With so many different types of grooming tools, choosing the right brush for your dog can be hard. It can be confusing knowing exactly what brush or comb you need because each dog’s hair varies dramatically in texture and length.
When searching for the best dog brush, consider your dog’s coat and what you want to achieve from the grooming session. Some owners will need a dog deshedding brush whereas others will require something to detangle unruly knots.
Take a look at our handy brush and comb guide to work out what grooming tool suits your needs.
Slicker brush for dogs
A slicker brush for dogs has fine wire bristles that sit on a flat or slightly curved base. The bristles are often angled or have protective nubs to prevent damage to the skin. Choose a slicker brush for your dog to remove knots in long, medium and/or curly fur. The slicker brush is also effective at removing loose hair and undercoat.
It can be used on short hair however extra caution must be taken not to scratch your dog’s skin. You must also be careful with long fur as vigorous use can cause damage to the hair.
Undercoat rake for dogs
Some dogs such as Huskies, Pomeranians and Samoyeds shed in clumps. A dog undercoat rake will allow you to effectively remove this loose fur quickly. The wide set teeth pass through the topcoat of hair and pull out the dead undercoat hair.
Getting rid of this hair helps to prevent matting and reduces clumps of hair seen around your home. You must use even pressure and avoid pressing too hard as it could hurt your dog’s skin.
Flea comb for dogs
A flea comb is a natural flea treatment method that helps get rid of fleas, flea dirt and eggs. The teeth are extremely close together so that fleas and debris are pulled out of the fur. Due to the fine teeth it is easiest to use on smooth, silky and wiry coats.
It’s easy to learn how to use a flea comb: Simply pass it through your dog’s fur and then swirl the comb in hot soapy water in between each stroke. This will prevent the fleas from escaping into your home and reinfesting your pooch.
Rubber brush for dogs
A rubber brush (also called rubber curry brush) is a great multifunction tool suitable for all types of coats. Due to the rubber nubs it is especially useful if you have a short-haired dog that sheds a lot. The rubber works like a magnet to remove loose hair and the soft pins help to massage the skin, which stimulates blood flow and encourages healthy oils to spread.
Some rubber brushes have handles and others like the Zoom Groom for dogs (made by Kong) are completely rubber, making them an ideal shampooing brush for bath time.
Double sided brush for dogs
A double sided brush offers the best of both worlds. It is a useful dog grooming tool for all types of coats. One side is a pin brush, which removes tangles and mats in fur. The other side is a bristle brush, which is great for finishing up as it smooths and shines the coat.
A double sided dog brush is more useful for medium to long haired dogs as pin brushes aren’t very effective on short/sleek coated pooches.
Bristle brush for dogs
These sorts of brushes are ideal finishing brushes for all coat types as they smooth fur and spread healthy skin oils, resulting in glossy fur. If you have a short-haired dog with a sleek coat then a bristle brush is probably all you need to remove loose hair.
The size, spacing, length and stiffness of bristles determine what dog it is suitable for. Short bristles that are near together are ideal for short-haired dogs, longer bristles are better for longer hair. If your pooch has a wiry coat you’ll need to look for a stiffer bristles.
Mat breakers for dogs
There are several styles of mat breakers for dogs but they are all designed to help you remove dog hair knots. These grooming tools have sharp blades that cut through the hair removing matted areas of fur.
It is a better alternative to cutting out hair as it preserves the length of your dog’s fur. Due to the sharp blades you must be very careful not to damage your dog’s skin. It is best to avoid using a de matter on smooth coated dogs.
Moulting comb for dogs
Moulting combs are recognisable by their unique shape featuring two pin lengths. This is ideal for double coated dogs as the long pins penetrate the topcoat removing knots and the short hairs help to collect the moulted fur.
De-shedding tool for dogs
Those of you with furry tumbleweeds rolling across your floor may be looking for a dog deshedding tool. Grooming tools such as the Furminator for dogs helps to remove lots of loose hair in one session.
The design of these tools aims to remove dead undercoat hairs before they have a chance to fall off in your house.
Grooming comb for dogs
Ideal for thick, woolly and curly fur a grooming comb has wider spaced teeth in comparison to a flea comb. This allows you to push it through the fur and untangle knots without breaking the hair.
Choose a comb with large spaced teeth for long/thick hair and narrower spaced teeth for short-haired dogs.
It’s important to choose the right grooming tools for your dog so that both you and your pooch are comfortable. The right equipment will make brushing sessions run smoothly and ensure it’s a positive experience. Grooming can be a great bonding exercise and is an essential part of having a happy and healthy dog. What dog brushes or combs do you use? Tell us your tips and tricks in the comments box below!
What dog brushes or combs do you use? Tell us your tips and tricks in the comments box below!
