Best Brush for Goldendoodle

A Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, and these dogs are loved for their friendly demeanor and fun, lively personalities. They’re primarily bred as pets, but have also been used as therapy dogs and even guide dogs. 

They were first widely bred by designer dog breeders in Australia and the US in the 1990s, and today they are one of the most popular breeds in certain regions of the US. 

Goldendoodle’s were originally bred as an alternative to the popular Labradoodle. The cross can result in a healthier animal than both parent breeds, as hybrid vigor can reduce genetic issues found in both.

Goldendoodles are also popular as they’re claimed to be ‘hypoallergenic’ or ‘non-shedding’, however, Goldendoodles do shed hair although often in lesser quantities than other breeds. That said, different Goldendoodles can shed different amounts of hair, as there is no consistency in shedding between crossbreeds. 

Grooming your Goldendoodle’s coat is essential to keep it in good condition, redistribute natural oils and remove dirt and debris. However, we understand that it can be a little tricky to decide which brush is best suited for crossbred dogs. 

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best brushes for Goldendoodles, along with a complete Buyer’s Guide containing everything you need to consider before selecting the perfect brush for your pooch. 

So let’s get started. Find our top pick below:

Best Overall: Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush

Still one of the most popular brushes on the market, the Hertzko slicker brush gently removes loose hair while also eliminating tangles, knots, dander, and trapped dirt from your pup’s coat.

Equipped with fine, bent bristles, this brush penetrates deep into the coat to reach the undercoat and redistribute natural oils, without scratching your pet’s skin. 

This gentle brush will not only leave you Goldendoodle’s coat soft and shiny, but it will also help them feel good, too. The brush massages your dog as well as grooms, which boosts blood circulation for an even healthier coat.

It’s also self-cleaning, so with a simple press of a button you can retract the bristles and remove all the hair from the brush so it’s clean and ready to use the next time. 

This durable brush is reliable and strong and also has an ergonomic design for ultimate comfort for both you and your pet. It’s designed with a comfort grip, anti-slip handle which prevents wrist and hand strain during long grooming sessions.

Not only this, but the brush is an absolute steal and is one of the most popular on the market. 

Pros 

• Eliminates knots and tangles and removes dirt 
• Fine, bent bristles reach the undercoat and redistribute oils 
• Won’t scratch your pet’s skin 
• Self-cleaning for quick and convenient cleaning 
• Ergonomic, anti-slip handle 
• The massaging effect boosts circulation and soothes your dog 
• Great price – one of the most affordable and highly rated on the market 

Cons 

• Bristles may be a little too short for long Goldendoodle coats

Runner Up: Self-cleaning Slicker Pro Brush

This self-cleaning slicker brush is versatile and affordable, providing great bang for your buck. It comes in two different sizes, small to medium and medium to large, and is designed for both long-haired and short-haired cats and dogs.

This slicker brush is ideal for removing mats, tangles, dirt, and loose fur from your pup’s coat with minimal effort. The soft and flexible bristles offer easy and effective grooming that is gentle on your pet’s skin. They’re also highly durable as they’re made from stainless steel. 

The great thing about this brush is that it’s self-cleaning, so you can simply push the button, wipe away the loose fur, and the brush is as good as new again.

It also has an ergonomic design with a grippable handle for easy handling. This brush is perfect for keeping your home fur-free while still being gentle on sensitive skin.  

Pros 

• Self-cleaning brush – good as new in just 5 seconds 
• Flexible and durable stainless steel bristles 
• Grippable, ergonomic handle 
• Affordable price – great bang for your buck 
• Gentle, safe grooming even on sensitive skin 
• Versatile – good for long and short hair 

Cons 

• Button has a tendency to get stuck now and again

Alternative: Chris Christensen – Big G Slicker Brush – Large

This large slicker brush from Chris Christensen is perfect for fluffing up your Goldendoodle’s cottony coat, and fluff and shape their head, topline, and legs, too.

The long pins of this brush are ideal for detangling the Goldendoodle’s long coat, working through it all the way to the root to redistribute your pooch’s natural oils, which keep their coat looking shiny and healthy. 

Comfort is a big factor when it comes to grooming, and the bristles of this brush are smooth and soft on your dog’s coat.

Not only this, but the ergonomic design ensures you’re comfortable too: the brush has a lightweight feel, and the handle is contoured to provide good grip and maneuverability.  

The pins of this brush are soft and malleable which makes brushing wet hair easier. However, while this slicker brush is gentle, and glides through dense coats, avoid brushing repeatedly over the same area as this can hurt your dog or cause sensitivity issues. 

Pros

• Ergonomic, extra-long handle
• Works well with fluffy, curly coats
• Long bent bristles for getting right to the root  
• 40% more pins than other slicker brushes
• Effective for working through dense coats and removing undercoats
• Available in two sizes for leg use and body use

Cons

• Not ideal for short coats 
• It’s pretty expensive – so a bit of an investment.

Alternative: GoPets Professional Slicker Brush

The GoPets slicker brush removes matted and loose hair, eliminates tangles, and gets rid of trapped dirt. Thanks to the high density, fine bent bristles the brush reaches deep into your dog’s undercoat to redistribute their natural oils without scratching the skin.

It gently massages to boost blood circulation and leaves your pooch’s coat soft and shiny. The brush contains 672 bristles so the high density is great for working through a variety of coats effectively. 

If your Goldendoodle has a tendency to shed hair, the GoPets brush is ideal for controlling shedding as it captures loose hair while you brush. Cleaning is also extremely simple: simply push a button and the bristles retract so you can easily remove hair from the brush. 

This slicker brush has a comfortable silicone gel grip on the handle to alleviate wrist and hand strain during long grooming sessions, and the brush is strong and durable enough to withstand regular use, too. 

Pros 

• Removes matted, loose hair and reduces shedding 
• High-density bristles for effective grooming 
• Reaches deep into the undercoat to redistribute oils 
• Boosts blood circulation and massages your pet 
• Gentle and won’t scratch the skin 
• Ergonomic, easy-grip handle 
• Self-cleaning function for easy removal 

Cons 

• Some people found the button hard to push

Alternative: Pet Pull Complete Professional Pet Grooming Kit

Why buy one brush when you can get a slicker brush, grooming brush, and a pair of grooming gloves for the same price?

The Pet Pull complete grooming kit provides great bang for your buck and is the perfect starting place for those who are new to grooming. This set is also ideal if you have multiple pets with different coat types and you want to save money rather than purchase separate brushes. 

The self-cleaning slicker brush gently removes loose hair and eliminates tangles, knots, and trapped dirt, while the retractable fine curved bristles are self-protecting and make removing hair from the bristles super simple.

The deshedding grooming brush may not be suitable for all Goldendoodles, but if your dog does shed, this brush can help reduce shedding by up to 95%. The detachable stainless steel blade is durable and well-suited to both short-haired and long-haired pets. 

The grooming gloves are ideal for grooming hard-to-reach places like the face, legs, and tail, and while doing so you can give your pooch a soft, relaxing massage to boost their blood circulation.

The gloves are stretchable and one-size-fits-all, they’re also washable and have an adjustable wrist strap for ultimate comfort. 

Pros 

• 3 brushes in one set – great bang for your buck 
• Self-cleaning slicker brush removes dirt and tangles 
• Deshedding brush reduces shedding by up to 95% 
• Grooming gloves double as massagers to boost blood circulation
• Gloves are ideal for discreetly grooming anxious pets and allow you to groom hard to reach areas 

Cons 

• Deshedding brush may not be suitable for all Goldendoodles, so use with care

Best Brush for Goldendoodle – Buyer’s Guide

Brush Type 

There are lots of different pet grooming brushes out there, but some are better suited to the Goldendoodle than others.

Because crossbreeds’ coats will differ depending on which parent they take after, you should choose a brush based on your dog’s individual coat characteristics and needs.

Most Goldendoodles will have thick, curly coats and many owners find that a slicker brush works best, particularly if your dog has more Golden Retriever in their coat than poodle.

A slicker brush is usually wide, flat, and rectangular and has dense, fine bristles to help trap hair. 

Coat Type 

As we said, the best brush for your pooch depends on their coat type, and Goldendoodles can have different types of coats depending on their genes. 

Before purchasing a brush, give your Goldendoodle’s coat a once over. 

Some Goldendoodles have a “fleece coat”, consisting of loose apricot-colored curls that feel very soft to touch. Coats will vary between being straight or wavy.

Young pups with “fleece” coats will need minimal grooming, but as they get older all Goldendoodles will benefit from regular grooming.

Some people prefer to clip their Doodle if their coat is particularly long and they want to minimize grooming time. This is ideal for keeping your Doodle cool during the summer and minimizes matting and tangles. 

Comfort 

Some dogs get anxious when being groomed, and it won’t help if you use a brush that is too sharp on their skin or pulls at their hair. Slicker brushes are generally pretty gentle as they have thinner, shorter bristles.

Be wary of combs or deshedding brushes as these can be a little harsher on the skin. You should also refrain from repeatedly brushing the same area of your dog’s coat for too long, as this can irritate their skin. 

Ergonomics 

While it’s highly important that the brush you choose is gentle on your dog’s skin, it’s also important that it’s comfortable for you to handle, too.

Look for a brush that has a long handle and an ergonomic design that is easy to grip and maneuver. 

Cleaning 

Another thing to consider is how easy the brush is to clean. Most slicker brushes have a built-in self-cleaning function, where you can push a button and retract the bristles to easily remove the loose hairs.

This reduces the amount of shedding hair you find around your house and makes cleaning your brush easy and convenient. 

Cost 

The grooming market is massive and there are some pretty expensive grooming tools out there. It can be difficult to know how much to spend in order to strike the balance between finding a quality brush and not breaking the bank.

Thankfully, there are plenty of brushes on the market that offer great bang for your buck, and you don’t need to spend a lot to get good results when it comes to grooming your Goldendoodle.

We’d recommend spending between $15 to $30 on a brush, as this is the price region where you’ll find the most highly rated and popular brushes. 

Benefits of Grooming Your Goldendoodle 

Grooming your dog is about more than just keeping them looking good. These are just a few of the benefits of regular grooming: 

• Redistributes vital natural oils which keeps their coat shiny, healthy, and conditioned 
• Eliminates tangles and gets rid of matting and dirt 
• Can reduce shedding 
• Acts as a massage, which stimulates blood flow and promotes good health 
• Reduces stress and can have a soothing effect 
• Perfect opportunity to bond with your pooch 

Tips for Grooming a Goldendoodle

• Be gentle when you groom your dog, and if you feel a tangle or mat, don’t immediately start attacking it as this can cause abrasions which could lead to a skin infection. 
• Finger comb or comb through your dog’s coat before moving onto a slicker brush to smooth and add shine. 
• Pay particular attention to the face, feet, armpits, and private areas but be gentle when tending to these areas. If you leave this up to your groomer, simply ask for a “sanitary cut.” Alternatively, you can use your shears to keep hair out of your dog’s eyes and trim away hair in other areas.
• Try to give your Goldendoodle a therapeutic massage while you groom them. This helps reduce stress and is a perfect way to bond with your pup. 
• You may want to introduce hydrating shampoos and conditioners to your dog’s care routine. Hydrating shampoos, such as those containing argan oil, are beneficial for coat and skin health, and also help to hydrate and moisturize sensitive, dry skin in dogs. Green tea leaf or rooibos tea extracts can also help soothe sensitive, dry skin. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a Goldendoodle be groomed? 

You’ll want to groom your Goldendoodle at least 1-2 times a week, but more regular grooming will ensure your dog’s coat is kept in optimal condition.

You can either groom your Goldendoodle yourself or leave it up to a professional, in which case if you prefer shorter hair, you should take your Goldendoodle in for grooming every six to eight weeks. For longer-haired pups, schedule a visit every eight to 10 weeks. 

Even if you take your pooch to the groomer, you’ll need to maintain their coat in between visits, so it’s still necessary to invest in a good grooming brush. You should also bathe your Goldendoodle once a month.

Refrain from bathing your Goldendoodle more than this unless he gets into something dirty or smelly, as bathing your pup too often can dry out their skin, which can cause itching and dander. Always brush before and after baths to detangle their coat. 

What is the best grooming brush for a Goldendoodle? 

Like we said before, this largely depends on the specifics of your Goldendoodle’s fur and how curly, straight, or thick it is depending on the traits they’ve inherited from their parents.

Most owners find a slicker brush the most effective, as these tend to gently work through knots and matting and penetrate the coat without irritating the skin. They also have a great smoothing effect on the Goldendoodle’s fur which leaves it looking shiny and conditioned. 

Ultimately though, no dog is the same and different brushes work best for different dogs and coats. If your pup is particularly sensitive or anxious when being groomed, you could try a pair of grooming gloves, which allow you to gently groom your pooch without them fully realizing.

Silicone or rubber brushes can also be very gentle and soft on sensitive skin.