The 9 Best Dog Brushes of 2020

When it comes to dog brushes, the Furminator has a cult-like following. If you own a dog, you’ve probably been told this is a life-changing tool—and we agree. This de-shedder safely cuts through your dog’s topcoat and gets to his undercoat, catching and eliminating loose, dead hairs before they fly off. It comes in five sizes, ranging from extra-small to giant, and in both short and long-haired versions—so you can customize it to suit your dog. Plus, the “FURejector” button allows you to dispose of the fur with the touch of a button. The Furminator should only be used on shedding breeds with an undercoat​ and can cause irritation for sensitive skin. When in doubt, ask your vet.

The makers of the Furminator claim using it can decrease shedding by up to 90%—and with over 10,000 5-star reviews, we’d say owners agree. One reviewer says the Furminator was seemingly sent by “aliens in the future,” while another calls it the best invention ever made. If you’re hunting for a tool to stop (or at least massively reduce) shedding, this is it.

The Safari Pin & Bristle Brush is a two-in-one brush that is perfect for dogs with medium, smooth hair. A bristle brush helps to remove dead fur and stimulate skin on dogs with shorter fur, while a pin brush is a great tool for pups with medium-length fur (and for overall finishing on coats of all types). The Safari brush offers both, making it a great tool for dogs with short to medium-length hair that’s not prone to excess tangling. It comes in medium and large, depending on the size of your pup, and features a comfort grip handle. Plus, at just over 4 ounces, the brush itself is light and painless to use, even when your dog begs you not to stop.

A rake is designed to penetrate extremely thick fur and remove tangles from your dog’s undercoat. The Hattiko Pet Dematting Tool Set is a good choice for breeds that require a little extra grooming, such as German Shepherds and Chow Chows. This rake has one side with 12 stainless steel teeth and another with 23, allowing you to pull up loose hairs from deep below and sweep them away instantly. The brush is strong and powerful but not sharp, so it won’t cause irritation to the skin. It also features a comfortable non-slip handle. When buying a dog brush rake, look for teeth that are roughly the same length as your pup’s fur to avoid scratching the skin. The Hattiko is perfect for medium-length fur.

Hattiko owners appreciate the tool’s sharp-but-safe teeth and its ability to truly cut through mats and tangles. A rake isn’t for every dog, but it can be a great tool in fighting unruly and hard-to-manage fur.

Small dogs need to be groomed just as much as their larger counterparts, but oversized brushes can be painful for little bodies. The Pawpetjoy Slicker Brush is perfect for miniature breeds like Yorkies and mini poodles. Slicker brushes are one of the most popular dog fur tools because they’re versatile and easy to use. This brush works best on short to medium-length hair, both straight and curly. A slicker brush is ideal for getting out small tangles or mats, but isn’t as effective for pulling out the undercoat. The Pawypetjoy brush is 6.3” x 1” x 2.4” and easy to use.

If you’ve found large dog brushes uncomfortable and stressful for your smaller breed pup, this is a great alternative. Owners love that the Pawypetjoy is comfortable for their dogs—many also note the effectiveness of the brush’s swivel head, which locks into place as needed, allowing owners to reach around limbs and bellies.

Whether your dog loves them or hates them, baths help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy, shiny and stink-free. The Bodhi Dog Curry Comb is a great accessory for bath time. A curry brush helps to remove dirt and dander from your dog, allowing you to scrub his skin thoroughly and safely both in the bath and out. It’s made from rubber and features a handle so you can easily scrub your dog down, even when he’s trying to escape the bathtub. Because it’s not made to pull out dead fur, it works for all skin and fur types, even those with sensitive or delicate coats. It measures 3.5” x 5.125” and weighs just 4 ounces. Plus, every purchase comes with a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not totally satisfied — but even pups who despise bathtime will love the gentle massage the brush provides.  

A bristle brush is best for dogs with short or wiry coats, and our pick in this category is the Greenbone Bamboo Pet Grooming Brush. Made with a sustainable bamboo handle and soft, natural bristles, this brush works to keep your short-haired dog’s coat soft and manageable without causing damaging to sensitive skin. It has an ergonomic handle for comfort, and at just over 3 ounces, is incredibly lightweight and easy to use.

Though the Greenbone may not remove a lot of excess dead fur, it’s a great choice for keeping your wiry or short-haired dog’s fur clean and soft. Because short-haired breeds rarely suffer from excess shedding, they don’t need a harsh de-shedding tool.

The slicker brush is one of the most popular dog brushes out there, but we think Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is a cut above the rest. This brush is ideal for dogs with medium or long hair, and works to keep fur soft and remove mats. This brush has fine bent wires to safely but effectively remove dead fur and gently reach the undercoat to grab hair before it ends up on your couch. Made from durable plastic, the Hertzko is 5.8” x 3” x 10” and weighs 6.4 ounces. The best part? This brush features a self-cleaning button that instantly releases dead fur without needing to pull it out.

Reviewers love that it doesn’t scrape their dog’s skin or tug too hard at their fur, and they appreciate how easy and sanitary it is to dispose of the loose hair once grooming is done.

Using a glove to groom your dog is like giving him a warm hug while simultaneously cleaning up his messy coat. Simply slip it on your hand and let the Delomo Gentle Deshedding Glove’s 255 silicone grooming tips gently pull away loose hairs while giving your pet a massage he’ll adore. Ideal for both long, short and curly-haired pups, the glove’s material causes fur to cling to its surface, reducing flyaway fluff and making cleanup a breeze.

Customers say that their dogs instantly go into their “happy dance” whenever they see the Delomo glove come out—they couldn’t be happier to get their next massage, while their owners couldn’t be happier to see their home returned to a clean, fur-free zone.

Matting is more than just a cosmetic issue for your pet. It can cause irritated skin and make your dog bite himself out of discomfort—and worst of all, it won’t go away on its own. You need a tool like this one from Pet Republique to take care of the uncomfortable knots in your dog’s fur, with serrated teeth specially designed for removing mats from even the longest coats. While the tool’s blades are sharp on one side, they’re rounded on the other, ensuring your pet stays safe while you remove the mats from their coat.

Reviewers compare the Pet Republique Dematting Tool to a “comb on steroids,” adding that it does a great job of getting at even the toughest, most matted undercoats. As an added bonus, the company also donates 15% of its profits to the American Animal Rescue Society.