Give Them a Gleaming Coat
Brushing is one of the most important parts of your dog’s healthcare routine. Your pet may require brushing as often as twice a day, depending on the breed. Unlike cats, dogs can’t take good care of their coats, especially during their shedding periods. Failing to brush a dog on a regular basis can lead to various diseases. When you brush your dog, you can also inspect it for ticks, fleas, and skin disorders.
Choosing a good dog brush is the key to making the procedure enjoyable and worry-free for both of you. The variety of dog brushes is huge, and the choice usually depends on the type of coat your dog has: short, medium, long, or coarse.
Brushes for Dogs with Short Hair
Dogs with short hair (Boxer, Doberman) and puppies don’t require extensive brushing. However, when they start to shed, they need your attention as much as their longhaired relatives do. The key to choosing the right brush for a short-haired dog is remembering that the coat is close to its skin, so the bristles shouldn’t hurt the animal.
The best choice of brush would be a brush with rubber bristles. You can buy either a rubber brush or a glove. These brushes are easy to clean, and tend to last longer than other types.
Brushing Frequency
Short-haired dogs need brushing once every three days. However, even short-haired animals can shed profusely. During the active shedding period, you may need to brush them daily.
Brushes for Dogs with Medium-Length Coats
The best examples of dogs with medium-length coats are the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd. Thick medium hair requires a brush with metal bristles. They don’t need to be very close together. One example is a slicker brush. This brush takes care of the excess hair and doesn’t reach the skin.
Brushing Frequency
Medium-haired dogs need to be brushed at least every other day. If you have time to do it on a daily basis, your dog will be grateful.
Brushes for Dogs with Long Hair
Dogs with long hair (Irish Setter, Yorkshire Terrier) require extensive care. Not just because they can’t deal with the excess hair on their own, but to keep you from collecting the fur from your floor on an hourly basis. Missing a brushing session can lead to problems since long hair tends to tangle, which makes it almost impossible to deal with. Tangled fur collects dirt and bacteria, which eventually leads to diseases.
Long-haired animals will appreciate a double-sided grooming brush. These brushes have rounded bristles on one side for detangling the hair and removing excess fur, and the second side has tough synthetic or steel pin bristles that straighten out the hair and make it look groomed. If you are having trouble detangling the fur, you can try using a metal brush.
Brushing Frequency
Brush your long-haired pet at least once a day. Don’t forget to take your dog to a grooming professional at least once a year. Many dogs with long hair need to get it trimmed, especially in the summer.
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Brushes for Dogs with Extra Coarse Hair
Dense-coated and curly-haired dogs, such as Poodles, require a special type of brush. The brushes we’ve listed above won’t work well with their coarse hair. These dogs also require brushing just as much, or sometimes more, than other types do.
In fact, these animals need a comb, not a brush. A metal comb with teeth set far apart or a sharp slicker brush can do the job. These dogs don’t shed as much as others but suffer from knotted hair just the same.
Brushing Frequency
Use the metal comb to brush your pet twice a day, or after every walk.
Seven Popular Types of Dog Brushes
You can use our chart to help pick out the perfect dog brush for your furry friend:
| Type of Brush | What It Does | What Coat It’s For | |
| 1 | Slicker Brush | Detangles, removes knots, adds shine | Medium and long, frequent shedding,coarse (curly) |
| 2 | Undercoat raking brush | Gets rid of dead undercoat hair | Double coats, thick coats, heavy coats |
| 3 | Rubber Brush | Removes loose hair, massages | Short haired, frequent shedding |
| 4 | Double sided brush | Removes knots, styles and adds sheen | All types of coats |
| 5 | Soft bristled brush | Styles and adds shine | All types of coats |
| 6 | FURminator | Removes dead hair, reduces shedding | All types of coats |
| 7 | Pin brush | Detangles, adds shine | Coarse, curly, wiry |
Tips for Choosing a Dog Brush
- Always consider the length of your dog’s hair.
- Sharp pins can damage your dog’s skin, so don’t buy a sharp pin brush for dogs with short, fine coats.
- The best brushes are easy to clean. When looking at a brush, think about its maintenance.
- A dog brush should have a comfortable handle with a good grip. You may need to use it every day for a long period of time.
- When buying a brush, consider purchasing a comb as well. Some dogs need comb grooming after brushing.
Taking good care of your dog’s fur is essential to its health, so make sure you choose a dog brush that suits your pet. The right choice will make you both happy.