd

We did our research and chose the best shampoos on the market today.

We specifically looked for shampoos that use natural ingredients that aren’t irritating to the skin.

We also favored products that cleanse and treat itchiness at the same time.

So, here are our best shampoo recommendations for your lovely German Shepherd:

OUR PICK
Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo

Burt’s Bees has been a pioneer in developing nature-friendly health and beauty care products for over thirty years. We believe that pets are family, so we’re bringing the same natural attention and care to your closest furry friends.

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If your dog struggles with eczema or dry skin, then this is the best shampoo recommendation for him.

Burt’s Bees are already known for their moisturizing products, whether for humans or pets.

This shampoo is formulated with two of the best ingredients to treat dryness and itchiness.

The first is honey, which is perfect for regulating and retaining moisture in the hair.

The second is colloidal oat flour, which soothes itchiness and skin irritation.

This shampoo also contains green tea extract that strengthens your dog’s hair follicles.

This shampoo features a pH-balanced formula that prevents dry skin, redness, and flakiness.

The best thing about this shampoo is that it doesn’t contain fragrance, which can cause skin irritation.

  • Pros
  • Cruelty-free and pH balanced formula
  • Gentle cleanser
  • Helps with eczema and dry skin
  • No artificial fragrance
  • 80% recycled bottle
  • Affordable
  • Cons
  • Not a tearless shampoo
  • Gentle cleanser
  • Helps with eczema and dry skin
  • No artificial fragrance
  • 80% recycled bottle
  • Affordable
RUNNER-UP
Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo

Wash away your pet’s discomfort and itchiness with Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Dog Shampoo. Our shampoo cleans out the allergens attached to the fur and skin, utilizing essential oils and natural ingredients (oatmeal, d’limonene, tea tree oil) to soothe the irritation caused by allergies and sensitive skin.

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It’s always great to find a shampoo that leaves your German Shepherd squeaky clean and also helps with his allergy.

If this is something your dog needs, then this shampoo is a great option.

It’s formulated by professionals with natural ingredients, including oatmeal and some natural oils.

These ingredients help soothe sensitive skin, and they may stop itchiness or help relieve the symptoms.

It also contains some essential oils to leave your doggy smelling fresh.

Don’t worry; the essential oils aren’t too potent, so the smell won’t bother your dog.

If your dog is on topical flea and tick treatments, this shampoo won’t interfere with the treatment.

However, remember to always follow the instructions and avoid overusing them.

Some tick and flea treatments require some time with no water exposure, so you may want to make sure of that first.

  • Pros
  • Reliefs allergies
  • Smells good

  • Veterinarian formulated with natural ingredients
  • Doesn’t interfere with your dog’s tick and flea treatments
  • Cons
  • Pricier than other options on this list
  • Not the best for dandruff
  • Veterinarian formulated with natural ingredients
  • Doesn’t interfere with your dog’s tick and flea treatments
ALSO GREAT
Healthy Breeds Chamomile Soothing Shampoo

Healthy Breeds Chamomile with Oatmeal Shampoo contains the natural botanical extracts of chamomile, cactus, and calendula along with essential fir needle oil, colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera to create the ultimate skin care experience for your dog.

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This shampoo is manufactured specifically for German Shepherds.

So, you know it’ll be able to deep clean your dog’s coat.

It’s another option that is manufactured with dog allergies in mind. Healthy Breeds Chamomile Soothing Shampoo is formulated with a blend of botanical extracts.

Most ingredients that help cleanse and soothe the skin are in this shampoo.

The formula uses chamomile, cactus, calendula, colloidal oatmeal, and aloe vera.

Besides, it contains essential fir needle oil that has many benefits, including giving your dog a fresh and earthy smell.

This shampoo works for dry, sensitive skin. It doesn’t only cleanse the skin but also conditions it.

You can use this shampoo as many times as you need as it’s a gentle formula.

You can even dilute it up to 10-1 if your dog bathes frequently.

  • Pros
  • Cleanses and conditions the skin
  • Suitable for sensitive skin
  • Doesn’t interfere with your dog’s flea and tick treatment

  • Lathers very well
  • Budget-friendly
  • Cons
  • The scent goes away quickly
  • Suitable for sensitive skin
  • Doesn’t interfere with your dog’s flea and tick treatment

  • Lathers very well
  • Budget-friendly
ALSO GREAT
TropiClean PerfectFur Thick Double Coat Shampoo

Shampoo for dogs in the thick of it. Specially formulated for the double-layered fur of German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Pomeranians, Siberian Huskies and other breeds with a short undercoat and longer overcoat.

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This is another option that targets breeds with double-layer fur.

It deeply cleans your doggy’s double coat while staying gentle on his skin.

It’s perfect for promoting natural deshedding.

It gently exfoliates your dog’s skin and smoothens the undercoat, accounting for less shedding.

Because TropiClean PerfectFur is formulated with naturally derived ingredients, it shouldn’t cause any irritation to your dog’s skin.

Lastly, it’s a quick-dry shampoo, so your dog can return to playing once he’s done with his shower.

  • Pros
  • Deep clean and exfoliation properties
  • Promotes natural deshedding
  • Strengthens hair follicles
  • Gentle on the skin
  • Manufactured specifically for breeds with double-layered fur
  • Cons
  • Doesn’t lather a lot
  • Promotes natural deshedding
  • Strengthens hair follicles
  • Gentle on the skin
  • Manufactured specifically for breeds with double-layered fur

How to Choose the Best Shampoo for Your German Shepherd?

German Shepherd on the beach looking to the sea

To make sure that you’re getting the best shampoo for your German Shepherd, read this guide before making any purchase:

Look For Allergy Relief Shampoos

Unfortunately, our German Shepherds are susceptible to allergies starting from year one.

If allergies are left untreated, they’ll get worse every year.

Having a good shampoo to make sure to clean your amigo’s coat is necessary.

In this case, it’s best to use an itch relief shampoo.

Stay Away From Fragrance

The fragrance is the worst enemy of the skin. It can irritate your dog’s skin and cause dryness and flakiness.

We all want our dogs to smell nice after taking a bath, but we want their skin to be healthy as well.

So, stay away from shampoos that contain artificial fragrances.

Choose Shampoos for Double Layer Coat Breeds

German Shepherd laying down looking

Breeds like German Shepherds have double-layer coats.

This means that they need a shampoo that can penetrate those layers and remove all trapped debris and dirt.

Shampoos for other breeds might not work this way.

To be on the safe side, choose a shampoo that targets double-layer coat breeds.

Avoid These Ingredients

Some ingredients can cause more harm than good to your puppy’s fur.

It’s best to be aware of them to avoid them altogether.

Here are some of the common ingredients to avoid in your dog’s shampoo:

  • Parabens
  • Artificial colors
  • Artificial fragrance
  • Heavy essential oils
  • Isothiazolinone preservatives
  • Phthalates

Test the Shampoo First

You might buy a shampoo that works for many dogs and has a nice ingredient list but still irritates your dog’s skin.

It’s simply because not all dogs are the same.

So, it’s recommended to test the shampoo on a small area first.

Then, wait for 24 hours to see if there’s any reaction.

If not, then use it on your pooch safely.

The Wrap Up

German Shepherd walking away

Here you have our best shampoo for German Shepherd buying guide.

Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo is our top favorite.

It’s moisturizing, gentle, and contains natural ingredients.

Plus, it’s affordable, which is a bonus!

About Alex Vicente

Dog Lover, Founder & Chief Editor at Paws Insider

I’ve been rescuing dogs since a very early age. I got my first dog when I was 9 years old and I remember how he, out of a litter of 6 puppies, started running towards me. He’d just chosen me. Ever since then, my love for dogs only grows stronger and I want what’s best for them. My mission is to let our readers know about the best products in the market for our best friends, as well as providing guides and tips on how we can take better care of them.