Best Brush for Newfoundlands | Thick Coat Grooming Guide

How to Prevent Mats in Thick Coats

The best brush for Newfoundlands is usually a high-quality slicker brush supported by a stainless steel comb and an undercoat rake for heavier coat buildup. Newfoundlands have thick, dense coats that can trap loose hair, moisture, and tangles close to the skin if grooming is not done consistently.

A Newfoundland coat can look full and healthy from the outside while hidden mats are forming underneath. This is especially common around the chest, belly, rear legs, tail base, underarms, behind the ears, and collar area.

Because Newfoundlands are large dogs with heavy coats, grooming can feel overwhelming if you wait too long between brushing sessions. The key is not to brush harder. The key is to brush in sections, use the right tools in the right order, and prevent small tangles before they become packed mats.

If you want a practical at-home routine, start with the Flying Pawfect Slicker Brush. It helps separate thick coat layers, loosen trapped hair, and make brushing faster, easier, and more effective before you follow with a comb or undercoat tool.

Why This Matters

Newfoundlands are known for their large size, gentle personality, and thick water-resistant coats. That coat is part of what makes the breed so iconic, but it also means grooming cannot be occasional or rushed.

Thick coat matting is more than a cosmetic issue. Mats can pull on the skin, trap moisture, hide irritation, and make a large dog much harder to groom comfortably. Once the coat becomes packed, brushing can take much longer and may require professional help.

• A proper slicker brush helps open thick coat before tangles tighten.
• A comb check helps confirm the coat is clear below the visible top layer.
• An undercoat rake can help during heavy shedding when used carefully after brushing.
• Regular grooming helps prevent mats in high-friction and moisture-prone areas.
• Better tools make it easier to manage a large coat without turning brushing into a struggle.

Because Newfoundlands have thick double coats, it helps to understand how different brush types support different coat layers. For a broader tool breakdown, read Best Brushes for Double Coated Dogs (Complete Guide 2026).

How the Problem Happens

Newfoundland mats usually start when loose undercoat gets trapped beneath the outer coat. Add friction, moisture, and body movement, and those loose hairs can compact into tight knots.

The problem often builds quietly. A quick brush over the back may make the coat look neat, but thick areas near the skin can still hold trapped hair. Over time, that hidden buildup becomes harder to loosen.

• Dense undercoat: Loose hair can collect underneath the visible coat and become packed if not removed.
• Surface brushing: The topcoat may look smooth while the deeper coat remains tangled.
• Moisture: Rain, baths, swimming, damp grass, humidity, and incomplete drying can tighten existing tangles.
• Friction zones: Behind the ears, under the legs, collar area, chest, belly, tail base, and rear feathers mat faster than the back.
• Large coat size: Because Newfoundlands have so much coat, it is easy to miss sections unless grooming is organized.
• Wrong tool order: Starting with a comb or rake before the coat is opened can cause pulling and discomfort.

Newfoundlands are especially prone to moisture-related coat problems because their thick coat can hold dampness. If tangles are already present, water can make them tighter and more difficult to brush out later.

What the Solution Involves

The solution is a layered grooming routine. Start by opening the coat with a slicker brush, check the section with a comb, then use an undercoat rake only when the coat is ready and shedding buildup requires it.

For a large breed like a Newfoundland, sectioning is not optional. Trying to brush the entire dog quickly usually leads to missed areas, especially under the chest, belly, rear legs, and tail.

1. Use a slicker brush first to loosen and separate the coat in small sections.
2. Work from easier areas toward harder areas so the dog stays calm.
3. Use a stainless steel comb to check whether each section is fully clear.
4. Use an undercoat rake carefully during heavy shedding or dense coat buildup.
5. Brush before bathing so hidden tangles do not tighten with water.
6. Break grooming into shorter sessions if one full session is too much.

This routine is similar to other heavy double-coated breeds. For a related shedding-control guide, read Best Grooming Tools for Huskies | Complete Guide to Shedding Control.

Recommended Tools

The best grooming kit for a Newfoundland should help you manage coat density, mat prevention, loose undercoat, and moisture-prone areas. You do not need dozens of tools, but you do need tools that each serve a clear purpose.

For most Newfoundlands, the three most useful tools are a slicker brush, a stainless steel comb, and an undercoat rake for heavier coat buildup.

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Flying Pawfect Slicker Brush

 

The Flying Pawfect Slicker Brush is the main brush to use for Newfoundlands because it helps separate thick coat layers before small tangles become large mats. This matters because Newfoundland coats can look brushed on the surface while loose undercoat remains trapped underneath.

A quality slicker brush gives you more control than a basic surface brush. Instead of brushing quickly over the outside, you can lift small sections and work through the coat more thoroughly.

This brush fits naturally into a Newfoundland grooming routine as the first tool. Use it before a comb or undercoat rake so the coat is opened, loosened, and easier to check.

It is especially useful around the chest, belly, underarms, behind the ears, collar area, rear legs, tail base, and feathering. These are the places where thick coats often compress, hold moisture, and develop hidden mats.

The Flying Pawfect Slicker Brush also helps prevent one of the biggest mistakes Newfoundland owners make: brushing only the easy top areas. The back may look nice, but the problem areas are usually underneath, behind the legs, and around the dense coat zones.

Use it before baths, after wet outdoor walks, during shedding periods, and between professional grooming appointments. It works best with short, controlled strokes and a section-by-section routine.

Tool quality matters because a Newfoundland coat is heavy and demanding. A weak brush may skip over dense areas, while a harsh tool can make the dog resist grooming. A better slicker brush helps make each session faster, easier, and more effective without relying on force.

• Best for: Newfoundlands, thick coats, double coats, large breeds, mat prevention, and regular home grooming.
• Why it works: It helps open dense coat layers so trapped hair and early tangles can be loosened before they become packed.
• Context: Use as the first tool, then follow with a stainless steel comb or undercoat rake when needed.

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Stainless Steel Dog Comb

A stainless steel dog comb is the checking tool for Newfoundland grooming. The slicker brush does the main loosening work, but the comb tells you whether the section is truly clear.

After brushing a section, gently run the comb through the same area. If the comb glides through, the coat is clear. If it catches, there is still a tangle, packed undercoat, or missed section.

This is especially important for Newfoundlands because thick coats can hide problems close to the skin. A section may look brushed from the outside while still holding resistance underneath.

Use the comb after brushing, not as the first tool on a dense or tangled coat. Starting with a comb can pull and make grooming uncomfortable for a large dog.

• Best for: Checking chest, belly, ears, rear legs, tail base, collar area, and other hidden matting zones after brushing.
• Why it works: It reveals snags and packed areas that may not be visible from the surface.
• Context: Use after the slicker brush, never as a force tool through tight mats.

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Undercoat Rake

An undercoat rake can be useful for Newfoundlands when there is heavy loose undercoat or seasonal shedding buildup. It is a supporting tool, not the main everyday brush.

The purpose of an undercoat rake is to help remove loose undercoat after the coat has already been opened with a slicker brush. It should not be forced through dense mats or painful areas.

Use slow, controlled passes and work in sections. If the rake catches hard, stop and return to the slicker brush before trying again.

For Newfoundlands, an undercoat rake can be especially useful around the rear, chest, sides, and thick seasonal shedding areas. It should be used carefully so you remove loose coat without damaging the healthy outer coat.

• Best for: Heavy loose undercoat, seasonal shedding, dense coat buildup, and large double-coated dogs.
• Why it works: It can reach loose undercoat that surface brushing may miss.
• Context: Use carefully after slicker brushing, not as a force tool through mats.

Step-by-Step Guide

Brushing a Newfoundland should be organized and patient. Because the dog is large and the coat is thick, it is better to brush one section well than rush over the entire body and miss hidden mats.

Use this routine several times per week, and increase frequency during shedding periods, wet weather, or when the coat starts to feel dense or clumpy.

1. Start with a dry coat: Dry brushing helps you feel tangles and loosen trapped undercoat before moisture tightens them.
2. Choose one section: Work on one side, one rear leg, the chest, belly, tail base, or behind one ear instead of brushing randomly.
3. Part the coat: Use your fingers to lift the hair so the brush can reach below the surface.
4. Use the slicker brush first: Brush with short, controlled strokes and light to moderate pressure based on coat resistance.
5. Comb-check the section: If the comb catches, return to the slicker brush before moving on.
6. Use an undercoat rake if needed: During heavy shedding, use it lightly after the coat has been opened.
7. Focus on hidden zones: Spend extra time on ears, armpits, chest, belly, rear legs, collar area, and tail base.
8. Take breaks: Large dogs may need grooming split into multiple shorter sessions.

The goal is consistency. Regular section brushing prevents the coat from reaching the point where every session feels like a major project.

Prevention Tips

Preventing mats in a Newfoundland coat is easier than removing packed tangles later. The coat is large, thick, and moisture-prone, so small problems can become big grooming jobs if ignored.

The best prevention plan focuses on high-risk areas, bath timing, drying, and consistent brushing before the coat becomes difficult to separate.

• Brush several times per week, and more often during seasonal shedding.
• Check behind the ears, under the front legs, chest, belly, collar area, rear legs, and tail base often.
• Brush and comb before bathing so hidden tangles do not tighten with water.
• Dry the coat thoroughly after baths, rain, swimming, or damp outdoor play.
• Remove collars and harnesses when not needed to reduce coat compression.
• Use a slicker brush before a comb or undercoat rake.
• Schedule professional grooming before the coat becomes packed or difficult to manage.

For broader mat prevention strategies that apply to many coat types, read Mat Prevention Tips for Dogs | Complete Grooming Guide.

Common Mistakes

Most Newfoundland grooming mistakes happen because the coat is large and easy to underestimate. Owners may brush the visible areas while missing the places where mats actually begin.

The best routine is not the fastest routine. It is the one that reaches the dense areas and keeps the coat open before mats become packed.

• Only brushing the back: The back may look neat while the chest, belly, legs, ears, and tail base are forming mats.
• Skipping the comb check: Without a comb, you may not know whether the deeper coat is clear.
• Using a rake first: An undercoat rake can pull if the coat has not been opened with a slicker brush.
• Bathing before brushing: Water can tighten hidden tangles and make mats harder to remove.
• Not drying fully: Damp undercoat can stay trapped and increase matting risk.
• Trying to finish the whole dog in one rushed session: Large coats often need organized section work and breaks.
• Forcing through packed mats: If the mat is tight, painful, or close to the skin, call a groomer.

If your Newfoundland’s coat feels dense, clumpy, or hard to part, slow down and work in smaller sections. If the coat will not separate gently, professional grooming may be the safer option.

FAQs

What is the best brush for Newfoundlands?

The best brush for Newfoundlands is usually a high-quality slicker brush paired with a stainless steel comb. An undercoat rake can also help during heavy shedding when used carefully after the coat has been opened.

Do Newfoundlands need a slicker brush?

Yes, a slicker brush is one of the most useful tools for Newfoundlands because it helps loosen and separate thick coat. It should be used in sections before combing or using an undercoat rake.

How often should I brush my Newfoundland?

Most Newfoundlands need brushing several times per week. During heavy shedding, wet weather, or when the coat feels dense, more frequent brushing may be needed.

Should I use an undercoat rake on a Newfoundland?

An undercoat rake can be helpful for loose undercoat and seasonal shedding. Use it carefully after slicker brushing, and never force it through mats or packed coat.

Where do Newfoundlands mat the most?

Newfoundlands often mat behind the ears, under the front legs, around the collar, on the chest, belly, rear legs, tail base, and feathered areas. These spots need more attention than the back.

Can I brush out tight mats at home?

Light tangles can often be loosened with a slicker brush and comb. If a mat is tight, painful, large, or close to the skin, contact a professional groomer instead of forcing it.

Final Thoughts

The best brush for Newfoundlands is one that can help manage a thick double coat without turning grooming into a struggle. For most owners, that means starting with a quality slicker brush and following with a comb check.

Newfoundland coat care depends on consistency. The coat is large, dense, and prone to hidden buildup, so brushing needs to focus on the areas where mats begin, not only the places that are easiest to reach.

With the Flying Pawfect Slicker Brush, a stainless steel comb, careful undercoat support, and a realistic brushing schedule, your Newfoundland can stay cleaner, more comfortable, and easier to maintain between professional grooming appointments.