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Best Way to Brush a dog: Part of being a responsible, loving dog parent is making sure to brush your dog’s coat on a regular basis. Now, what “regular” means completely depends on your dog’s coat.

Is it thin and short or thick and long? Is it straight or curly? Is it prone to matting and breakage, or can it stay under control in between grooming appointments?

It really depends.

Understandably, things can get confusing. Do you even need to brush a short hair dog? Or is brushing enough for a long hair dog?

To help you out, we have compiled seven of the best ways that you can brush your dog’s fur to make sure it stays nice and healthy.Best Way to Brush a dog

Let’s begin!

Brush types

As mentioned above, the best way to brush your dog’s hair depends on their coat type. We’ll break down some of the best brushes of short-, long-, and wiry-haired dog breeds in this segment.

Short-haired breeds

Short-haired breeds, like Pugs and Rottweilers, short-haired breeds don’t require regular brushing since their fur isn’t long enough to mat or tangle easily.

However, you still need to brush them every two weeks to remove loose hair or dirt from their undercoats.

Using a grooming glove or a rubber brush, use gentle stroking motions to bring all the debris to the surface. The great thing about these brushes is that they’re discreet enough to make your dog think you’re simply petting them, which makes for a great bonding experience.

If you find traditional brushes easier to use, then opt for a soft slicker brush with small bent metal pins or a stiff, natural-bristle brush.

Then end with a soft-bristle brush to redistribute the natural oils in your dog’s hair.

Long-haired breedsWhat is the Best Way to Brush a dog? 7

Dogs with at least two inches of fur, such as Bearded Collies or Shih Tzus, need weekly brushing to reduce matting and tangling.

The best brush for the job is a pin brush since the soft, wiry bristles offer a firm grip on your dog’s undercoat and remove loose hairs minus the pain. They also provide a much-needed massage that can help with circulation and help them relax.

To effectively brush long-haired breeds, get into the skin and brush away gently. Use any type of comb to tease out any matting.

Just remember to not force any severe tangles as they can be painful for your pup. In which case, use scissors to cut them out.

Short-, wiry-haired breeds

Slicker brushes work very well for short-, wiry-haired breeds, such as Scottish Terriers and Irish Wolfhounds. Even better, follow the slicker brush with a metal comb to smooth everything out. Since these dog breeds mat easily, brush them at least two to three times a week.

In some cases, you will need a stripping knife to remove loose hairs from your pup’s undercoat. Before you do this, have your groomer demonstrate how to do this safely.

Techniques

What is the Best Way to Brush a dog? 8

Now that you have an idea of what brushes work best for your dog, it’s time to perfect your technique. Here are some of our best recommendations.

Down and out

One thing we professionals have learned the hard way is that dogs hate it when we brush their fur against the “grain.” To avoid this, pay attention to the direction your dog’s coat grows.

Then, in gentle strokes, push your brush into their skin and then slowly move away from their skin.

Use a light hand

We can’t stress how much being gentle can help to brush become a more pleasant experience for your dog.

If you pull too hard, you can tangle and even break your pup’s hair. In this situation, patience is key. Take your time in detangling any hair matting or snags, and watch how much your dog will eventually enjoy this quiet time with you.

What is the Best Way to Brush a dog? 9

Detangling

Mats and tangles can be a pain to deal with, especially for your dog. Mats, most especially, get really close to your pup’s skin and can be really painful if they move around too much.

To make the experience better, use mat sprays and coat conditioners.

Leave them on for several minutes until the snags soften. Then, with a wide-toothed comb, get through each snag until they loosen. For more severe tangles, you can cut them out with scissors that have blunt tips to decrease the risk of injuries.

And there you have it — our best recommendations for brushing your dog. Go through these steps one by one and lay on your patience thick to make sure that your dog has a pleasant experience throughout.