Regular brushing is the single highest-impact thing you can do between grooms. It prevents matting, cuts shedding, spreads natural oils, and keeps your grooming bills down.
The right tool for the coat
Slicker brush — fine wire bristles; the workhorse for curly, wavy, and long coats.
Metal comb — the honesty check. If a comb won't pass through to the skin, there's a mat.
Undercoat rake — pulls dead undercoat from double-coated breeds during shedding season.
Rubber curry / grooming mitt — best for short, smooth coats to lift loose hair.
Detangling spray — reduces breakage and makes brushing easier on long coats.
How to actually do it
Work in sections rather than sweeping over the top. Lift the coat with one hand and brush the layer underneath, working from the skin outward — this is called line brushing, and it's what separates real brushing from surface brushing. Finish by running a comb through; if it glides everywhere, you're done.
How often
Curly and doodle coats: 3–4 times a week. Long silky coats: most days. Double coats: 2–3 times a week, daily during coat blow. Short coats: weekly.
Don't miss these spots
Mats hide behind the ears, in the armpits, around the collar, on the rear "pants," and between the back legs. These are the areas groomers find matted most often.
Find a groomer near you
Home brushing extends the time between grooms, but professional grooming is still essential for most coats — compare local groomers in your city.