If you’ve adopted a Goldendoodle or are planning on bringing one into your family, then you’re probably doing your research to see how best to care for your new friend. Due to their thick, curly fur, Goldendoodles have special needs for their coat maintenance, and that makes finding the best brush for Goldendoodle an important step when welcoming them into your family.
Quick Picks: The 5 Top-Rated Dog Brushes for Goldendoodle
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Check our best pick above, or keep reading for product reviews and buying guide!
Best Brush for Goldendoodle Reviews
1. FURminator Firm Grooming Slicker Brush for Clean Healthy Coats
The Furminator is a variation on the standard slicker brush. It has types of bristles, one with straight bristles and bent bristles on the other. The straight bristles are meant to work as a standard brush while the bent bristles help with detangling matted curls.
It is meant mostly for everyday grooming and brushing and can do that job well, although there are some difficulties with using it as a detangler since other parts of the brush can get caught in the non-tangled curls.
Pros:
- Ergonomic handle helps to hold the brush during long brushing sessions
- The design of the pin areas are designed to minimize pressure on your dog’s skin
- Two types of bristles allow you to work on both groomed and matted fur with a single brush
Cons:
- The two sides are split with paddles designed to minimize pressure but can complicate brushing and make it more difficult to clean the brush.
- The bent wires can be caught in the curls while brushing out a tangle in the coat.
- The straight wires are easily bent out of shape.
2. Pro Slicker Brush
The Pro Slicker Brush is a standard shape for slicker brushes with a single side featuring straight bristles of medium sturdiness.
They are designed to flow with your dog’s curls without tangling or pulling but by providing a smooth massaging motion. It can detangle some mats and tangles, but is best for daily use and can help with deshedding the undercoat.
Pros:
- It is able to go through the curls without irritating the skin underneath.
- Has a lightweight, ergonomic design to help new pet owners learn how to hold the brush properly while grooming.
- The massaging design helps many dogs relax and enjoy the grooming session, even if they often show anxiety at being brushed.
Cons:
- The rubber exterior of the handle is shorter than the plastic inside, which can cause the handle to separate with heavy use.
- The sharp needles can pierce the skin and draw blood.
- 1/4 inch bristles can have difficulty with reaching the undercoat through thick or curly hair on top.
3. Pro Quality Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
The Pro Quality Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is designed by grooming professionals for pet owners. It is especially useful for pet owners who do not enjoy manually pulling fur and hair out of the bristles after a grooming session, to clean, you press a button and retract the bristles, allow the fur to be easily wiped away.
The bristles are made of steel and lock into place when you are ready to brush your Goldendoodle.
Pros:
- The button to retract and expand the bristles is controlled with a single button that does not need to be held down.
- The bristles are long enough to reach into the undercoat for a full brushing.
- The brush is designed to be used with minimal effort on your part and for maximum comfort to your dog.
Cons:
- The metal bristles can cause skin irritation on shorter haired dogs so you should take care when using it on more sensitive areas of your dog’s body.
- The bristles can bend when tangled into the fur.
4. SAFARI Plastic Pin and Bristle Combo Dog Brush
This is a dual-sized brush for Goldendoodles with a standard pin side to brush and detangle your dog’s curly coat and a bristle side to redistribute the coat’s natural oils for a shinier, healthier appearance.
Smooth pin edge makes them less sharp than on a straight-edged brush, which can be helpful for dogs with sensitive skin.
Pros:
- The pin side is more comfortable than non-rounded metal bristles for dogs with anxiety or for brushing sensitive areas of the body
- Relatively easy to clean of loose hair on both sides
- Helps redistribute the skin’s natural oils
Cons:
- Some of the pins can come loose or fall out after use.
- The black bristle side can get caught and bend without reaching into the undercoat.
5. Chris Christensen Oval Pin Brush
The Chris Christensen Oval Brush has stainless steel pins with smoothed ends that can brush into the Goldendoodle coat without irritating the skin, especially when the curls have become matted or tangled.
It can easily brush both curly and wavy fur, which is helpful with a Goldendoodle since they have both fur types often on the same dog.
- You can run the brush over your own arm and not feel a scratch, which is also a major bonus for your dog.
- The stainless steel pins are spaced far enough apart to make it easy to clean.
- Can work on both curly and wavy fur with equal success
Cons:
- The soft pin pad can cause pins to come loose or fall out.
- The brush can have trouble undoing debris and packed dirt from a dog’s coat.
- The straight, beechwood handle lacks the ergonomic design of some other brush handles.
How to Brush a Goldendoodle at Home?
One issue many groomers see with Goldendoodles when they are taken in for professional grooming is that there hasn’t been enough done to care for their coats at home, leaving them matted and unkempt when they finally arrive for professional help. Imagine if you went to the hair stylist for a cut and haven’t combed or brushed your hair in two months!
This YouTube video, done by a professional groomer, gives a step by step description on Murray, a well-groomed Goldendoodle, of how you can keep your dog’s coat in top condition between grooming sessions. It’s a little long but gives enough detail that you’ll be able to keep your Goldendoodle in tip-top shape, saving everyone, including your dog, stress, and worry at the groomers.
Goldendoodle Coat Types
Since a Goldendoodle is a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle, their hair is a combination of both breeds. Some will have straight, wavy fur very like a golden retriever which needs to be kept brushed and combed to avoid mats, while others will have short curls all over their body like a poodle, and anything in between.
You should brush your dog every day, keep the coat trimmed, and clip or grind their nails regularly. The Goldendoodle’s coat has multiple layers so you will need to brush not just the top layer but also down to the undercoat.
Tangles and Mats
The curlier the coat, the more attention it will need. Curly hair should be kept neatly trimmed especially around the face and legs to avoid tangles and mats, which take a lot of time and effort to untangle. They might even need to be shaved off with a clipper tool.
If you try to brush them out yourself, be aware that mats are very sensitive against your dog’s skin and your dog may become jumpy or anxious if you pull at them with a brush. Take your time and go gently. Just think of how you might feel if someone tried to pull at your tangled hair rapidly with a brush because your dog will be feeling the same way, and have a hard time understanding it.
Tips for Brushing a Goldendoodle at Home
Since Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic and don’t shed, their coats require special attention. The lack of shedding and the curls make it easier for the fur to mat, which can be painful and unsightly.
Don’t Forget Hidden Areas
The ears, genitals, legs, and underbelly are some of the biggest problem areas. Hair continues to grow under the ears and is easily overlooked by a casual grooming session at home, which may focus on the areas that you see.
Regular Grooming Prevent Skin Infections
Grooming should take place no less than every other day. If you don’t groom your Goldendoodle regularly, then not only can their fur become matted, but you also will be allowing dirt to accumulate in those beautiful golden curls and rub against your dog’s skin. Over time, this can also lead to skin infections.
Make It Daily Routine
This may sound like a major commitment, but as long as you do it regularly as part of your dog’s daily routine, it won’t take up as much time as letting mats and tangles accumulate. To help you remember, it might be useful to incorporate this into your dog’s regular day at a set time, such as after dinner or before you put your puppy to bed.
Give Positive Reinforcement
Luckily, Goldendoodles usually have an excellent temperament and are eager to please. If you give your dog plenty of positive reinforcement early on, they will accept the daily brushing as a chance to bond with their human partners, and it can be a wonderful experience for both of you.
Different Types of Brushes for a Goldendoodle
Slicker Brush
A standard slicker brush can handle most daily grooming needs. Since it will be getting a lot of use, you may want to invest in a quality brush that will do the job quickly and easily. These are usually rectangular brushes with a slight curve or angle above the handle and several pins grouped together in rows to brush through your dog’s coat.
Detangling Comb/ Pin Brush
A detangling comb and a pin brush are both used to ease out tangles in your Goldendoodle’s fur. The comb has a handle and a comb edge at the top which you can use to slowly work your way through tangled curls. A pin brush works the same way and looks a lot like a traditional brush for humans. The pins are usually softer and more pliable than the pins on a slicker brush which makes it less painful for your dog as you work through the tangles.
De-Shedding Tool
A de-shedding tool is not needed for a Goldendoodle the same way that it is for other breeds with fur that sheds regularly. However, since the undercoat does not shed this tool can be very helpful in preventing matting and tangles from developing underneath the curly or wavy top layer of fur.
You may want to check with your dog’s vet or groomer to see if they need it, but if they do recommend it, then the de-shedding tool will be more of an occasional tool in the toolbox, and not a regular brush like the slicker.
Final Thoughts
All of these brushes will be effective at helping your Goldendoodle have a bright, shiny coat free of mats and tangles when they are playing at the dog park or visiting the groomer. However, the best brush for Goldendoodle would be the Chris Christensen Oval Pin Brush.
Its evenly spaced, stainless steel pins can easily glide through both curly and wavy-coated Goldendoodle hair, preventing tangles and lightly undoing mats when they form. With soft edges, you can also safely and painlessly brush the most sensitive areas that form mats including the ears, underbelly, and behind the legs.
Even though it is not a slicker brush, it can be used the same way for daily brushing, with the added bonus of being effective at safely removing tangles and mats from the fur without stressing the skin or agitating your dog unnecessarily. If you want an all-around brush for your Goldendoodle that will be durable for years to come, it is going to be worth the investment to have this brush.