The Different Styles of Dog Brushes

Your dog needs to have the appropriate brush for their breed and hair type. You need to do your research and figure out what brush is best for your unique dog. Every dog is different, so take the time to look into the wide variety on the market. Grooming is also very important for your dog’s overall health, so it is good to make an investment in brushes. Here are some of the many types of brushes and how to choose the best one!

Slicker Brush

The slicker brush is the most versatile brush that can be used on all types of dog coats. It is best for when you are trying to work through tangles and tough knots and want to be gentle. Slicker brushes have very fine wire bristles that are very flexible so they don’t pull on your dog’s coat. They are pointy, which is why they are best for removing light mats. The best way to use this type of brush is to use short strokes to undo tangles, rather than going all the way from top to bottom of your dog. It is hard to clean the hair out of the slicker brushes, so check out this version that has a self cleaning button.

Pin Brush

A pin brush looks a lot like most brushes you probably use on your hair everyday. The bristles have rubber or plastic tips, just like many hair brushes you have in your bathroom. The are best for medium to long haired coats that are silkier or curly, just as Poodles or Portugese Water Dogs.  They also usually come in different sizes depending on how big your dog is and what other features you want. Look for an option with an easy to grip handle so you can brush your pup with ease.

Bristle Brush

Bristle brushes, which have thicker, more coarse bristles, are another great option that work for many coat types. However they are best for pups with short or wiry coats. When choosing your bristle brush, look at how long the bristles are and how much space is between the bristles. If your dog has a longer coat, look for longer bristles that are further apart and vice versa. The bristles are coarse, so they are great at removing debris and leave your dog’s coat shiny and beautiful.

Shedding Blade

The term “shedding blade” may be intimidating to you, but it’s really not. This horseshoe-shaped comb, simple uses small teeth to remove loose fur. Just take the brush across your short haired pup, like Beagles, Boxers, Corgis, and Labradors, to do some light grooming. Check out shedding blades that can be removed from their handles into a curved or straight blade for ultimate grooming flexibility.

Undercoat Rake

If your dog has a double coat or very heavy coat, you need an undercoat rake in your brush repertoire. This tool helps you remove loose or dead hair, which keeps hair detangled and prevents your dog from painful mats. Specifically breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Golden Retrievers would benefit from this brush. This brush looks just like its name, a rake, but has similar bristles to a pin brush, but with fewer and longer pins.

FURminator®

The FURminator is the ultimate grooming tool that can be adapted for almost any type of dog. It can work for flat, short, combination, heavy and double coats, so it is versatile for many furry friends. The tool is said to help reduce shedding up to 90%. It removes loose, dead hair from not just the top coat, but also the undercoat. The tool ejects the hair directly from the brush so there’s no manual removal, making your life easier.