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Home » Large Dog Breeds » 13 Best Dog Brushes for Shedding 2022 (Short, Long, and Thick Hair)

13 Best Dog Brushes for Shedding 2022 (Short, Long, and Thick Hair)

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At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Dog Brushes for Shedding:

Large breeds come with some large dog brushing needs. I was a dog groomer for 12 years, so I want to give you some tips on how to brush your big dog, reduce shedding, and tackle mats.

Along the way, I’ll give you some recommendations to what I consider the best dog brushes for each type of coat, including short hair, long hair, matted and thick fur.

Table of Content

Best Dog Brushes for Shedding and Dematting: Quick View

Image Product
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Zoom Groom Rubber Wet or Dry Brush
  • Originally designed for horses, ideal for short-haired dogs
  • Made of natural rubber, this brush is gentle on your pet’s skin
  • Can be used to massage your dog during the bath
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Hertzko Pet Bath & Massage Brush
  • Ideal for dogs with short hair
  • Gently removes the loose hairs
  • Larger in size and thus better for large dogs
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Award Winning Handson Gloves for Shedding, Bathing, Grooming, De-Shedding
  • Perfect for dogs who don’t like brushing
  • Choose the brush size according to your canine friend’s size
  • Removes loose hair effectively
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Pet Grooming Glove – Enhanced Five Finger Design
  • Removes loose hair while providing your dog optimum comfort
  • Hair sticks to the glove
  • This affordable brush works best on short-haired dogs
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Furminator Short Hair deShedding Tool for Dogs
  • A must-have tool to remove loose hair from short-haired dogs
  • FurEjector button makes the process easy and fast
  • Decreases hair shedding by up to 90%
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Professional De-shedding Tool for Dogs & Cats
  • A facsimile of Furminator is very affordable and works similar to the original ones
  • Can be used on different species with various coat types
  • Reduces hair shedding
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Andis Pet Steel Comb
  • Excellent dog hair grooming tool, perfect for all your needs
  • Made of durable material
  • Works really well
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Hertzko 2 Pack Pet Combs by Small & Large Comb
  • Comfortable to hold & easy to brush
  • Includes both small and large comb
  • Available at an affordable price
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Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
  • Very affordable brush
  • Remove hair from the body with click of a button
  • This self-cleaning brush functions well
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Millers Forge Unbreakable Pet Slicker Brush
  • Made out of sturdy material, it lasts long
  • Though it doesn’t have a self-cleaning option, best for everyday use
  • This affordable brush is very easy to use
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Furminator Rake for Dogs
  • Unlike other De-shedding tools, it pulls out undercoat without shedding the hairs
  • Ideal for dogs with thick coats
  • This affordable Furminator is of high-quality and removes coats gently
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Undercoat Dog Rake
  • This affordable tool is best for dogs with thick fur
  • Comes with an opening that helps to hold the tool easily
  • Available in a sleek design
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PawsPamper Extra-Wide Undercoat Rake for Medium to Large Dogs
  • Ideal for larger dogs with thick hair
  • Pulls out undercoat without damaging the topcoat
  • This sturdy tool is available in 3 blade sizes
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Why Coat Type Matters When Purchasing a Dog Brush

It’s tempting to think that any type of dog brush is as good as any other, but if you think about it, would you really get the same results if you used the same brush for a Goldendoodle as you did for a Great Dane?

That’s why I’m breaking down the brushing and shedding tips into different sections based on coat type, with tool recommendations at the end. If you already know what type of brush you need and how to use it, feel free to skip ahead to the brush reviews and recommendations.

Best Dog Brushes by Coat Type (Short Hair, Long Hair, Shedding Hair)

Best Dog Brush for Shedding Short Hair

Best Dog Brush for Shedding Short Hair

(Examples of Short Haired Breeds: Great Danes, Mastiffs, Labrador Retrievers)

Your short-haired dog may shed a lot more than you expect. Luckily, there’s no need to just live with those short hairs all over your furniture and clothing.

Regular brushing with the right tools can help significantly reduce how much loose hair falls off your pet around your home.

Once or twice a week, use a rubber curry-style brush (like this Zoom Groom) or a grooming glove (like this one) in the direction that your dog’s fur grows to remove loose hair. You can use a little bit of pressure with these brushes to loosen up as much hair as possible without hurting their skin.

Many dogs love these brushes and look forward to their grooming because it feels like a massage.

A word to the wise: use these brushes outside or in a room with hard flooring that you can sweep because hair doesn’t always stick in the brush to be easily picked out and placed in the trash.

No more than once a week, you can use a de-shedding tool for short-haired dogs (like the Furminator) in the direction that your dog’s hair grows. These types of tools can cause bald spots and skin irritation if you overuse them, so use a light touch and don’t go over the same spot more than a few times.

For pets with longer short hair, such as Labs, you can use a fine-tooth comb to remove loose hair from your dog, as well.

Each tool is better at removing certain layers of fur, so the more tools you use, the more hair you can remove from your dog before it winds up on your furniture.

Best Dog Brushes for Double-Coated Dogs with Short Hair

(Examples: German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Akitas)

These dogs may shed a little all year, but they typically blow most of their undercoat all at once anywhere from one to four times per year.

All year round, a slicker shedding brush (like this one) will help remove loose hair from your dog. Even when your dog’s fur is coming out in clumps, the slicker brush is the fastest, gentlest way to remove the bulk of your dog’s undercoat.

Just be a little gentle with the slicker brush, especially when brushing near your dog’s skin, as it is possible to irritate your dog’s skin and cause brush burn with a slicker brush.

Once you’ve gotten the bulk of the loose hair off with a slicker brush, move on to a long-toothed undercoat rake to pull out undercoat that is deeper than the slicker brush can reach.

Next, you’ll want to use a Furminator or a deshedding/curved undercoat rake to pull out undercoat that isn’t loose yet. This will help reduce shedding in the next few days.

For best results, alternate between using all these tools along with a solid metal comb to remove the most hair possible. Ideally, you should brush your dog after washing and drying them. Make sure your dog is dry all the way down to the skin – water holds hair in place, and trying to pull that hair out will hurt your dog.

Best Dog Brush for Medium-Length Double-Coated Dogs

Best Dog Brush for Medium-Length Double-Coated Dogs

(Examples: Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs)

These dogs have hair that not only sheds, but it can become matted, as well. For these types of coats, you should brush them at least once a week with a slicker brush and focus on areas that are prone to matting like behind the ears, in the tail, and around the butt.

When these dog breeds start to blow out their undercoat, a long-toothed undercoat rake, a comb, and/or a deshedding/curved undercoat rake can help pull out the excess undercoat. For a big undercoat blowout, plan on spending at least an hour brushing out all the undercoat.

Want to know the secret tool dog groomers use to get out the maximum amount of undercoat for these coat types? It isn’t a brush at all. It’s a high-velocity dryer, like this one. A dryer like this can blast undercoat out of a dry or freshly-washed dog. You may want to use it outside or in a garage rather than inside your house because you will have hair flying everywhere!

Best Dog Brush for Long Hair

Best Dog Brush for Long Hair

(Examples: Bearded Collies, Briards, Old English Sheepdogs)

This hair type gets matted more easily than just about any other hair type, with the possible exception of curly coats. While show dogs of these breeds must be kept in full coat, most pet owners opt for shorter haircuts that are more manageable. The type of brush you use will differ depending on the length of your dog’s fur.

For short fine hair: A slicker brush and a comb used two to three times per week will help you prevent and remove tangles before they have a chance to become matted. The comb should go smoothly through the entire coat all the way down to the skin.

A common mistake is to only brush the top layer of fur with the slicker brush and leave mats close to the skin. It’s especially important to brush and Demat dogs with fine hair before washing them because water makes mats worse.

For long fine hair: A pin brush used every day is the best way to keep your dog’s hair smooth and tangle-free. Make sure not to forget places that mat easily like the armpits, ears, tail, and feet.

A metal comb can help you find tangles that you’ve missed with the pin brush. Use the pin brush to gently tease apart tangles before they have a chance to form tight mats.

While this type of hair does shed, the undercoat gets tangled with the topcoat, and regular brushing is enough to remove the loose hair. Tools designed to remove undercoat will damage fine, straight hair.

Best Dog Brushes for Thick, Wavy Hair

(Examples: Some Labradoodles, Wavy Portuguese Water Dogs, Some Bernedoodles)

It can be tricky to keep this type of hair from matting. If you keep your dog in a shorter clip, brushing once or twice a week and focusing on areas that tend to get matted like the tail, feet, butt, and behind the ears is probably enough. Dogs with longer hair may need daily brushing to prevent mats from forming.

A slicker brush and a metal comb are generally going to be your best bet. If your dog’s hair is quite long, a pin brush may work, as well, but it tends to just glide over mats in short hair.

Be sure to brush your dog thoroughly before washing them, because water makes mats worse. These dog breeds often shed, but the undercoat tangles with the topcoat. Brushing before the bath helps prevents mats from forming while your dog dries.

RELATED: 5 Best Dog Clippers for Matted Hair

Best Dog Brush for Curly Hair

Best Dog Brush for Curly Hair

(Standard Poodles, Most Goldendoodles, Some Sheepadoodles)

It doesn’t take much for a curl to turn into a mat. Dogs with curly hair need to be brushed at least two to three times per week, and daily if their hair is more than about an inch long or you live in a wet or snowy climate because water makes mats worse.

A slicker brush and a comb will help keep your dog brushed out. The comb is crucial because it’s very easy to just brush the top of the curls without brushing all the way down to the skin. The comb will snag on any tangles left in the dog’s coat.

Another tool that can be helpful with this coat type is a high-velocity dog dryer like this one. It blows curly hair straight, which makes it less likely to mat. Additionally, it can help give your dog that freshly-groomed look in between appointments with the groomer.

SEE ALSO: How to Groom a Goldendoodle: Best Grooming Tools and Coat Care Tips

Best Dog Brush for Shedding Wiry Hair

(Examples: Wirehaired Pointer, Some Labradoodles)

Some dog breeds, especially first-generation Labradoodles, have both wiry hairs that may need to be trimmed as well as a coat that wants to shed. The good news is that this type of shedding prone hair doesn’t mat easily. But you’ll still want to brush your dog at least once a week to prevent shed hair from floating around your home. Hair trapped in your dog’s coat can also lead to overheating.

For best results, use a slicker brush and a comb or an undercoat rake.

SEE ALSO: Is The Goldendoodle a Good Fit For Your Family?

Best Dog Shedding Brushes and Dematting Tools Reviews 

As a dog groomer for more than 12 years, here are my top picks for best dog brushes for shedding along with tools for dematting large dogs.

#1 – Zoom Groom Rubber Wet Or Dry Brush


Rubber curry brushes were originally designed for horses. The Zoom Groom was one of the first rubber curry brushes on the market, and to this day, it’s one of the best. The shape is easy to hold, and most dogs think they’re being massaged by the gentle rubber bristles.

Price: $$

Color Options: Pink, Blue

Sizing Options: one size

Pluses: 

  • Use wet or dry
  • Made in the USA
  • Natural rubber
  • Perfect for short-haired dogs

Negatives:

  • Not great for longer hair
  • Nubs eventually wear down and brush needs to be replaced

Bottom Line:

This brush is a must-have dog brush for anybody with a short-haired dog, but it’s ineffective on dogs with longer hair. It’s gentle on your dog’s skin, removes lots of hair, and can even be used in the bath to massage shampoo into your dog’s coat.

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#2 – Hertzko Pet Bath & Massage Brush


Hertzko took the idea of the Zoom Groom and ran with it, creating this rubber brush with stiffer bristles and four nubs at the end of each bristle. It’s heavier than the Zoom Groom, but it’s also larger, which may make it a better option for large dogs.

Price: $$

Color Options: Purple

Sizing Options: one size

Pluses:

  • Removes loose hair from dogs with short hair
  • Most dogs love it
  • Easy to hold
  • Works wet or dry

Negatives:

  • Difficult to clean
  • Very heavy
  • Some dogs dislike the stiff bristles

Bottom Line:

If you can handle how heavy this brush is, it’s a good option for removing loose hair from dogs with short hair. Some dogs don’t like how stiff the bristles are, and it’s very difficult to clean the brush.

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# 3 – Award-Winning Handson Gloves for Shedding, Bathing, Grooming, De-Shedding


For dogs who hate to be brushed, these gloves feel like a massage and remove loose hair like a dream. Two gloves are included, and you can order specific sizes rather than receiving one giant one-size-fits-all right-handed glove. These gloves work just as well wet or dry.

Price: $$$

Color Options: Black

Sizing Options: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, Junior

Pluses:

  • A complete pair with 5 sizes to choose from
  • Most dogs love it
  • Removes lots of hair from short-haired dogs

Negatives:

  • Expensive
  • Lots of imitation products aren’t as high quality
  • Hair doesn’t stick to gloves

Bottom Line:

These are arguably the best deshedding gloves on the market. While they’re more expensive than other brands, you get a full pair in your size. The hair doesn’t stick to the gloves very well, so you’ll want to use them outside or in an area that’s easy to sweep.

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#4 – Pet Grooming Glove – Enhanced Five Finger Design


This grooming glove is a very reasonable price and allows you to remove hair from your dog while they think they’re getting a massage. In addition, dog hair usually packs into the gloves, meaning it makes less of a mess than some other brands.

Price: $$

Color Options: One color

Sizing Options: One size fits all

Pluses:

  • Affordable
  • Hair typically stays on the glove
  • Works well on most short-haired dogs

Negatives:

  • Only comes in one size
  • Low quality and may fall apart after only a few uses

Bottom Line:

Do you want to try a grooming glove on your short-haired dog, but you don’t want to spend a fortune until you know if or how well they work for your pet? This pet grooming glove is a good option. You can buy just the right hand or spend a little extra for a complete pair of gloves.

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#5 – Furminator Short Hair deShedding Tool for Dogs


The Furminator was the first dog de-shedding tool of this type to grab loose hair and remove it from short-haired dogs. There are many imitators, but Furminator is the first and the original. It remains as one of the best de-shedding tools for dogs. The Furminator comes with a FurEjector button to quickly pop off hair and let you keep working.

Price: $$$$

Color Options: Green

Sizing Options: Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, Giant

Pluses:

  • Reduces shedding by up to 90%
  • Works well on most short-haired dogs and some other coat types
  •  FurEjector button saves time

Negatives:

  • Expensive
  • Can irritate your dog’s skin
  • Overuse may cause bald spots

Bottom Line:

It’s hard to beat the original Furminator when it comes to shedding tools for dogs. Since they were the first, their product has been through the most revisions and is the most up to date. You would be hard-pressed to find a groomer who doesn’t have a Furminator.

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#6- Professional Deshedding Tool for Dogs & Cats


This Furminator copycat is much cheaper than the original, and many users claim it works just as well as the Furminator for less than half the cost. Without the FurEjector button, though, you need to constantly stop to pick hair out of the teeth of the shedding brush as it pulls out the undercoat.

Price: $$

Color Options: Blue

Sizing Options: One Size

Pluses:

  • Affordable
  • Effective on a variety of coat types
  • Reduces shedding

Negatives:

  • Can be harsh on your dog’s skin
  • You must constantly pluck hair out of the teeth

Bottom Line:

If you aren’t sure whether or not this type of shedding tool will work for your dog’s coat type, this is a much cheaper gamble than the original Furminator. If you aren’t a professional groomer, where speed matters, the lack of a FurEjector button isn’t a big deal.

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#7 – Andis Pet Steel Comb


Andis has produced quality dog grooming tools for generations, and this steel comb is no exception. It has fine teeth on one side and coarse teeth on the other, so it’s perfect for all your grooming needs.

Price: $

Color Options: None

Sizing Options: None

Pluses:

  • Affordable
  • Durable
  • Works well

Negatives:

  • Can be hard on your hands
  • Counterfeit products are a significant problem

Bottom Line:

Assuming you get a genuine Andis comb, this tool will be an excellent addition to your arsenal of pet grooming tools. It’s affordable and durable. Make sure the comb is labeled with the “Andis” name while you’re still in the return period.

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#8 – Hertzko 2 Pack Pet Combs by Small & Large Comb


Do most combs hurt your hands? These dog combs have a comfortable handle that protects your hands while you comb your dog. Both a small and a large comb are included, and both have coarse teeth on one end and fine teeth on the other, so you’ll have exactly what you need for each task.

Price: $$

Color Options: Purple

Sizing Options: Includes both a small and a large comb

Pluses:

  • Good deal
  • Easy on your hands
  • Works well

Negatives:

  • Irritates some dogs
  • Reported shipping issues

Bottom Line:

This two-pack of combs gives you everything you need to comb every inch of your dog and comfortable enough handles to give you the patience to do so. They’re also very affordable.

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#9 – Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush


If you hate scraping the hair out of a traditional slicker brush, this self-cleaning slicker dog brush is what you’ve been looking for. With the click of a button, the pins retract, easily removing the hair from the brush.

Price: $$

Color Options: Purple

Sizing Options: One Size

Pluses:

  • Self-cleaning
  • Affordable
  • Works well

Negatives:

  • Irritates some dogs
  • Bulky
  • Pins may get stuck in or out

Bottom Line: 

While this tool isn’t perfect and does malfunction from time to time, it’s still an affordable choice for a slicker brush that doesn’t need to be plucked clean. It’s a little heavier than a traditional slicker brush for dogs, but most reviewers say the tradeoff is worth it.

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#10 – Millers Forge Unbreakable Pet Slicker Brush


The Millers Forge slicker brush isn’t quite as unbreakable as the name implies, but it’s been a staple of professional groomers for many years. It is sturdier than many other dog brushes for shedding and it’s very affordable.

Price: $

Color Options: Gray

Sizing Options: Regular, Mini

Pluses:

  • Simple
  • Works great
  • Affordable

Negatives:

  • Bothers some dogs
  • Difficult to clean

Bottom Line:

This is a solid choice for an everyday slicker brush. It doesn’t have any fancy self-cleaning features, but short of dropping it on a cement floor, it should last for a good long time.

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#11 – Furminator Rake for Dogs


This type of tool pulls out undercoat without cutting it like some other dog deshedding tools do. Furminator didn’t invent this tool, but they’ve made a high-quality version of it. This type of tool is ideal for dogs with thick coats.

Price: $$

Color Options: Yellow

Sizing Options: One Size

Pluses:

  • Affordable
  • Gentle
  • Perfect for dogs with thick coats

Negatives:

  • Not good for short-haired dogs
  • Handle may fall off

Bottom Line:

This is a solid deshedding tool for removing undercoat from dogs with thick coats. There are no razors involved to cut the undercoat, and it reaches deeper into thick coats better than a slicker brush.

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#12 – Undercoat Dog Rake


This simple, nameless undercoat rake is perfect for removing undercoat from dogs with thick hair. Unlike the Furminator style, this tool has an opening to stick a finger for additional leverage.

Price: $$

Color Options: None

Sizing Options: One Size

Pluses:

  • Affordable
  • Sleek design
  • Perfect for getting out thick undercoat

Negatives:

  • Handle may fall off

Bottom Line:

If you don’t need the fancy Furminator name, this rake is an excellent choice for removing hair from dogs with thick fur without using any blades to cut the fur out.

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#13 – PawsPamper Extra-Wide Undercoat Rake for Medium to Large Dogs


This curved undercoat rake is ideal for snagging undercoat and pulling it out of large dogs with thick hair without damaging the topcoat. This tool is ideal for dogs with long, thick hair and comes in various blade counts to accommodate thicker or thinner hair.

Price: $$

Color Options: None

Sizing Options: 13 blades, 20 blades, 32 blades

Pluses:

  • Sturdy
  • Most dogs tolerate it well
  • Works well on many coat types

Negatives:

  • Not for short-haired dogs
  • Slightly expensive

Bottom Line:

For large dogs with long, thick hair, this tool is a must-have to remove as much undercoat as possible from your dog’s coat. The blades help grab and pull out undercoat that isn’t quite ready to shed yet, which helps prevent shedding in the days to come after using the tool.

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Bonus Tip for Dealing with a Shedding Dog

As I’ve mentioned previously, the best de-shedding tool for removing loose hair from your dog isn’t a brush at all, it’s a high-velocity dog dryer. The K-9 III Dog Grooming Dryer is somewhat like a shop vac in reverse, and it blasts water, hair, and debris off your dog rather than using heat to dry them.

If possible, you will want to use this dryer outside or in a garage, because hair and water blasting all over the place can make one heck of a mess!

The more undercoat your dog has, the stronger the dryer you will want. In fact, you should buy the strongest dog hair dryer you can afford to blast out the maximum amount of undercoat and reduce the amount of time you need to spend brushing your dog.

Excessive brushing can damage your dog’s skin, so blasting out the undercoat is gentler on your dog’s skin.

best shedding tools for dogs

How to Use a High-Velocity Dog Hair Dryer 

To get your dog used to the sound and pressure of high-velocity de-shedding, you should start with the nozzle off and the dryer on the lowest setting. Aim the air toward the back end of your dog’s body to let them get used to it as you gradually increase the pressure and put the nozzle back on.

To blast undercoat off of your dog’s body, get the dryer nozzle as close to your dog’s skin as they will tolerate. This will blast out the maximum amount of hair in the shortest amount of time.

The force of a high-velocity dryer can harm your dog’s sensitive spots, so be sure to take the nozzle off or hold the dryer far away from your dog’s anus, face, and ears.

Another tip for getting as much hair as possible out of your dog is to use conditioner when you wash them.

If you use a rinse-out conditioner after shampooing your dog, make sure you rinse them THOROUGHLY. Any trace amounts of shampoo or conditioner left in your dog’s fur can cause dander-like flakes at best and severe skin issues (including a staph bacterial infection) at worst.

With or without a rinse-out conditioner, you can spray on a leave-in conditioner after towel-drying your dog and before starting the dryer.

Either type of conditioner helps make the hair more “slippery,” so the undercoat will slide out of your dog’s fur more easily during the drying and brushing processes.

Dealing with Mats in Dogs – What Areas are Most Likely to Mat?

Despite your best efforts, your dog may wind up with mats. Some areas of your dog are more likely to develop mats than others, including the armpits, behind the ears, in the tail, around the butt, and between the pads of your dog’s feet.

Several of these areas are also the most dangerous to try to brush mats out, so you’ll want to focus your brushing on these areas to reduce the odds of mats forming.

On all dog breeds, the area that is the most likely to get matted is behind the ears. There are several reasons for this, including:

  • Dogs love being scratched there, either by you or their own back foot
  • It’s an easy spot to miss while brushing
  • Collars tend to rub on that area, especially nylon collars. Rolled leather collars are a great option to help reduce behind-the-ear mats

If you catch a mat behind the ears when it’s still small and not right next to the skin, you may be able to brush out the mat.

However, it is extremely easy to cut, scrape, or irritate your dog in this area when attempting to brush out mats, so it’s usually best to use clippers with a #10 blade to shave the mat out. You will need to shave underneath the mat – you can’t just try to cut through the middle of it.

Another place that gets matted easily is the hair between your dog’s paw pads. It’s not really a place you can brush, and most dogs benefit from having that hair shaved anyway so they don’t slip on hard floors.

If the hair between the paw pads gets matted, the only thing you can do is to use clippers to scoop between the paw pads and shave the mats out. You can easily nick your dog doing this, so it may be a task best left to a professional groomer.

Armpits are another area that should be shaved rather than dematted. Due to the folds of skin in the armpits, trying to brush out mats is not recommended. You should use clippers to gently shave mats out of armpits.

Want some tips on how to properly clip your dog at home? Check out our guide to the best dog grooming clippers!

When to Demat and When to Shave

When to Demat and When to Shave

As a dog groomer, I lived by the motto, “Humanity before vanity.” Sometimes, dematting a dog would be so painful that the most humane thing to do is to shave the mats out and start all over.

How do you know when it’s OK to demat and when you should shave? Here are some tips:

Safe to demat:

  • The mat is at least half an inch away from the dog’s skin
  • The matted area is no larger than the size of a dollar bill

Demat with caution:

  • Matting is next to the skin in a very small area that’s safe to demat
  • Matting covers an area larger than a dollar bill but less than 1/4 of your dog

Shave instead of dematting:

  • The mat is a hard lump
  • Matting covers more than 1/4 of your dog
  • The matting is between the paw pads, in the armpits, behind the ears, or in the sanitary area
  • Your dog hates the dematting process

Dematting Dog Hair Tips and Tricks

Now it’s time to go over how to remove mats from your dogs safely.

Dematting or conditioning sprays

Adding a lubricating agent like a conditioning or dematting spray can help reduce the amount of friction between the matted hairs. Rub the product into the mat and gently pull it apart with your fingers before brushing out what’s left of the mat afterward.

Layer brushing

For matting that’s right next to the dog’s skin, layer brushing is usually the best technique to remove mats. This is especially the case for dogs where the topcoat has been well brushed out, but the hair next to the skin has been neglected.

To layer brush, you’ll want to hold up the hair covering the bottom of the mat with your non-dominant hand so that it’s out of the way while you use a slicker brush to tackle the bottom of the mat and move north as you demat each layer.

This method of dematting can cause brush burn and irritate your dog’s skin, so be especially careful with this method of dematting.

Pick at it with a comb

For small pin mats, a simple metal comb should be enough to pick out the mat. Use the corner of the comb to gently tease the mat apart while holding the base of your dog’s hair so you aren’t pulling on their skin.

Best Dematting tools

Dematting tools are made of blades in various shapes and sizes to slice through mats that can’t be brushed out. There are several different types of dematting tools with various purposes and best uses.

  • mat splitter is basically a skinny blade on a handle. You can slide this blade between your dog’s skin and the mat, then bring it toward you to slice through the mat. You need to be very careful with this tool because it’s easy to cut yourself or your dog with this blade.
  • A mat-remover is the best dematting tool for all-around use. You use a twisting motion with your wrist to pick apart mats from the top of the mat to the bottom. While the curved blades are unlikely to cut your dog, it is still possible to cut them or yourself, so use with caution.
  • A comb-style dematter with longer teeth is best for removing mats in longer hair caused by a buildup of undercoat. Again, be careful with this tool.
  • A rake-style dematter with long teeth is ideal for dogs with very thick undercoat like Newfies and Great Pyrenees. A word to the wise – if this tool falls, don’t try to catch it! I once saw a groomer slice his hand and fingers open doing that.

When is it Safe to Demat After the Bath?

Generally, you will want to demat your dog before the bath, since water makes mats worse. There is one exception to this rule, however. Remember the high-velocity dryer I mentioned when I talked about deshedding? This same tool can be used to blast apart mats and make them easier to demat after the bath.

NOTE: A regular dryer will not accomplish these results; it MUST be a high-velocity dryer.

Here’s how to use a high-velocity dryer to loosen mats:

  • Before the bath, use the dryer very close to your dog’s skin to loosen the mats as much as possible.
  • After washing your dog with a gentle shampoo, apply a rinse out conditioner and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
  • While your dog soaks in the conditioner, use your fingers to pull all the mats apart as much as you can. The smaller you can make the mats, the easier they will be to brush out after the bath.
  • Rinse your dog thoroughly. Don’t leave any conditioner residue, as it can irritate your dog’s skin.
  • Towel dry your dog, then spray on a leave-in conditioner (like this one).
  • Now use the high-velocity dryer near your dog’s skin to blast apart what’s left of the mats. You will still need to do some brushing afterward, but the mats should be much smaller and pulled away from the skin to make the dematting process easier.

You Tell Us

What’s your favorite tool for brushing, de-shedding, or dematting your dog? Did we miss any great dog shedding brush that you just can’t live without? Help out your fellow dog owners by talking about it in the comments below!

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1 thought on “13 Best Dog Brushes for Shedding 2022 (Short, Long, and Thick Hair)”

  1. Hey,
    Jennifer Nelson,

    Great write-ups…really liked the way you explained everything. I really like the way you explained how we should search the theme-based site.I learn a lot of information from this article. all the brush very good.

    Great tips to choose for the dog. I love that. Really thanks for sharing.
    Keep it up.

    Reply

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