Many people have an enjoyable time living with Labradoodles because they’re affectionate and relatively easy to train. What makes caring for a Labradoodle challenging is their extensive grooming needs. Labradoodles have thin, curly hair that’s prone to tangling and matting. So, it’s important to be on top of brushing a Labradoodle’s coat in order to keep it healthy and prevent skin issues.
Finding the right set of brushes will help immensely with keeping grooming sessions quick and easy. Labradoodles will benefit from a variety of brushes, including pin brushes, fine-tooth combs, and slicker brushes. Since there are so many options available, we’ve made the process of finding brushes easier for you with our reviews of some of the best brushes for Labradoodles. We’ll also go over the functions of each type of brush so that by the end of reading this article, you’ll know everything you need to know about brushing your Labradoodle.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
The 10 Best Brushes for Labradoodles
1. Hertzko Dog & Cat Slicker Brush – Best Overall
| Type: | Slicker brush |
| Material: | Plastic, metal |
The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush is the best overall brush for Labradoodles for many reasons. Many low-quality slicker brushes have bristles that simply brush over knots and tangles. However, this brush’s bristles work through tangles to keep your Labradoodle’s coat smooth and clean. The bristles are also formed in a way to prevent irritating or scratching your Labradoodle skin.
Using the brush is also a comfortable and convenient process. The handle has an ergonomic, anti-slip grip. Cleanup is also easy because it has a button that retracts the bristles and only leaves behind hair on the brush head. So, once you finish brushing your Labradoodle, you can simply press the button and toss the hair away.
Just keep in mind that you must be on top of brushing your Labradoodle with this brush regularly because it’s not the best at removing stubborn mats that have grown over time.
2. Boshel 2-in-1 Dog Brush & Hair Remover – Best Value
| Type: | Pin brush |
| Material: | Plastic, metal |
Caring for a Labradoodle can be expensive. Fortunately, there are some high-quality grooming supplies that are set at more budget-friendly prices, like this Boshel 2-in-1 Dog Brush & Hair Remover. This pin brush works really well to remove tangles and keep your Labradoodle’s coat looking shiny and clean. Its pins have metal, rounded tips that make brushing comfortable for your Labradoodle. The pins are flexible, so it’s easy to maneuver the brush. However, it can still be a little challenging to get to hard-to-reach places, like the underarms, because the brush head is large.
The brush also has a rubber side with bumps on it that picks up loose hair effectively. So, once you’re done brushing your dog, you can flip the brush over and use the other side to gather any loose hairs on your clothing and the surrounding area. You can also use this side to brush your Labradoodle’s coat to pick up any remaining loose hairs.
As this brush has several different functions, it’s truly the best brush for Labradoodles for the money.
3. Bass Brushes the Hybrid Paddle Brush – Premium Choice
| Type: | Pin and bristle brush |
| Material: | Wood, metal, natural bristles |
There’s no shame in splurging on your Labradoodle, especially if it’s on products that benefit their health and wellness. The Bass Brushes paddle brush is a hybrid of a pin brush and bristle brush, and it’s capable of thoroughly brushing through your Labradoodle’s coat while nourishing the skin. The alloy pins help to work through any tangles, while the natural bristles work to distribute natural oils throughout your Labradoodle skin. This makes the coat appear shiny while keeping the skin moisturized and nourished.
The brush handle is made with an eco-friendly natural bamboo handle and has a luxurious finish. However, compared to other brushes with rubber grips and ergonomic candles, this brush’s stiff handle can be a little more uncomfortable to use.
4. Burt’s Bees Palm Detangling Dog Brush – Best for Puppies
| Type: | Pin brush |
| Material: | Metal, bamboo |
Brushing a puppy can be a challenging experience, so it’s helpful to look for brushes that give you a lot of control while making brushing comfortable for the puppy. This Burt’s Bees brush does exactly that. Rather than having a typical brush handle, you slip your hand through the strap so that you have more direct control over brushing your Labradoodle’s coat. The strap is also adjustable so that you consistently maintain a secure grip on the brush.
The brush head has pins with rounded tips that are gentle on the skin while effectively working through detangling hair. The brush is also made with natural bamboo and recycled material, making it a great eco-friendly option to consider if you’re looking to shop consciously. The only downside to this brush is that its shape and size may make it difficult to brush the underarm area and other hard-to-reach places effectively.
5. CONAIRPRO PET Dog Medium Comb
| Type: | Fine-tooth comb |
| Material: | Metal, plastic |
If you prefer having your Labradoodle’s coat set at a longer length, it’s helpful to have a fine-tooth comb that works more thoroughly to pick up loose hairs and keep the coat tangle-free. This comb made by CONAIRPRO PET is an excellent choice for Labradoodles because it has a set of long teeth that are able to reach the base of the coat to pick up dead hair and prevent tangles from forming closer to the skin. Just keep in mind that it can be a little more painful for your dog if it has a larger mat on its coat, and you’ll probably have to use a detangling spray with the comb to work through the mat.
This comb has an ergonomic handle with memory gel that provides comfort and control while you’re brushing. So, as long as you’re on top of brushing your Labradoodle regularly, using this comb will be a comfortable experience for both of you.
6. FURminator Firm Slicker Brush for Dogs
| Type: | Slicker brush |
| Material: | Metal, plastic |
This double-sided slicker brush from FURminator is an excellent option for Labradoodles with curlier hair that’s more prone to tangling. One side of the brush has long and firm bristles that are effective in brushing through tangles and minor mats. Once you brush through your Labradoodle’s coat with this side of the brush, you can flip it over and use the shorter bristles to pick up any remaining loose hair.
The brush head is flexible so that it follows the natural contours of your Labradoodle’s body. This design helps with brushing hard-to-reach areas. While this brush has a smart concept, the bristles on each side are angled differently. So, it can feel a little awkward using both sides, and it’ll take some time to get used to the motions.
7. Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Dog Dematting Rake
| Type: | Demattingrake |
| Material: | Metal, rubber |
This dematting rake from Master Grooming Tools is another excellent option for Labradoodles with curlier hair. It’s a great accessory to have because it removes mats and tangles painlessly. All you have to do is slide the rake across your Labradoodle’s coat, and the steel blades of the teeth will cut and lift mats and tangles. The rake’s design also helps to remove some excess hair. However, you’ll still most likely have to purchase a pin brush or slicker brush to pick up dead and loose hair thoroughly.
This dematting rake also has a unique pistol grip. This shape helps you to maintain a good grip without straining your hand, making it comfortable and easy to run the rake through your Labradoodle’s entire coat.
8. Babyliss Pro Pet Long Pin Slicker Pet Brush
| Type: | Slicker brush |
| Material: | Metal, plastic, silicone |
If your Labradoodle has sensitive skin, this slicker brush is a viable option. Unlike many slicker brushes that have narrow pins that can feel like needles, this slicker brush has bristles with rounded tips that are extremely gentle on the skin. The bristles are also flexible, and they work to untangle knots and mats while fluffing up your Labradoodle’s coat. Just keep in mind that because this brush is designed to be gentler on the skin, it’s not the most effective in removing particularly stubborn mats.
Along with being more comfortable for Labradoodles, you’ll appreciate using this brush because of its ergonomic handle. The handle has an anti-slip grip, and the surface is coated with bubble gel, so it’s extremely comfortable to hold.
9. Safari Dematting Dog Comb
| Type: | Demattingrake |
| Material: | Metal, plastic |
The Safari Dematting Dog Comb is a relatively affordable option if you’re looking for a mat remover tool. It’s designed to have the blades avoid contact with the skin. However, the blades have an added safety feature of rounded tips so that they safely glide along your dog’s skin. They’re also serrated so that they catch most tangles and mats on the coat. You can also reverse the blades so that the brush is comfortable to use for both right-handed and left-handed users.
Users have to be more cautious about handling this rake because the blades are extremely sharp. So, while it’s effective in removing mats and tangles in hard-to-reach areas, you must be very careful with using it correctly. Only the rounded tips are dull and won’t cut through the skin.
10. CHI Soft Pivoting Slicker Dog Brush
| Type: | Slicker brush |
| Material: | Metal, rubber |
This slicker brush by CHI has several useful features. It has a pivoting head that allows you to brush through hard-to-reach places. The handle is pretty comfortable and has rubber grips to prevent straining. The bristles have Ionic Technology that works to reduce static electricity in the hair. Once you’ve finished using the brush, you can press the quick-release button, which releases the hair from the brush for easy cleanup.
Overall, this is a fancy brush that makes brushing your Labradoodle more convenient. However, the pivoting head gets loose pretty quickly. So, the quality and longevity of the brush don’t quite match its premium pricing.
Buyer’s Guide
Not all Labradoodles have the same kind of coat. Some have wavy coats that shed more, while others have coats with tight curls that get tangled easily. So, the types of brushes you use will depend on your Labradoodle’s coat type. Here are some brushes that work well with Labradoodle coats.
Pin Brush
A pin brush is helpful to have around because it helps maintain the health of your Labradoodle’s skin and coat. It usually has a large head that enables wide coverage so that you can quickly brush through your Labradoodle’s coat. It also does a great job of detangling minor tangles and picking up loose and dead hairs. If your Labradoodle has a wavy coat, having just a pin brush may suffice. However, Labradoodles with curlier coats often need more than just a pin brush to keep their coats free of tangles and mats.
Slicker Brush
Many owners of Labradoodles with curly coats often have a slicker brush in their arsenal because this brush does a great job of working through mats and tangles. The fine bristles on the brush catch onto tangles more effectively than a pin brush, and you end up having an easier time working through tangled hair.
When shopping for slicker brushes, make sure to find a brush that has slightly stiffer bristles. Flexible bristles are gentler on the skin, but they often brush over tangles and don’t do a good job of separating the hair.
Fine-Tooth Comb
A fine-tooth comb is a helpful tool to use after you’ve brushed through your Labradoodle’s coat with a pin brush or slicker brush. Since combs have less spacing between their teeth, they do a great job of picking up remaining loose and dead hair from the coat and working through smaller tangles.
It’s not ideal to only use a fine-tooth comb because it can end up tugging on the skin when it encounters mats and tangles, which is extremely painful for Labradoodles. Also, since they’re usually much smaller and narrower in size, it’ll take much longer to brush through the coat.
Dematting Rake
Dematting rakes are more often marketed toward dogs with double coats and heavy shedders. However, a dematting rake can be beneficial for Labradoodles, especially if you keep your Labradoodle’s coat fairly long. Rather than spending an extra amount of time detangling mats and tangles, you can use a dematting rake to cut through tangles and lift them off from the coat.
Dematting rakes can be especially useful for Labradoodles with curlier hair, and they’re also pretty effective with removing mats from behind the ears and on the tail. Keep in mind that dematting rakes are an accessory, so they can’t replace regular brushes. Similar to fine-tooth combs, it’s best to use a dematting rake alongside a pin brush or slicker brush.
Conclusion
Based on our review, the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush is the best brush for Labradoodles because it works through curly hair nicely and detangles mats and tangles effectively. The Boshel 2-in-1 Dog Brush is an excellent budget-friendly option with several helpful features. If you really want to splurge or shop consciously, the Hybrid Pet Groomer Paddle Brush by Bass Brushes is a reliable choice.
Overall, grooming a Labradoodle often requires a couple of different brushes. Finding the right combination for Labradoodle’s coat will keep their coat looking shiny and clean while protecting their skin and coat health.
Featured Image Credit: Dikushin Dmitry, Shutterstock