Grooming is something that every dog owner needs to take seriously if they want their pets to look and feel their best. Some dogs have short coats that are easy to care for, but other dog breeds, like the Australian Shepherd, can make the process a little more complicated. Australian Shepherds have longer, denser fur that continues to shed throughout the year, and you will need a brush that can penetrate their undercoats to remove dead and loose hair.
The right brush will also untangle the hair while removing dirt and dust. This list of reviews shows you some of the best brushes for Australian Shepherds if you want to keep their coats clean and healthy!
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush | CHECK PRICE | ||
Best Value  | JW Pet Gripsoft Double Row Undercoat Rake | CHECK PRICE | ||
Premium Choice  | FURminator Long Hair Dog DeShedding Tool | CHECK PRICE | ||
| Best for Puppies | Burt's Bees Puppy Double Sided Pin & Bristle Brush | CHECK PRICE | ||
| Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush | CHECK PRICE |
The 7 Best Brushes for Australian Shepherds
1. Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush – Best Overall
| Weight: | 6.56 ounces |
| Material: | Plastic |
This affordable double-sided brush from Hartz Groomers is ideal for thicker coats. It is one of the best overall brushes for Australian Shepherds because it doubles as a brush and comb. It features an ergonomic handle and soft but firm nylon bristles. One side redistributes natural oils to the fur, and the other detangles stubborn knots and helps reduce shedding. It is cheaper than many of the other brushes on our list, and it’s not as durable.
- Stainless steel pins
- Double-sided
- Ergonomic handle
- Redistributes natural oils
- Reduces shedding
- Breaks easily
2. JW Pet Gripsoft Double Row Undercoat Rake – Best Value
| Size: | 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches |
| Material: | Rubber |
The best brush for Australian Shepherds for the money is this Gripsoft Double Row undercoat rake by JW Pets. The brush has two rows of metal, rounded teeth, and an ergonomic, non-slip handle. The rake is designed specifically for undercoats and is ideal for dogs with longer fur, like Australian Shepherds.
It’s effective at removing loose fur without making the brushing process painful for your dog. While it is a bit bulky, it’s still comfortable enough for long grooming sessions.
- Ergonomic handle
- Two rows of teeth
- Non-slip grip
- Designed for undercoats
- Affordable
- Not ideal for short fur
- Bulky
3. FURminator Long Hair Dog DeShedding Tool – Premium Choice
| Weight: | 13.33 ounces |
| Material: | Stainless steel |
The first thing that stands out about this brush is that there are three different colors and sizes to fit any dog breed you have. The FURminator DeShedding Tool has a curved design for your pet’s comfort, easily removes loose hair from the undercoat, and can reduce shedding with regular use.
It has an ergonomic handle to make grooming comfortable for you as well. You can’t use it on cats, and it might not be the best option if you’re looking for something to use on all pets in your home. Some Australian Shepherd owners prefer to leave the undercoat intact.
- Removes loose hair
- Reduces shedding
- Ergonomic handle
- Curved design for comfort
- Three sizes and colors are available
- For dogs only
- Removes undercoat
- Expensive
4. Burt’s Bees Puppy Double Sided Pin & Bristle Brush – Best for Puppies
| Weight: | 3.2 ounces |
| Material: | Wood |
Many customers love the sturdy feel of this Double Sided Pin and Bristle Brush from Burt’s Bees, and it’s the perfect brush for Australian Shepherd puppies. It is double-sided, great for longer coats, and uses gentle hemp bristles that disperse natural oils throughout your puppy’s fur. It is lightweight and easy to hold, making it great for use on puppies, but it is too small to use on larger dogs. Burt’s Bees brush is also made from recycled materials.
- Double-sided
- Gentle hemp bristles
- Redistributes natural oils
- Recycled materials
- Too small for larger dogs
5. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Australian Shepherds
| Weight: | 3.2 ounces |
| Material: | Stainless steel |
The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Brush is ideal for anyone with multiple pets living in a single household. It works on all fur types and comes in two sizes. The stainless steel pins easily work through the hair to remove tangles and increase circulation, but the bristles are sharp, and some dogs might be a little too sensitive for it.
While it is easy to clean with the push of a button, the button can break easily if you’re not careful. Thankfully, the non-slip grip makes it easy to use so that you can be gentle on your pets.
- Two sizes available
- Self-cleaning
- For all fur types
- Increases circulation
- Sharp bristles
- The eject button breaks easily
6. Frisco DeShedding Cat & Dog Brush
| Weight: | N/A |
| Material: | Stainless steel |
The Frisco DeShedding Brush is affordable and available in two sizes for medium and large breeds with varying hair types. It features an ergonomic handle with a non-slip grip and angled teeth to remove as much hair from the undercoat as possible. The teeth are a bit sharp and aren’t ideal for dogs with sensitive skin. Because it is so rigid, it also isn’t the best option if your dog has lots of tangles.
- Two sizes available
- Affordable
- Angled teeth
- Ergonomic, non-slip handle
- Rough on sensitive skin
- Doesn’t detangle
7. Safari Single Row Undercoat Rake
| Weight: | N/A |
| Material: | Plastic |
This rake from Safari is a great brush for detangling fur and reducing the matting often found in the thick coats of Australian Shepherds. The handle has a non-slip grip and ergonomic design, and the tapered pins are also gentle enough for sensitive dogs. The biggest downside to this brush is that it rusts if it gets wet, plus it is also an unusual size—some users report that it isn’t big enough for breeds with a lot of fur, but it is also too big for small breeds.
- Detangles fur
- Non-slip, ergonomic handle
- Too small for bigger dogs
- Rusts easily
- Not ideal for longer hair
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Brushes for Australian Shepherds
A grooming session with any dog can be a hassle, but it is necessary if you want to keep their coats healthy. Plus, grooming can help you bond with your canine companions. This section explains why you need a specific brush for your Australian Shepherd and what to look out for while shopping.
What Are Double-Coats?
Dogs have two types of coats: a single coat or a double cat. Single coats only have one layer of fur. Double coats, like those found on Australian Shepherds, are harder to maintain and more challenging to work with. There is both a top and bottom layer.
Topcoat
The top coat of a dog is also known as a guard layer or outer coat. This layer protects the dog’s skin from UV rays, snow, dirt, and moisture. The hair is usually longer and coarser than that on the undercoat.
Undercoat
The undercoat is a soft, fluffy layer of fur commonly called the inner coat. This layer is made up of shorter, denser for. The purpose is to keep your dog warm in cooler climates and cool during summer heat.
Why Double-Coated Dogs Need More Grooming
Double coats are a lot longer and thicker than single coats on dogs, and grooming them more often is necessary. Grooming your double-coated dog regularly has several advantages. It reduces shedding, redistributes their natural oils, and helps you bond with your dog.
Types of Brushes for Double-Coated Dogs
There are many different brushes that come in a range of shapes and sizes. No brush will work on all types of fur, so make sure you pick one that suits your dog best.
Pin Brush
A pin brush is designed to remove loose fur, dander, and other debris that gets caught in the coat. The name makes it seem like it would hurt your dog, but most pin brushes are gentle and won’t pull while you brush.
Bristle Brush
Bristle brushes are some of the most common types. They are better for the top layer of fur and not the best at removing the loose fur caught in the undercoat. However, they are great for redistributing oils throughout the fur.
Combination Brushes
We think combination brushes are the best choice for Australian Shepherds because they allow you to focus on each coat layer with the flip of a handle. Combination brushes usually feature bristles and pins for maximum results.
Rakes
Rake combs look intimidating but are the best tool for removing tangles and loose fur in the undercoat. You do have to be careful with them because they can sometimes break the protective outer layer.
- See Also: 7 Best Shampoo for Australian Shepherds
How We Determined This List of Best Brushes for Australian Shepherds
All the brushes reviewed in this article were chosen by our writers, editors, and team of experienced veterinary professionals to ensure that they are safe and meet the care needs of your pet. When choosing which brushes to feature, we took into account brand reputation, personal and hands-on experience, reviews from other customers, and of course, feedback from our beloved pets, to make sure to bring you only the best of the best. We at PangoVet want to give you only the best products to choose from in our reviews, to ensure that they meet your pets’ needs for optimal health and well-being.
Why Trust PangoVet?
We are a team of experienced veterinarians, writers, and editors who are pet owners ourselves, so we understand how important your pets and the products they use and consume are to you. Whether you are caring for a furry, scaly, or feathered friend, we make sure that you have honest and unbiased reviews of the top brushes on the market, so you can make an informed decision.
Conclusion
These reviews have covered a range of brushes that will work well for your Australian Shepherd. Our pick for the overall best choice is the Hartz Groomer’s Combo Dog Brush because you can focus on each layer of fur. For dogs with denser coats, we found that the JW Pet Gripsoft Rake was the best at removing tangles without damaging your pet’s topcoat. Every brush on this list works well for nearly all breeds but even better on Australian Shepherds.
Featured Image Credit: Olexander Kozak, Shutterstock
