Which dog brush for which coat type? The guide
Brushing is the single most important grooming habit for a dog’s coat: it removes dead hair, lets the skin breathe, prevents mats and helps you spot ticks, grass seeds and irritations early. But the wrong brush is at best ineffective, at worst painful. Planète Pets helps you choose the right tool, alongside our care and grooming section.
Short and smooth coats: gentle is enough
For a Boxer, a Beagle or a Staffie, there’s no need for aggressive tools: a rubber grooming glove or a soft-pin brush lifts dead hair while massaging the skin. One or two sessions a week are enough, more during moulting season. Budget: €5 to €15. It’s also the perfect moment to inspect the skin, especially if your dog is on a flea and tick treatment.
Medium and long coats: slicker and comb as a duo
For a Golden Retriever, a Collie or a Spaniel, the slicker brush with its fine curved pins detangles and removes dead hair, backed up by a long-toothed metal comb to check the knot-prone zones: behind the ears, the armpits, the britches. Work section by section, from tip to root, and never yank sharply on a formed mat. Ideal frequency: 2 to 3 times a week, daily during the moult. Expect €10 to €25 for a good slicker and €8 to €15 for a quality comb.
Dense undercoats: the deshedding rake, used with judgement
Nordic breeds and double-coated herders shed staggering amounts of undercoat twice a year. An undercoat rake or deshedding tool reaches deep to pull out the loose wool. Highly effective blade-style tools should be used in moderation: too frequent, and they also cut healthy guard hair. Never clip a double coat without a medical reason: it protects against cold and sun alike. An occasional bath with a suitable product helps move the moult along, as detailed in our guide to shampoo by coat type.
Curly and woolly coats: the comb above all
Poodles, Bichons and doodles barely shed, but their fleece felts up very quickly: a full brush-through 2 to 3 times a week with a soft slicker then a comb, right down to the skin, plus a regular groomer’s visit every 6 to 10 weeks. A coat matted to the skin sometimes calls for a sanitary clip by a professional, or even a veterinary check if the skin underneath is damaged.
The Planète Pets tip
Get your puppy used to brushing from day one, in short sessions rewarded with good treats: a dog that loves the brush means ten years of peace. Overall equipment budget: €15 to €40 depending on coat type, a trivial investment given the service it delivers. All our comparisons are on the dog hub.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Dogs universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.