There is nothing more adorable in this world than a Goldendoodle. If you are planning to adopt one soon, then let us tell you right now that it is by far the most incredible decision you’ve made. You may have other dogs at home, but trust us, a Goldendoodle is unlike any other.
But while there’s a ton of excitement going on your mind right now, you must acknowledge that owning a breed of dog with a curly and thick fur like that of a Goldendoodle requires special attention. Coat maintenance is something that a responsible pet owner must embrace. PetMD says that brushing isn’t just about keeping the dog’s coat looking great. It also means removing dandruff, dead hair, and dir. Doing so requires a dependable brush.
So, before you get ecstatic on buying all sorts of accessories for the new member of the family, focus on the grooming aspect first, particularly the brush.
Regular brushing is a necessity if you have a Goldendoodle, and we’re not talking about doing it twice a week. The term “regular” means daily brushing to prevent hair matting. You may not realize it, but matting is more than just the aesthetic inconvenience – it can also create discomfort to the dog.
A Goldendoodle is quite prone to tangling and matting due to its combination of curly and wavy fur. So, do not imagine for a second that addressing a Goldendoodle’s grooming needs is like that of a Chihuahua. There are countless cases of people who gave up on their dog simply because they couldn’t handle the grooming responsibilities. Do not be one of those irresponsible pet owners.
Quick Picks: The Top-Rated Brushes for Goldendoodle
In a hurry? Check our best pick above, or keep reading for product reviews and buying guide!
Different Types of Poodle Brushes
It isn’t that hard to fathom why Goldendoodles are so popular these days. Just by looking at them with their ideally groomed coats will melt your heart. But their undeniable cuteness is a challenge to maintain. If you want your dog to look great all the time, you must perform regular brushing.
Although the Goldendoodle coat is low shedding and isn’t that difficult to maintain, you still need a dependable brush to make the work easier on your part. There’s a chance that your puppy inherits the Poodle parent’s curly and thick coat, which means there is more work to be done.
While there is a handful of brushes for dog grooming out there, we recommend that you focus on these types:
1. Slicker Brush
This type is considered the standard brush for pet grooming. While it can handle most grooming needs, we recommend that you look for a premium quality type so that it can last longer, especially when you need to use it on a curly and thick coat. The slicker brush has a rectangular shape and a slight curve. Several pins are attached in rows to brush through the coat effectively.
2. Comb and Pin Brush Combo
A comb and pin brush combo is a detangling type of pet groomer designed to ease out the tangles in a dog’s fur. We recommend this brush for your Goldendoodle since it works well on tangled curls. The pins are softer compared to a slicker brush, which goes well if your dog quickly feels annoyed with a brush.
3. De-Shedding Tool
Although a de-shedding tool may not appear as an essential grooming tool for a Goldendoodle that doesn’t shed regularly, it can still help in preventing tangles and matting. If your doodle’s fur is like that of its poodle parent, then the curly hair will most likely be prone to tangles.
Our Top Goldendoodle Brush Choices for 2020
Pros
- Doesn’t irritate your dog’s skin with medium strength bristles
- Compact and lightweight design
- Ergonomic handle keeps your hands stress-free even with prolonged use
- Natural massaging design that keeps your dog calm
Cons
- Rubber exterior should have extended to fit the hands
- Sharp needles could cause injury with too much force
- Short bristles might fail to reach the dog’s undercoat
The Safari Pin and Bristle Combo take the cake when it comes to practicality. It is essentially a two-in-one pet grooming tool as it has pins and bristles to perform different functions. The one side with the pins works by carefully lifting the debris and hair in the coat. The bristles on the opposite side functions by creating a smooth surface to distribute the natural oils in the coat evenly.
You will love this brush if you have a short-haired or long-haired Goldendoodle since it works on every type of coat. The ergonomic handles are commendable, too. We felt comfortable holding on this brush for an extended time. Like all other pin and bristle combo brushes, this one helps in reducing mats, tangles, and shedding.
Pros
- Perfect for dogs that get anxious when brushed in their sensitive areas
- Comfortable handles make it ideal for extended use
- Useful when it comes to redistributing the dog’s natural oil
Cons
- The pins may fall out after prolonged use
- The bristle side easily bends without even touching the dog’s undercoat
The aptly named “Furminator” pet brush is what we like to call as a unique iteration to a standard slicker brush. It comes with two different types of bristles – straight and bent on opposite sides. The straight bristles work like how a standard brush is used, while the bent bristles are intended for detangling matted curls in your Goldendoodle.
This product is ideal for daily brushing and grooming. The quality is on par with the pricier counterparts, which is a good thing. The only issue we had with it is that the straight bristles tend to get caught up when using the bent ones designed to detangle.
Pros
- Easy and comfortable on the hands, thanks to the ergonomic handle
- Keeps pressure on the dog’s skin at a minimum
- Unique design highlighted by two different bristle types
Cons
- The two-bristle design could pose a problem when using it on a dog with a thick coat
- Bent bristles can get caught on curls
Armed with stainless steel pins with smooth ends, the Chris Christensen Oval Brush is one of the groomers to have if you’re adopting a Goldendoodle. It is perfect for the breed’s type of coat and won’t cause any irritation because of the smooth ends. You will find it convenient to deal with matted or tangled curls. This brush works well in both curly and wavy type of fur in dogs. Incidentally, your Goldendoodle will most likely have both curly and wavy hair.
Pros
- Does not create irritation or scratch because of the smooth ends
- Enough space in between the pins that allow for convenient cleaning
- Can work with ease for both curly and wavy fur
Cons
- The pins can fall out or loosen over time due to the soft pin pad
- Won’t work well with debris and dirt-filled coat
- The handle needs a bit of improvement
What separates this pet brush from the other four products we already discussed is the fact that it is created for professional pet groomers. Nevertheless, there isn’t much learning curve here, which means the average pet owner can use it. It relieves you of the manual labor of pulling fur and hair out of the brush bristles. All you must do is press the button that automatically retracts the bristles. You can then wipe the fur with ease.
The nice thing about this brush is that the bristles are made from stainless steel. You have a guarantee that it will perform as you expect it to and will last long.
Pros
- Automatic retract of the bristles helps in preventing the fur from collecting in the bristles
- Long bristles mean they can easily reach the undercoat
- Requires minimal effort to brush your Goldendoodle with optimized results
Cons
- The steel bristles are on the sharp side, which may cause skin irritation
- Can cause tingling and unpleasantness for dogs sensitive to brushing
- The bristles tend to bend when tangled in thick fur
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it – the five best brushes for your Goldendoodle. Since you only get to choose one, consider it a good predicament. It does not matter if you select a slicker brush, the bristle type, or the pin and bristle combo. It is your job as the pet owner to understand and weigh on your Goldendoodle’s needs for grooming; this means studying the animal’s fur type and comfort level when brushing and grooming.
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