How You Can Find the Best Dog Grooming Brush
Grooming is essential for keeping your dog happy, healthy, and beautiful. Though with so many products on the market promising amazing results, it can be hard to figure out what you actually need and what works best for you and your dog. So let's dive a little deeper into what makes a dog brush good?
Key Takeaways
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The best dog grooming brushes depend on your dog's coat type. Short, long, curly, double-coated, and wire-coated dogs all benefit from different brush styles to reduce shedding, prevent mats, and keep their coats healthy.
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A multi-purpose grooming brush is the most versatile option for many owners. It combines multiple brush functions into one tool, making grooming more convenient for multi-dog households, changing coat needs, and regular maintenance.
Table of Contents
The Importance of Coat Types When Choosing a Brush
Just as humans need different tools for different hair textures, dogs need different brush types for different coat types.[1]
Short-Coated Dogs
This is the most basic type of dog coat that most dog owners are familiar with. Smooth coats generally lie flat against the body and have a short undercoat, if any. They don't require as much maintenance in their grooming routines. Though they may still need help redistributing natural oils, removing loose hair, and keeping a good texture.
These are your typical Boxers, Beagles, Pugs, and Labradors.
Some of these dogs may not have any undercoat at all, like pitbulls or greyhounds. They tend to only need regular bristle brushes.
Double-Coated Dogs
Double-coated dogs have a thick, downy undercoat. These dogs are high maintenance, as their thick coat needs to be raked regularly. They are also more prone to shedding in the spring.
Double-coated breeds can include Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Huskies.
A regular bristle may be fine for day-to-day use, but deeper raking and detangling rakes may be needed to remove and prevent matting.
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Curly Coated Dogs
These dogs tend to grow tightly coiled fur that blooms into thick curls. These curls can trap dirt and are prone to matting. Thankfully, they tend not to shed much, but still require maintenance to keep their curls smooth.
These dogs include most Poodle mixes and Bichon Frises.
These dogs often need a specialised dematting comb and detangling spray, as slicker brushes can cause curls to become frizzy and unruly.
Wire Coated Dogs
These breeds grow a thicker, coarser outer coat that can feel rough to the touch. Most breeds in this category still grow a loose undercoat, so they still need regular brushing and combing to prevent tangles.
Wiry breeds can include Wirehaired Dachshunds, Wire Fox Terriers, and Schnauzers.
These dogs often need careful finishing brushed alongside their deshedding tool to help maintain their wiry coat. The two different textures can be hard on groomers.
Long Coated Dogs
Long-coated dogs are pretty self-explanatory; they have longer fur than short-haired dogs, which may or may not have an undercoat. This long hair may be more prone to tangling and require frequent brushing to remove loose fur, but it is generally lower maintenance than that of dogs with thick undercoats.
These include dogs such as Yorkshire terriers and Afghan hounds.
A typical bristle brush may be fine for maintaining a healthy coat, but some dogs may require finer combs or more advanced grooming tools to manage their silky coats and prevent mats.
Hairless Dogs
These dogs don't really need ‘brushes’ but a very soft brush may help to exfoliate dead skin, remove dirt, and distribute oils evenly for more protection.
This includes the Chinese Crested and Xoloitzcuintli breeds.
Types of Dog Grooming Brushes
Most grooming tools are named after their purpose and the type of brush head. Dog parents should acquaint themselves with the different types in case of a hair emergency or adopting a new dog with different grooming needs.
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Bristle Brushes - These are your standard dog brushes. They often have wide heads with many natural or synthetic bristles so they can easily rake through fur to remove dead hair and dirt. They are good for most basic coat types.
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Slick Brushes - These brushes have many tightly packed pin-bristles, to catch and pull out any shed hair. These are quite useful for heavy shedders with relatively smooth coats, but can be used on most dogs. They can damage skin if used roughly, so always gently brush with a slick brush.
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Undercoat Rakes - An undercoat rake is a brush that only has a few hard, metal bristles, like a rake. They are designed to penetrate the undercoat and remove tight mats without too much yanking. Almost all double-coated breeds will benefit from this type of brush.
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Rubber/Soft Brushes - These brushes are made from rubber or soft synthetic bristles and are designed for short breeds. They help remove dirt and hair while being as soft on the dog’s skin as possible.
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Multi-Purpose Brushes - These brushes are often double or even triple-sided, containing two or more of the brushes mentioned above, so you can save time and space by buying the right dog brush.
Other Important Factors to Consider
Aside from the type of brush and its impact on your pet’s skin, there are a few other things to make your life more comfortable.
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Ergonomic Handle - Some dogs require a lot of brushing during shedding season, so you want to avoid fatigue and repetitive strain wherever possible
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Brush Size - Small dogs need small brushes and large dogs need large ones, it's as simple as that. Find a size that's comfortable for the dog, and that isn't going to be frustrating to use.
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Wet/Dry Usability - Combing during wash time is a good way to get dirt off or to detangle stubborn mats with shampoo, but not all brushes are water-safe, so make sure your new purchase won’t get ruined in the tub if you want to try.
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Easy to Clean - Some brushes have self-cleaning features or are easier to clean than others. Getting clogged with hair can reduce a brush’s effectiveness, so be sure to clean it off regularly.
How to Use Dog Brushes Correctly
If your dog brush isn’t giving you what you need, it's possible you’re not using it correctly or to its full potential.
Step 1: Prepwork
Before you start grooming, try to make sure your dog is calm - possibly with the aid of treats. Double-coated breeds can shed a lot of hair, so doing it somewhere with no carpets that can be easily swept is a good plan. Make sure your tools are in easy reach, and you have somewhere to brush the hair into.
Remove any eye gunk and rinse off any noticeable mud that could make fur sticky and difficult to remove.
Step 2: Undercoat
Brushes work best when they can reach the skin. If you need an undercoat rake, now is the time to use it. Slowly and gently pull it through the fur, as close to the skin as possible[2].
Use even strokes, no more than six inches or so at a time. Don’t go over the same area too many times, and stop to work gently through mats when you encounter them. Use dog-safe conditioner or pet-safe oils, like coconut oil, to gently work through stubborn mats.
Be careful, as this can quickly make fur oily and dirty, so only use it when absolutely necessary.
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Step 3: The Main Brush
Now you can swap to your main brush - a rubber brush for shorter coats, or a slicker/bristle for other coats.
Starting near the head can help the dog relax and get into the brushing. Make sure you’re still brushing deep and close to the skin for oil distribution.
Avoid going over the same area more than three times, as this can get uncomfortable for the dog or cause bald patches. Avoid brushing any noticeable hot spots.
You can finish up with a comb or fine blade to smooth out any longer fur if necessary.
Step 4: Bathtime
Next up is bath time (if necessary). Some people recommend bathing beforehand, but bathing after brushing can help remove any remaining loose fur, oils, and dirt that have gotten trapped in the fur layer.
Baths, or light spraying with a water mister, will also help reset any frizzy curls on curly-haired breeds. Most dogs won’t need to be bathed every time they are groomed, especially heavy-shedding dogs who need a lot of grooming. Once every 1 - 3 months is fine.
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Conclusion
Choosing the best dog grooming brush starts with understanding your dog's coat type and selecting a brush designed for their specific needs.
Bristle brushes, slicker brushes, undercoat rakes, and rubber brushes all have their place, and you may need multiple brushes for your dog. A multi-purpose grooming tool offers the greatest versatility for many dog owners by combining multiple brushes into a single instrument.
A Multi-tool brush is a good choice for households with more than one dog, changing grooming needs throughout the year, or anyone looking to simplify their grooming routine.
If you would like to see some multi-tool brushes and their reviews, check out Sparkpaws’ Dual-sided brush, with soft bristles for gentle brushing and detangling, and firm nodules for massaging and deep cleaning, catering to all grooming needs.
Whatever brush you choose, remember that how you use it is what counts.
FAQ
How Do I Pick the Right Brush for my Dog?
The right brush will depend on your dog’s coat type
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Short/Smooth Coats: Use a Rubber Brush, and maybe with a Bristle Brush or multi-tool to distribute oils.
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Medium/Long Coats: Use a Slick Brush.
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Double Coats: Use an Undercoat Rake and Bristle Brush, or multi-tool.
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Curly Coats: Use a Slick Brush.
Is it Better to Brush Dogs Wet or Dry?
Dry brushing is best for general maintenance, though a quick comb while wet can be better for double-coated breeds or heavy shedders to help remove loose hair.
Which of the Brushes do Groomers Use Most Often?
Most dog groomers will use a combination of tools, but slick brushes are generally the most useful for shedding removal. Many groomers will combine this with a comb or rake to get a smooth look.
What are Common Dog Grooming Mistakes?
Using the wrong tools. Different dog breeds have different coat types, and using the wrong brush or clippers can cause discomfort or even injury.
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