Slicker Brushes for Poodles and Doodles

Curly coats do not shed the way straight coats do. Loose hair stays trapped in the curl, twists around living hair and quietly forms a mat close to the skin. That is why a Poodle or a Goldendoodle can look fluffy on the surface and be matted underneath.

Why curly coats need longer pins

Most slicker brushes have short pins that skate across the top of the curl and never reach the layer where mats actually form. Flying Pawfect pins are 50 percent longer than a standard slicker, so they pass through the coat instead of over it. They are also softer, which matters when you are working close to the skin on a dog who has learned to dislike being brushed.

Choosing your size

For a full-size Standard Poodle, Bernedoodle or Labradoodle, start with a large curved brush. The curve follows the shoulder, chest and hindquarters where dense coat sits. For a Mini Poodle, Cavapoo or Cockapoo, a medium is easier to control. Keep a small on hand for the face, ears and paws, which mat first and are the hardest places to reach with a big brush head.

How often to brush

Every second day is enough for most curly coats between grooms. Ten minutes on a rotation, one section at a time, prevents almost every mat a groomer would otherwise have to shave out. Brush after baths too, while the coat is still slightly damp, because curls tighten as they dry and lock loose hair in with them.