Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush Review

We purchased the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush so our writer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

Brushing a dog’s fur is an essential part of regular grooming and especially important for breeds with longer coats. Regular brushing removes loose hair and tangles, prevents matting, and helps keep a dog’s fur looking clean, shiny, and healthy. A good brushing session also helps control shedding and doubles as a doggie massage, making the process enjoyable and relaxing for your four-legged pals.

The brush or comb used depends on the type of dog and fur. Slicker brushes, which have very short, fine wire bristles, are useful for working through thicker coats of medium and long-haired dogs and removing mats. 

Because the bristles are sharp and close together, these brushes are usually tough to clean, and the bristles are prone to bending and breaking. The Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush solves this problem with the press of a button to retract the bristles, making it easier to remove the brush's fur and hair.

Size: Too large to use on hard to reach spots

Hertzko offers the brush in two sizes: small and regular. We tested the small size, which has a bulky, wide brush head. The brush measures about 7-inches long, and the brush head is 5-inches wide by 2.5 inches deep. 

Our tester dog was Max, a large, long-haired goldendoodle that weighs over 80-pounds. His coat is medium length and loosely wavy with areas of tight curls. The brush was appropriately sized for going over his back and torso, but the brush's head was too wide for more challenging to reach spots like around his ears, the inside of his hindquarters, and around his face.

Effectiveness: Helped loosen some mats

We used the slicker brush on Max both before and after a haircut. It seemed to work best when his coat was shorter. The bristles didn’t seem long enough to penetrate through his long coat before trimming. It didn’t feel or look like we were reaching the undercoat as the product description promised. 

We had better luck reaching his undercoat when we brushed in the opposite direction of hair growth, but the dog didn't seem to like that. Max gets matted fur on the inside of his legs and around his neck. The brush helped loosen some of the mats on his neck, making it easier to remove them by hand or with our regular wide-tooth comb. The slicker brush was too bulky to reach inside the dog's legs.

Removing the loose fur on the brush was quick and easy. After we retracted the bristles, the hair wiped right off the brush without a problem—no finger pricks or bent bristles. The fur seemed to stay on the brush head, so loose furballs were not floating around everywhere. 

Max was OK with the brushing process; he didn't stray from his usual—he didn't love it or hate it. As for how he looked, his coat looked cleaner and fluffier.

Durability: Retract button isn’t the smoothest

This brush is pretty sturdy and appears like it will be able to withstand occasional to moderate use. If stored with the bristles retracted, the bristles should last longer than a standard slicker brush and resist bending or breakage.

If you need to use this slicker brush every day, we’re not confident that this retracting button will hold up. The button takes a bit of force to press. While we didn’t experience any problems in our testing, other reviewers have said the button has failed and some users need to keep hold the button while grooming to keep the bristles exposed.

Comfort: A little top heavy 

We found the brush was comfortable to grip with its soft, rubbery gripped handle. The grip is ridged to keep your hand from slipping. There’s also a spot for your thumb that provides added comfort. However, the brush feels top-heavy. If you have sensitive or arthritic wrists, the uneven weight distribution might put added strain on your joints and make the brush uncomfortable to grip. If you’re using the brush just occasionally on troublesome tangles, it shouldn't be bothersome. But long grooming sessions with this brush could get problematic.

Price: On par with the competition

The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush retails for $16. While that price won’t break the bank, it does land on the higher end than other dog brushes and combs. 

You’ll find an assortment of slicker brushes in different sizes for less than $10, but most don’t have a self-cleaning feature. Most slicker brushes with retractable bristles average $15 to $20.

Competition: A variety of bristles for different preferences

Hartz Combo Brush: This dual-ended brush gives you two grooming tools in one. One side is a pin brush with round-tipped stainless steel bristles, and the other side uses nylon bristles. You can start a brushing session with the stainless steel side to help remove loose fur and detangle and then switch to the nylon side to massage and condition the fur as it redistributes the pet’s natural oils. 

The Hartz brush's bristles are spaced farther apart than a slicker style, so it’s easy to remove fur by hand. This brush is also a bit more gentle than a slicker brush. Some reviewers have found it works just fine for removing mats with extra care and patience.

The Bark Shoppe Slicker Brush: A Bark Shoppe brush is a traditional slicker without the self-cleaning feature. This model will help remove mats and tangles from your dog’s fur. The fine wire bristles are similar to the Hertzko, but you’ll have to use your fingers or a comb to help pull accumulated fur from the bristles. This brush costs a few dollars less than the Hertzko, but you have to use caution when cleaning this brush since the bristles are sharp and can bend or break easily.