Brushing your dog can feel like a chore, but doing it regularly helps prevent tangles and mats from forming. These snarled knots of hair can become trapped in your dog's coat, leading to discomfort, skin irritation, and even infections. Frequent brushing also spreads healthy oils throughout the coat and removes loose hair before it ends up all over your clothes and furniture.
To choose the best dog brushes, I tested 23 grooming tools over three months with two dogs: a Labrador retriever with short, straight hair and a miniature poodle with long, curly hair. I'm no stranger to dog grooming. I've been brushing, bathing, and clipping my poodle for more than a decade now, and I spent eight years as a veterinary assistant, where I groomed and bathed thousands of pets. My top pick is the Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush, which features a bristle side that's ideal for short hair and a pin side for detangling longer hair and collecting loose fur.
For additional insight, I consulted pet groomer Cassie Edmond, who is an animal caregiver at the San Diego Humane Society. Dog brushes come in different styles for different coats. If you're unsure what type of coat your dog has, learn more in the "What to look for" section at the end of this page.
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Our top picks for the best dog brushes
| Brush type | Our pick | Best for |
| Combo brush | Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush - See at Chewy | Most coat types |
| Deshedding tool | Furminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool - See at Chewy | Double-coated shedders |
| Slicker brush | JW Pet Gripsoft Soft Slicker Brush - See at Chewy | Long-haired and double-coated shedders |
| Pin brush | Chris Christensen Oval Pin Brush - See at Amazon | Medium to long coats |
| Curry brush | Bodhi Dog Bath Brush - See at Amazon | Smooth and short coats, bathing |
| Grooming gloves | Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Grooming Gloves - See at Bissell | Shedding coats, dogs who dislike brushes |
Best combo
Equipped with two brush styles and a nonslip handle, the versatile Hartz Combo Brush is ideal for dogs with a variety of coat types.
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I really like the Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush because it's versatile enough to work on a wide range of coat types and convenient if you have dogs with different types of hair.
This combo brush combines two in one: a pin brush on one side and a soft-bristle brush on the other. The pin side is best for working through tangles and removing loose fur, while the bristle side is ideal for short-haired breeds like dachshunds, pit bulls, and Chihuahuas. "It can be helpful in removing dead hairs during shedding season and redistributing the dog's natural oils on its body," Edmond says of the bristle side.
I tested this brush on both my miniature poodle and a Labrador retriever. While only the pin side was effective on my poodle's coat, the Labrador benefited from both sides of the brush.
Overall, this is just a really nice brush. It's lightweight but sturdy and comfortable to hold. The stainless steel pins have safety tips for gentle brushing, and the nylon bristles are soft yet stiff enough to remove loose hair effectively. At 12 inches long and 3 inches wide, the brush is appropriately sized for small to large dogs. That said, it's not ideal for grooming toy breeds. If you have a smaller dog, you may want to consider the Burt's Bees Double-Sided Pin and Hemp Bristle Brush.
Best for deshedding
The Furminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool safely and effectively removes loose, dead undercoat hair as well as dirt and debris.
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Deshedding tools are designed to do one thing well: remove as much loose hair from your dog's coat as possible before it ends up on your furniture and clothes. While designs vary, most resemble metal rakes or fine-tooth combs built to reach deep into the coat.
"Deshedding tools are a groomer's best friend," Edmond says. She has a Furminator in her personal grooming tool kit. "It is so satisfying to use this on a husky or German shepherd during heavy shedding seasons."
The Furminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool took the top spot in my testing. I used it on the Labrador retriever that sheds very heavily, and the amount of hair it removed from her coat was astonishing — far more than any of the three other deshedding tools I tested.
The magic lies in the stainless steel deshedding edge, which reaches through the topcoat to safely and easily remove loose hair and undercoat without damaging the topcoat. A curved blade edge and built-in skin guard help the tool glide smoothly over a dog's body, preventing it from digging into the skin.
The Furminator's ergonomic handle is comfortable to grip, and a release button makes it easy to clear collected hair from the tool and continue deshedding. For storage, an edge guard protects the metal teeth.
Best slicker
The JW Pet Gripsoft Soft Slicker Brush's flexible, ideally angled stainless steel bristles minimize skin irritation while lifting out loose hair.
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With very thin, closely set wire bristles, slicker brushes are good for general brushing and removing loose fur. Edmond recommends them for long-haired pets and double-coated shedders like Siberian huskies, German shepherds, and golden retrievers. She cautions against using slickers on short-haired dogs, as they can cause brush burn.
I like the JW Pet Gripsoft Soft Slicker Brush because its bristles are stiff enough to detangle the coat and remove loose hair while remaining gentle on the skin. The bristles are made of flexible stainless steel and angled 90 degrees away from the skin, which helps minimize "raking" and makes brushing more comfortable for dogs.
The 5.5-inch-wide bristle area makes it a good fit for small- to large-size dogs. I tested it on my miniature poodle's long, curly coat and a Labrador retriever with medium-length hair. Despite their very different coat types, the Gripsoft Slicker worked well on both. Before testing, I also ran each slicker brush along the inside of my forearm to make sure they felt comfortable — the Gripsoft Soft Slicker Brush felt especially gentle on my skin.
The brush is lightweight, durable, and comfortable to hold, thanks to its curved handle with nonslip rubber grips. When I finished brushing, I easily lifted the collected hair out of the rounded brush head with my fingers.
Owners of toy breeds will likely find this brush too big. For the smallest dogs, I recommend checking out the Millers Forge Slicker Brush.
Best pin
The durable, high-quality Chris Christensen Oval Pin Brush glides through the coat and gently detangles hair without painful pulling.
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For dogs with medium to long hair, a pin brush is a great choice for detangling and removing loose hair. Pin brushes feature metal pins spaced farther apart than the bristles of a slicker brush, helping prevent hair breakage. The pins are also set into a rubber cushion, and high-quality brushes have rounded pin tips to protect the skin from scratches.
I selected the Chris Christensen Oval Pin Brush as our top pick. I've used several brushes and combs from Chris Christensen over the years after they were recommended by my poodle breeder, and this brush meets the high standards I've come to expect from the brand.
The brush glided smoothly through my miniature poodle's coat, gently detangling without scratching his skin or breaking off hairs. The stainless steel pins have rounded, polished tips and are set into a firm, durable cushion with an air-vent hole that provides flexibility while brushing
The brush's lightweight wooden body and easy-grip handle are made from solid beech, making it comfortable to hold. It's available in three pin lengths — 20 mm for short coats, 27 mm for medium to long coats, and 35 mm for long, thick full coats — so you can choose the best option for your dog's coat type.
Best curry comb
The easy-to-grip Bodhi Dog Bath Brush is like a loofah for your dog, and it's effective for bathing or dry brushing.
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My top pick for the best curry brush is the Bodhi Dog Bath Brush. This type of brush, which is also known as a curry comb, is typically made of rubber or soft plastic and features flexible nubs that lift dirt and loose hair from the coat. Curry brushes are especially useful during bath time, as they help work shampoo deep into the coat while giving your dog a nice massage.
Curry brushes are best suited for dogs with smooth or short coats. "I use a curry brush on short-haired dogs during or right after a bath," Edmond says. "I like to use it on dogs that are heavily shedding."
I tested this brush on a Labrador retriever with a medium-length coat and appreciated how the hand strap makes it easier to grip even when wet, though, like all the curry brushes I tested, it can still become slippery. The 5-by-3.5-inch brush fit my hand well, but people with large hands might find the strap a bit snug.
In the bath, the brush serves the same purpose while also improving shampoo lather for a deeper clean and turning grooming time into a soothing massage for your dog.
Best grooming glove
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Grooming Gloves whisk away loose hair as you give your dog a gentle massage.
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Grooming gloves are a great option for shedding dogs that bolt when you bring out a brush. They allow you to groom your dog by simply petting them, and most dogs enjoy the soothing, massage-like feel. The rubber grips on the palms and fingers are effective at removing loose fur.
Of the four styles I tested, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Grooming Gloves stood out as the best. I used them on the Labrador retriever, who isn't a big fan of brushing, and they removed a lot of loose hair. Even better, she happily lay on her side while I continued brushing her entire body.
The five-finger design made it easy to brush all over, including her head, face, trunk, legs, and tail, while the soft rubber nodules gently collected fur. The velcro wrist strap kept the gloves securely on my hands. For the best results, brush in the direction of hair growth.
Cleaning the gloves is simple. Just peel the collected hair off. Pro tip: Hair is easiest to remove once the gloves are full. The gloves come in three sizes — medium, large, and extra-large — to fit most hands. I ordered a medium based on the size chart, and they fit snugly without feeling too tight.
What to look for in a dog brush
The right dog brush can make grooming quicker, more effective, and more comfortable for both you and your dog. The best option depends on your dog's coat type, how much they shed, and how well they tolerate brushing. Using the wrong brush may do very little to remove hair and can even cause discomfort or irritate your dog's skin.
Before you choose a brush, identify your dog's coat type (smooth, double, long, or curly), then choose a brush designed for that hair type. You can also ask your veterinarian or groomer for guidance, especially if your dog has sensitive skin, mats easily, or sheds heavily.
Determine your dog's coat type
- Smooth coat: This coat consists of short, close-lying hair that grows in a single layer, with no undercoat. Breeds with smooth coats include bulldogs, Dalmatians, Boston terriers, Doberman pinschers, greyhounds, and Weimaraners.
- Double coat: Dogs with double coats have two types of hair. The outermost layer of hair is longer, while the shorter undercoat, which lies close to the skin, is usually woolly or soft. Breeds with double coats include Australian shepherds, border collies, golden retrievers, and Labrador retrievers.
- Long hair: Long-haired dogs can have either silky or coarse hair. Some long-haired dogs have an undercoat, while others do not. Breeds with long hair include Afghan hounds, Maltese, Shih Tzus, and Yorkshire terriers.
- Curly or wavy hair: Dogs with curly or wavy coats require regular brushing to prevent matting. Most do not have an undercoat, though some mixed breeds, including doodles, may. Breeds with curly coats include Bedlington terriers, Bichon Frises, poodles, and Portuguese water dogs.
Know what each brush type does best
- Combo brushes combine a pin brush and a bristle brush in one tool. They're a practical choice if you have dogs with different coat types or want a versatile, all-purpose brush.
- Slicker brushes have thin, closely spaced wire bristles that remove loose hair and light tangles. They're excellent for long-haired and double-coated dogs but should be avoided on short coats, as they can cause brush burn.
- Pin brushes feature widely spaced metal pins set into a cushion, making them gentler for detangling medium to long hair without pulling or breaking it.
- Deshedding tools are designed specifically for dogs that shed and are most effective on double coats. They reach deep into the undercoat to remove loose hair, but shouldn't be used on non-shedding breeds.
- Curry brushes and rubber grooming gloves are best for short coats and shedding dogs. They're also useful during bath time and for dogs that dislike traditional brushes.
Pay attention to comfort and sizing
A good brush should feel gentle against the skin. If you're unsure, test it against your forearm — if it's uncomfortable for you, it's likely uncomfortable for your dog. Look for rounded or polished tips on metal pins and bristles, and choose a brush size that matches your dog's body size. Oversized brushes can be awkward for small dogs, while too-small brushes make grooming large dogs more difficult.
Dog brush FAQs
How often should I brush my dog?
Ideally, you should brush your dog every day. Daily brushing helps remove shedding hair, untangle knots, and redistribute natural oils throughout the coat. It also offers benefits beyond grooming and hygiene.
"Brushing regularly gives pet parents the opportunity to touch their pets all over, which can help identify possible health concerns early," Edmond says. "As a groomer, I can't tell you how many times I've discovered lumps, bumps, cuts, or skin issues." If you can't brush daily, once a week is enough for most breeds. Dogs with long coats or hair that mats easily should be brushed two to three times a week.
How can I make grooming pleasant for my dog?
Start by choosing a brush that's gentle on your dog's skin. If you're unsure, test it against your forearm first. During brushing sessions, offer plenty of treats and stop if your dog shows signs of stress. Short, frequent brushing sessions are often more effective and less overwhelming than one long session.
To avoid skin irritation, choose the right brush for your dog's coat type and avoid overbrushing. "There can be such a thing as too much brushing," Edmond says. "Overbrushing causes something called brush burn, which is an irritation of the skin. Slicker brushes used on short-haired dogs can cause brush burn faster."
How do I care for my dog's brush?
Keep your dog's brush clean and dry, and remove hair after every grooming session. To easily remove hair from a brush, slip a comb into the bristles near the base and lift all the hair out in one solid piece.
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