Choosing the best brush for your Airedoodle is certainly not an easy task – there are so many different dog brushes available on the market! Meanwhile, you’ve also got to take into account the Airedoodle’s rather demanding and high-maintenance coat. But don’t fret, we’re here to make it all a breeze for you. In this article, we’re going to discuss some of the best dog brushes for Airedoodles, how you can choose the most suitable one for your Dood, and what are some key things you should keep in mind when doing so. But that’s not all. We’ll also share with you some of our best kept grooming secrets we’ve learned over the years, so keep on reading to learn all about them.
Table of Contents
- Choosing The Best Brush For Airedoodle: Intro
- Choosing The Best Brush For Airedoodle: Types Of Popular Airedoodle Brushes
- What Is The Best Brush For Airedoodle?
- Best Brush For Airedoodle: Reviews With Pros & Cons
- Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
- Chris Christensen Original Series Oval (or Oblong) Pin Brush
- Andis Steel Greyhound Comb
- Best Brush For Airedoodle: Honorable Mentions
- How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Airedoodle Can Help Prevent Matting?
- How Often Do You Have To Groom An Airedoodle?
- How To Brush An Airedoodle Properly?
- Best Brush For Airedoodle: FAQs
Choosing The Best Brush For Airedoodle: Intro
The Airedale Terrier-Poodle mix is becoming more and more popular thanks to die-hard Doodle fans (like us, for example…). These pups are friendly, loving, and outgoing just like their purebred parents. Minus the shedding coat of the Airedale Terrier. After all, that’s why Poodle mixes were first created – to achieve low-shedding and allergy-friendly dogs for people who otherwise couldn’t adopt one.
But that’s not to say that all Airedoodles are hypoallergenic. In fact, it can be a bit misleading to say that Airedoodles don’t shed and that they’re suitable for everyone suffering with allergies. Still, their Poodle heritage does change things quite a bit, making them a more suited option in contrast to purebred Airedale Terriers.
One key thing to remember with Doodle breeds like the Airedoodle is that they require constant, regular grooming to keep their coats looking all nice and luscious, and to also minimize shedding. And brushing is the number one grooming activity that you should focus on. Hence the importance of finding the best brush for your Airedoodle. How else can you keep their coat free from tangles if you don’t have a good quality dog brush at home, right?
Choosing The Best Brush For Airedoodle: Types Of Popular Airedoodle Brushes
When it comes to choosing the best brush for your Airedoodle, we first must understand the different types of dog brushes and what they’re designed to do. Not all dog brushes can manage the thick and textured Airedoodle coat that many refer to as high-maintenance.
For Airedoodles, the best options include slicker and pin brushes. What are those, exactly? Let’s take a closer look…
Slicker Brush
A slicker brush is one of the most popular choices amongst dog lovers, as these types of brushes are specially designed to do it all, literally! Slicker brushes usually have wide paddles with densely packed pins that really help you work through all of those thick layers of fur. You’ll recognize a slicker brush by its unique handle placement, which many dog owners prefer thanks to its ergonomic design.
As we said, slicker brushes can pretty much do everything you need them to do. They’re great for detangling the fur from knots and tangles, removing dirt and debris that’s accumulated inside the fur throughout the day, and even deshedding the coat from loose dog hair. Yup, that’s one mighty brush, we might say.
But don’t let any slicker brush fool you, as not all of them are the same in terms of their quality and effectiveness. As with any other grooming tool, finding a good quality slicker brush can take some time. Some brushes simply aren’t made from good materials that will glide through the fur with ease. Similarly, you don’t want the brush to be too flimsy so that it falls apart after a few uses.
Pin Brush
Then there’s the pin brush – a more traditional looking dog brush that resembles our usual human hair brushes. Nonetheless, these pin brushes are specially designed for dogs with pins having rounded tips that glide through the fur with no fuss.
Like slicker brushes, pin brushes can detangle the fur, minimize shedding by removing loose dog hair, and get rid of any dirt and dust that’s gotten stuck inside the coat. However, one downside of pin brushes is that they might not be as effective on very thick and textured coats. Therefore, a pin brush would be a more suited option for pups whose hair isn’t as prone to matting.
Like with any other dog brush out there, there are tons of different varieties of the pin brush. You’ll get to choose between various shapes and sizes, pin lengths and pin densities, materials, and so forth.
Non-Negotiable: Metal Comb
We’ve kept the best for last! Regardless of your Airedoodle’s coat type, you can’t properly work through your pup’s coat without a good quality metal comb. Although a pin or slicker brush is going to be the grooming tool that will brush through large areas of fur at once, you’ll also need a good comb to work on tougher knots and tangles hiding inside the fur. In addition to that, a metal comb is excellent for working on more delicate and hard-to-reach areas that we often tend to neglect, such as the face, behind the ears and collar, and paws.
Again, choosing a high-quality comb is vital, since not all combs are sturdy enough to manage those tough tangles. That’s why for Doodle breeds we always recommend metal or stainless steel combs, as these tools really do last a lifetime.
What’s more, a comb can also be used for giving your pup that final finishing touch after you’ve finished grooming them. Simply use the comb to fluff up the coat as a final step, and your Airedoodle will have the fluffiest fur on the block.
What Is The Best Brush For Airedoodle?
So, which one is the best brush for Airedoodle? We’ve talked about slicker and pin brushes, but how can you make the best choice for your four-legged best pal? For this, you have to consider quite a few things. For starters, consider your Airedoodle’s coat type – not all brushes work their magic on different types of Airedoodle coats. We’ll get to that in a moment.
Secondly, you should also take into account your Airedoodle’s hair length. This will help you determine how long the pins should be on the brush. For example, if your Airedoodle sports a longer ‘do, you should get a brush with longer pins. Likewise, if your pup’s hair is on the shorter side, you won’t need super long pins. The goal is to get a brush with pins long enough to reach to the root of the hair.
Lastly, don’t forget to consider the quality and ease of use of the brush. You don’t want anything that’s too flimsy or made with low-quality materials, as these tend to fall apart quite soon after you start using them. Moreover, you want something that’s comfortable for you to use so that your hand won’t get quickly tired whilst you’re grooming your Dood.
Best Brush For Airedoodle Based On Coat Type
When choosing the best brush for Airedoodle, their coat type is going to be the determining factor. As you know, Airedoodles are a hybrid breed between the Airedale Terrier and Poodle. But since both of these purebred dogs have very different coat types, their Airedoodle offspring might inherit various types of coats. That’s the beauty of mixed breed dogs!
Purebred Poodles are well-known for their thick and textured coats that are tightly curled. They have a single layer of fur, which means that there’s no shedding undercoat present. That’s why Poodles are so widely praised for their hypoallergenic coats – they simply do not shed like double-coated dogs.
On the other hand, the Airedale Terrier has a short and wiry double coat. This means that these dogs also shed throughout the year, making them rather unsuitable for people with allergies. Now, when crossing the Airedale Terrier with the Poodle, we can get one of the three outcomes – an Airedoodle pup may have either curly, wavy, or straight fur.
Curly Coat
As you can probably guess, the curly coat is a nod to the Airedoodle’s Poodle heritage. These pups usually inherit thick and textured curls that are slightly more relaxed than the Poodle’s. They typically have a single layer of fur, making them the ideal choice for people with allergies. Or, if you simply prefer a dog that won’t leave a trail of fur behind them everywhere they go.
However, a key thing to remember with curly coats is that they’re the most high-maintenance of them all, requiring constant grooming and brushing. Curly coats are the most prone to matting and due to their thick coats, they need a heavy-duty brush that can manage all that texture.
The best brush for Airedoodles with curly coats would be a slicker brush, as these are designed exactly for coats that require a more intensive approach. By the way, as the curly coat also tends to trap in the most dirt and debris, brushing all that grime out daily is vital to prevent matting.
Straight Coat
On the other end of the spectrum we have the straight coat, that’s mostly inherited from the Airedale Terrier side of their lineage. Straight-coated Airedoodles often come with a double coat that will likely shed some hair, albeit usually less than the purebred Airedale Terrier. Thank you, Poodle genes!
Although these pups are not ideal for allergy sufferers, they are actually easier to manage than curly coats. Still, as all that loose dog hair can get trapped inside the coat, you’ll want to regularly brush it out to minimize shedding and also to prevent matting.
When choosing the best brush for your Airedoodle with a straight coat, you can go with either a pin or slicker brush. However, if your Dood is a heavy shedder, a slicker brush might be a better option to really get rid of all that dead fur.
Wavy Coat
Then we have the beautiful combination coat that sits somewhere in between. Wavy coats usually require the least upkeep, as they don’t get as easily tangled, making them much less mat-prone. Indeed, wavy-coated Airedoodles may come with a shedding undercoat, but they usually don’t shed as much as straight-coated Airedoodles or purebred Airedale Terriers.
Nonetheless, regular brushing is still necessary, as all that dirt and debris and loose dog hair has to be brushed out to prevent matted fur. The best brush for Airedoodles with wavy coats would be a pin brush, as these pups don’t require heavy-duty grooming tools. Still, if you prefer the handle placement of a slicker brush more, don’t hesitate to experiment to find your favorite option.
Best Brush For Airedoodle: Reviews With Pros & Cons
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
The Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush is the OG of dog brushes, without a doubt. This heavy-duty dog brush was specifically designed for thick and textured coats just like the Airedoodle’s coat. It’s a wonderful, multifunctional tool that can quite literally do everything you’d expect at such a price point. It’s excellent for detangling even the thickest of coats, perfect for deshedding, and its wide paddle lets you brush through large areas of fur at once.
What we love about this brush is how amazingly high-quality it is. The long, bended pins glide through the fur with ease, and the non-slip handle is so unbelievably comfortable to use. The Big G comes in three sizes – large, medium, and Baby G. By the way, the tiniest of them, Baby G, is wonderful to use on Airedoodle puppies.
Pros
- Excellent for detangling very dense coats.
- Great for deshedding the fur.
- Leaves behind a fluffy coat.
- Wide and flexible paddle for quick and easy results.
- Non-slip, ergonomic handle.
- Available in three different sizes.
Cons
- Understandably, the price point of this brush can seem a bit too much. However, we can 100% vouch for its quality and ease of use.
The verdict: Chris Christensen’s Big G Slicker Brush is the best brush for Airedoodles with very thick and textured coats. We also love the Baby G for Airedoodle puppies.
Chris Christensen Original Series Oval (or Oblong) Pin Brush
Another one of our top picks for Airedoodles is from Chris Christensen. This pin brush is the perfect alternative for people who are either looking for something a bit more familiar, or who simply don’t need a brush that’s as heavy-duty. Nonetheless, this pin brush can very well detangle the fur, and remove loose dog hair and dirt from the coat.
Even though it might look like every other pin brush out there, that’s not exactly the case. The quality matches other Chris Christensen products, as it’s super durable and made from the highest quality materials. The pins have rounded tips, and we’re not exactly sure how they’ve done it, but they really do glide through the fur like nothing else.
Pros
- Rounded tips for your pup’s comfort – this brush is super gentle on the skin.
- Great for general grooming.
- Available in three sizes and pin lengths – 20mm, 27mm, and 35mm.
Cons
- A pin brush is more suited for coats that aren’t super thick and textured. For this reason, it might not be the best choice for curly-coated Airedoodles.
The verdict: Chris Christensen’s Pin Brush is the best brush for Airedoodles with wavy or straight coats.
Andis Steel Greyhound Comb
If you remember from the start of this guide, we mentioned that a stainless steel comb is an absolute non-negotiable, regardless of your Airedoodle’s coat type. Our top pick is this Andis Steel Greyhound Comb that’s not just extremely high-quality and sturdy, it’s also rather inexpensive, too. A win-win!
Use this comb to detangle any stubborn knots from the fur, brush through smaller and more delicate areas, and fluff up the fur after you’ve finished grooming them. You can do so many things with this one of a kind comb!
Pros
- Two sides for different grooming purposes.
- Very sturdy construction.
Cons
- Zero, none, nada!
Best Brush For Airedoodle: Honorable Mentions
We’re not going to lie, the above brushes and combs are by far our absolute favorites when it comes to choosing the best brush for Airedoodles. However, there are quite a few alternatives that you can check out – who knows, maybe you’ll like some of them even better!
How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Airedoodle Can Help Prevent Matting?
As we’ve mentioned quite a few times, matting is one of the worst things that could happen to that beautiful coat of your precious pup. Not only does matted fur look rather unsightly and dull, it can cause significant pain and discomfort for your pup. Moreover, matted dog hair can cause health issues like skin irritation, dermatitis, and bruising, increase the risk of flea and tick infestations, and also lead to hot spots and wounds.
But how do you keep Airedoodle hair from matting, then? It’s very easy – with regular brushing. And, needless to say, a good quality brush will go a long way here. By choosing the best brush for your Airedoodle, you can easily prevent matting since you’ll be consistently brushing out any knots and tangles before they get a chance to form into those pesky mats. Additionally, you’ll be able to inspect your dog’s coat and skin for any worrying changes or parasites.
Choosing The Best Brush For Airedoodle Based On Their Coat Type
Therefore, you should carefully choose your Airedoodle’s brush based on their coat type, hair length, and shedding levels. As we mentioned earlier, the best brush for Airedoodles with curly coats is a heavy-duty slicker brush. That’s because curly coats are the hardest to manage and also the most prone to matting. For this reason, you need something that’s specially designed for thick and textured coats.
For wavy and straight coats, however, both pin and slicker brushes can be a great option. Essentially, you can choose one according to your own preferences and your dog’s shedding levels.
Consider Your Airedoodle’s Hair Length
Another thing to keep in mind is your Airedoodle’s coat length. Although that signature Doodle look with long and fluffy hair is cute to look at, it also tends to tangle more easily and trap in more dirt and debris. Therefore, longer hair will also require more upkeep on your part. The pin length on the brush should also be appropriate to your pup’s hair length so you can make sure that the pins really reach to the root of the hair. Otherwise, you may soon find some stubborn knots and tangles hiding at the very root of the fur.
How Big Is Your Dood?
And lastly, don’t forget to think about your Airedoodle’s overall size. As a general rule of thumb, the larger your dog, the larger should the brush also be. After all, who has the time to work through all that fur with a tiny brush, right?!
Likewise, if you’ve got a smaller Mini Airedoodle, you might not need the biggest brush you can find. If the brush is too big, you might not have the easiest time navigating it around your pup’s curves, making your brushing sessions less effective.
How Often Do You Have To Groom An Airedoodle?
Now that we’ve covered the ins and outs of choosing the best brush for your Airedoodle, let’s get into the details. In addition to choosing the right grooming tools, you’ve also got to make sure that you’re brushing your pup regularly. Just like with exercise or healthy eating, consistency is key. Brushing your Dood once in a full moon is not going to do much for their coat health.
In an ideal world, you should brush your Airedoodle daily to prevent matting, minimize shedding, and keep them cleaner for longer. For curly-coated Airedoodles this is an absolute must, as they’re the most prone to matting. However, if you’ve got a straight or wavy-coated Airedoodle, you could brush them slightly less – about three to four times a week. Still, as wavy and straight coats often have a double layer of fur, brushing these coats out daily will greatly minimize shedding.
Of course, sometimes it just happens that life gets in the way, and you might miss a few days or even weeks of brushing your Dood. If that happens (and we’ve been there a few times…), you need to have a more intensive approach, such as the line brushing technique.
If you’re still not sure whether or not you’re up for daily brushing sessions, think about this – daily brushing will help you keep your pup cleaner for longer. Since you’re brushing out all that daily grime, your pup’s coat will stay all nice and fresh way longer. As a result, you likely won’t have to bathe them as often, either!
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Can You Over-Brush An Airedoodle?
After all this talk about having to brush your Doodle pup daily, you might wonder if there can be too much of a good thing? The short answer is no, you cannot over-brush your Airedoodle in terms of frequency. However, using the right grooming tools and the correct technique is vital, as you don’t want to accidentally hurt your pooch.
So, make sure you’re not pulling or yanking on the hair or skin, especially if you’re working through stubborn knots and tangles. Also, be mindful of the pressure you apply when brushing your dog – you don’t want to scrape their skin when brushing them.
A helpful tip is to first run the brush over your own skin before you start using it on your dog. This way, you can get a better handle of the brush and understand how much pressure you can apply without hurting your Dood.
How To Brush An Airedoodle Properly?
As we said, using the right technique will help you get the job done faster and more efficiently. Don’t worry, though. There are just a few simple steps you need to follow, and once you remember them, it’s all a breeze.
- Before you start brushing your Airedoodle, run your fingers through their coat. If you find any knots or tangles, first work on them individually with your metal comb. When doing that, make sure you’re not pulling on the hair or skin. To minimize the pressure on your dog, you can gently but firmly hold the knot between your fingers of one hand and detangle them with your comb in the other hand. For this step, a dog detangler spray can be especially helpful.
- Don’t forget those hidden areas that are most prone to matting, such as the fur behind the collar, around the bum and tail area, and between the paws.
- Once you’ve gotten rid of the worst knots, you can start brushing your Dood with your pin or slicker brush. You can spray on some dog detangler spray beforehand.
- Start brushing your Airedoodle from the paws and moving your way up towards their belly and chest, finally finishing with the back. Below you’ll find a helpful illustration that will help you achieve the best results.
- When brushing or detangling the fur, be sure to start brushing from the tip of the fur and moving up towards the root. If you do it the other way around, the tangles can get worse, making the whole process that much more time consuming and tedious.
Best Brush For Airedoodle: FAQs
The best brush for Airedoodle is either a slicker or pin brush, depending on their coat type. Curly-coated pups usually need something more heavy-duty, such as the slicker brush. In addition to that, make sure to also purchase a good quality stainless steel comb that will help you brush through any knots and tangles.
The secret sauce of achieving that signature fluffy Doodle look is to stay on top of your Airedoodle’s grooming and hygiene routine. Make sure you brush your pup daily, wash them as often as necessary, clip their nails, and have their hair trimmed every few months or so. If we’re getting more specific, a good dog blow dryer is an excellent way to give that extra oomph to your pup’s coat after you’ve finished bathing them. As a final step, you can use your stainless steel comb to fluff up the coat.
Grooming an Airedoodle puppy is not much different than grooming an adult dog. However, we do recommend you use a smaller dog brush for your own convenience and also to get the job done faster. What’s more, make sure you’re extra cautious about the pressure you apply, as puppies have even more delicate skin than adult dogs.
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