Some people need the Terminator.
Others need the Furminator.
Life in Tucson can get miserable for a shaggy dog or cat.
But there is relief for your furry fools. It's called the Furminator, and it's nothing short of miraculous, if you ask pet owners who use it.
Jane Dorgan owns 2-year-old Spike, a white Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix. She's had her Furminator about a year and uses it about once a week on Spike.
"We found it at Muttropolis," said Dorgan. "I tried it out right there on the counter and got an amazing amount of hair in just two or three sweeps."
Another fan heard about the Furminator from a friend.
"It can do in about 20 minutes what a less capable tool would do in about two hours," said Brian Ellis, a 29-year-old engineer who owns a 110-pound mastiff named Chloe.
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Like a fine kitchen tool, the Furminator relies on a stainless-steel edge to remove the stubborn undercoat of thick- or long-haired animals.
The beauty of the device is that it works on short-haired animals, too.
Invented in 2002, the device comes in a variety of sizes. There's a small Furminator for cats ($34.95); a small ($34.95), medium ($49.95) and large ($59.95) for dogs; and an equine size for horses ($69.95), which is about double the size of the large. Furminators can be found at Petco, Petsmart, and some veterinarians and groomers. For more information, go to furminator.com.
We recently chatted with Tim Petsch, vice president of marketing and sales for Furminator.
How'd they come up with the name?
"I think it came to the owner in the middle of the night."
How many have been sold?
"More than 2 million units."
What makes it better than all the other grooming tools?
"It works totally differently than a rake, brush or comb. It goes through the top coat and takes out the loose, dead undercoat. The undercoat is the main source of shedding. It's not cutting or damaging the top coat. It will reduce shedding by 90 percent or more. It allows natural oils to surface to the top coat, which allows it to be healthier looking."
Why do some people act like a Furminator is better than the invention of the wheel?
"It really is. It's one of those products that you really do use. It even outperforms how it looks on camera or in a picture."
What about short-haired breeds?
"It works on any shedding breed."
Are there any dog breeds that shouldn't use it?
"Any non-shedding breed, like poodles or bichons. It kind of defeats the purpose."
How often should you use the Furminator?
"About every week. The first couple of times you use it, you'll get a mountain of hair."
Why are they so pricey?
"It is a professional de-shedding tool that's very durable with a stainless steel edge. It will not dull, rust or break."
Are there any plans to expand it to other species?
"Not at this point. A lot of people write in and say they use it on rabbits, show cattle, ferrets."
What's the worst thing that can happen using a Furminator?
"There's really no downside. It doesn't cut the skin or hurt the pet. If used properly, there's no disadvantage."
Can people use a Furminator on their hair?
"No (laughing). I wouldn't recommend that. It's just not designed for that."
free drawing
Want a Furminator for your medium-size dog to call your own? Send in your plea to accent@azstarnet.com by 5 p.m. today, and we'll draw the winner from the e-mails. Put "Furminator" in the subject head, and include your full name, phone number (not for publication), pet's breed and name, and why a Furminator would make your life easier. The winner will be contacted by phone.
