6 Dog Brushes for Grooming Different Fur Coats

There’s nothing as soothing as petting a dog and feeling their soft, fluffy coat under your hands. How do we make sure their fur never loses its shine? The secret is in the brush.

Regular grooming maintains your dog’s healthy coat

Regular grooming makes sure your dog’s fur does not become tangled or matted, and helps distribute their natural skin oils so that their coat remains smooth and moisturized. Brushing and removing loose fur from your dog will also reduce the amount of fur they shed in your home.

Like human hair, dogs have many different fur types, with different lengths, curliness, and thickness. Therefore it is not surprising that there is a wide variety of grooming brushes to choose from! Read on to learn more about the different brushes and combs on the market, and determine which one is the best for your dog.

Rubber brushes can be used during bathtime

Rubber brushes are a gentle brush that are suitable for all dogs. They are not able to untangle matted fur, but are good for removing loose fur, especially when paired with conditioner. All loose furs will gather around the soft knobs of the brush, elevating your dog to a new level of clean.

Use a bristle brush for short hair

A bristle brush is good to use for dogs with short hair, such as frenchies and pugs, as it can remove loose debris and smooth out the fur to make it more shiny. Brushing every few days massages the skin to help distribute natural oils. For longer haired dogs, a bristle brush can be used for a finishing touch to add that extra shine. Choose a brush with shorter bristles for short haired dogs and longer bristles for long haired dogs.

Pin brushes provide gentle detangling

A pin brush has wire bristles that are capped with a plastic or rubber tip to protect your dog’s skin. These types of brushes are good for dogs with silky straight coats like Yorkshire Teriers and Shih Tzus. They are relatively gentle on your dog’s skin and fur, and daily brushing can help maintain the smoothness of their coat and prevent fur from getting matted. Do take extra care when brushing out long-coated dogs to avoid any breakages in their fur. The wire bristles of pin brushes are spaced far apart, which makes it less likely to pull on and damage your dog’s coat, but for dogs with thick fur that tangles easily, a slicker brush may be needed instead.

A slicker brush is best for detangling knots and matted fur

Slicker brushes have fine wire bristles spaced closely together, and are able to reach deep into the undercoat to detangle knots and mats. The bristles are angled away from your dog’s skin to protect them during brushing, but they should still be used gently to prevent accidentally injuring your dog. Be sure to look out for areas that tend to get more knotted, such as the armpits, behind the ears, under the belly and the butt and thigh area. Slicker brushes are good for many fur types including thick hair and curly hair, but are not recommended for short haired dogs as they may be too rough on their skin. Breeds such as pomeranians, shiba inus, and golden retrievers can all benefit from the use of a slicker brush. These types of coats should be brushed daily to avoid frequent tangles. Detangling sprays can also aid in smoothing out as well as moisturizing and conditioning your dog’s coat.

A flat comb can remove the last of the tangles

After brushing, use a flat comb to check your dog’s fur for any remaining tangles. The comb should glide smoothly through their fur. Choose a fine tooth comb for thinner hair and a wide tooth comb for thicker hair. Some combs are even specifically designed to help remove any fleas from your dog’s coat.

Double coated dogs benefit from deshedding tools

Double coated dogs shed their undercoat twice a year during the spring and fall months. They can lose enough fur for you to build a second dog! Using a deshedding brush such as the Furminator helps your dog’s natural shedding process by removing loose and dead fur before it has a chance to fall out. This will reduce shedding and is recommended for double coated dogs as well as dogs with thick coats, such as huskies and samoyeds. Use a Furminator one to two times a week for ten to fifteen minute sessions to keep your furry friend’s coat in tip-top shape!

Not only is grooming required for maintaining your dog’s health, it is also a great bonding experience for you and your dog. It is always important that your dog is a willing participant in the grooming process, and choosing the right supplies is the first step in making them feel more comfortable. Cheers to a well groomed, healthy and happy pup!

Visit Whiskers N Paws to find all the supplies you need for grooming your dog or cat at home, or book a grooming session with one of our professional groomers! Healthy pet care is made easy at WNP.