Australian Shepherd Brush: 2024 Picks for Best Australian Shepherd Dog Brush
Contents of Article
- What is the Best Brush for an Australian Shepherd?
- Different Popular Brush Types for Australian Shepherds
- Understanding your Australian Shepherds Coat
- Overall Best Brush for an Australian Shepherd – Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
- Best Australian Shepherd Matted Hair Brush – Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush for Dogs and Cats
- 3 More Top Rated Brushes for Australian Shepherds
- FURminator deShedding Edge Dog Brush
Australian shepherds are some of the most beautiful dogs out there, but they also tend to shed quite a bit.
Seasonal changes affect Australian shepherds more than a lot of other breeds, and failing to brush them regularly will lead to tangles, matted fur, and a mess around your house.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best Australian shepherd brush type as well as your top brush for an Australian shepherd. You’ll learn some more about your Aussie’s coat and find the best brush for the job.
What is the Best Brush for an Australian Shepherd?
Different Popular Brush Types for Australian Shepherds
There are a lot of different brush types out there, but each dog needs something different. The pin brush is the only true one-size-fits-all solution to dog brushes, but it’s not always the best choice when trying to remove dead hair from a shedding Australian shepherd.
We are going to take a look at each of the following brush types:
- Rake brush
- Slicker brush
- Pin brush
- Bristle brush
Rake Brushes
A rake – or an undercoat rake – is a must-have for Australian shepherd owners. Australian shepherds have undercoats to keep them warm in the winter and fall, which means they will shed their coat when the weather gets warmer.
You’ll be able to tackle surface shedding with pin and bristle brushes, but undercoat rakes will go a lot deeper. These brushes look a lot like razors, with teeth that often curve at the end. The teeth are usually quite deep as well, so they can penetrate the outer layer of your Australian shepherd’s coat.
It’s important to be gentle when using an undercoat rake on your Australian shepherd. The teeth on some of these rakes can be sharp and will dig into your dog’s skin if you press too hard.
Slicker Brushes
Slicker brushes have a similar function as undercoat rakes do, but they don’t usually remove dead hair from the base of your Australian shepherd’s undercoat. Instead, these brushes focus on removing surface hair and getting rid of mats.
We usually recommend having a slicker brush on hand for any medium to a long-haired dog, and an Australian shepherd is no exception. These brushes will help remove tangles before they become too much of a problem, as well as getting rid of the shredded hair that will wind up on your carpet, clothes, and furniture.
Like rakes, it’s essential that you are gentle when brushing your dog with a slicker brush. The pins don’t have plastic protection as they do with pin brushes, so they are prone to scratching your dog if you’re not careful.
Pin Brushes
Pin brushes are probably the most versatile brush out there. They are oval-shaped and have loosely-spaced rows of pins – just like most human brushes have. These brushes can help get mats out of hair and remove dead fur from the coat, but they aren’t the most effective method of doing either.
Still, pin brushes are safe and comfortable for your Australian shepherd. You don’t have to worry about scratching them with a pin brush, and using it will feel like a nice massage to them. Pin brushes are usually inexpensive, so we recommend picking one up in addition to another Australian shepherd brush type we listed.
Bristle Brushes
Bristle brushes are densely-packed brushes with bristles – as the name suggests. These are often considered the best dog brush for short-haired dogs, but they work well on Australian shepherds as well.
These brushes will lift excess hair from the surface of the skin. They don’t harm the dog in any way, so you can press a bit harder when using one. Although bristle brushes provide a nice change of pace brushing tool, they aren’t the most effective means of removing shedding hair from your Australian shepherd.
Understanding your Australian Shepherds Coat
Before we look more into the brush for an Australian shepherd, we’re going to go over the coat of the breed. All dog breeds have different coats that require different methods of care. You wouldn’t use the same brush on a poodle and a pit bull, for instance.
Here is some further information about the specifics of an Australian shepherd coat so you can make an informed decision when buying an Australian shepherd brush.
Double Coat
An Australian shepherd is one of the double-coated breeds that protects them from the elements and keeps them warm. The outer layer will help wick moisture and protect the inner layer, which is all about insulation. This double coat is a result of where the breed originated, in the Pyrenees Mountains region.
Outer Layer
The outer layer of an Australian shepherd’s coat is a mix between bristly and soft. It falls in the middle of the spectrum here and can vary in length. The region near the neck is usually longer than the hair around the hindquarters.
The head and leg areas are usually shorter than the hair on the rest of the body, but the length and fluff of these areas will depend on whether or not your Australian shepherd is a male or a female. Female Australian shepherds often have shorter hair than males do.
The Undercoat
Dogs with undercoats use the layer to protect them from losing heat. Your dog will shed some hair in the summer and grow it back during the winter, so you don’t have to worry about clipping an Australian shepherd most of the time.
The hair of the Australian shepherd undercoat is thick and dense. It sticks closely to the body to keep the Aussie warm when it’s cold outside.
The length and density of your Australian shepherd undercoat will largely depend on the climate in which you live. Those who live in areas with harsh winters will develop a thick undercoat that they’ll shed during the spring. In warmer climates, the undercoat will usually be a lot thinner. The temperature remains relatively warm throughout the year, so the Aussie won’t be shedding as frequently as they do in colder areas.
Australian Shepherd Colors
The four colors of an Australian shepherd include red merle, blue merle, red (actually looks brown), and solid black. All four colors are known to have the trademark Australian shepherd white blotches, but that’s not always the case. It’s also common for Australian shepherds to have brown or light-red areas around their eyes.
Blue merle and red merle Australian shepherd are some of the more iconic colors of the breed. An Australian shepherd with blue merle coloring looks silver or gray with black spots. Red merle dogs often have burgundy or light-brown base with some darker spots scattered throughout their bodies.
| Our 2024 Picks: Best Dog Brush for an Australian Shepherd | |||
| Rank | Dog Brush | Price | Rating |
| Top Choice |
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$ |
A+
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#2 |
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$ |
A
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#3 |
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$$ |
A
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#4 |
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$ |
A
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#5 |
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$ |
A-
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Overall Best Brush for an Australian Shepherd – Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
The Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is our top pick for the best dog brush for an Australian shepherd. This Australian shepherd slicker brush removes tangles and snags from your dog while eliminating dead fur piling up and spreading all over your house.
This brush comes in three different sizes, though you probably want to splurge for the large version for your Australian shepherd. It can get light mats out of the surface of your dog’s hair with gentle pins that don’t easily scratch them.
One of the reasons we chose this brush as the best brush for an Australian shepherd is its self-cleaning feature. Cleaning hair out of dog brushes can be a huge hassle, but all you have to do with this one is press a button. The pins retract and allow you to wipe the hair into the trash.
- Self-cleaning
- Available in multiple sizes
- Comfortable to hold
- Some users reported durability concerns
- Can scratch some sensitive dogs
Best Australian Shepherd Matted Hair Brush – Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush for Dogs and Cats
The Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush for Dogs and Cats is our top pick for an Australian shepherd matting brush. It removes tangles and dead hair nearly effortlessly without scratching your dog’s skin. The bristles penetrate deep into the coat as well, meaning this product can get out mats that some of the others can’t.
The only downside is that it can be difficult to clean. You will have to pull all of the hair out manually, which can take a bit of time if there was a lot to remove. Still, this is the best dog brush for an Australian shepherd with matted hair that we’ve seen.
- Comfortable to use
- Gentle on your dog’s skin
- Low cost
- Some users reported durability concerns
- Can be difficult to clean
3 More Top Rated Brushes for Australian Shepherds
A de-shedding tool/undercoat rake is one of the essential purchases for any owner of a long-haired dog like the Australian shepherd. The FURminator Deshedding Edge Dog Brush is our top pick for this application, and some may even say it’s the overall best brush for an Australian shepherd.
Like the Safari brush, we listed above, the FURminator has a button on the back that releases the collected hair into the trash bin, which means you don’t have to spend time picking out the hair from the brush when you’ve finished. The FURminator is one of the best de-shedding products on the market, and we highly recommend it for Australian shepherd owners.
- Releases hair with a button
- Several size options for customization
- Durable and comfortable to use
- Teeth can be sharp
- Buying the wrong size might meat missing the undercoat
Oster Combination 2-in-1 Dog Brush
The Oster Combo Brush for Dogs is another great choice for those looking for a simpler brush. This brush combines pins and bristles so you can get out some knots and mats while smoothing the texture of your Australian shepherd’s coat.
Pin brushes are the standard dog brush because they massage their skin while brushing out dead hair. This brush has the best of both worlds with the bristle side as well, so you can add some sleek and shine to your Australian shepherd’s coat.
- Uses both bristles and pins
- Good for matted hair
- Comfortable for you and your dog.
- Pin side can push in
- Width is a bit small
JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush Soft Pin
The JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush Soft Pin is our final addition to the list of best Australian shepherd brushes. It’s a pin brush but doesn’t have the traditional look of a pin brush you might be used to. Instead of spaced-out bristles, this one has them tightly locked to help get rid of tangles and mats.
This pin brush is a lot more effective at removing mats than some of the others we’ve seen. It’s gentle and will get rid of the dead hair closest to the surface. We do recommend using a rake with this brush as well, though. The pins are a bit on the shorter side, so they won’t reach all the way to the Aussie’s undercoat.
- Great for removing mats and tangles
- Soft and gentle on the skin
- Durable handle
- Pins are a bit short
- Can be difficult to clean
Tips on Brushing your Australian Shepherd’s Coat
Here are a few tips you can implement into your brushing routine to make things easier for you and your Australian shepherd.
- Make cleanup easier by placing a rag or plastic sheet on the ground to catch the hair the brush leaves behind.
- For tangles that are hard to get out, use a conditioner/water mixture before brushing. This often works best in a spray bottle.
- Brush your Australian shepherd at least once or twice per week. They require more brushing in the summer as they shed.
- Use a slicker brush to remove mats, starting at the shoulders and moving down to the tail.
- You can use shears to cut any troublesome areas off of your dog’s coat.
- Use a pin brush or bristle brush after the slicker brush to get any hair left behind.
- Never use too much pressure with a slicker brush or undercoat rake. This will scratch your dog’s skin.
- If your dog doesn’t like sitting still, try taking them for a walk before you brush to burn off some of their energy. Keep some treats on hand to reward them throughout the process.
FAQ:
How often should you brush an Australian shepherd?
Normally, you should brush your Australian shepherd at least once per week. This will get rid of all of the dead hair during the colder months, but we advise brushing two or more times per week. When the weather changes, and it turns warm, your Australian shepherd will begin to shed. At this time, you can up your brushing to daily.
How to prevent Australian Shepherd’s hair from Matting
Do Australian shepherds have an undercoat?
Yes, Australian shepherds have an undercoat. The undercoat keeps them warm during the winter, and they shed their excess fur in the summer. You should consider buying an undercoat rake to get rid of any dead fur trapped beneath the outer layer of your dog’s coat.
How to prevent an Australian shepherd from shedding so much?
Australian shepherds can shed quite a bit when the weather gets warm. They lose their winter coat for a lighter, breathable summer coat. You’ll need to brush them a lot during this time to make sure they don’t get matted. Also, always properly hydrate your dog, so they don’t overheat from the extra fur.
Food changes may contribute to your dog’s shedding as well. Ask your vet if you have any concerns about the amount your Australian shepherd is shedding.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide gave you some helpful tips on keeping your Australian shepherd’s coat healthy and vibrant. This breed sheds more often than a lot of others, so it’s essential that you keep a regular brushing routine to prevent a mess and get any tangles out.
Are you looking for the best brushes for another dog breed? Check out our other guides on our website!
