Best Brushes For Curly Haired Dogs
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Owning a dog with a curly coat means less shedding, but it also means your furry friend is prone to mats and tangles.
Besides those knots being unsightly, they can also trap bacteria, which causes skin irritation and sores. Curly-haired dogs tend to collect dirt and debris in their coats, making areas around the face and rear smelly as well as unsanitary.
Keeping your dog brushed and free of debris and tangles means fewer trips to the groomer and more money in your pocket.
The key to keeping your curly-haired dog mat-free is having the right tools. For the best results and to keep from having to shave your dog down, you will want a brush specifically made for curly-haired dogs.
Fortunately, we researched and tested a handful of dog brushes to determine which ones work best for curly coats.
Compare Best Brush For Curly Haired Dogs
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How We Tested:
- We purchased six of the best dog brushes for curly coats
- We spent a few hours testing the brushes on several curly-haired dogs
- We did not receive these products in exchange for a favorable review; they were purchased with our own money
Criteria For Review
- Design
- Price
- Durability
- How well it removes mats
- How much hair it grips
- Comfort
Coat Type
Dogs with this coat type may be considered curly-haired, but the amount and tightness of the curl can vary depending on the breed of the dog. Dogs with curly coats are considered low-shedding, but are not necessarily easy to maintain. As mentioned, dirt and debris can get caught in the coat, only to remain there until brushed or washed out.
Breeds like Poodles and Bicho Frise are some of the more popular curly-haired dogs. The Welsh terrier, Airedale terriers, Portuguese water dogs, and American water spaniel are just a few others.
The 6 Best Brushes For Curly Haired Dogs Reviewed
HappyDogz Magic Pro Deshedding Tool
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Reduce shedding by up to 95%
- Stainless steel shedding blades designed for medium to large or small to medium dogs with long and short hair
- Has an ergonomically designed handle to reduce hand fatigue
- Affordable
- Not specifically designed for a certain breed, size or coat type, so it may not work as well on dogs with specific grooming needs
The HappyDogz Magic Pro Deshedding Tool does a great job of reducing shed fur by up to 95% in just minutes and helps promote healthy blood flow. The deshedder brush has been tried, tested, and proven by numerous, dogs, cats, pet owners and professional pet groomers.
Pet Republique Slicker Brush
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Reduces shedding
- Self cleaning
- Smooths and de-mats hair
- 30 day money back guarantee
- Bristles maybe too sharp for some animals
The ergonomic, rubber handle and heavy plastic material makes it very durable. This brush can be used on dogs and cats and has a self-cleaning one-push button feature, making clean up a breeze.
Paws & Pals De-Shedding Tool
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Works great on all coat types
- Helps prevent mats, knots and tangles
- Reasonably priced
- Plastic feels cheap and flimsy
- Rubber handle needs better grip
The rubber comfort grip handle is designed to fit easily in your hand for maximum control while using. It does have a release button for removing the brush head for cleaning purposes.
ConairPRO Dog Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Great for short and curly coats
- Hand held grip design
- Helps distribute oils
- Budget friendly
- Plastic is hard on fingers and palm
- Brush size is small
This brush features a hand held grip so that your fingers can hold the brush comfortably in the palm of your hand.
ConairPRO Soft Dog Slicker Brush
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Reinforced gentle tips
- Comfortable gel-grip handle design
- Great for dogs with sensitive skin
- Reasonably priced
- Brush head on the small side
- Tends to pull on hair
- Not effective on thick haired dogs
This brush is great for use around the face and paws and underarm areas. The gel-grip handle offers maximum control and comfort with its soft, non-slip grip.
Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush
Product Info
- Lifestage: Adult
- Material: Plastic
- Great for de-shedding, de-tangling and removing small mats
- Ideal for all types of coats
- Easy to hold onto
- Very sturdy design
- Stainless steel side can come loose
- Bristle side maybe too soft for some coats
- Steel tips might hurt some dogs
The reverse bristle side helps to distribute natural oils to keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny. The handle is rubber coated with an ergonomic grip to make brushing all types of coats easy.
Brush Types For Curly Haired Dogs
Boar Bristle Brush
A boar bristle brush is made to move easily through thick, textured, and curly coats to smooth the hair. This results in a natural, shiny, and healthy coat that is free of tangles and mats. It helps to distribute natural oils while exfoliating the skin and stimulating the circulation of the hair follicles.
Slicker Brushes
Slicker brushes have fine, rounded wires that are close together on a flat surface. This type of brush works with all coat types to remove loose fur and help de-tangle.
Pin Brushes
A lot like the slicker brush, pin brushes are made to penetrate thicker and longer coat types. They can be made of plastic, rubber, metal, or bamboo. Pin brushes look similar to brushes commonly used by people.
Shedding Rake
Do not be fooled by the name; this brush is really just a comb with small, harmless teeth. It is useful on almost every coat type to remove loose hair.
Grooming Tips
Two inches is the general recommended length for a curly-haired dog’s coat. Any longer than that could mean your dog’s hair is at risk of excess dust, dirt, and debris. Brushing your dog daily will keep his coat clean and prevent mats from developing. Knots and tangles are easily avoided with regular grooming, especially around the ears, in the armpits, or along the back of the legs.
Dogs with shorter coats may require less frequent brushing. However, daily brushing of any dog will cut down dramatically on the amount of loose hair and dog dander floating around the home and will also cut down on the amount of hair that the dog swallows while self-grooming. All curly-haired dogs can benefit from these basic grooming tips:
- Brush daily
- Remove thick tangles and mats with scissors
- Bathe every 2 to 3 weeks with shampoo specifically for dogs
- Towel dry after bath, then brush while damp
- Dry completely with blow-dryer
- Brush again from the skin outward
Challenges
Brushing a curly-haired dog is much more challenging than brushing a straight-coat dog. Dogs with curly coats usually have thick and soft curls close to the body, and removing mats can be difficult, especially if you have a dog who will not stand still.
Sensitive dogs will not be happy if you are pulling on their coats and may refuse to cooperate. This can be alleviated by offering treats and working in small sections.
Curly coats can be trimmed regularly to keep the coat at a length you are willing to maintain. Although you can learn to trim your dog’s hair, most owners rely on a professional groomer for trims.
Final Thoughts
A curly-haired dog should be brushed at least once a day, which means you need to have a brush or two on hand. This is mainly to keep their hair from forming knots and tangles, as well as keep it soft. And while a dog with curly hair may seem like high maintenance, they shed little, if at all, which means less cleaning up around the house.
