Best Brushes for Newfoundlands (Especially Behind Ears and Legs)

The best brush for a Newfoundland is a large flat slicker brush, backed by a steel comb and an undercoat rake. The slicker reaches through the heavy outer coat into the undercoat, the comb proves whether the tangle is really gone, and the rake handles the bulk during a heavy shed.

This coat needs serious maintenance. Thick, heavy and full of undercoat, a Newfoundland's fur becomes difficult to manage quickly without the right tools. The double coat traps loose fur close to the skin, and behind the ears, under the legs and around the tail it tangles fast.

If those spots are ignored, small knots turn into tight mats that are genuinely uncomfortable for the dog and often have to be cut out by a groomer.

The good news is that with the right brushes and a simple routine you can keep a Newfoundland coat cleaner, softer and far easier to maintain at home. Our double coat brush collection is built for coats like this one.

Must-Have Grooming Tools for a Newfoundland Coat

Newfoundland coats need tools that reach deep into thick fur. Light surface brushing will not do enough to prevent tangles or remove loose undercoat, and it is the single most common reason owners feel like they are brushing constantly with nothing to show for it.

To care for this coat properly it helps to use a small group of tools that work together to detangle, smooth and maintain it over time. If you are not sure whether your current brush is reaching the skin at all, How to Tell If You Are Only Brushing the Top Layer Of Your Dogs Coat is the quickest way to find out.

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Flying Pawfect Slicker Brush

A slicker brush is the most important grooming tool for a Newfoundland. It removes loose hair, loosens tangles and prevents mats from forming deep near the skin, which is where they always start on a coat this dense.

Pin length is what makes the difference. The pins stand 25 mm proud of the pad, long enough to pass through the heavy outer coat and engage the woolly layer underneath rather than sliding over the top of it.

The head is roughly the size of a palm, which matters enormously on a giant breed. A small brush face turns a Newfoundland into an hour long job. A wide flat face lets you cover the ribs, shoulders and hindquarters in long passes.

The pins are fine bent stainless steel, densely set and angled. The bend catches loose undercoat on the return stroke and holds it, so the hair leaves the dog and stays in the brush rather than being pushed around the coat.

Keep the brush flat against the coat and use light pressure. Depth on this breed comes from parting the hair and working from the skin outward, never from pressing harder.

• Best for: Reaching through dense fur and lifting trapped undercoat before it felts.
• Why it works: 25 mm fine bent pins with a palm sized flat head, which is the right scale for a giant breed.
• Context: The tool to build the routine around. Pair it with a steel comb to check your work.

Why a Steel Comb Belongs in Every Newfoundland Kit

A slicker brush loosens tangles. A metal comb tells you honestly whether they are actually gone, and that matters because a thick coat hides knots close to the skin very effectively.

After brushing a section, run the comb from root to tip. If it catches, there is still a tangle that needs attention before it becomes a mat.

The places worth combing every session:

• Behind the ears
• Under the collar
• Along the chest
• Back legs
• Tail base

When an Undercoat Rake Earns Its Place

Newfoundlands shed heavily because of that thick undercoat. An undercoat rake removes loose hair from the deeper layers, and it is most useful during a seasonal shed when the volume of dead coat builds faster than a slicker alone can clear it.

Outside of a heavy shed, the rake is optional. The slicker and comb cover normal weeks perfectly well. If you want the full picture of what a seasonal shed does to a double coat, read What Is Coat Blow in Dogs and How Long Does It Last?

Detangler Spray for Dry or Knotted Areas

When brushing a dry or slightly tangled coat, resistance makes grooming less comfortable for the dog. A detangler spray softens the fur so the brush moves through more smoothly, which is particularly useful on the areas that knot easily.

• Reduces pulling and discomfort
• Helps loosen small tangles
• Makes brushing faster
• Leaves the coat softer and easier to manage

It is a helper, not a fix. A spray will not open a mat that has already felted, and no amount of product replaces working through the coat properly.

Step by Step: How to Brush a Newfoundland

Having the right tools is only part of it. Technique matters just as much on a coat this heavy. The method below is line brushing, and it is what groomers use on every dense double coat.

• 1. Start with a dry coat. Never brush wet fur. Water tightens tangles and makes mats worse.
• 2. Run your hands over the dog first. Feel for firm lumps close to the skin before a brush goes anywhere near them.
• 3. Apply detangler if needed. Lightly mist the areas that knot, such as behind the ears and along the legs.
• 4. Brush in sections. Start at the bottom of the coat, lift a small section of hair upward, brush from the skin outward, then move up gradually.
• 5. Clear the brush often. A slicker packed with fur stops gripping. Pull the wad out every few passes.
• 6. Follow with the comb. Check each section so no tangle stays hidden underneath.
• 7. Stay consistent. Brush 3 to 4 times a week, and more often during a heavy shed.

The full method, including how to judge section size on a heavy coat, is set out in How to Brush a Double-Coated Dog Properly (Reduce Shedding & Mats).

If you meet a mat, do not force the brush or the comb through it. Hold the hair between the mat and the skin so the dog does not feel the pull, tease the edge apart with your fingers, and work inward with the tip of the comb. A mat that will not separate after a few patient minutes is a job for a professional groomer.

Common Trouble Spots on a Newfoundland

Certain areas mat more readily because of friction, moisture and movement. These are the ones to check every session rather than only when you notice a lump.

• Behind the ears
• Under the collar
• Armpits
• Chest
• Back legs
• Tail base

If the coat changes suddenly, if you find bald patches or broken hair, or if the skin underneath looks red, sore or flaky, treat that as a veterinary question rather than a grooming one. Coat change is one of the earliest visible signs of several medical conditions.

FAQs

How often should I brush my Newfoundland?

Most Newfoundlands should be brushed at least 3 to 4 times a week. During a heavy seasonal shed, a short daily session works better than one long weekly one, because you are removing far more loose coat per minute.

What is the best brush for a Newfoundland?

A large flat slicker brush is the best starting tool, because it reaches through the heavy outer coat and lifts dead undercoat before it can felt. Add a steel comb to check your work and an undercoat rake for shedding season.

Why does my Newfoundland get mats behind the ears?

The hair there is finer and softer than the body coat, the dog scratches at it, and a collar rubs the same patch every walk. Soft hair plus constant friction is a reliable recipe for matting, so that spot needs checking weekly.

Can I groom my Newfoundland at home?

Yes. Regular brushing and coat maintenance are absolutely a home job. A professional groomer is worth using for trimming, for severe matting, or if your dog finds handling difficult.

Should I shave my Newfoundland in summer?

No. The double coat insulates against heat as well as cold and protects the skin from sun. Clipping it can change how the coat regrows, sometimes permanently. Removing dead undercoat by brushing is what actually helps the dog stay cool.

How long does it take to brush a Newfoundland properly?

Twenty to thirty minutes covers most of the dog if you work in zones rather than trying to do everything at once. Splitting the dog across the week keeps any single session short enough that both of you stay willing.

Does a detangler spray prevent mats?

It reduces friction and makes brushing easier, but it does not prevent mats on its own and it will not open one that has already formed. Consistent brushing is what prevents matting.

Final Thoughts

Caring for a Newfoundland coat feels overwhelming at first, but with the right tools and a consistent routine it becomes manageable rather than daunting.

A large flat slicker, a steel comb to check the result, and 3 to 4 sessions a week will keep the coat healthier and grooming far more comfortable for your dog. Stay on top of the trouble spots and the mats mostly stop happening.