Your Dog Advisor
This article will help you understand what types of Dog grooming brush available and identify which dog brush to choose to groom your dog at home by yourself. Do you know what type of coat your dog has? what type of dog brush they need.
But first, let’s find…
Why does your dog coat need brushing?
There are a lot of scientific studies happened over this and it found that brushing your dog reduces your stress levels and lowers your blood pressure.
Feeling anxious? Pick up a brush next time!
Moreover, It gives you a good chance to check their general health by touch and feel their skin, looking at their eyes, inspecting nails and teeth. By doing this regularly, you learn what your dog’s body is like and that will help you pick up any issues, such as lumps, cuts, and tenderness, on your dog quickly.
When to start brushing dog hair?
So many pet parents ask this question when to start brushing puppy. The answer is as soon as you get them.
Make brushing a part of daily routine, and the earlier you start doing this, the easier it is for dogs to get used to it. Do start it from the 4th or 5th week of age, by spending time together it building trust between you both. The dog will adapt over time and this allows you to check them over with ease and makes vet examinations a lot less stressful for all involved, including your dog.
So, what brush types available?
Dog brushes available in different shapes and sizes. There different types of dog brushes to use for different situations. See, some brushes serve the purpose of untangling long tangled hair, while others are meant for dematting or deshedding. It’s a good measure to do your research before you start getting one for your pet.
To help with it, we have done our part of the research. read till the end and get some valuable information on choosing the best dog brush for your dog.
There are two types of coats on dogs body it’s fur and hair, depending on its length you need need to choose the brush that suits its lengths and characteristics.
Here is the list of dog brush types
Pin Brush
The pin brush is the very commonly used all-round brush. Pin brushes have metal pins with rubber or plastic tips on them and are gentle on thick or curly coats. You can use it to brush out small tangles and can go through your dog’s top and undercoat.
Pin size does matter. The longer pins work best on dogs with long coats and shorter pins will be ideal for medium coats.
Some pin brushes come with a flip side bristle brush. (See combo brushes, below)
They are best used to finish off the grooming process (never use a pin brush to detangle as it may get loose easily for detangling use a dedicated brush like curry brush or ZoomZoom).
Bristle Brushes
As you can see in the image, you can have a bristle brush combined with a pin brush because the two brush types go hand in hand. These are perfect for shorter coat dogs and are great for ‘finishing off’ since they remove fine dirt, and add shine to the coat.
It is great for short hair, smooth-coated dog breeds. Bristles remove debris and leave a nice shine.
You can keep shedding to a minimum by brushing dog’s coat regularly. It will keep the coat look smooth, sleek, and shiny.
When you choose the bristle brush, the longer the coat, the longer the bristles, and the farther apart they should be. For short and smooth coats, bristles can be short and soft. For coarse coats, the bristles should be stiff to work.
Slicker Brush
Slicker brushes have fine, short wires close together on a flat or a little bit curved surface. They are commonly used on medium-to-long-haired or curly-haired dogs to remove matts. There are many different varieties of slicker brushes available on the market, but choose one that is the correct size to make grooming your dog easier.
If you ever used slicker brush in the past, you might be aware you always be gentle when using a slicker brush. They have protective tips on metal wires to reduce irritation to your dog’s skin. The fine, tightly-spaced wires can cause your dog discomfort if you apply too much pressure.
Combs
There are several types of dog combs to choose from, some are more useful for general grooming, others are better for removing mats and tangles, and some will help to fight fleas.
General Dog Grooming Comb
The physical appearance is somewhat like the ‘comb version’ of the pin brush, and is used for longer, thicker-haired dogs. It can ease out knots and tangles within the undercoat.
You can consider wider-spaced teeth are better for removing knots and tangles, while more tightly spaced teeth can be used after the main knots are removed. As you can see with the comb pictured below, it has both styles in one to make the combing easier.
Wide Toothed Dematting Comb
A wide-toothed de-matting comb removes tangles from your dog’s matted coat. These are useful for removing mats in long-haired dogs with heavy, thick coats.
Flea Comb
These combs built with tightly packed teeth that catch fine dirt and fleas in one motion to remove fleas naturally.
Do you know it is possible to remove those little fleas with a flea comb? You cannot completely remove fleas after treating your dog with chemical treatment or other medications. Use a flea comb after the flea treatment, before they jump onto the carpet and never allow to re-infest your dog at a later time.
De-Matting Rakes
Rakes are a special type of brushes designed to go deep into your dog’s thick coat and remove tangles and dead undercoat near the dog’s skin. They usually have one or two rows of tightly-spaced pins.
Rakes should be used on thick-haired dogs including German Shepherds, Newfoundland, Golden Retriever, and Chow Chows. These breeds tend to develop dead undercoats, especially during shedding season, and their thick coats also tend to trap dirt.
When looking for a rake, be sure to find one with pins that match your dog’s hair length. Rakes that are too short will not reach the inner layer of undercoat, while rakes that are too long could irritate your dogs skin.
Standard Rake
Standard rakes are of T-shape with rounded pins on the head of the T. It ranges from 2 inches and up to 6 inches across.
This type of rake is designed to remove the dead coat while not damaging the healthy coat. It pulls out a dead and shedding coat without cutting the fur. You need to work the rake in the natural direction of the coat growth. It will remove all the dead fur instantly.
Undercoat Rake
Undercoat rakes have many small, sharp, curved blades set close together that remove the undercoat but will also cut the coat. They are available in various tooth widths, making this tool suitable for a wide range of breeds. On shedding breeds, they can remove dead, fuzzy undercoat in minutes, leave the topcoat shiny and healthy. On harsh-coated dogs, they form the hand-stripped look.
Undercoat rake can be used on a wet or a dry coat. Pull the rake in the direction of the coat growth. Always start with a wider toothed rake to start and work down to narrower teeth as the tool pulls through easily, removing less and less coat.
Undercoat rakes work better on a wet dog coat before bathing.
Rubber Brush
A rubber brush can be used to distribute your dog’s natural oils produced in the skin to coat. It can prevent drying and unnecessary shedding. These brushes help you in short-haired dog’s bath time too.
Rubber Curry Brush/Comb
Helps with massage dog’s skin. Rubber curry brushes add that sheen to your dog’s coat and help with massage dog’s skin. These dog brushes also help to remove any loose hair or dirt found in the dog’s coat prior to bath and grooming.
Ideal for short and medium coated dogs. You can find curry brushes in various design styles and materials. See some of them below.
Grooming Mitt or Rubber Glove Brush
It is also known as grooming mitt. You can use a rubber glove brush as a bath brush. Your dog’s short hair will stick to groves of these gloves, making de-shedding easy for your short-haired dog. You can use rubber brush gloves to massage and pet your dog at times.
It usually comes with durable long-lasting silicone grooming tips that are perfect for long, short and curly-haired dogs.
De-Shedding Tools
The commonly used de-shedding tool is FURminator®. This handy de-shedding tool has a toothed metal comb, which is available for every dog coat length and every size of dogs.
The best thing about this kind of de-shedding tool is, it has got a button to release collected fur (which is a useful feature). It claims to reduce shedding by up to 90%.
What dog brush to use?
Now you are well aware of what brushes are out there in the market, and hopefully, now you know what coat your puppy/dog has.
Now it’s time to let you know, what brush to use to keep their coat healthy and stylish.
Brush for short-coated dog breeds
For short coated dog breeds like French Bulldog, Dalmatian, Basset Hound, Boston Terrier (and many others) you need to use a rubber curry brush and a rubber grooming glove mitt to bring all the loose hair and dirt to the top, and finally use a bristle brush to remove the hair and dirt from short dog coat.
We have an in-depth article on best brush for short hair dogs.
Brushing Needs
For short haired dog breeds, brush 2 to 3 times a week
Find best brush sets for short haired dogs
Bathing Needs
For short haired dog breeds, bath once in every 3 to 4 weeks
Find best bath sets for short haired dogs
Brush for long single-coated dog breeds
For long single coated breeds like Afghan Hound, Maltese, Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier, Bichon Frise require daily grooming, maintenance, and care than short haired dogs. Dogs with single coats have the outer guard hairs but lack the inner layer of undercoat. Never groom a single coated dog breed when their coats are dry, as this may cause the coat to break. It is good to spray the coat first with waterless spray or conditioner then use a slicker brush or wide toothed comb to remove mats and then use an undercoat rake to penetrate through the coat to remove all the dead hair.
Brushing Needs
For long haired dog breeds, brush daily
Find best brush sets for long haired dogs
Bathing Needs
For long haired dog breeds, bath once in every 2 to 3 weeks
Find best bath sets for long haired dogs
When bathing, the direction of the water should always be downward and start by working your way from the top to bottom. Use comb through the hair while shampooing, then rinse thoroughly. Towel-dry before using the blow dryer.
During the bath, use conditioner to add strength and shine to the dog’s fur. If possible, do another brushing after wash, it will bring out the beauty of your dog’s lush hair.
Brush for double-coated dog breeds
Most of the working and herding breeds, as well as many of the sporting dogs, have double coats. Such as Retrievers, Rottweilers or German Shepherds. They can be short or long hair. They have a soft undercoat, which sheds twice a year, and a weather-resistant outer coat which sheds once a year. Double coats matt very easily. For both short and long hair use a slicker brush and undercoat rake to remove loose hair.
For shorter hair, double-coated breeds, brush the undercoat first and then the topcoat. For the longer-haired breeds, use a wide-tooth comb afterward to remove loose undercoat with an undercoat rake.
There might be some hair knots in long fur, so use a detangler to get rid of them. Finish up by brushing the topcoat.
Brushing Needs
For double coated dog breeds, brush 2 to 3 times a week
Find best brush sets for double coated dogs
Bathing Needs
For double coated dog breeds, bath once in every 4 weeks
Find best bath sets for double coated dogs
How often to bathe your double coated dog: It depend on a lot of factors, such as their activity level, how long they spend outdoors or simply just their overall health. Generally, it is best to bathe a double coated dog every 4 to 8 weeks, although more so when they are shedding.
As many different breeds fall into the double-coated category, it is important to find the right shampoo to suit your specific dog. Deep cleaning, de-shedding and 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioners are all excellent options for most double coat breeds.
Brush for smooth-coated dog breeds
Here are the members of smooth-coated Bull Terriers, Doberman, and Dachshund. The coat on these breeds is sleek and shiny, it is more like a skin than a coat. These breeds do not need to be brushed every day, however, it is beneficial as it helps to keep the oil evenly distributed over the coat and makes sure the coat is free of the dead shed hairs and dirt. For these coats, you need to use a rubber brush or rubber grooming mitt to bring dirt and loose dead hair to the top and use a bristle brush to the dirt of the hair. A pin brush can help remove the dander from the dog’s skin and keep the fur shiny.
Brushing Needs
For smooth coated dog breeds, brush once in every week
Find best brush sets for smooth coated dogs
Bathing Needs
For smooth coated dog breeds, bath once in 2 weeks
Find best bath sets for smooth coated dogs
Bathing should be done only once every two weeks with warm water and an all-purpose shampoo. Next, towel-dry the coat before using a dryer set at a warm temperature and high speed. After brushing, use a rubber grooming glove to massage the body. Use a sheen brush to make the coat shiny.
If your smooth-furred dog sheds a lot, use a de-shedding shampoo to control it.
Brush for silky coated dog breeds
Breeds such as Cocker Spaniel, Irish (or Red) Setter, Silky Terrier, Chinese Crested and Shih Tzus usually have long hair and no undercoat. This means this fine hair matts easily.
For longer silky coats, the best suited is a soft slicker brush. This will gently remove any tangled hair, dirt and debris from the coat while picking up matted hair from double-coated breeds.
For shorter silky coats, use a bristle brush. This brush will also help remove molted hair and spreading natural moisturizing oil from your dog’s skin to the coat, making it shine like silk.
Brushing Needs
For silky coated dog breeds, brush every day
Find best brush sets for silky coated dogs
Bathing Needs
For silky coated dog breeds, bath once in every 2 weeks
Find best bath sets for silky coated dogs
Ideally, your dog should be bathed weekly, although every two weeks can work. Look for a de-greasing shampoo, conditioning shampoo or shine enhancing shampoo for that perfect shiny look.
Brush for wire coated dog breeds
Such as Airedales and Wheaten Terriers. These coats have a rough texture. They have a soft undercoat and wiry hair that require regular trimming depending on the breed. They do not shed like other coat types. For these coats, you will need a fine, curved-wire slicker brush and a stripping comb to remove the dead wiry coat and prevent matts and tangles.
You should strip your dog’s coat every three to four months. Use a stripping knife for the best possible results, there are a number of options to suit your dog’s specific breed. To assist with hand stripping, you can also explore stripping stones, finger cots packs and Hatchwells chalk powder to offer additional grip while grooming.
Brushing Needs
For wire coated dog breeds, brush 2 times a week
Find best brush sets for wire coated dogs
Bathing Needs
For wire coated dog breeds, bath once every 2 weeks
Find best bath sets for wire coated dogs
Because this is a high-maintenance coat. Bathing is recommended once every two weeks with warm water and an all-purpose shampoo. Towel-dry the coat before using a dryer to remove the loose hair. When combing while the coat is dry, an anti-static spray is required to make the process smoother.
Brush for curly-coated dog breeds
Such as Irish Water Spaniel, Poodles, and Bichon Frises have thick, soft curls close to the body. Curly-coated dogs need occasional trimming and combing to prevent tangles. Curly coats are harder to brush. Before trimming, need to remove the dead hair using a slicker brush and detangle with a wide-toothed comb.
Brushing Needs
For curly haired dog breeds, brush once in a week
Find best brush sets for curly haired dogs
Bathing Needs
For curly haired dog breeds, bath once every 2 weeks
Find best bath sets for curly haired dogs
After you trim it, bathing is recommended to rinse off the loose hair. For this type of coat, towel-drying is the best method.
Some dogs have different lengths and styles of hair on their coats; this means you need different brushes to do bruising different parts. It is necessary to have a bunch of different types of Dog grooming brush tools with you.
Don’t forget the treat to reward your pup after bushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should brush your dog every couple of days a week irrespective of the breed. If you do brush often it will help to remove hair mats and help your dog shed seasonal coat. Whatever brushing or combing schedule you choose without the right brush you won’t get the desired result.
Most dogs enjoy being gently brushed regularly brushing your dog will strengthen your bond with your dog. It also helps your dog maintain a healthy and clean coat.
We recommend using the FURminator deShedding Tool 1-2 times a week for 10-20 minutes each session. You may need to use the deShedding Tool more frequently during heavy shedding seasons.
Cost of dog brushes
Dog grooming brush and combs start from a cheap $4 to $35 – 45 for high-end dog brushes. And, it can go higher to $140 plus that I found this Adjustable Temperature Slicker Shedding Brush on Amazon (you can use it as a finishing dryer as well as final brushing after a nice bath).
You know, cheap brushes are well cheap. Their pins break often, slicker pins wear down and bristle become worn at the edge.
Keeping a high-quality brush for years is much better than purchasing inexpensive brush several times. You agree right?
Most dog owners who show their dogs, spend considerable amounts of money on grooming and equipment.
Therefore, in the long run, an investment in the high-quality brush will pay off. High-end brushes are meant to last, are easier on the dog’s coat and skin, and result in a great looking dog coat. Happy dog! Happy You.
