Buying task · Brushes and deshedding
Brushes and deshedding
Which brush, comb, rake or deshedding tool suits each coat type, how often to brush, how to brush without scratching skin, and when shedding means a vet visit.
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Short answer
Match the tool to the coat. Double coats do well with a slicker brush, plus an undercoat rake in shedding season. Curly and long coats need a slicker or pin brush and a metal comb that reaches the skin. Short, smooth coats need only a rubber curry, grooming glove or bristle brush. Brush with light strokes and no pressure on the skin; short, regular sessions beat one long one.
The main tools and what they do
AKC sorts the basics this way: pin brushes for many longhaired dogs, bristle brushes for short, medium and some long coats, slicker brushes for removing mats and dead hair, and rubber curry combs.[1]
| Tool | What it does | Typical coats |
|---|---|---|
| Slicker brush | Fine wire pins lift dead hair and small tangles | Double, curly and long coats |
| Pin brush | Longer, straighter pins pass through long hair | Long and silky coats |
| Undercoat rake | Teeth reach the loose undercoat | Dense double coats in shedding season |
| Deshedding tool | An edge pulls out loose undercoat | Shedding coats with an undercoat |
| Metal comb | Finds knots the brush missed, down to the skin | Long, curly and silky coats |
| Rubber curry, hound glove, bristle brush | Loosens dead hair from short coats | Short, smooth coats |
For double coats, AKC calls a slicker brush excellent and suggests switching to a coat rake or shedding tool, pulled in the direction of hair growth, while the undercoat sheds.[2] AKC adds that a rake or deshedding tool can remove large amounts of loose undercoat.[3] Use bladed tools by their maker's rules: FURminator says its deShedding tool should not be used on non-shedding breeds or pets with particularly sensitive skin, suggests 10 to 20 minutes once or twice a week, and says to brush out mats first.[4] The differences are in slicker vs pin brush and undercoat rake vs deshedding tool.
Coat fit
- Double coats (Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Corgi). AKC suggests slicker brushing once or twice a week for Goldens, daily in heavy shedding, and says a Husky's undercoat should be raked out with a pin brush and metal comb while it sheds.[5][6]
- Curly coats (Poodle, doodles). AKC says a Poodle in full coat needs daily brushing and combing right to the skin, or it mats near the roots.[7]
- Long silky coats (Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Havanese). AKC advises daily brushing when these coats are kept long, layering a Shih Tzu's coat with a flexible-pin brush to reach the skin.[8][9]
- Short smooth coats (French Bulldog, Beagle, Pug). AKC suggests weekly brushing with a medium-bristle brush, rubber grooming mitt or hound glove.[10][11][12]
- Wire coats (Miniature Schnauzer). AKC says the coat needs frequent brushing and combing, and most pet owners have it clipped by a professional.[13]
Find your dog's coat in the breed grooming finder.
How often, and how to brush
AAHA says heavy shedders may need daily brushing, while just 5-10 minutes two or three times a week can significantly cut loose hair. Brush all the way to the skin, parting the hair to reach the undercoat, where most loose fur collects.[14] Working section by section is called line brushing; how to line brush a dog shows it step by step.
Reaching the skin does not mean pressing into it. Chris Christensen's directions for its slicker say to brush gently in the natural direction of the hair, apply no pressure to the skin, and let repeated strokes do the work.[15]
Expect more hair in spring and fall. AAHA says many dogs blow their coat then, and VCA says most dogs and cats shed more, not less, in the fall.[14][16]
When brushing is not the answer
Some changes need a veterinarian, not a better brush. AAHA lists bald spots, thinning fur, patchy hair loss, red, irritated or crusted skin, and a sudden dramatic increase in shedding.[14] Shaving is not a fix for shedding either: AKC says it does not eliminate shedding and damages the topcoat of a double coat.[17]
How to choose
Start with the one tool your dog's coat needs. Add a metal comb for long or curly coats, and an undercoat tool only if your dog has an undercoat. Our slicker brush shortlist covers a standard slicker for double coats and a long-pin slicker for curly coats.
Everything in this topic
Guides
- How to groom a double-coated dogGives you a step-by-step brushing routine and AKC's breed-by-breed brushing advice, so you remove loose undercoat without harming the coat or skin.
- How to line brush a dogShows you, step by step, how to brush a thick or long coat down to the skin so tangles are caught before they become mats.
- How to manage seasonal sheddingGives you a shedding-season brushing plan built on AKC and AAHA advice, and the signs that mean shedding is a vet problem, not a grooming one.
- Slicker vs pin brushMatches the brush to your dog's coat type using AKC's breed advice, so you buy a brush that reaches the skin without scraping it.
- Undercoat rake vs deshedding toolHelps you pick the right undercoat tool for your dog's coat, or skip one entirely, and use it within the maker's limits.
Shortlists
- Slicker brushes for double and curly coatsMatches a slicker brush to your dog's coat, double or curly, and says what each listing leaves unproven.
Tools
- Dog breed grooming finderTakes you from your dog's breed or coat to how often it needs grooming and which tools suit it, with a source on every field.
Common questions
How often should I brush a double-coated dog?
AKC's home grooming guide says most dogs only need a few brushing sessions a week, and AKC breed pages often call for daily brushing during heavy shedding. AAHA says even 5 to 10 minutes two or three times a week can significantly reduce loose hair. More in How to groom a double-coated dog
What is the best brush for a double-coated dog?
Usually a combination. AKC calls slicker brushes excellent for double-coated breeds and suggests switching to a coat rake or shedding tool for the undercoat; a metal comb then finds any tangles left behind. More in How to groom a double-coated dog
Should I bathe my dog more often to reduce shedding?
No. AAHA says regular brushing is more effective than bathing for long-term shedding control, and AKC warns that frequent baths can strip natural oils from the skin and coat. When you do bathe, dry the coat completely before brushing. More in How to groom a double-coated dog
Is a deshedding tool safe for a double-coated dog?
It can be, used as the maker directs. FURminator says its tool suits most shedding animals with an undercoat, but not non-shedding breeds or pets with particularly sensitive skin, and that mats should be brushed out first. See undercoat rake vs deshedding tool. More in How to groom a double-coated dog
Can I use a grooming vacuum on a double coat?
Yes, as a way to collect loose hair while you brush, if your dog is relaxed around the noise. Use the brush or deshedding heads, not the clipper to take the coat short: AKC says shaving a double coat does not stop shedding. See are dog grooming vacuums worth it? More in How to groom a double-coated dog
What is line brushing?
A way of brushing a thick or long coat in thin horizontal layers, so the brush reaches the skin instead of skimming the top. It follows AAHA's advice to brush all the way to the skin, parting the hair to reach the undercoat. More in How to line brush a dog
Which dogs need line brushing?
Dogs with long, double or curly coats. AKC describes layering a Shih Tzu's coat to reach the skin, brushing a Pomeranian down to the skin, and brushing and combing a full Poodle coat completely to the skin. Smooth-coated dogs don't need it. More in How to line brush a dog
Can I line brush a wet dog?
Wait until the coat is completely dry. AKC's Golden Retriever page says the dog must be completely dry before brushing after a bath. More in How to line brush a dog
Questions
What brush does a double-coated dog need?
AKC calls slicker brushes excellent for double coats and suggests switching to a coat rake or shedding tool, pulled in the direction of hair growth, while the undercoat sheds. For a Husky, AKC adds a pin brush and a metal comb.[2][6]
How often should I brush my dog?
It depends on the coat. AKC says most dogs need only a few sessions a week while long coats often do best with daily brushing. AAHA says heavy shedders may need daily brushing, and 5-10 minutes two or three times a week cuts loose hair for many pets.[1][14]
Can a deshedding tool damage my dog's coat?
Used on the wrong coat or too often, it can cause discomfort. FURminator says its tool should not be used on non-shedding breeds or pets with particularly sensitive skin, that using it on matted fur can bend its teeth and feel uncomfortable, and suggests 10 to 20 minutes once or twice a week.[4]
Will shaving my dog reduce shedding?
No. AKC says shaving a double-coated dog does not eliminate shedding and can damage the topcoat and raise the chance of skin problems or sunburn. AAHA says regular brushing is more effective than bathing for long-term shedding control.[17][14]
My dog is suddenly shedding much more. Should I worry?
It may be seasonal, but AAHA says to contact your veterinarian about a sudden dramatic increase in shedding, bald spots, thinning fur, or red, irritated or crusted skin. AKC gives the same advice for bald patches, inflamed skin or sudden hair loss.[14][3]