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There’s a wide variety of double-coated breeds out there, from large Great Pyrenees and Newfoundlands to small Miniature Schnauzers and Pomeranians. The best brushes for these fluffy double-coated dogs will be ones that remove loose strands from their undercoat and prevent mats and tangles.
No matter what kind of double-coated dog you have, short, medium, or long fur, having a regular at-home brushing routine will go a long way toward making your life easier—and your dog more comfortable, as our grooming expert points out.
“Brushing not only helps prevent mats and remove dead hair but also massages the skin and spreads the natural, healthy oils on their skin. It can also be a valuable way to bond with your dog,” says certified fear-free groomer Sarah Cazares.
With this in mind, we’ve rounded up the best brushes for double-coated dogs so you can find what works for your favorite floof.
Best for Deshedding: FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool
There’s a reason the FURminator remains one of the most popular deshedding tools, especially for double-coated dogs. It has tiny razor teeth within its outer comb that collect loose hairs from the undercoat. Handily, it has an eject button to pop out the piles of collected fur as you go. Available in three sizes, it also comes in a long and short-hair version to suit a variety of breeds and coat types.
While this is an effective brush for shedding, it’s also an aggressive tool. “Shedding blades can damage the skin and coat from overuse,” Cazares explains. When using a pet rake like the FURminator, you’ll want to use it once or twice a week during blowout seasons, not daily.
Thoroughly reading the instructions will also ensure you’re using it correctly (only on the undercoat, never the top coat).
Key Features:
- Three sizes: small (1.75″), medium (2.65″), and large (4″)
- Comes in long and short hair versions in each size
- Tiny razor stainless steel teeth trap loose hair
- Eject button cleans the blades of fur
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Best for Daily Use: Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker
Slicker brushes like this one from Hertzko pull loose hair from thick undercoats. They work particularly well on areas where your double-coated dog’s fur is super dense, like their hind quarters. The closely set rows of fine stainless steel pins remove dirt or grime that may have worked its way into the undercoat.
To clean the tool, push the button on the back of this brush, and the pins will retract, leaving a pile of removed fur that you can wipe off and discard. The grippy ergonomic handle also helps to keep you comfortable through long brushing sessions.
Key Features:
- Two sizes: small (3.75″) and regular (5.8″)
- Fine stainless steel pins
- Retractable button cleans teeth
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Best Comb: Shiny Pet Dog Comb
For longer-haired dogs, like Pomeranians and Samoyeds, Cazares advises frequently using a comb in addition to a slicker brush to keep on top of shedding. “It’s also useful to look up video tutorials on ‘line brushing’ to ensure you’re being thorough and efficient with your brushing,” she adds.
This comb by Shiny Pet has two sets of stainless steel teeth, so you can work through different areas, removing loose hair from the undercoat and smoothing the top coat. The teeth are also rounded at the tip, helping to prevent skin irritation. As such, the comb is gentle enough to use daily compared to some detangling tools, like the FURminator and other grooming rakes, which can be rough on your pup’s skin when used too often.
If you frequently have issues with tangles and mats, Cazares also suggests using a detangling spray specifically formulated for dogs, like this one from Burt’s Bees, to tackle difficult spots.
Key Features:
- One size: 7.28″ x 1.85″ x 0.35″
- Two sets of teeth at different widths
- Rounded stainless steel teeth to prevent irritation
- Rubberized back for better grip
Best for Bath Time: KONG Zoom Groom Curry Brush
A rubber curry brush is Cazares’ favorite all-around tool for getting fur up and out of double- and single-coated dogs alike. She also likes them for bath time. “It works great in the bath to thoroughly lather shampoo and conditioner into the skin and coat,” says Cazares. She points out that not all curry brushes are created equally—so you might have to try a couple to see what works for you.
We like this KONG version. With its 3/4-inch rubber nubs, it can really get through the top coat to loosen and draw undercoat hair up and out. The shape also makes it easy to grip, and the nubs gently massage your dog’s skin. Plus, it comes in a puppy size and is easy to clean!
Key Features:
- Sizes: regular (4.75″ x 3″) and puppy (3.75″ x 2.25″)
- 3/4-inch gentle rubber “bristles” gently grab undercoat fur
- Easy-to-grip ridges
- Ideal for lathering in shampoo and conditioner
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Best Grooming Gloves: HandsOn Pet Bathing Gloves
These are like curry brushes in glove form, and some people prefer this style over a brush. One reason why is that using your hand instead of holding a brush can reduce potential muscle strain and fatigue.
With rubber bristles on the palm and fingers, these gloves allow more flexible movement as you groom your pup. Like a curry brush, they’re a good option for bathing, letting you really lather up shampoo and work in conditioner while effectively removing loose undercoat hair. Users report that the hair is easy to remove from the gloves. They also like that you can grab and use other brushes or tools while donning them.
Key Features:
- Five sizes: ranging from junior (under 6″) to extra-large (over 10.5″)
- A wrist strap keeps gloves on
- Rubberized palms and fingers make it easy to grab and hold other tools
- Can be used on wet or dry fur
Best for Puppies and Small Dogs: Burt’s Bees Palm Brush
This compact brush is all-natural, with a bamboo base and hemp fiber bristles. A fabric strap also helps hold the brush on your hand for ease of use. It’s great for smoothing your double-coated dog’s top coat, distributing oils, and removing debris.
The small size of this brush makes it a good choice for puppies and tinier dogs who are still getting used to getting brushed. The simple nature of the brush also works well for pups, as their fuzzy fur likely doesn’t need as much grooming attention as adults.
Key Features:
- One size: 7.09″ x 5.5″ x 1.5″
- Fabric handle and hexagonal shape helps with grip
- Bamboo handle and hemp bristles; partly made with recycled materials
- Small size ideal for smaller dogs and puppies
Best for Detangling and Dematting: Maxpower Planet Double-Sided Rake
The metal teeth on this pet rake do double duty. The nine-toothed side has a sharpened inner edge that will cut through mats and tangles, while the 17-tooth side combs deeply through the undercoat, thinning it and removing loose shedding fur.
The teeth are curved to work smoothly and gently through your double-coated dog’s fur. The rubberized and rounded handle also makes it more comfortable to hold. It comes in multiple colors and two sizes for different-sized pets.
Key Features:
- Two sizes: large (6.6″ x 3.9″) and small (6.6″ x 3″)
- Nine sharpened teeth on one side and 17 teeth on the other
- Rubberized ergonomic handle for easy gripping
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with grooming experts. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
