It’s important to choose the right brush for Australian Shepherds due to their hair coat and frequent shedding.
The coloring and softness of an Australian Shepherd’s coat are one reason many pet parents fall in love with this breed. It has two layers, helping keep your pet warm in winter and cool in summer – but this structure also means a lot of shedding, especially in spring and fall.
You need the right brush to remove dead hair and prevent mats and tangles.
Our vet advisor, Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM, reviewed dozens of the best brushes for Australian Shepherds to bring you her top choices. The GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush was her top pick.
With its strong bristles, ergonomic grip, and instant cleaning button, it’s a fantastic choice for not just your dog but for you too.
But there’s a lot that goes into choosing the perfect brush for your Aussie. You may be on a budget, looking for a comb, or more concerned about your Aussie’s coat and finish than anything else. Dr. Bonk took all of this into account in selecting the best brushes for a variety of uses.
The 5 Best Brushes for Australian Shepherds
- Best Overall – GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
- Best Undercoat Rake – FURminator Grooming Rake
- Best De-Shedding Tool – DakPets De-shedding Tool
- Best Comb – Poodle Pet Detangling Pet Comb
- Best Finishing Brush – BV Two-Sided Brush
Aussie Brushes Compared
Here are the top picks from our veterinarian. Compare the ratings and features of different models.
| Editor’s Picks | Model | Rating | Type of Brush | Material | For thick fur? | Comfort-grip handle? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush | Slicker brush | Plastic with metal teeth | |||
| Best Undercoat Rake | FURminator Grooming Rake | Undercoat rake | Plastic with metal teeth | |||
| Best De-Shedding Tool | DakPets De-shedding Tool | Grooming comb | Stainless steel | |||
| Best Comb | Poodle Pet Detangling Pet Comb | Detangling comb | Stainless steel | |||
| Best Finishing Brush | BV Two-Sided Brush | Two-sided: bristle and pin | Nylon (bristles) and metal (pins) |
*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers
In This Article
Who Should Buy Brushes for Australian Shepherds
- Pet parents who are bringing home an Australian Shepherd for the first time – There are lots of purchases to make when you get any new pet. Your Australian Shepherd will need a good brush for regular grooming (daily during heavy shedding seasons).
- Anyone who’s finding their current brush uncomfortable or hard to use – Perhaps you have an old brush that’s hard to keep clean or that isn’t comfortable to hold for long periods. All the brushes in our top 5 list have comfortable grips.
- Australian Shepherd owners with only one type of brush – It’s a good idea to have several tools to hand, such as a comb or pin brush for untangling, de-shedding tools or rakes to get through the thick undercoat, and a slicker brush to help remove shed hair.
Who Should Not Buy Brushes for Australian Shepherds
- Owners of other breeds of dog – Australian Shepherds have a double coat, so our vet’s picks may not be the most suitable brushes for dogs with single coats. If you don’t have an Australian Shepherd, make sure you look carefully at the details of the brush you’re considering buying.
- Pet owners who already have lots of suitable brushes and combs – If you’re happy with your current brushes and they’re doing a good job of removing mats and tangles, you don’t need to buy new ones.
Buying Guide: Research Tips From a Veterinarian
As a veterinarian, I often get asked how to choose the right brush for Australian Shepherds. It’s important to understand that you’re likely to need more than one brush. Brushing not only removes shedding hair, it’s also important to stimulate and disperse the skin’s natural oils to give your dog’s coat a healthy shine and softness. Brushing will also remove dirt and debris, prevent mats, and increase the hair’s health.
You’re likely to need several different brushes, depending on the time of year and your dog’s specific haircoat. Talk to your own veterinarian or a professional groomer, and consider consulting an Australian Shepherd breed organization. They’ll have advice and recommendations for the best of everything, from food to exercises to brushes that perfectly match the needs of Australian Shepherds.
- For longer-haired Australian Shepherds, look for a comb or pin brush for detangling their long locks – These types of brushes work well to remove any dirt, grass, or weed seeds from your dog’s coat.
- For thick-coated dogs, de-shedding tools or rakes can get through their undercoat – You can also opt for FURminator tools with longer teeth to reach down to the skin.
- Slicker brushes are a great option too – These work well for all hair types as a detangler as well as a shed hair remover.
- If you want your Australian Shepherd to have a healthy shine, add in a bristle brush – This isn’t essential, but it should do a good job of distributing skin oils to make your dog’s coat glisten.
How Much Do They Cost?
Between $10 and $25
Most brushes for Australian Shepherds cost between $10 and $25. In this range, you can expect a good-quality brush that’s easy to use and comfortable for both you and your dog. Brushes at the higher end of the price range are likely to be a little more durable and may have more specialist features. Be cautious about brushes that cost less than $10, as they may end up costing you more in the long run if you have to frequently replace them.
Our Methodology: Why Trust Pet News Daily
As a veterinarian, I have spoken with many pet owners, groomers, and other veterinarians about the best dog brushes on the market for all sorts of breeds, including Australian Shepherds. With the many brushes available on the market, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by choice. I’ve selected these top 5 brushes based on my professional experience as a veterinarian along with considering the comfort, ease of use, and durability of each. I also made sure I picked a range of different types of brushes and combs so that you can cover all the different grooming needs of your Australian Shepherd. – Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM
The Best Brushes for Australian Shepherd Reviews
1. Best Overall – GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
The GM Pets Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is a great 2-in-1 brush suitable for Australian Shepherds as well as plenty of other dogs. It’s incredibly easy and comfortable to use, with an ergonomic comfort-grip handle and a self-clean mechanism. Just press the button to “eject” the hair caught in the brush.
With its strong metal bristles, it’s designed for dogs with thick coats and long hair, so it’s perfect for Australian Shepherds. It also does a great job of removing matted hair.
- Comfortable to use with ergonomic grip and thumb rest
- Hair comes off the brush with the click of a button
- Many reviewers said this worked well when other brushes had failed
- 90-day full satisfaction guarantee
- Bristles are sharp, so you’ll want to be careful when using it
- Only one choice of color (purple)
2. Best Undercoat Rake – FURminator Grooming Rake
The FURminator Grooming Rake (read our review of furminator grooming as well) removes loose hair and tangles, preventing mats. It has rotating metal teeth that do a great job of getting loose hair out of your Australian Shepherd’s undercoat.
This comb is perfect for Australian Shepherds as it deals well with thick fur and dense double coats. The ergonomic handle makes it comfortable and easy to grip and gives you full control too.
- Rotating metal teeth help remove loose hair from undercoat
- Ergonomic handle is comfortable to hold and easy to control
- Great for dogs who’ve resisted grooming in the past
- A few reviewers said the handle came off easily
- Needs to be used quite patiently to work well
3. Best Deshedding Tool – DakPets De-shedding Tool
The DakPets De-shedding Tool significantly reduces shedding by removing dead hair from your Australian Shepherd’s undercoat, without harming their top coat. The comb is made from rust-resistant steel,
The durable rubber handle is easy to grip and the brush is available in blue, pink, or yellow. The handle detaches from the comb, for easier cleaning or simply so you can use the comb on its own to tackle tricky patches of your dog’s fur.
- Gets through fur smoothly without pulling or hurting your dog
- Easy to grip and clean
- 60-day refund period if you’re not happy for any reason
- Some reviewers said it only worked well if held at just the right angle
- May need to go over your dog’s coat several times for a good result
4. Best Comb – Poodle Pet Detangling Pet Comb
To get knots and mats out of your Australian Shepherd’s hair, try the Poodle Pet Detangling Pet Comb. The teeth are made from stainless steel, meaning they’re strong and effective. The handle has an anti-slip grip, plus it’s light and easy to use.
It’s also a budget-friendly option, meaning it’s a great comb to go for if you’re buying some other dog grooming tools too. You’ll be getting those clumps and mats of fur out of your Australian Shepherd’s coat in no time.
- Light and comfortable to hold
- Removes knots and mats without hurting your dog
- Won’t break the bank
- A few reviewers mentioned the teeth bent easily
- May need to hold it at an angle for it to work effectively
5. Best Finishing Brush – BV Two-Sided Brush
To help your Australian Shepherd look its best, you’ll want to use a finishing brush. The BV Two-Sided Brush is a great option as it has two sides: pins to remove snarls and debris and bristles to distribute natural oils that make your dog’s coat shiny.
It has a comfortable ergonomic handle with a grooved grip, and the ventilation hole in the brush lets the pins flex and contour to your dog’s back.
- Get dull fur looking shiny again
- Many reviewers said their dog loved this brush
- It’s easy to clean
- Some pins may fall out after frequent use
- Pins may not get through your Australian Shepherd’s coat effectively
Frequently Asked Questions
A slicker brush is a great all-rounder that works well on both the thick, fine hair of the undercoat and on detangling the longer outer hairs. You might also want to add a pin brush, which can work well during lighter shedding times of year, and a bristle brush for distributing skin oils and giving your dog’s coat a healthy shine. As well as brushes and combs, you’ll also need grooming tools like nail clippers, pet shampoo, and even a pet hair dryer.
Pet News Daily writers are experts in pet care, health and behavior. We are members of Society for Professional Journalists and practice ethical journalism.
