At-home grooming is the most common form of dog grooming. 41% of owners try to keep their pet's coat clean themselves, but 23-57% of them don't own a dog brush.
Grooming is an essential part of pet care, and it's also one of the most in-demand. The market for pet grooming products is worth over $9.9 billion.
Choosing a fur brush that meets your dog's needs is one of the most important things you can do for them. Read on to learn about the different types of brushes and how to choose the right one for your dog.
Slicker Brush
Slicker brushes have a flat or curved head. Their fine wire bristles are angled and may have protective tips. These features keep the brush from irritating your dog's skin.
Slicker brushes work on most breeds of medium to long-haired dogs. They remove mats, tangles, and loose hair from the undercoat.
Make sure to find the right size for your dog when shopping for this type of brush. Get one with a flexible handle to make grooming easier, and be careful with how much pressure you apply.
Pin Brush
A pin brush looks similar to what you'd use on your own hair. Most of them have a round shape. They're covered in wires with plastic tips on the ends.
Pin brushes are gentle on thick and curly coats. They're best for medium to long-haired dogs. They can clear minor knots and are one of the best brushes to use after bathing your dog.
Pin brushes are more of a finishing tool. They aren't great at clearing large knots and mats because they tend to get stuck in them. Use them after you've already cleared your dog's coat with a stronger tool.
Bristle Brush
A bristle brush works well with a pin brush. It's a great finishing tool for dogs with short or wiry coats. It produces oils that will leave your dog with a shiny coat and reduce shedding.
Bristle brushes with long, soft bristles work for dogs with long, silky coats. Short, tough bristles work for short-haired dogs.
Rakes
A rake resembles a pin brush but has longer pins. They're also an effective de-shedding tool because they can reach deep into the fur of heavy or double-coated dogs.
Standard rakes are gentle and remove dead fur, knots, and tangles from long-haired dogs. Undercoat rakes have small, curved blades to reach the undercoat of breeds such as:
- German Shepherds
- Pomeranians
- Chows
- Huskies
- Malamutes
- Samoyeds
The pins on your rake should match the length of your dog's hair. If they're too short, they won't reach the undercoat. If they're too long, they could irritate your dog's skin.
Rubber Brush
Most rubber brushes are the size of your hand. They're also known as curry combs, and you can get rubber gloves to use for grooming if you prefer.
Rubber brushes use rounded rubber knobs. They're gentle and massage your dog's skin. This makes them the best option if your pet runs for the hills when it comes time to groom them.
Combs
Using a comb after a dog brush helps remove anything that was left behind. They're a finishing tool that leaves your dog's coat shinier and smoother than it would be with brushing alone.
Just like with brushes, there are several types of dog combs to choose from. Some are appropriate for general grooming, some are meant for de-matting heavy coats, and some are useful as part of your dog's regular flea treatment schedule.
General Use Combs
General dog combs resemble pin brushes. The difference is that they have teeth instead of wires.
Combs with widely-spaced teeth help remove knots and tangles. Combs with tightly-spaced teeth are an effective finishing tool to use after the large knots in your dog's coat are removed. You may also be able to find a comb that uses both sizes.
Combing is best for dogs with long, thick hair and an undercoat. It helps remove problems that you can't see because they're hidden underneath the topcoat.
De-Matting Combs
These combs cut out mats like a rake. They're best for dogs that have heavy, thick coats. Their blades can make them a bit dangerous. Take care when using them and ask a vet or professional groomer if you have concerns.
Flea Combs
Grooming is an important part of maintaining pet health. It helps owners spot and remove parasites that are hiding underneath the fur and living on the skin.
Flea combs have finely spaced teeth that catch dirt and fleas, keeping your dog clean and healthy. Use them after a flea treatment to remove as many of the irritating insects as possible.
Deshedding Brushes
Many dog breeds don't shed excessively, including the:
- Bichon Frise
- Miniature or Giant Schnauzer
- Poodle
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Shih Tzu
- Maltese
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Scottish Terrier
- West Highland Terrier
- Chinese Crested
- Xoloitzcuintli
- Havanese
- Afghan Hound
- Basenji
- Cairn Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
Other breeds may leave hair all over your house, including the:
- Akita
- Alaskan Malamute
- American Eskimo
- Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Chow Chow
- German Shepherd
- Great Pyrenese
- Labrador Retriever
- Siberian Husky
- Burmese Mountain Dog
- Saint Bernard
- Golden Retriever
If your dog belongs on the second list, you may want to look into a de-shedding brush. They don't remove mats, but they do gather loose or dead hair before it falls off onto your furniture and carpet.
Where to Find a Dog Salon that Always Uses the Right Types of Brushes
There are almost as many types of fur as there are breeds of dogs, including long, wiry, short, and hairless. Finding the right type of brushes for their coats is essential to keeping them free of mats, knots, and parasites.
Slicker brushes remove these problems, and rakes cut them out. Pin, rubber, and bristle brushes are finishing tools that leave your dog's coat shining.
Combs are also effective grooming tools for cutting out mats and removing fleas. There are also specialized brushes that reduce shedding.
BubblyPaws is an upscale dog grooming salon. Make a reservation today.