The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Dog Brush

A groomed dog is a healthy dog. But, with all the different brush options on the market, it can be hard to decide what exactly you need to make your pooch’s coat shine. You need to consider their breed when determining what brush to buy as each breed has a unique coat length and texture to cater to! Here’s an overview guide to finding the best brush for your dog’s next at-home grooming session.

Slicker Brush

• Smoothes fur to remove knots and tangles to enhance shine.
• Best used to remove knots in fur (medium, long, shedders, or curly fur). Can also be used to remove undercoats or loose fur. Avoid using this brush on dogs with short hair as the bristles may irritate the skin with continued use.

Undercoat Rake 

• Removes loose undercoats to prevent matting.
• Best used on heavy or thick-coated fur. Dogs that shed easily or in heavy clumps will benefit the most from this brush as it easily removes loose fur.

Flea Comb

• Helps to remove fleas, flea eggs, and dirt from fur.
• Flea combs are fit for all types of dogs but are easier to use on thinner, silky coats. Swirl the comb in warm, soapy water then pass through the fur to remove fleas, repeat the process to ensure fleas do not reinfect.

Rubber Brush 

• Used to remove loose fur, shampoo, or gently massage fur.
• All dogs can utilize a rubber brush, but heavy shedders especially. The rubber bristles help to stimulate blood flow, remove loose hairs, shampoo easier, and generate the spread of oils on the coat.

Double-Sided Brush

• Pin bristles are used to remove tangled fur while soft bristles add shine to the coat.
• Most breeds can use this brush due to the dual sides. The pin side is slightly more effective to medium-long coats rather than short.

Bristle Brush 

• Smoothes hair easily while helping to distribute natural, healthy oils on the coat.
• Depending on the bristles, these brushes are good for most breeds to use for shiny, smooth fur. Looser-spaced bristles are better suited for short-medium fur while tighter bristle spacing is best for curly-long fur dogs.

Mat Breaker

• Breaks up unmanageable or big clumps of matting for easier removal.
• Best for dogs that have coats that mat easily. The tool breaks through the mats for easy removal and grooming. Use care when handling.

Moulting Comb

• Removes knots and tangled fur from moulting/shedding coats.
• Best for dogs with double coats or heavy fur. Helps to remove knots during the moulting period.

De-Shedding Tool/Brush

• Helps remove large amounts of shedding at a time to prevent excessive fur loss.
• Best for dogs that are prone to shedding, heavy-coated, or have double coats.

Grooming Comb

• Works to gently untangle fur without hair loss.
• Grooming combs are great for dogs with double coats, long, or curly coats