Having a decent brush, or even two, can make short work of dog hair. However, different dog breeds require different brushes. Morgan Cross, proprietor of Platinum Paws in Fort Worth, Texas, notes that there are three main types of dog coats, each of which requires a different approach to grooming. The hair on canines of the “fur type” develops to a specific length and then sheds. In an interview with The Spruce Pets, Cross stressed the importance of routine brushing for the removal of dead and loose undercoats.
Poodles and Yorkshire terriers are examples of single-coated canines; their hair grows continually and must be brushed frequently. Cross recommends beginning with a pin brush, which is equipped with wire pins that are tipped with protective balls to prevent scratching a dog’s skin. A metal comb with very fine teeth comes next. Cross uses a pin brush, comb, and then tools like a rubber ZoomGroom or a shedding blade called SleekEZ to groom fluffy dogs like golden retrievers, Australian shepherds, and huskies. Dogs with silky coats, such as beagles and boxers, can also benefit from these two items. Both of these resources are highly recommended by us.
We investigated and tested numerous brushes, such as slickers, deshedding tools, and pin brushes, on canines with a wide variety of coat textures. Dogs with long hair, short hair, and energetic puppies were all used in our experiments. Nearly 30 brushes were put through a battery of tests for efficiency, durability, value, and ease of cleaning.
Best Dog Brushes
Hartz Groomer’s Best Dog Grooming Brush
The fact that it is efficient, cheap, and adaptable makes this brush ideal for everyday use. The side with the stainless steel pins is great for dogs with long, curly, or wiry fur because they can help untangle knots and collect loose hair, and the side with the soft nylon bristles is great for finishing and for dogs with shorter coats. The bristles are designed to distribute your dog’s natural oils throughout the coat, leaving it lustrous and velvety.
The Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush passed our rigorous testing with flying colors on dogs sporting a wide range of coat types, from long and fine to lengthy and matted. The results were most promising with our border collie model. Even on her dog’s thick butt hair, one tester reported positive results. The Hartz brush wasn’t as effective on short-haired dogs, and it’s not the best option for taming your dog’s undercoat.
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush For Dogs
In spite of their versatility, slicker brushes are notoriously challenging to clean due to the accumulation of hair in the tight spaces between the bristles. The Hertzko brush, like other slickers, is made with tightly spaced, slightly bent wire bristles to detangle and smooth the hair. Press the release button to retract the pins and remove the fur (preferably over a trash can) when you’ve accumulated a good amount during brushing.
Slickers are effective on almost any coat type, although not all dogs enjoy the raking sensation of the wires. Use gentle pressure and keep an eye on any tender spots. There are no rounded tips on the bristles to prevent skin irritation, as there are on some slickers and pin brushes. The retractable design prevents the bristles from becoming twisted while cleaning the brush or while being stored away.
Undercoat Dog Brush: FURminator Undercoat DeShedding Tool
Our reviewers examined a number of similar products, but found that the original FURminator deshedding tool was both more effective and more durable. The toothy edge of the stainless steel comb glides through the dog’s outer coat to access the undercoat. The blade is protected by a curved guard that prevents it from coming into contact with the user’s flesh. However, some dogs are extremely nervous when brushed with this tool, so extra caution should be exercised around sensitive areas such as the legs. The blade might be irritating adjacent to the skin, thus it’s only recommended for use on dogs with double coats.
There are so many devotees of the deshedder because of how quickly and easily it removes hair the first few times you use it. “Absolutely worth the price,” remarked one tester who tried both the long hair and short hair versions on her border collie and pit bull. With the ejector button, hair and dandruff are easily pushed away from the blades, making cleanup a breeze. Several variations exist to accommodate dogs of varying sizes and coat textures. Groomers, however, are not unanimous in their support of deshedding equipment. There may be unintended consequences despite the sometimes stunning outcomes. “When a blade is used to remove undercoat, it frequently causes breakage to the hair,” Cross said to The Spruce Pets. As the saying goes, “They cut through and remove hair that isn’t ready to come out yet.”
Best Dog Brush for Shedding SleekEZ Original Deshedding Grooming Tool
This implement has an oval wooden handle covered in stainless steel, making it simple to use and grasp. You need only use a gentle touch as you rake through your pet’s coat, picking up fluffy “tumbleweeds” along the way. Pay special attention to sensitive areas like the face and legs. When it comes to deshedding, Cross prefers this tool. It’s simple to operate and quick to complete its tasks.
The equipment is most effective on puppies with double coats or smooth coats and is ineffective on dogs with continuously growing hair. Because it can be used on cats, horses, and other animals in addition to humans, as well as on clothing, upholstery, and bedding, the tool has a devoted following. It gets the job done, but not without some mess. A gentle bristle brush or your hands will be required to clean up the fur whirlwind.
Best for Thick Coats FURminator Grooming Rake
Mats can be avoided in pets with thick fur by using a grooming rake on a daily basis to remove stray hair and tangles. This rake’s metal teeth rotate to catch and pull out stray hairs, making it ideal for use on dogs with thick coats or undercoats. In preparation for a deshedding tool, it can be used to undo knots and smooth out matting. Dogs with extremely thick fur, such as huskies, benefit greatly from this method. Some people find it useful for getting rid of burs, which would otherwise need the use of scissors.
The pins’ rounded ends prevent them from piercing the skin, while their spacing prevents them from snagging hair. This is most effective for dogs with longer or thicker hair and is of limited use for dogs with shorter coats. A deshedding tool may only be used once a week, but this simple rake can be used for only a few minutes every day to save time during subsequent grooming sessions.
Best Dog Brush for Curly Hair Bissell Furget It Cat and Dog Grooming Brush
Our long-haired dog-owning testers unanimously agreed that this two-sided brush was the finest. It’s surprisingly easy to use, considering how much hair it collects as it glides through a dog’s fur. Medium- and short-coated dogs fared the worst.
The teeth are smoothed out, so they won’t scratch anything. The nine-toothed side of the rake is ideal for cutting through matting and tangles first. Once the knots are worked out, the side with the closely set 17 teeth is better for deshedding. Negatively disposed canines didn’t seem to mind this tool too much. It works surprisingly well on dead hair, tangles, and loose undercoat fur.
Best Dog Brush for Short Hair BioSilk for Pets Eco-Friendly Detangling Pin Brush
This inexpensive pin brush is ideal for dogs with double coats or non-shedding hair. The bristles are thin and widely spread, making them less likely to get caught on anything. The brush’s eco-friendly plant-based substance is a bonus to its aesthetic appeal. As you brush, the spiraling shape of the head will adapt to your dog’s shape.
Short-haired dogs, like this one, won’t benefit much from using a pin brush. This pin brush may be safely washed after use, making it more convenient than some other options. The clean mint green color and attractive design won over some of our testers.
Best Dog Brush for Dandruff KONG Zoom Groom Brush
This little rubber brush works wonders in the tub. Apply dog shampoo and work your way around the dog’s body in small, circular motions to help loosen the hair. Pets don’t appear to hate being brushed because of the massaging action. It’s effective on all hair types, but too vigorous a scrub could damage fine, long hair. Brushes can be tricky to grasp on to because of the water in the tub.
You’re not limited to using the ZoomGroom in the shower. Again, instead of brushing in a straight line, make circular motions to pick up stray hairs. Then, brush away the debris with a bristle brush. One of Cross’s preferred items for personal hygiene. After combing with a pin brush and a fine-toothed metal comb, she utilizes this tool to remove loose top coat hair from both double- and smooth-coated dogs.
