08/05/2026
So I wanted to talk a bit about different brushes. There is a lot of information out there but here are the primary brushes used and what breeds or coats they are commonly used for.
1.) This is a slicker brush. These are designed to get through curly coats like poodles and doodles and useful for brushing tangles out of longer haired portions of retriever and spaniel coats. You have to be careful not to press down when using this brush, let the brush glide through the coat instead. Pressure can cause it to scratch the skin and hurt the dog.
2.) This is an undercoat rake. These are used on Retrievers, Labs, shepherds, collies, Pomeranians, and triple coated dogs like great pyrs. It gets down below the top coat and pulls out the undercoat.
3.) This is a furminator. A lot of people are recommended this and use it far too often. This is a tool that can help any dog that sheds but it can be harsh on top coats. It should only really be used in the spring or summer when the dog sheds heavily and just like the slicker brush don't apply too much pressure. Pressing down with this will cause you to tear through the top coat as well as the undercoat. This tool is designed to grab and pull undercoat that is poking through and not for bypassing the topcoat like the rake would. So you just let the brush do the work. In seasons with less shedding it is recommended to use the rake or rubber curry instead of this. And to only use this in short 10-15 minute sessions one or 2 times a week at most so you don't damage the top coat.
4.) This is a pin brush. They are designed for the longer, silky haired coats like Yorkie, Maltese, shih Tzu, etc. They usually have more sensitive skin so these brushes often have soft tips on the bristles and are used much like you would use a brush on your own hair.
With any of these first 3 brushes (not furminator) it is always best to do a method we call line brushing which is essentially brushing from the bottom of the dog to the top of the dog and from the tip of the hair to the base of the hair using a method that lifts hair up and gets underneath and brushes along the line created at that separation point.
5.) this is a rubber curry. They can be used on most dogs with shorter hair including most labs and retrievers aside from the longer haired sections of the backs of their legs and under their belly. They are less effective than rakes for labs and retrievers but are good when the dog has sensitive skin or is nervous in general. They are also really good for using during baths due to them not being prone to getting tangled in the hair. These can loosen the undercoat and often get the hairs to cling to it. It takes a bit more time and elbow grease work than a rake or furminator but it is a lot more gentle on the dog and with the ability to use it both wet and dry it can help with shedding while bathing as well as during daily grooms. do not use this on long haired dogs. It won't do anything and you'll just end up creating tangles. Best used on your bulldogs, pugs, dalmatians, boxers and beagles.
