The Mars Coat King is a popular grooming tool for removing loose coat, reducing bulk and helping maintain a wide range of dog coat types.

It is especially useful for thick, dense, double and wiry coats, where dead hair and loose undercoat can build up. Used correctly, it can help make brushing easier, improve the coat’s appearance and reduce shedding around the home.

However, the right model depends on your dog’s coat type, coat length, size and condition.

What is a Mars Coat King?

A Mars Coat King is a grooming tool with a row of specially shaped stainless-steel blades. As it is drawn gently through the coat, it helps remove loose hair and undercoat.

Different models have different blade counts and tooth spacing:

• Fewer blades generally means wider spacing and a coarser tool.

• More blades generally means closer spacing and a finer tool.

• Wide models cover more coat with each pass and are useful for larger dogs.

The aim is not to pull aggressively through the coat. Use smooth, gentle strokes in the direction of hair growth, checking regularly that the tool is moving comfortably through the coat.

Coat King or hand stripping?

A Coat King can be a practical option for routine coat maintenance, de-shedding and reducing bulk.

For some traditional wire-coated breeds, however, hand stripping is still preferred where maintaining the correct harsh coat texture, colour and show finish is important. A Coat King should therefore be used carefully and with an understanding of the finish you are trying to achieve.

If you are preparing a dog for the show ring, or are unsure whether a Coat King is suitable for your dog’s coat, speak to the breeder, a breed specialist or an experienced hand-strip groomer first.

Before using a Coat King

Always make sure the coat is clean, dry and brushed through before using a Coat King.

Remove obvious knots and tangles first. Pulling any bladed grooming tool through a matted coat can be uncomfortable for the dog and may damage the coat.

Use gentle strokes, work in small sections and stop if the dog appears uncomfortable. Avoid delicate areas such as the ears, face, skin folds, genitals and any irritated or broken skin.

Choosing the right Mars Coat King

As a general rule:

Coarse or wiry coats

Coarse, wiry coats often suit a Coat King with fewer blades and wider tooth spacing.

Examples include the Medium 10-blade and Fine 12-blade models, depending on the density and condition of the coat.

Fine or silky coats

Finer, softer or silkier coats will usually benefit from a finer model with more closely spaced teeth.

Examples include the Extra-Fine 16-blade, Extra-Fine 20-blade and Super-Fine 26-blade models.

These can also be useful for finishing work after a coarser Coat King has removed excess loose undercoat.

Larger dogs and wider areas

Wide Coat King models are useful for larger breeds and broad areas such as the body, back and sides.

The wider head covers more area without changing the basic purpose of the tool. For example:

• Medium Wide 18-blade: thicker or wirier coats on larger breeds

• Fine Wide 23-blade: coarser coats on larger breeds

• Extra-Fine Wide 30-blade: finer coats or finishing work on larger breeds

Mars Coat King quick-reference guide

Coat type or job	Suggested starting point
Thick, wiry coat	Medium 10-blade
Coarse, wiry coat	Fine 12-blade
Fine coat or finishing work	Extra-Fine 16 or 20-blade
Fine, silky coat	Super-Fine 26-blade
Thick coat on a larger breed	Medium Wide 18-blade
Coarse coat on a larger breed	Fine Wide 23-blade
Fine coat on a larger breed	Extra-Fine Wide 30-blade

These are general starting points only. Coat texture, density, grooming routine and the finish you want can all affect the best choice.

Wooden handle, plastic handle or spare blades?

Mars Coat Kings are available with different handle styles, including traditional wooden handles and practical plastic handles.

The cutting head and blade spacing are the key things to consider when choosing a model. Handle choice is largely down to personal preference, grip and comfort.

Replacement blades are also available for selected models, helping extend the working life of your Coat King.

Shop Mars Coat Kings

Mars Coat King Breed Guide

The guide below gives suggested starting points for popular dog breeds.

Please remember that dogs within the same breed can have very different coat types. A dog’s age, neutering status, coat condition, grooming history and whether the dog is shown or kept as a pet can all influence the most suitable tool.

For the best recommendation, consider your dog’s individual coat—not breed alone.

C8 = Coarse M10 = Medium F12 = Fine XF16 = Extra-fine XF20 = Extra-fine SF26 = Super-fine MW18 = Medium-wide FW23 = Fine-wide XFW30 = Extra-fine-wide.

NB: Number indicates number of blades

Dog Breed	Recommended Coat King	Dog Breed	Recommended Coat King
Airedale terrier	FW23	Gordon Setter	XFW30, M10 for feathering
Akita	MW18	Griffin Bruxellois	F12 general tidyXF20 for more cleaned off look
Alaskan Malamute	MW18	Irish setter	XFW30, M10 for feathering
American Cocker	XF20 for back & sides	Irish terrier	XF16
	M10 for featheringSF26 for show dogs	Irish water spaniel	FW23
Australian Cattle Dog	F12	Irish wolfhound	MW18
Australian Kelpie	F12	Jack Russell terrier	F12 rough coats
Australian Terrier	F12		XF16 smooth coats
Bearded Collie	MW18	Keeshound	C8
Bedlington Terrier	F12	Kelpie	F12
Belgian Shepherd Dog	MW18FW23 for short coats	Kerry Blue terrier	F12 long areas of coatXF16 for back
Bernese Mountain Dog	MW18	Labrador	FW23
Black Russian Terrier	C8	Lhasa Apso	F12 for hair up to 2” longM10 if hair longer
Border Collie	MW18	Maltese	F12 for hair up to 2” longM10 if hair longer
Border Terrier	F12	Newfoundland	MW18
Borzoi	M10	Norfolk terrier	F12 or XF16 for cleaner look
Bouvier Des Flanders	C8	Norwich terrier	F12 or XF16 for cleaner look
Briard	MW18C8 for very thick coats	Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever	M10
Brittany	XF20SF26 for show dogs	Old English Sheepdog	C8
Cairn Terrier	F12	Papillon	XF16F12 for very thick coats
Cardigan Corgi	M10	Pomeranian	C8
Cattle Dog	F12, FW23 for larger dogs	Poodle	F12 for hair up to 2” longM10 if hair longer
Cavalier King Charles	XF20 back & sidesF12 for thick coats and ears	Rottweiler	XFW30
Chesapeake Bay Retriever	XF20	Saluki	XF20 or SF26
Chihuahua	XF20	Samoyed	C8
Chow Chow	C8	Schipperke	F12
Clumber Spaniel	XF20,SF26 for show dogs	Schnauzer	F12 general and legsXF16 or XF20 to strip down back
Cocker Spaniel	XF20,M10 for featheringSF26 for show dogs	Scottish terrier	F12 general and legsXF16 or XF20 to strip down back
Collie, Rough	C8	Sealyham	F12 general and legsXF16 or XF20 to strip down back
Collie, Smooth	XF20	Sharpei	SF26
Curly Coat Retriever	FW23	Shetland Sheepdog	M10, C8 if very thick coat
Dachshund	XF16, SF26 for wirehaired	Shih Tzu	F12 for hair up to 2” longM10 if hair longer
Dandie Dinmont	XF16	Siberian Husky	MW18
English Cocker Spaniel	XF20M10 for feathering, SF26 for show dogs	Skye Terrier	F12
English Setter	XFW30	Sussex Spaniel	XF20, SF26 for show dogs
English Springer Spaniel	XF20	Tibetan Spaniel	F12
	M10 for feathering, SF26 for show dogs	Welsh Springer Spaniel	XF20, SF26 for show dogs
Flat coated Retriever	XF20	Welsh terrier	F12 for legs/demattingXF16 or XF20 to strip down the back
Fox terrier	F12 wirehairedXF16 smooth coat	West Highland white terrier	F12 General
German Shepherd	MW18	Yorkshire terrier	F12 or M10 for dematting
Golden Retriever	MW18 for bodyXF20 for neck of show dogs

Still unsure which Coat King to choose?

Contact the Diamond Edge team with your dog’s breed, coat type, size and what you are hoping to achieve. A photograph of the coat can also be helpful.

We will be happy to point you towards a suitable starting option.

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