We know you would do anything for your precious Poodle. Their health, happiness, and well-being is at the forefront of your mind. One key way to keep them in tip-top condition is by having a good grooming schedule. Here are several options for you to choose when looking for the best brush for poodle dogs.
With so many different types of brushes how do you know what is the best brush for your dog? There are so many different brushes with different shapes and sizes, it can get really confusing and overwhelming.
But, you definitely want to keep your best friend’s coat nice and healthy so you have to get them something. Here is an extensive review to help you make the best choice for your puppy.
The Best Brush For Goldendoodle
Here is a full collection of great brushes for your to choose from.
Top 7 Best Brushes
- Double-Sided Pet Brush for Grooming & Massaging Dogs, Cats & Other Animals
- Andis Premium Firm Slicker Brush
- LilPals Double-Sided Dog Comb
- Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs
- FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool
- Miracle Coat Slicker Dog Brush
- PETPAWJOY Slicker Brush for CAT Dog Massage Brush Deshedding Brush
Our top pick
If you want to skip the rest of the list and just get to our top pick, here you go. We think the best brush for Poodles is the Double-Sided Pet Brush for Grooming & Massaging Dogs, Cats & Other Animals.
This brush gives you a couple of ways you can brush your dog. The pin brush will help break up tangles and knots while the bristle side will help smooth out the fur and keep it healthy, oiled, and shiny.
The Full List
1. Double-Sided Pet Brush for Grooming & Massaging Dogs, Cats & Other Animals
Description: Our top pick gets the number one spot and for good reason. If you only get one brush for your poodle, this is the one we suggest!
You get basically two brushes for the price of one. The pin brush has metal pins resting in an anti-static pad. The pins are rounded on the end to keep your pet safe and scratch free while being brushed.
The smoothing side has stiff bristles located fairly close together to help smooth out your puppy’s coat. These bristles work well with the curls of your poodle and keep them looking clean, shiny, and healthy.
The handles is made of a non-slip material and designed to fit comfortably in your hand while grooming.
Brush Type: Combination
Product Dimensions: 5 ounces
Pros:
– rounded pins are gentle on your dog
– two brushes for the price of one
– goes right through tangles and mats
Cons:
– some buyers reported the pins falling out after multiple uses
2. Andis Premium Firm Slicker Brush
Description: This slicker brush is designed to, not only, remove dead hair and fur but it will also help stimulate your dog’s hair follicles and promote regrowth of healthier fur.
This brush works well with removing undercoat but also top coat tangles and knots. Andis recommends using this with a conditioner spray to make this brush even more effective.
Product Dimensions: 11 x 5.5 x 2 inches ; 3.2 ounces
Brush Type: Slicker
Pros:
– brush works well to pull out excess dead hair and fur from the undercoat and topcoat
– brush handle is comfortable
Cons:
– some reports that the pins are not strong enough for thicker mats
3. LilPals Double-Sided Dog Comb
Description: This double sided comb is a great tool to use prior to brushing. It is double sided and has multiple functions so you can guarantee your dog’s fur will be well taken care of.
One side has teeth that are very close together. These are to help lift out any fleas, burs, or any other small, yet persistent, invader to your poodles coat. The side with wider gaps between the pins is for the more traditional uses of detangling and working through mats.
Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 3.2 x 7.2 inches ; 1.28 ounces
Brush Type: Comb
Pros:
– small size makes it easy to manipulate
– great tool for brushing around the eyes and face
Cons:
– the handle may feel a bit small while using it
4. Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs
Description: One issue many people have with slicker brushes is that they pull out so much loose fur that the pins get clogged easily. This brush is designed to easily clean that hair out. It is literally done with the press of a button.
This brush makes grooming your dog much easier. The pins cut right through mats and tangles. Frequent grooming will also help cut down on the amount of shedding and thus, cut down on the time it takes to groom them.
Product Dimensions: 2 x 5.5 x 10.5 inches ; 1.4 ounces
Brush Type: Slicker Brush
Pros:
– works out mats and tangles with ease
– easy to clean
Cons:
– some buyers say the pins are too sharp for their dog
5. FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool
Description: Even if you’ve never purchased a dog brush before, you’ve probably heard of or seen a FURminator project. There is good reason for that…they work really, really well!
This deshedding tool is designed to bypass the topcoat and work directly with any tangles or mats in the undercoat. While removing the loose fur, it will also brush and smooth out the top coat, keeping it healthy and vibrant.
When you finish a section, simply press the “FURejector” button and easily clean out the hair you just removed. The handle is ergonomically designed to be comfortable while using. The brush is curved to match your pets body and it has plastic guards to keep from scratching your dog’s skin.
Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5.5 x 2.5 inches ; 9.6 ounces
Brush Type: Deshedding
Pros:
– reliable brand
– plastic guards protect pet’s skin
– easy to use and keeps your dog’s coat shiny
Cons:
– some claims that the fur is removed but not held in the brush causing it to go everywhere
6. Miracle Coat Slicker Dog Brush
Description: The Miracle Coat slicker brush is a bit different than most slickers. Typically, they have a square or rectangle head and are much wider and longer. This brush is much more compact and has a rounded head.
The shape of the Miracle Coat slicker brush makes it easier to get to more delicate areas and gives you more control over the brushing process. The handle is comfortable to use. The shape of the pins are also designed to work through difficult spots but also protect your dog from being scratched.
Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 3.8 x 2.2 inches ; 4 ounces
Brush Type: Slicker
Pros:
– very lightweight and easy to maneuver
– great at working through mats
– comfortable to hold and use
Cons:
– some buyers report the pins being too sharp for their dog even though they are angled to not scratch
7. PETPAWJOY Slicker Brush for CAT Dog Massage Brush Deshedding Brush
Description: This brush is actually really cool. It is essentially a two for one brush but without being double sided.The head of the brush rotates so you can use the same pins for different functions.
When the pins are turned in a ‘^’ direction, they will work like a normal slicker brush and remove mats, knots, tangles, etc. With a simple rotation of the head, you can position the pins in a ‘V’ shape and you can use the brush as a pet massage tool.
Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1 x 2.4 inches ; 4 ounces
Brush Type: Combination
Pros:
– size makes it easy to maneuver
– handle is comfortable
– can be used for brushing and massaging
Cons:
– not for super thick coats
– pins can be sharp
Buyer’s Guide
Here are some tips to help you out if you aren’t sure which of the above brushes is the best for your dog.
Poodle Coats
You will want to know your poodles coat type prior to buying a brush. You have a couple of options, but will most likely just be dealing with one of these.
Most poodles you see will have curly hair. They may have it clipped in different styles, like a puppy cut or English Saddle cut, but curly is pretty standard when it comes to poodles.
Another option is called corded. Basically, corded fur is when the poodles hair is allowed to grow long enough that it mats. The mats are then split into thin sections or cords. They resemble dreadlocks in people. If your poodle has a corded coat, you are probably not looking for a brush for them.
What to look for in a brush
Some brushes are better suited for your specific breed than others. Here are a few things to look for in a brush.
Comfort
You want your brush to be comfortable for both you and your puppy. A nice, comfortable, ergonomically designed handle will do wonders for you when you have long and (maybe uncooperative) brushing sessions.
Some brushes may have sharp pins or bristles. You want to make sure that the brush yo get for your puppy is highly rated and has good reviews. A quick scan of the reviews will usually tell you if the brush is one that dogs tend to like.
Pro tip: check out the 3 and 4 star reviews. They typically have the most well rounded information and are not just people glowing or complaining.
Durability
Poodles can have notoriously difficult coats to brush out, especially if they have had a while between grooming sessions. You are going to want a brush that is able to last when dealing with tough tangles and mats.
A good solid wood or hard plastic is generally able to withstand pressure, twisting, and maybe even the occasional chewing.
Types of Brushes
There are several different types of brushes that you can use for your dog. The one, or ones, that you use will depend on the coat type as well as its condition.
You may end up using multiple brushes at a time; one for detangling and working out mats and another for smoothing over the hair afterward.
Slicker
A slicker brush is generally a wide rectangle with metal pins bent at an angle. The thin, angular shape of the pins allow them to penetrate deep into matted fur and while staying parallel with the skin. That way the mats are worked out and the skin goes untouched.
Despite the avoidance of scraping, working out tangles and mats with a slicker brush can still be difficult so remember to be gentle with your friend while brushing them.
Pinhead Brush
A pinhead brush almost looks like a regular brush a person would have in their own bathroom. The heads are typically oval shaped and they have rubber tipped pins coming out of a rubber cushion. The biggest difference is the pins are a little more spaced out and are at a wider angle.
Pinhead brushes are great for dogs with medium length or long haired dogs.
Detangling Comb
A detangling comb is exactly what it sounds like. They are generally made of metal or very hard plastic with graduated spacing between the teeth.
You start at the end of the hair and slowly comb your way through the fur until you are able to comb out any mats or tangles. This process can take a while to get through, especially if the dog has a lot of tangles. Go slow and be sure to give lots of breaks.
Deshedding Tool/Undercoat Rake
A deshedding tool, or undercoat rake, has two sets of teeth. The longer teeth reach into the shorter, thicker undercoat and help break up mats and remove loose fur. While the shorter teeth, brush the top coat and help spread the dogs natural oils.
Its also important to make sure you choose the correct size when picking out a deshedding tool. If the teeth are too long, they will rake your puppys skin. While if they are too short, they will be ineffective at removing any unwanted hair.
Bristle brush
The bristle brush is probably the most comfortable of all the dog brushes. They are good for use with pretty much any type of dog with pretty much any type of fur.
They have stiff, straight bristles with varying gaps of space depending on the brush size. Bristle brushes are primarily used to work on the top coat to remove any build up of dirt, dead skin, loose fur, debris, dandruff, or anything else that may collect in your pet’s hair.
Tips For Successful Grooming
Here are a couple of tips to help make brush time a more pleasant experience for you and your puppy.
Start With A Bath
If you can, giving your poodle a bath before brushing them will go a long way in making the process easier. A good quality shampoo will clean the hair and get rid of dirt, grime, and any other unwanted buildup.
Conditioning your dog’s hair will also help keep it healthy and manageable. Freshly conditioned hair is much silkier and easier to comb out any mats or tangles you encounter.
Comb Over
Not like a mid-life crisis kind of comb over. After the bath you will want to give them a quick combing. If you’ve conditioned it shouldn’t be too tough to do this.
Combing can help break up tangles and mats as well as loosen up any remaining dirt or debris that was missed in the bath. Combing can also help spread the puppy’s natural oils throughout their coat and help to keep it healthy.
Slicker Brush
A slicker brush will work through any tangles, mats, and knots the comb may have missed or could not work out. The slicker will also dig into any undercoat and clean that up too.
Go WITH The Grain
You will want to brush in the direction the hair naturally grows. This will make sure the hair does not get fluffed up and easily tangled again.
You can brush against the growth after you finish to fluff the hair up, if you like. But when grooming you want to go with the flow and keep things smooth and comfortable.
Make This A Habit
You will want to make sure that you are brushing your dog on a reliable schedule. This will make sure that your dog understands and accepts this as a normal part of the day. It will also help you stay on top of any mats that may be starting to form.
You will also help to keep their skin healthy and free from infections. A well groomed dog is a happy, and less itchy, dog.
Gratification
The best way to ensure that your poodle will cooperate with brushing time is to give them a solid reward. Some dogs may be fine with a lot of praise, some may need a treat or toy. You may even have other dogs that need a steady stream of treats to keep them still.
Whatever you need to do, do it to make sure you and your puppy have an enjoyable and stress free experience.
Our Top Pick
Again, our top pick for best Poodle brush is the Double-Sided Pet Brush for Grooming & Massaging Dogs, Cats & Other Animals. You get the most bang for your buck with this brush. It is easy to use and will leave your pet looking and feeling fantastic!
Conclusion
Hopefully we have been able to give you a bit of guidance and clarity in your search for the perfect Poodle brush. There is no doubt something in this list that will suit yours and your puppy’s needs.
