Dog Brushes, Combs & Slickers

The best type of brush depends on your dog's coat type, but for most medium to long-haired and curly or wavy-coated breeds, a slicker brush is the most versatile and widely recommended everyday tool. The Pupwell Everyday Slicker Brush is described as the groomer and vet's number one recommended tool, its dense, extra-long stainless steel pins brush through tangles and knots while keeping the coat soft and fluffy, and it's designed to prevent matting that can otherwise lead to costly salon shave-downs.
For short-coated dogs or those who are sensitive to pin brushes, a dual-sided brush offers more flexibility. The Double-sided Eco Bamboo Dog Brush from Bamboo Switch has a rounded pin side to separate tangles and a bristle side for a finishing polish, and it works across all coat types. For dogs that shed heavily, the Groomi Deshedding Brush 2.0 is a gentle but effective dedicated de-shedding tool. The most important thing is choosing a brush suited to your dog's coat length and texture, and brushing consistently enough to prevent tangles from becoming mats. Pairing brushing with a dog shampoo suited to your dog's coat and following up with a good dog towel after bath time will also make brushing easier and more effective.

Professional groomers typically rely on slicker brushes as their primary everyday tool. The fine, angled pins allow them to work through the whole coat efficiently, prevent matting and leave the coat looking finished. The Pupwell Everyday Slicker Brush is explicitly described as the groomer and vet's number one recommended tool, with its extra-long stainless steel pins designed to handle tangles and knots while keeping the coat soft. Pupwell describes it as a tool that lets you brush your dog in 5 minutes and that your dog will actually enjoy.
Beyond slicker brushes, professional groomers also rely heavily on stainless steel combs to check for any remaining tangles after brushing and to work through finer detail areas. The Pupwell Everyday Comb - a 7" stainless steel comb is designed to glide through the coat without snagging or causing breakage, and can be used from puppyhood through to adulthood. For targeted detail work around the eyes and face, the Pupwell Detailer Comb tackles tear stains, eye goobers, small knots and tangles in sensitive areas, saving owners from having to resort to scissors. For dogs prone to shedding, a specialist de-shedding tool like the Groomi Deshedding Brush 2.0 is commonly used to remove loose undercoat effectively and gently.

Yes, combing is an important part of a thorough grooming routine, particularly for medium to long-haired, curly, and double-coated breeds. While brushing covers the surface of the coat, a comb works deeper to check for any remaining tangles or matted areas that a brush may have glided over, and it's especially useful for finishing work around the ears, legs, tail and other areas where knots are prone to forming.
Most dogs come to enjoy being combed when it's introduced gently and positively, pairing comb sessions with training treats is a great way to build positive associations from the start.