Shedding · Brush guide
Best Brush for Dog Shedding: Right for the Coat, and Which to Skip
Quick answer: the best dog shedding brush depends on the coat. Smooth coats need a rubber brush or mitt. Medium-to-long double coats need an undercoat rake, a slicker and a metal comb.
Short double coats, like Labs, start with a rubber brush and a bristle brush. Long coats need a slicker and a long-toothed comb. Curly coats need a slicker and comb first.
Heads up: we sell the Complete Shedding Set mentioned here.
You brushed for twenty minutes. The brush filled up twice. An hour later there is still a fur drift under the table.
Often the brush suits a different coat. A rubber brush skims over a thick undercoat. A rake does little on a smooth coat.
Who this is for: shedding-dog owners who want one clear answer on which brush to buy and which to skip.
What is the best brush for dog shedding?
The one built for your dog’s coat. No single brush suits every dog, so match the tool to the coat type below.
The AKC says to choose a brush by your dog’s size, breed and coat type.
| Coat | Examples | Start with | Skip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth or short | Pointers, boxers | Rubber curry brush or grooming mitt, then a bristle brush | Undercoat rake |
| Double coat, medium to long | Huskies, malamutes, German shepherds | Undercoat rake, slicker brush, metal comb | Rubber brush alone |
| Double coat, short | Labs | Rubber curry brush, then a stiff bristle brush or comb | A large, long-pin rake |
| Long coat | Collies | Long-toothed comb and slicker, pin brush to finish | Rubber brush alone |
| Curly, low shedding | Poodles | Slicker brush and a comb | Deshedding blade |
| Wire coat | Wiry, coarse-haired dogs | Slicker brush, pin brush for tangles | Pressing hard |
Rubber bristles “won’t penetrate through long or thick coats,” the AKC says. Rakes are for double coats, with pin length matched to coat length.
The AKC breed page calls the Lab’s coat “a thick, water-repellant double coat that sheds” in its profile.
Brush types, one line each:
- Slicker. Fine wire pins angled to avoid the skin. Lifts loose hair and tangles.
- Pin brush. A finishing brush for long coats.
- Bristle brush. Lifts loose hair and dander on short coats. Adds shine to double coats.
- Rubber curry brush or mitt. Flexible rubber for short coats. Most work wet or dry, the AKC says.
- Undercoat rake. One or two rows of metal pins that reach the undercoat.
- Deshedding tool. A fine-toothed edge for loose undercoat. Its maker says skip non-shedding breeds.
Before you buy, check what the AKC lists: a size that fits your dog, a comfortable grip and easy cleaning. Some slickers retract their pins to self-clean.
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How do I know if my dog has a double coat?
Part the fur down to the skin. A soft, woolly layer under longer outer hairs means a double coat.
VCA describes outer guard hairs over “a fine undercoat of soft hairs” underneath. That undercoat is what comes out in clumps.
No woolly layer, and short hair lying flat? You likely have a smooth coat. Many short-haired breeds lack a distinct undercoat and shed lightly all year, VCA says.
Still unsure? Our free dog coat quiz takes a couple of minutes.
When is an undercoat rake the wrong brush?
On smooth coats, curly coats that barely shed, and tight mats. A large rake suits medium-to-long coats, not short ones.
- Smooth coats. There is no undercoat for the teeth to catch. A rubber brush or mitt does the job better.
- Curly, low-shedding coats. VCA says slicker brushes work well for curly, non-shedding coats, like poodles. Add a comb.
- Doodles and curly mixes. Curly coats with no undercoat rarely need a rake. Some doodle mixes do have undercoat, so check the coat, or ask your groomer.
- Short double coats. Labs do better with rubber and bristle first.
- Tight mats. Never force a rake through them. Tight mats close to the skin need a groomer.
Want the full rake how-to? Our undercoat rake guide covers technique, strokes and sore spots step by step.
Do deshedding brushes actually work?
They can pull out a lot of loose undercoat on dogs that shed. They do not stop a dog from shedding.
The FURminator maker says its deshedding tool should not be used on non-shedding breeds. It also rules out pets with particularly sensitive skin.
The same maker says to brush out mats and tangles first. Using the tool on matted fur can feel uncomfortable for the pet.
Online, owners argue about coat damage from bladed tools. That is opinion, not proof. Light pressure and short sessions are the safe default.
Does brushing your dog actually help with shedding?
Brushing does not stop shedding. It catches loose hair on the brush instead of on your floor.
VCA says daily brushing will “dramatically reduce the amount of loose hair and dog dander floating around the home.”
What is the best way to brush a shedding dog?
Clear tangles first, then lift loose undercoat, then smooth the top, then check with a comb. Keep pressure light throughout.
- Check for tanglesRun a slicker or comb over the coat. Look behind ears, armpits and the backs of legs, where VCA says tangles form.
- Work the undercoatOn medium-to-long double coats, rake small sections in the direction the hair grows. Stop if your dog flinches or moves away.
- Smooth the topcoatFollow with a slicker, using a light touch. The AKC warns hard pressure can cause discomfort.
- Do the comb testRun a metal comb through. If it snags, you found a tangle the brush missed.
Any metal comb with fine and wide teeth works.
Brush outside or on a hard floor. Shedding season hair travels.
What do groomers use to deshed?
Our sources name a slicker, an undercoat rake and a long-toothed comb. Heavy undercoat also gets a bath in the spring or fall shed.
VCA says long-toothed combs with offset tines help clear clumps of loose undercoat during seasonal shedding.
Brush tangles out before the bath, VCA adds. Tangles can become impossible to remove after it.
In a Reddit thread for professional groomers, slickers and combs come up again and again. That is community talk, not a study.
How often should I brush a shedding dog?
Long, silky and curly coats need daily brushing, says VCA. Short coats may need less. Brush more in heavy shedding seasons.
For deshedding tools, follow the maker’s guide. FURminator suggests one to two sessions a week, 10 to 20 minutes each.
Dog hates the brush? Keep early sessions to a minute or two, pair them with treats, and stop before the wriggling starts.
Got a puppy? Start brushing right away with a soft brush, the AKC advises, so they learn to enjoy it.
Should I shave my double-coated dog to cut down on hair?
Talk to your groomer or vet first. VCA warns some plush-coated dogs regrow hair slowly after clipping.
VCA calls post-clipping alopecia a rare complication, mostly in plush coats like huskies and Pomeranians. Regrowth can be delayed for up to two years.
If your dog’s coat is cut, VCA says to leave at least one inch to avoid sun damage.
What should you avoid with any shedding brush?
Don’t force tools through mats, press hard, or bathe a tangled coat. Don’t use a deshedding blade on low-shedding breeds.
- Forcing mats. Tight mats need a groomer. VCA says severe tangles call for a groomer or your vet.
- Heavy pressure. Let the tool do the work. Stop if your dog flinches or pulls away.
- Chasing a hair target. There is no right amount of fur to remove. Stop when your dog has had enough, not when the brush comes up clean.
People also ask
What brush is best for a short-haired dog that sheds a lot?
Start with a rubber curry brush, or a soft rubber grooming mitt. The AKC suggests following with a bristle brush to lift the loosened hair away.
How much shedding is normal?
Heavy seasonal sheds are normal for double coats, often twice a year, VCA says. Patchy or symmetrical hair loss may not be normal, the Merck Veterinary Manual says, so see your vet.
Is a FURminator better than an undercoat rake?
They work differently, and each suits certain coats. Our undercoat rake vs FURminator guide compares them using each maker’s own guidance.
Can I use the same brush on my dog and cat?
Sometimes. A rake can suit dogs and cats with thick coats and undercoat. Coat condition matters more than breed alone.
Michael Northcutt, PhD
Certified Pet Therapy Specialist · Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapist (CCAT) · AAPT Certification Board Member
Michael has 14 years in animal-assisted care, companion-animal rehabilitation and welfare-centered handling. He writes for owners who want clearer decisions and easier daily routines. His focus is animal comfort and honest product limits. He is not a veterinarian.
Sources
- American Kennel Club, AKC Staff. How to Choose the Right Dog Brushes
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Courtney Barnes, DVM, and others. Grooming and Coat Care for Your Dog
- FURminator. Frequently Asked Questions
- American Kennel Club. Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Information
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Karen A. Moriello. Dermatological Problems in Animals
Paw Pampering sells the Complete Shedding Set mentioned here. Reddit comments are community opinion, not proof. This guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian.