The 6 Best Dog Hair Brushes Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024
Written By Olivia De Santos | Canine Coach, Professional Writer & Video Content Creator.
Edited & Fact Checked By Renae Soppe | Double B.A Journalism & Science.
Last Updated: 18th January 2024
You likely let your dog’s hair get a little wilder over the winter months. With summer around the corner, it’s time to prep the grooming kit!
Shedding increases dramatically over the warmer half of the year. A good dog brush is the way to cut down on the tufts of shedding hair all over your lovely furniture.
So in today’s article, we’ll break down the very best dog brushes for your dog. After teaming up with veterinarians, groomers, and pet parents, we spent weeks testing out dozens and dozens of dog hair brushes. At this point, we're experts, and want to share our discoveries with you so you can choose the best one for your pooch. We took into account your dog’s coat length, coat type and size to match you with the best dog brush Australia offers. Sound good? Then let’s dive in.
Quick Picks - The Top 3
Our Number 1 Pick -
Sunshine Solution Dog Brush
- Good value for money
- Suits all fur types
- Five interchangeable brush heads for customised grooming
Runner Up -
Dr Zoo Bamboo Grooming Brush
- Well made
- Good value for money
- Dual-sided brush for versatile grooming
Third Choice -
Kazoo Double Sided Combo Brush
- Versatile
- Double-sided
- Good value for money
Australia's Best Dog Brush Reviewed
Now you know all there is to know about the types of dog brushes to look for personalised to your specific dog’s fur coat type. Let’s look at our expert panel's top picks for dog brushes on the Australian market. After lots of research and much deliberation, these are the dog brushes that stood the test and deserve a spot in every dog family's home.
#1: Best Overall: Sunshine Solution Dog Brush
What sets this product apart from the rest?
The Sunshine Solution Dog Brush is a five-in-one extravaganza. Because of the sheer versatility, our team of testers agreed that it tops all dog brushes on the market.
Due to having five interchangeable heads for the brush, you have all of the various types in one. This is the ultimate flexibility in how you use just one tool.
The changeable brush heads include a bristle brush, pin brush, rubber brush, and two rakes for dematting and deshedding.
Because of the various brush head types, this brush suits dogs of all fur types. Short hair, long hair. Curly coats and smooth coats. Double coats and single coats. All dogs of every size and hair type are covered with this simple, economical tool. This sets it well above our second pick, which is really only best for smaller breed dogs. This is also a great option if you have multiple members of your doggy family, each with their own unique grooming needs - this one kit will do it all!
It may be a little annoying to constantly interchange the heads depending on the type of grooming you’re doing. But ultimately, that’s a tiny nitpick. For the price and quality, we're certain the Sunshine Solution brush really is the solution to your grooming woes!
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#2: Budget-Friendly Option: Dr Zoo Bamboo Grooming Brush
On the simpler end, we have the dual-sided Dr Zoo grooming brush. It has the typical bristle side and a pin brush side.
Our team of vets and groomers commented on how great the bristle side is quite wide set. This means it’s relatively gentle on the skin. It will suit short coats and daily use on topcoats. The pin brush is sturdy and can work through thick undercoats.
The brush isn’t too large so I personally wouldn’t recommend it to those with large dog breeds. It may take a long time to brush a St Bernard with this brush! Though the bamboo handle would certainly be up to the task.
The Dr Zoo Bamboo Grooming Brush being tested by our independent expert team.
Best of all, this little brush isn’t too expensive at all. For the tough bamboo quality, it’s very good value for money. Top marks from us!
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#3: Best Dog Brush for Short Hair: Kazoo Double Sided Combo Brush
Short haired dog breeds are quite easy to work with when it comes to grooming. They rarely need daily attention. Even wiry coat breeds can get away with a weekly brush. Our experts note that the biggest issues you may face with short hair are dirt, dander and occasionally tangles with wire coat breeds.
With all this in mind, I recommend the Kazoo combo brush to cover all bases. This follows the normal double-sided model with a pin side and a bristle side, similar to our number two choice. Though there’s one big difference. The bristle side has pin bristles woven into it. The idea is to detangle as well as softly remove dander.
It’s a nice basic brush that will do well for any grooming routine. It’s of particular value to owners of short haired dog breeds.
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#4: Best Dog Brush for Long Hair: Wahl Large Pin Bristle Brush
On the opposite end, long haired breeds need a very trustworthy dog brush indeed. It needs to be able to tackle tangles and fluffy textures with ease. You could probably tackle a long haired fur coat with the Kazoo, but the quality is a little cheaper than the Wahl Pin Bristle Brush.
The Wahl Large Pin Bristle Brush being tested by our independent expert team.
I’m recommending the Wahl because it really packs a punch. The dual sides are made for larger dog breeds with fluffier, longer hair. I like how the pins are spaced out for easy detangling. The bristles are high quality and firm.
The large size makes it a clear choice for slightly larger dogs to cover more ground. But it could work well for medium dog breeds or even small dogs with super long hair like a Shih Tzu.
The ergonomic handle helps you get a comfortable grip as you groom your dog. Plus, as our expert panel points out, its sturdier grip also helps you with leverage as you tease out any knots and tangles.
This is a fantastic, high quality choice for long haired dog breeds who need some extra attention.
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#5: Best Brush for Dog Undercoat Removal: CHANNCI Pet Dematting Comb 2 in 1 Undercoat Rake
If you have a dog with a double coat, you need to keep the undercoat well maintained. Now “undercoat removal” isn’t really necessary. When we talk about a brush for undercoat removal, we really mean a brush that will remove excess shedding hair from the undercoat.
As the weather gets warmer, the majority of the shedding will come from the undercoat layers. The groomers and vets on our research team suggest that it’s worth thinning with an effective brush.
And which brush do we need for an undercoat? An undercoat rake.
The CHANNCI Pet Dematting Comb 2 in 1 Undercoat Rake being tested by our independent expert team.
We soon found that the CHANNCI undercoat rake is quite impressive. It has a double-sided nature with a fine metal tooth side and a larger dematting metal tooth side.
The dematting side has curved teeth that teases out matted fur incredibly easily. Excess fur and tangles don’t stand a chance.
The side with the finer teeth is perfect for thinning and deshedding.
I also loved how the ergonomic design and anti-slip handle make it comfortable to use for the entire grooming session. This is a great brush to tackle unruly undercoats!
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#6: Best Deshedding Brush for Dogs: HERTZKO Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs
The HERTZKO Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is our expert panel's top pick for the detangling category. With a wide base and excellent retracting bristle technology, this brush is perfect for that mass of fluff that may be plaguing your pup.
The metal bristles wade through tangles and excess fur in no time at all. To activate the self cleaning mode, all I needed to do was press the button on the top of the brush. Pressing that will retract the metal bristles. From there, I was able to wipe away the excess fur that is normally stuck in the bristles.
The HERTZKO Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs being tested by our independent expert team.
It’s not an entirely perfect system but it is much easier to clean than others on this list. The ergonomic rubber handle is comfy to hold for long grooming sessions. The size is also a perfect medium for small and large dogs alike. A winner all round!
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What To Look For When Choosing A Dog Brush
Dog grooming is highly personal. Like humans, dogs all have different hair textures that behave differently with different brush types. The tools you would use to comb through a German Shepherd’s double-coated thick fur are very different to that of a Jack Russell.
So there are a few factors to consider when looking for the best dog brush for your pup. We asked our panel of professional groomers and veterinarians to impart tips for your consideration before you start shopping.
Here’s what you need to know:
Your Dog’s Hair Type
Your dog’s hair or fur type is the crux of everything. It’s not just the texture but also layers. Let me explain the different types of fur coats and the best brushes for them. We’ll dive deeper into the brush types in the next section.
Smooth coat
If your dog has a smooth coat, it’s a straight fur type that typically lies quite flat against your dog’s skin. It feels smooth and silky to the touch. It’s generally quite short too. Imagine a Dachshund’s coat - smooth and shiny. Because they have this hair texture, it’s easy to think you don’t need to pay much attention. While these dogs need the least amount of grooming, don’t mistake that for no grooming at all.
You still need a bristle brush and maybe even a pin brush to loosen any dander. It will also help with cutting down shedding hairs.
Curly coat
Curly coats are what they sound like. Quite thick and curly. Poodles have curly coats, as do Portuguese Water Dogs (like Obama’s dog!). The curls lie close to the body and can be tangled easily if you don’t take the time to brush your dog thoroughly and often. Our experts note that curly coat dogs do well with slicker brushes.
Double coat
Remember when I said that dog coats have layers? Well, some lucky or unlucky pups have two layers of fur. Newfoundlands are a good example. They have the topcoat and an undercoat. The undercoat keeps them insulated in cold weather. That’s why you typically see undercoats with winter dog breeds.
Related: Why Does My Dog Shed So Much?
Although you would think it would be a burden in the summer, undercoats are best left alone. There’s no need to remove the undercoat by shaving it unless it’s impacted, unruly fur. (1) Generally, you can tame the shedding using an undercoat rake.
Wire coat
Wire coats are quite interesting. You typically see wire coats on Terriers. The largest wire coat dog is likely the Irish Wolfhound. They have thick strands that can tangle easily.
Wire coat dogs are not difficult to groom, according to the professional groomers on our panel. However, you do need to stay on top of your dog’s grooming routine to prevent matting and tangles.
Slicker brushes and pin brushes are the most helpful for wire coat dogs. Bristle brushes, on the other hand, are pretty useless.
Long coat
Long coat dogs like German Shepherds and Irish Setters are characterised by huge amounts of shedding and long fluffy fur. It’s not entirely true that all long coat dogs shed. The Old English Sheepdog for example is notorious for not shedding that much.
Regardless of shedding levels, long coat dogs usually need more maintenance than short haired dog breeds.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing! Grooming your dog often is a beautiful opportunity to bond.
“Your dog will learn that it’s okay to allow his body and feet to be handled; you will be building trust with your canine companion. As for you, it’s very relaxing and satisfying to spend more time with your dog while helping him look and feel his best.” - Hilary Erb from the American Kennel Club (2)
To that end, you have the opportunity to spend more quality time grooming a long haired dog.
Our experts point out that they need bristle and pin brushes to maintain a tangle-free, healthy coat.
Related: Do Dogs Have Hair or Fur?
Types of Dog Brushes
Bristle brush
A bristle brush has medium sized soft, flexible strands. The strands can be densely packed which makes them firmer. Alternatively, the bristles can be more spaced out and looser for a gentler brush through. The density of the bristle brush you choose will depend on your dog’s fur type. Bristle brushes are good all-round brushes.
They most accurately pull-out excess shedding hair from the top coat of any dog. Short haired dogs might find super firm brushes uncomfortable since their fur is close to their skin.
Pin brush
Pin brushes have hard plastic strands and a little pin-like ball at the end. The strands tend to be quite spaced out as the purpose is mainly to detangle and dislodge dirt. It’s great for dander.
It’s common to see brushes with dual ends; one side will be a normal bristle and one side will be a pin brush.
Undercoat rake
For dog’s with undercoats, our experts note that a little extra care is needed. An undercoat rake is a fantastic tool that is literally like magic. It wades through the fluffy underbelly of your dog’s long coat and gently teases out excess fur. For heavy shedding dogs, an undercoat rake is extremely helpful.
You can identify them by their rake-like appearance. They have metal teeth that are quite close together. The wider apart the rake, the better it is for curly coated dogs.
Slicker brush
Slicker brushes have metal teeth like undercoat rakes. However, they look more similar to a traditional brush, just with very fine metal teeth. These teeth are incredible at teasing out knots, tangles, and locks. It can take some time to work through the tangles on a long haired dog, but a good slicker brush can cut the time in half.
They typically have a curved shape because matting usually occurs close to the body in hard-to-reach places. For example, armpits, ears, back of the legs and chest.
Rubber brush
The rubber dog brush is less relevant as a grooming tool for deshedding and dematting. Essentially you would use a rubber brush when you are washing your dog. In fact, our grooming panel suggests you to never use a rubber brush on your dog’s fur dry. It’ll hurt and only contribute to the tangles. But when wet, a rubber brush creates a soothing massage sensation on the skin and helps you distribute shampoo through your dog’s fur.
In honesty, this is more of an optional tool to me. You can easily use your fingers or a regular brush. However, rubber brushes do give that extra bit of massaging luxury if you so choose to purchase one.
Qualities of a Great Dog Brush
Size
In theory, you could use any sized brush for any sized dog. It’s more relevant to match the brush to the fur type than the size of the dog.
However, there is nothing more soul-crushing than working through the fur coat of a large fluffy dog with a tiny pin brush. I know because I’ve done it. It takes a huge amount of time and feels almost Sisyphean.
For the sake of your sanity, it’s best to get the appropriate size for your dog’s size and even body type. You can even get curved dog brushes that work around the contours of your dog’s body. These are great for large dogs.
Build quality
You want high quality materials in all of your dog apparel from leashes to dog bowls. That said, pay even closer attention when it comes to grooming tools.
Even though dog brushes are quite cheap to replace, it’s worth finding options that can hold up with repeated use. The most fragile and uncomfortable the brush appears to be, the less you’ll use it. Dogs with long coats or undercoats rely on good grooming routines for comfort in the warmer months. You don’t want to buy a dog brush that snaps or has falling bristles because it won’t last you through the summer!
Comfortable handles
I don’t know if you’ve ever spent all afternoon brushing a dog. I have. My late German Shepherd, Max, took ages to brush through properly. I could sit there from 30 minutes to an hour brushing each section of his luscious, thick long hair.
It was massaging and lovely for him. But for me, it was a recipe for hand cramps every five minutes. Because of the discomfort, I actively avoided grooming my fluffy dog.
Trust me - you do not want to overlook the ergonomics of a good dog brush. You want to make sure it’s comfortable for you to brush your dog for quite some time - particularly if you have a big fluffy monster to groom!
Related: Home Remedies For Matted Dog Hair.
My Final Verdict
As our panel of professionals want to remind you, the best dog hairbrush for your pup depends on the issue you’re trying to tackle. After plenty of research and testing, we discovered that the best deshedding tool for dogs is the Hertzco slicker brush. It’s extremely effective at handling matted fur. A slicker brush is essential for all dog owners with long haired breeds.
However, if you just want to get started with a good all-round dog brush, we think that the Sunshine Solution brush ticks all of the boxes. It’s not an expert at anyone brushing technique but covers all of the bases reasonably well.
FAQ
Shayna Meliker from Vet Street cites the following as the top ten most shedding dog breeds. (3):
- Saint Bernards
- Great Pyrenees
- Chow Chows
- Akitas
- Siberian Huskies
- Golden Retrievers
- German Shepherds (I can attest to that!)
- Labrador Retrievers
- Alaskan Malamutes
- Alaskan Huskies
The frequency with which you brush your dog depends on their coat type. (4)
Some long haired dog breeds are recommended to be groomed every single day. It’s unlikely that you’ll have that kind of time, but that’s the recommendation. It’s more important to have a high grooming frequency during the summer months when long haired and undercoated breeds are more likely to shed quite heavily.
Short haired dog breeds need far less intensive grooming schedules. You can groom a short haired dog once or twice a week. Sometimes even less frequently depending on the breed.
Wore coat dogs need grooming at least twice per week to prevent tangles.
References
- “The Importance of Pet Grooming and Undercoat Removal When Shipping Dogs”. Pet Relocation. Retrieved June 18, 2023. https://www.petrelocation.com/blog/post/the-importance-of-pet-grooming-and-undercoat-removal-when-shipping-dogs
- Erb, H. September 23, 2015. “A Bonding Opportunity: Groom Your Dog”. American Kennel Club. Retrieved June 18, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/groom-your-dog/
- Meliker, S. July 13, 2015. “10 Dog Breeds That Shed the Most”. Vet Street. Retrieved June 18, 2023. https://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/10-dog-breeds-that-shed-the-most
- Allen, M. “How Often Should I Groom My Dog?”. The Dog People. Retrieved June 18, 2023. https://www.rover.com/blog/how-often-should-i-groom-my-dog/
