This guide will help you choose and use the right dog brushes, whether you’re preparing your four-legged best friend for a dog photography shoot or simply carrying out daily coat maintenance. It’s created in collaboration with the amazing founders of Bubble Bark, the best dog grooming salon in Oxfordshire.

Click here to get our dog brush and grooming guide as a printable PDF

Have you ever:

– felt overwhelmed by the dog brushes on offer at the pet store?

– noticed that your dog’s coat is becoming knotted or matted?

– bought a brush for your dog that looked similar to one you’d use for your hair?

If yes, this guide is for you. Your dog’s coat needs specific tools – and regular brushing – to ensure he or she stays looking and feeling their best. These are Bubble Bark’s top tips for choosing and using grooming brushes at home.

How to Groom your Dog: Dog Brushes Guide

Guide to Dog Brushes #1: Slicker Brushes

Slicker brushes are much gentler than they look, so don’t be put off by their spiky appearance. When used with the same pressure you’d use with your own hairbrush, they are one of the most effective tools for breaking up knots and maintaining your dog’s coat on a daily basis. Simply keep an eye on your dog’s skin when using them and don’t repeatedly brush the same area.

They come in different sizes, pin lengths and rigidities. Give us a call and we’ll let you know what type we recommend for your dog. We use (and love) the Pro Simpsons brand.

Top tip: Use slicker brushes in combination with a comb (covered next).

Guide to Dog Brushes #2: Combs

Combs are the second essential tool we recommend, in combination with a slicker brush. The Aussel 7-Inch Comb is a great choice.

After you’ve been through your dog’s coat with the slicker brush, run the wide-toothed end of a comb (like the one above) through the fur. If the comb catches on a knot, stop combing, pick the slicker brush back up and run it over that area. Then try the comb again. When you can run the wide-toothed side of the comb through the coat, repeat the exercise with the narrow-toothed end. The comb helps you identify knots and confirm when the coat is clear – don’t try to pull a knot apart with it.

Top tip: Use a comb with longer teeth for thicker coats.

Guide to Dog Brushes #3: Massage Brushes

These mouded rubber brushes are ideal for shorter, smooth-coated shedding dogs such as Labradors, Boxers, Bulldogs etc. They are easy to clean and the massaging effect also stimulates your dog’s production of natural oils, helping to keep his or her coat shiny and healthy. We love the Zoom Groom range.

Top tip: Use massage brushes in the bath with dog shampoo to ensure it penetrates right through to the bottom of your dog’s coat. 

Guide to Dog Brushes #4: De-Shedding Tool

This tool removes a loose undercoat. There are different sizes available depending on the size of your dog and the length of their coat. We recommend the Furminator tools. Check out the Furminator.net website to see a list of dog breeds this tool is suitable for.

Top tip: Use the same amount of pressure as if you were pulling a brush through your own hair. Keep an eye on your dog’s skin while using them, and stop if you see any redness/irritation.

Guide to Dog Brushes #5: Rake Brush

Rake brushes are suitable for thick, heavy, shedding coats, such as on German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies. Simply brush it through and the rake will pull out any dead coat. They come in plastic or metal and a variety of sizes, like this Buster Rake.

Top tip: Use a slicker brush and comb to make sure your dog’s coat is free from knots and matts before grooming them with a rake.

Bonus Tips for Grooming Your Dog

– Work in layers when brushing: part the fur and take the brush right to the roots, making sure you cover all of the coat (don’t forget behind the ears, under the armpits and along the inside legs – all areas that are commonly forgotten!). Use consistent pressure, comparable to if you were brushing human hair.

– Don’t bother with a pin or bristle brush (similar to a human hairbrush). They can add shine but don’t prevent knots and matting.

– Matted coats can’t be brushed out: they need to be clipped out by a professional groomer as soon as possible. Matting can quickly spiral out of control, leading to discomfort and even health implications for your dog. Therefore, please treat it as a priority and use this guide to prevent it happening again.

Click here to get our dog brush and grooming guide as a printable PDF

About Sarah Plater Photography

Get beautiful portraits of your four-legged best friend to display, share and treasure forever. I offer studio and outdoor dog photography shoots, with sessions starting from just £50. Visit sarahplater.com/dogs for more details or email [email protected].

About Bubble Bark

Bubble Bark offers professional dog grooming for Bicester and the surrounding villages by qualified, experienced groomers Sarah-Jane & Charley. We have worked hard to create a calm, relaxed environment for your dog, so that the grooming experience is as enjoyable and positive as we can make it, and they leave happy and excited to return! 

With animal welfare being our absolute main priority, we will never push a dog to endure anything that they are uncomfortable with, and while they are in our care they will be treated with as much love and respect as we show our own dogs. 

Call 01869 226 557 or visit bubblebark.co.uk to book or for more information.