Choosing the best brush for short haired dogs is simple when you know what you’re looking for. You need something gentle enough to prevent discomfort but thorough enough to remove excess fur.
The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is our top choice because it combines both of those elements perfectly.
As you go through this guide, keep these two things in mind. Also, you’re the only one who truly knows your pup so think about how they would enjoy these brushes.
Best Dog Brush for Short Haired Dogs: Top 7 Choices
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
Best Overall Dog Brush
4.7 out of 5
- Self-cleaning button makes removing loose hair easy
- Massages your dog’s skin while grooming them
- Dogs enjoy the feeling which reduces anxiety about grooming
- Fine wire bristles help remove loose hair
When grooming a dog with short hair, it’s important that you have a brush that’s not too rough. Short-haired dogs don’t have as much protection to keep them from getting nicked or cut so gentler bristles are the way to go.
This is why the Hertzko brush is our number one choice. The bristles gently remove loose hair and knots without pulling on your dog’s skin. They’re fine enough to move through the hair without tugging on it.
Of course, the self-cleaning feature is an added bonus. All you have to do is push a button and the bristles will retract and release all the loose fur that got caught in them during the grooming. If your dog is anxious or nervous about grooming time, this dog brush will help reduce their nerves and create a better bonding experience for the both of you.
ConairPRO Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush
Best Bristle Brush for Short Hair dogs
4.3 out of 5
- Designed to make your dog feel like you’re petting them
- Ergonomic handle makes long grooming sessions easier
- Easy to use on a regular basis
This Conair bristle brush uses a handle-free design that makes it feel as if you’re petting your dog. The process is much more natural for both you and your furry friend which can reduce anxiety and relax your dog making grooming that much easier.
These boar bristle brushes are made using 50% natural boar hair and 50% bristles. This combination is better equipped to smooth out short coats.
A significant downside of this brush is the fact that it’s difficult to clean. The bristles are dense so reaching between them to pull out loose fur is a challenge so it’s another reason why we recommend it only for short-haired dogs.
Evolution Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
Best Slicker Brush for Short Hair Dogs
4.6 out of 5
- Simple and effective way of removing loose fur and mats
- Great quality stainless steel pins help move through fur without pulling skin
- Retractable bristles make cleaning up easier
- Ergonomic handle is ideal for long grooming sessions
This self-cleaning slicker brush is an exceptional option for short-haired dogs for many reasons. It’s a simply designed slicker brush without too many bells and whistles. The brush features stainless steel pins that are gentle on the skin and more hygienic than plastic and some other options.
Best of all, they’re retractable so if anything gets stuck in the brush, you can retract the bristles and remove it with ease. It’s also a great way of getting yourself out of a tangle if you get stuck in your dog’s fur.
For dogs with very short coats such as Boxers, the pins are gentle enough to prevent skin irritation. The brush can be used as a great way to spread natural oil around and allow you to bond with your pup.
Frisco Cat & Dog Combo Brush
Best Bristle and Pin Brush Combo
4.5 out of 5
- Priced affordably for dog owners on a tight budget
- Great if you have multiple pets
- Small enough for puppies and small breeds
- Gentle enough for grooming but effective enough for fur removal
The bristle and pin brush combo is a great choice for short-haired dogs, especially puppies. Pups have thinner coat types and more sensitive skin so you need something with a dual purpose.
You want to make sure that the brush will be functional enough to remove mats, loosen old fur, and brush it away but you also need something gentle around areas such as the neck, legs, and tail.
The Frisco combo brush is a great option for this. The pins on one side will help to remove loose fur and debris from their coat. The brush side has soft bristles to smooth it out and distribute natural oils around.
If you’re finding that your dog does not enjoy grooming, it could be because the brush you’re using is too rough. Consider switching to something like this.
Four Paws Magic Coat All-In-One Wet & Dry Brush
Best Grooming Brush for Short Hair Dogs
4.6 out of 5
- Gentle rubber bristles break through tough dirt and debris
- Versatile for use indoors and outdoors during baths
- Slide-on handle provides comfort for both you and your pup
- Designed to create a great bonding experience
Short-haired dogs can get dirty and having the best brush for short hair can help you ensure they get properly groomed when the time comes. We like this dog brush because it’s gentle enough to massage their skin and keep them comfortable but also thorough enough to break through anything that might have accumulated on your pup.
Unlike a lot of the other dog brushes in this guide, this one is designed to get wet during bathtime. It has a slide-on handle that allows you to keep it on your hand and scrub your dog while allowing them to feel comfortable and relaxed.
Once bathtime is over you can spray the brush down, dry it off, and store it away. It works for all short-haired breeds and dogs of all ages and sizes.
FURminator Short Hair Dog Deshedding Tool
Best Dog Brush to Reduce Shedding and Loose Hair
4.6 out of 5
- Helps to reduce shedding up to 90%
- Comfortable and ergonomic handle is great for long grooming sessions
- Curved bristle design protects your dogs skin
- Easy to remove fur that gets stuck in the bristles
The FURminator brush is one of the most popular dog brushes on the market right now. This one in particular is designed specifically for short-haired dogs. It has curved bristles designed to move with your dog’s natural curves and contours. As you move the brush around your dog’s hair, it won’t pull or tug on their skin.
This brush also has plastic edges on the slide of the blades which helps to reduce the chances of your dog feeling uncomfortable or in pain during the process.
These dog brushes also come with an ergonomic handle that makes it comfortable to use over long grooming sessions. If it’s been a while since you’ve properly groomed your dog, you’ll be surprised how a handle can make a difference.
Last but not least, the Furminator comes with a self-cleaning feature that allows you to easily remove any excess fur from the bristles with ease. It’s believed that continued use of this brush can actually reduce overall shedding by up to 90%.
FURminator Curry Comb
Best Ergonomic Handle Brush
4.2 out of 5
- Comfortable design with hand strap reduces fatigue
- Antimicrobial plastic is cleaner and healthier for your pup
- Great choice for gentle grooming of short-haired dogs
The FURminator is a highly recommended brand of dog and cat grooming products as you can likely tell by this point. This curry comb is a great choice for general grooming because of the ergonomic handle and comfortable bristles for your pup.
It’s a great choice for short-haired dogs because it’s gentle enough to simply brush up any dead hair while distributing natural oils across their skin. The rubber teeth are even designed to stimulate more production of these oils improving the overall quality of your dog’s coat.
Since the brush is made with antimicrobial plastic it won’t collect germs and bacteria making it a safer option for your pup as well.
Choosing the Best Brush for Short Hair Dogs
Every dog has different needs just like every person. Your short hair dog requires a specific brush that will work best for them.
In the following sections, we want to talk about some of the most important things you should consider before purchasing a brush for your dog. These tips will help you better choose the right brush while also ensuring that you learn as much as possible about grooming them correctly.
Are You Supposed to Brush Short Haired Dogs?
Sometimes it might seem entirely unnecessary to even brush your short-haired dog but we’re here to tell you, yes, they need to be brushed too. Short-haired dogs require just as much grooming as other dogs but it’s important that you use a dedicated brush for them.
You’ll want a dense bristle brush to help remove as much fur as possible with as little work. If you choose a brush with the bristles more spread out, it might take more time but the cleaning process is generally easier.
In terms of frequency, it’s recommended that you brush your short-haired dog once every week to once every few weeks. It depends on the breed. If your dog has dense short hair, you can brush them weekly.
Since short-haired dogs do not mat or tangle much, you won’t have to worry about that. The main purpose of brushing them is to remove excess fur and to spread their naturally occurring oils around.
What Kind of Brush Is Best for Short Hair Dogs?
There are a few options to choose from with short-haired dogs. Let’s break down each choice to understand why they’re the best choice:
Slicker Brush
A slicker brush is one of the most common options for short-haired dogs because of the bristles. Just because your dog has a short coat doesn’t mean they don’t have a longer undercoat. The slicker brush does a great job of removing old hair from their undercoat while grooming the rest of their body as well.
Bristle Brush
The bristle brush is one of the best choices because of the dense fibers of the bristles. These bristles work great at removing a lot of fur in a short amount of time. Since they have a flat base they don’t penetrate deep like a slicker brush which makes them a more gentle option as well.
FURminator
The FURminator is a great option for all types of dogs because they’ve designed many options to appeal to various breeds. The main purpose of the FURminator is to remove excess fur from the undercoat but the bristles are gentle enough to use on their entire body as well.
How Do You Brush a Dog with Short Hair?
Many dog owners are surprised at how much their short-haired dog sheds. A lot of us choose short hair because we think they won’t shed even though there are massive piles of fur all over the house.
If this sounds anything like your situation, it might be time to get your dog on a regular grooming schedule. Here are some tips to help you brush your dog properly.
- Brush in the direction of hair growth
- Use light pressure with a slicker brush because it can scratch the skin
- Be patient and calm with your pup at all times otherwise they’ll feel negatively about grooming time
- Keep your brush out of your dogs sight to prevent them from biting or chewing it
- Short-haired dogs may groom better when wet so consider bathing first
- Use a small amount of conditioner to moisturize their coat
One of the most important things to remember about grooming a short-haired dog is to be careful around their legs, neck, and tail. These areas are sensitive and they don’t have a lot of fur to protect them. In some ways, grooming a short-haired dog is easier because you can see a lot more of what you’re doing without their dense fur in the way.
Is the FURminator Good for Short Haired Dogs?
Yes, the FURminator is a great option for all types of dogs because they have a brush for each. We recommended the FURminator above because it’s specifically made for short-haired dogs. The bristles are curved and have plastic coverings on the edge to accommodate more sensitive skin.
How Often Should You Brush a Short-Haired Dog?
You’ll want to brush your short-haired dog as often as once a week or once every couple of weeks. It depends on a lot of factors such as your dog’s activity level and their specific breed.
If you find that they’re shedding more, you may want to increase the frequency of brushing. If grooming time is a big pain point in your household, consider decreasing the number of grooming sessions to keep your pup happy. Generally, at least once a month is enough in most situations.
Does a Slicker Brush Hurt Dogs?
As long as you get a good quality slicker brush and know how to use it properly, it won’t hurt your dog. Slicker brushes are designed for removing knots and tangles so they’re not always the best option for short-haired dogs.
That said, some slicker brushes have gentle pins that help massage your dog while you’re grooming them. They’re a great choice for removing excess fur and spreading natural oils around. Again, be careful around problem areas and never pull or tug on the brush if you feel like it’s getting stuck.
Final Thoughts
Boxers, Dalmatians, Dobermans, and Bulldogs are all examples of short-haired dogs. These pups require just as much attention in the grooming department as their long-haired counterparts.
What’s most important is that you understand how to properly groom them and that you choose a brush that works for their unique coat.
The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is the tool for the job for many reasons. It’s gentle enough on your pet’s skin while also being dense and firm enough to remove excess fur. The self-cleaning feature is the cherry on top.
If you can, get the Frisco Cat & Dog Combo Brush as well. The bristle and pin combo will work great for general everyday brushing. You can use the soft bristle brush when shedding isn’t as much of an issue.
Regardless of your choice, choosing the best brush for your short haired dog will help keep you and your pup happy!
