Different Brushes for Different Dogs

All dogs should be groomed regularly to keep their skin and coat in good condition and prevent health problems. Your grooming schedule depends on your dog's coat. Dogs with thick coats need to be brushed frequently, often twice a week. Dogs with medium or short hair don't need to be groomed as often. Dog owners should set up a grooming schedule and make it a pleasant experience for their dogs, starting when they're puppies, if possible.

  1. All Dogs

    • Natural bristle brushes are composed of tightly packed bristles that are soft, yet sturdy. The brush removes loose hair as well as dirt and smooths the dog's top coat. Another advantage is that natural bristle brushes don't produce as much static electricity as nylon brushes. Natural bristle brushes come in many styles. Bristle brushes with long, widely-spaced bristles are best for long-haired dogs, while brushes with short, tight bristles work with short-haired dogs.

      The zoom groom brush is also good for all dogs. With its waterproof, big rubber teeth, it can be used on wet or dry coats. It can even be used while a dog is being bathed. Besides scrubbing away dirt, the zoom groom brush collects loose hair. Also, it feels like a massage to your dog.

    Dogs with Medium or Long, Curly or Wiry Hair

    • The wire pin brush, which has long pins extending from a flexible rubber cushion, works well on dogs with medium or long hair. The pin brush can also untangle and demat a dog's coat, common in dogs with curly, wavy or wiry hair. Pin brushes can have rounded ends, which prevent the dog from being scratched during grooming.

    Dogs with Long, Curly or Wiry Hair

    • The slicker brush has a long handle placed at a right angle to a metal brush head. It has thin, bent-wire bristles and is used to remove loose hair, demat and untangle long, curly or wiry coats and smooth a dog's coat. It can also be used for brushing long tails and leg feathers.

      The slicker brush must be used carefully, because it can hurt when placed against a dog's skin. The slicker brush is good for dogs with medium or thick and silky coats. For a dog with a thicker coat, use a slicker brush with stiffer pins.

    Dogs with Short Hair and Smooth Coats

    • The grooming glove, appropriate for short-haired dogs with smooth coats, is made of cloth and, as the name implies, slips over your hand. The palm area is rubber and covered with bumps that grab dead hair. To be most effective, this brush should be used in a circular motion. It can be used on wet or dry coats. Like the zoom groom brush, it feels like they are getting a nice massage.