Dog Brushes: Which One is Best for Your Dog’s Coat?

by Kate Barrington

Published: August 24th, 2019

dog brushes which one is best for your dogs coat

Whether it’s every day or once a week, grooming is an important part of your dog’s well-being. And you’ll need a brush that’s made especially with your dog’s coat in mind.

Grooming your dog is about more than just getting rid of excess hair. It helps remove loose and dead hairs from your dog’s coat to reduce shedding and it distributes the natural oils produced in his skin, keeping his coat shiny and soft. Brushing your dog is also a great way to spend some quality time together, building your bond.

Dog brushes are a dime a dozen, so how do you know which one is the right choice for your dog? Keep reading to learn about the different types of brushes and how to choose.

Types of Dog Brushes

When you head to the pet store to pick up a dog brush for the first time, you may not realize just how many different options there are. Before you can pick the right brush for your dog, you need to understand the different types:

Slicker Brush – This type of brush usually has a very wide head with fine wire bristles. A slicker brush helps remove knots and tangles but can also remove loose hair from the undercoat.
Rake – Also known as an undercoat rake, this brush features long metal teeth that can penetrate the top coat and get to the undercoat beneath to remove dead hair to reduce shedding.
Bristle Brush – These brushes work for all coat types and they primarily work to smooth your coat’s coat and distribute the natural oils produced in his skin. Bristle brushes differ in the size, spacing, length, and stiffness of the bristles.
Pin Brush – This type of brush has wire bristles tipped with plastic or rubber. They work best for medium-to-long coats and can also be good for wooly or curly coats.
Shedding Blade – Though the name sounds harsh, this is simply a horseshoe-shaped comb with tiny teeth that works to remove loose fur from many types of coats.

Slicker brushes can be used on any type of coat, but they are particularly beneficial for long and medium coats. Undercoat rakes are primarily for dogs with double coats and dogs with very thick or heavy coats. Bristle brushes come with different bristle lengths and spacing, so you can choose the one that is right for your dog’s coat – the same is true for pin brushes.

Related: All About Hand Stripping

Simple Tips for Brushing Your Dog

When brushing your dog, it is important to always move in the direction the hair is growing. If you brush your dog’s coat in the wrong direction, it could be uncomfortable or even painful for him. Start at the base of your dog’s neck and work your way slowly down the back toward his tail. Next, move down the sides and brush the fur on each leg as needed. From there, you can brush your dog’s chest and belly, being careful not to hurt him.

Regular brushing is an important part of taking care of your dog. Not only does it help reduce shedding, but it keeps the natural oils produced in his skin from building up on the surface. Brush your dog at least once a week, or more often for long and thick coats.

Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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Give your dog the brush off… with the right kind of brushing for his coat type Brushing your dog might seem fairly straight forward, but there’s more to it than first meets the eye. The exact brushing routine that you should give your dog depends on the type of coat he has, so you need to be ready to cater to his specific needs. It’s important that you have a regular brushing routine in place for your dog, because it not only keeps his coat healthy, but can also make a big difference to the health of his skin. Take note of the different brushing routines necessary for different kinds of dogs and your pooch will thank you. Short, Smooth-Coated Dogs Some people think it’s not necessary to brush a dog with a short, smooth coat, but this is untrue. Sure, your short-haired pooch might not get matted or tangled, but he still sheds. Plus, brushing your dog is great for his skin. To brush a short, smooth coated dog, you’ll need a bristle brush (synthetic is fine, it doesn’t have to be real bristles) with bristles that are fairly short and tightly packed. You’ll really only need to brush your short haired dog once or twice each week. Brush him all over, with firm yet gentle strokes of the bristle brush. Short, Wiry-Coated Dogs Dogs such as certain types of terrier can have short, wiry coats. They tend to be slightly longer than smooth coats and are more prone to tangling. While a firm bristle brush is useful for dogs with these types of coats, you may also find it useful to use a slicker brush, which is a type with thin, flexible metal pins. This will make it easier to work through any tangles that might occur. You should brush a wire-coated dog slightly more regularly than a short, smooth coated dog – ideally two to three times per week. Medium-Coated Dogs Dogs with medium length coats generally need to be brushed every other day, but ones with softer smoother coats may be more prone to tangles than pooches with harsher fur. A wire pin brush is the ideal kind to use to get through the longer hairs, but you may also have some success using a bristle brush, which has long, soft bristles, as this will work through the coat quite nicely. You should also use a slicker brush on any mats that appear, though if you get to them quickly, they shouldn’t be hard to work out. Long-Coated Dogs You have to be brave to own a truly long-coated dog, as they require a look or care and maintenance. In an ideal world, you should be grooming a long-haired dog for at least 5 to 10 minutes each day, to remove and help prevent any tangles. A wire pin brush and a comb are going to be the main weapons in your arsenal. When brushing through your dog’s coat, pay particular attention to the areas which are prone to matting, which include the elbows, behind the ears, between the legs, the tummy and around the base of the tail. Curly-Coated Dogs Some dogs with curly coats, such as Poodles and Bedlington terriers, don’t shed very well on their own. The hairs fall out from their roots, but get stuck in the coat and can easily form mats. The only way to prevent these mats from forming when these kinds of dogs have a full, natural coat, is to make sure your groom them daily. A slicker brush and a shedding blade are going to be most helpful for grooming a curly coated dog. You should brush a pooch with this kind of fur daily or at least every other day.

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Satanic partner or independent thinker... tonight the black cats rule!

Does My Dog Need Winter Boots?

The days are growing colder and colder, and your pet is more and more hesitant when it’s time to go out for a potty break – who could blame them? It’s not like we owners don’t need to give ourselves a pep talk when it’s time to take our dogs out for a walk when it’s snowing outside or the icy wind is whipping everything in sight.While winter can be very unpleasant for your dog, there are ways to keep your pooch toasty and more comfortable when the temperatures drop, ranging from  cozy winter coats, warm blankets, and protective winter boots. Yes, those cute little booties are more than a fashion statement – if you’ve been questioning their efficacy, read on to find out if your pet could use a pair of nice winter boots to keep their paws snug and warm.Does My Dog Need Winter Boots?You might think that paws are naturally protected from the cold ground and rough terrain thanks to their unique properties, but that’s only partially true. Not all doggos are built the same. As they come in different shapes and sizes, and with different coat lengths, it means that they will experience winter and cold temperatures in different ways. But even so, no dog’s paw should be left to endure the snow, the ice, and the  rock salt on the asphalt streets. That means that dog boots in winter are far more than a simple piece of the outfit. They protect, keep warm, and ensure that your dog’s paws are safe from injuries, irritations, and dangerous substances. Of course, some dogs need winter boots more than others. Small and toy dogs are much more vulnerable to cold and low temperatures, and they will need protection from the elements without a doubt – that means both a winter jacket and boots. The same goes for senior dogs, whose aching joints and paw pads are much more vulnerable to the elements than they were when they were young.Ultimately, however, dogs of all ages and sizes should be accustomed to wearing dog boots. They protect your pet’s paws in any weather, and come with a range of other advantages, too – these are the main five benefits of dog boots:#1 TractionThanks to dog boots, your pet will no longer have trouble walking on icy or slick surfaces. Boots provide grip and traction, and your next wintery outing will be much safer and faster thanks to them. This is especially important to seniors, who can seriously injure themselves and endanger their mobility due to slips and falls on icy surfaces.#2 InsulationThe boots are there to protect from extreme temperatures. This goes for both winter and summer. So whether it’s ice and cold, or the hot summer asphalt, the boots are there to provide safety – no frostbite on the paw pads, no burns on their delicate little beans.#3 HygieneCleaning your dog’s paws after every walk can quickly become a tiring chore – kudos to you if it doesn’t. Winter brings mud and slush with it, and without the boots, all that mess remains on the paws and gets inside your house, so you need to  clean your pet’s paws every single time you come in from outside. `thanks to dog boots, this can be a thing of the past.#4 Comfort and careDogs can have very sensitive paw pads, especially if they are older and cracked. Thanks to dog boots, winter doesn’t have to exacerbate these issues. Padded and comfy, dog boots ensure that walking on various surfaces is smooth and pain-free.#5 Prevention of injuriesWhen it comes to the protection of paw pads, nothing beats dog boots. In winter, there are a lot of hazards on the walking surface. Ice shards, frozen rocks, icy puddles, and rock salt – the list is endless. Thanks to the protection of the boots, your pet will be safe from abrasions, cuts, and frostbite.

Shelter Cat's Brutally Honest Adoption Ad Goes Viral: She Will Own You

Last month, the Humane Society of Washington shared a brutally honest adoption post in which they introduced a cat who is up for adoption. The adoption post, which went viral, describes the feline in question as “a more lively houseplant.”The three-year-old tortoiseshell cat named Quinn arrived at the Humane Society of Washington County in Hagerstown, Maryland, in August as a stray. According to the post, Quinn is currently the shelter’s longest-term cat resident.This is not the first time the shelter advertised Quinn’s adoption. However, since the first post hasn’t helped Quinn find her person, the shelter decided to change tactics with a brutally honest profile.“Do you want a cat who doesn’t want you? Do you crave the feeling of being judged in your own home? Do you need someone who will slap you back into reality without notice? If you answered yes to any of these questions we have a cat for you!” posted the Humane Society of Washington County on Facebook. “Meet Quinn!” the shelter added.The post went on to say that Quinn’s not for everyone. “But surely there’s someone out there who would appreciate her icy stare and her sudden smacks.”Continuing to highlight all of Quinn’s quirks the post said “She has an uncanny ability to make people feel unwelcome in her presence!” This particular trait makes Quinn perfect for people who are tired of visitors and just want to enjoy the peace of their home. Additionally, Quinn isn’t an overly energetic feline. “Quinn only seems to want to play about once a month,” making her an ideal companion for people who aren’t big fans of physical activity.“Quinn is essentially a more lively houseplant, because all she really needs a human for is food, water, and changing her litter,” said the shelter.“If you adopt Quinn you will not be her owner, because Quinn cannot be owned. She will own you, your house, your belongings, and everything you hold dear.” The shelter also noted that Quinn isn’t on the main adoption floor with other felines and must be asked for by name. The feisty feline has taken up residence in an office where she rules with an iron paw. Anyone interested in being “Quinn’s servant” should not have canines or small children in the house. “Quinn would challenge any dog to a fight. For the dog’s safety, it’s best that she goes to a home without any canines,” said the shelter. The Humane Society of Washington County added - “Quinn is like a more physical version of someone yelling ‘Get off my lawn!’ at small children.” - leaving teens and adults as only suitable housemates. “We originally [shared] a conservative post highlighting Quinn’s strengths, but when no one came for her, we decided the best way to find her a home was to rip off the band-aid and just let her true colors shine,” said Collin A. Berry, executive director of the Humane Society of Washington County, to Fox News Digital. Soon after Quinn arrived at the shelter it became clear that she wasn’t a particularly social feline. She didn’t allow any of the staff to touch her for close to a week. After being sedated for an exam, and given a clean bill of health, it became clear that her behavior wasn’t the result of pain or an underlying health condition. “Everyone thought time and space would help, but as it turns out, Quinn is just Quinn,” said Berry. “She’s a lady who knows what she wants and when she wants it.”We’re happy to report that Quinn has been adopted! It turns out honesty is the best policy! Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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