Are you looking for the best brush for your Chow Doodle? If that’s the case, then you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’re going to dive deep into the world of dog brushes and find out which ones are the best brushes for Chow Doodles. But that’s not all! Assuming you’re planning to take good care of your Doodle pup, we’ve also written down here some of our best tips and tricks on how to groom a Chow Doodle that we’ve learned over the years. If you’re ready to say goodbye to messy, tangled fur and hello to that gorgeous fluffy coat, then let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
- Choosing The Best Brush For Chow Doodle: Types Of Popular Chow Doodle Brushes
- What Is The Best Brush For Chow Doodle?
- Best Brush For Chow Doodles: Reviews With Pros & Cons
- Best Brush For Chow Doodle: Alternative Picks
- How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Chow Doodle Can Help Prevent Matting?
- How Often Do You Have To Groom A Chow Doodle?
- How To Brush A Chow Doodle Properly?
- Best Brush For Chow Doodles: FAQs
Choosing The Best Brush For Chow Doodle: Types Of Popular Chow Doodle Brushes
The Chow Doodle combines two of the world’s most well-known dog breeds – the Chow Chow and Poodle. Loving and friendly, even-tempered, yet independent and somewhat stubborn, these Doodle pups have wonderfully unique personalities paired with gorgeous looks.
Although the Chow Doodle is one of the newer and more rare Poodle mixes, these adorable pals are here to stay. Like many other Doodles, the Chow Chow-Poodle mix was created to achieve a hybrid cross of the Poodle and Chow Chow with a low-shedding and hypoallergenic coat. Meanwhile, they exhibit the wonderful personality traits of both parental breeds, minus the profusely shedding Chow Chow coat.
But as you probably know, Poodle mixes also require lots and lots of grooming to maintain their beautiful looks and keep that shedding to a minimum. To be fair, it isn’t just about the looks and inconvenience of shedding, but their actual health and wellbeing. Regular brushing and other grooming activities are absolutely essential for these dogs. Like all other Poodle mixes, Chow Doodles are prone to matting, and the best way to prevent this issue is to brush them regularly.
But what brush should you use to groom your Chow Doodle with? Let’s take a look at a few different dog brushes and discuss why they work on that high-maintenance Doodle fur.
Slicker Brush
The wide paddle and ergonomic handle placement make the slicker brush easily distinguishable out of all the different types of dog brushes. These types of brushes are designed to target very thick and textured coats that require a more intensive approach – whether that’s for deshedding the coat or brushing through thick layers of the fur that tends to tangle easily.
Slicker brushes come in a wide array of different shapes and sizes. Some have longer pins, whereas others have shorter pins. Different materials can be used in the construction and you’ll find that not all slicker brushes are created equal. Quality really does matter when it comes to dog brushes!
For Chow Doodles, the slicker brush is an excellent option, especially if you’ve got a very curly-haired Dood. That’s also why professional dog groomers love slicker brushes, as these can really get the job done with minimal fuss.
Pin Brush
The familiar-looking pin brush usually comes in an oval shape, much like our human hair brushes. Some might say that the handle placement isn’t as comfortable as on the slicker brush, but others prefer this type of dog brush instead.
Although great for deshedding the fur, pin brushes in general aren’t the best pick for very textured coats. A pin brush won’t be able to penetrate very tangled coats, making it less effective than a slicker brush. Still, for the right coat type, a pin brush can be a wonderful daily grooming tool to have at hand.
Like with any other type of dog brush out there, you can find pin brushes in all sizes and pin lengths. Some have more sparsely spaced pins, whereas others have more tightly packed pins. Likewise, pin brushes can be made from many different materials. The body of the brush can be made with wood or plastic, and the pins can be made from wood, plastic, stainless steel, or metal.
For Chow Doodles, we definitely recommend a pin brush that has stainless steel pins, as these tend to glide through the fur more easily.
Metal Or Stainless Steel Comb
A metal or stainless steel comb is another grooming tool you’ll need in addition to a slicker or pin brush. With your brush you’ll cover larger areas of fur at once, whereas with a comb you can work individually on each knot that’s harder to get out with a brush.
Additionally, as the comb is so much smaller than a pin or slicker brush, you can comfortably use it around your Dood’s face and eyes, muzzle, and even around the paws. You can probably imagine that not all dogs love having a large brush around their face!
We’d like to emphasize that the comb should be made of really sturdy and durable materials, such as stainless steel or metal. Although there are lots and lots of different combs, some made of plastic and other less durable materials, you need something that can really work its magic on those tough knots and textured fur.
What Is The Best Brush For Chow Doodle?
As we’ve covered two of the best dog brushes for Chow Doodles – the pin and slicker brush – it’s time we discuss how you should choose one for your pup. It all boils down to the following factors:
- What is your Chow Doodle’s coat type? Slicker and pin brushes don’t both work well on different types of coats, so you must know exactly what you’re dealing with.
- How long is your Chow Doodle’s coat? The pin length on the brush should correlate to your dog’s hair length. As a general rule of thumb, if your pup has a longer coat, opt for a brush with longer pins. Similarly, if you prefer to have your dog’s hair trimmed short, opt for a dog brush with shorter pins.
- What materials is the brush made of? Look for a brush that’s made with quality materials, as these will last you much longer. You should also pay attention to what the pins are made of to ensure that they’re actually suitable for the Chow Doodle’s unique coat type.
- How comfortable is the brush to use? Not only do you want to buy a dog brush that’s effective, but it should also be comfortable for you to use. Try out different handle placements and think what suits your needs best.
Best Brush For Chow Doodles Based On Their Coat Type
Moving onto the most important aspect of choosing a dog brush for your Chow Doodle – their coat type. As Chow Doodles have a very interesting mix in their lineage, there are a few ways how they might turn out. Like with many other Poodle mixes, Chow Doodles may inherit one of three coat types – curly, wavy, or straight.
The purebred Poodle is well-known for its tight curls and a hypoallergenic coat, as these pups have only a single layer of fur. In contrast, the Chow Chow can have either a rough or smooth coat, and both varieties are straight and double coated. By the way, purebred Chow Chows are also quite heavy shedders, so it’s not uncommon for some Chow Doodles to inherit a shedding undercoat.
Curly Coat
Amongst Doodle lovers, the most desired Chow Doodle coat types are arguably the curly and wavy coats. The curly coat is usually single-layered, which means that it’s the most allergy-friendly out of them all. On the other hand, this coat type is also the most high-maintenance, as those dense curls tend to tangle very easily, making it the most prone to matting. For this reason, the best brush for Chow Doodles would be a good quality slicker brush that’s specially designed for coat types like this.
Wavy Coat
The wavy coat may also be a great option for people suffering from allergies, as long as they’re single-layered. That being said, some wavy-coated Chow Doodles may come with a shedding undercoat, depending on each pup’s unique genetic makeup. The great thing about wavy-coated Chow Doodles is that they’re not as prone to matting as curly coats. For wavy Chow Doodles, a pin brush can be a great choice.
Straight Coat
Lastly, the straight coat resembles the purebred Chow Chow’s fluffy and thick coat. The downside of this coat type is that it’s usually double coated. This means that they likely shed hair, but usually a bit less than the purebred Chow Chow. As both pin and slicker brushes are excellent for deshedding the fur, you can opt for either of those.
Best Brush For Chow Doodles: Reviews With Pros & Cons
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
Slicker brushes are by far the most popular picks for Chow Doodles. But there’s one slicker brush that outshines the rest – the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush. We must say, it’s definitely not the cheapest dog brush out there, but it really is worth the above average price tag.
The Big G Slicker Brush was designed for thick and textured coats. It’s as if it was tailor-made for Chow Doodles! The brush has a wide paddle with long and bended, densely packed pins that work through all layers of the coat. Even Doodle owners have said that this brush has slashed their grooming time in half!
What’s more, this slicker brush has an extra long ergonomic handle that’s designed to reduce hand and arm fatigue. It also featured an extreme curved back that helps you achieve more control and movement while brushing your Chow Dood.
As the brush comes in three different sizes, there are plenty of options you can choose from. If you’ve got a larger Chow Doodle, opt for the largest size. For puppies, we recommend the Baby G size.
Pros
- Great for deshedding and detangling the coat.
- Designed for very dense coats.
- Wide paddle for covering large areas of fur.
- Extra long ergonomic, non-slip handle.
- Fluffs up the coat.
Cons
- Higher price tag than most other brushes on the market.
The verdict: The Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush is the best brush for Chow Doodles with curly coats. However, both wavy and straight-coated Chow Doodles would benefit from this brush as well.
Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush
The perfect pick for Chow Doodles with wavy and straight coats is the Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush. This might look like your good old hair brush, but it’s so much more than that. For starters, this pin brush is specially designed for dogs. With its rounded pins for safety and comfort, it’s hard to find another pin brush that glides through all that fur as easily as this one.
The brush is very reasonably priced, but it’s still made with such high-quality materials. It’s made from lightweight beechwood that’s not too heavy, yet still very sturdy in your hands. It also has a durable and firm cushion that gives you that perfect balance of control and movement.
This pin brush also comes in three different sizes, all of which also have different lengths of pins on them. If your Chow Doodle sports a longer hairdo, opt for the largest one, as it also has the longest pins.
Pros
- Excellent for deshedding the fur.
- Great for minor tangles.
- Very affordable.
- Super high-quality pins that have rounded tips.
Cons
- Not the best pick for curly-coated Chow Doodles.
The verdict: The Chris Christensen Pin Brush is the best brush for Chow Doodles with wavy and straight coats.
Andis Steel Greyhound Comb
As we know, a brush on its own won’t get the job done. But a pin or slicker brush paired with a stainless steel comb – now that’s a match made in heaven. For Chow Doodles, arguably the best pick is this Andis Steel Greyhound Comb.
This stainless steel comb is very lightweight and easy to use, but also super sturdy so that it won’t snap under pressure. It has two sides for various grooming purposes, so you can easily switch between the sides according to your needs. You can use it to remove tangles and mats, work on more delicate areas like the face, or even fluffing up the fur as a finishing touch.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to grip.
- Two sides for different grooming purposes.
- Very high-quality and durable.
- Perfect for more stubborn knots and tangles.
Cons
- None!
Best Brush For Chow Doodle: Alternative Picks
We’re quite certain that one of these brushes above would be an excellent pick for your precious pooch. However, if you’re keen on having a look at some other options out there, here are some alternative brushes we recommend you check out:
How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Chow Doodle Can Help Prevent Matting?
As we know, Poodle mixes like the Chow Doodle can be a bit of a handful when it comes to their grooming requirements. They’re prone to matting and they need regular upkeep not just for their looks, but also their health and wellbeing.
So, how do you keep your Chow Doodle hair from matting? The answer is very simple – by brushing your pup religiously. Mats start to form when the coat hasn’t been brushed for a long while. Loose dog hair, dirt and debris, and everything in between gets stuck inside the fur, leading to knots and tangles. And if those tangles get worse and worse over time, you’re soon having to deal with matted fur. Sometimes, the only solution is to shave the whole fur off. Although this isn’t an ideal scenario, it luckily does grow back after a while.
Still, we strongly advise you against taking that route. Matted hair can actually cause quite a lot of pain for your pup, as well as skin irritations and other skin problems. Prevention is always the best way to go, and if you regularly brush your Doodle, you probably won’t have to spend a lot of time detangling it, anyway.
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Key Factors To Consider
As we mentioned earlier, when choosing the best brush for your Chow Doodle, you should consider the key things: your dog’s coat type, hair length, and their size. The best brush for Chow Doodles with curly coats is by far the slicker brush, as these brushes are specially designed for very mat-prone coats. For wavy and straight-haired Doods, you can opt for both pin and slicker brushes, depending on your preference.
You should also pay close attention to how long the pins are on the brush. The pins should be long enough to penetrate whole layers of the fur, reaching to the very root of the hair. Moreover, you might also have to consider the overall size of the brush. Needless to say, puppies are much smaller when they’re young, so you might have to get a smaller brush at first and switch to a larger one once your pup reaches adulthood.
How Often Do You Have To Groom A Chow Doodle?
We recommend you brush your Chow Doodle daily. Or at least a minimum of 3 to 4 times a week. We know, we know, it’s a lot of brushing! However, it’s the best way to prevent matted hair. It’ll also make your brushing sessions that much shorter, since you won’t have to deal with stubborn knots every time you do decide to groom your pup.
For curly-haired Chow Doodles, daily brushing is strongly recommended. However, if your wavy or straight-haired Dood doesn’t get as easily tangled, brushing them 3 to 4 times a week might be perfectly enough.
But, there’s another thing to consider here. Brushing also helps you get rid of any loose, dead dog hair from the fur. So, if you’ve got a double-coated Chow Doodle, daily brushing can considerably minimize shedding.
What’s more, daily brushing may also prevent your pup from getting dirty as quickly. Longer coats tend to trap in more dust, debris, and dirt. But by brushing it all off every evening, you can considerably extend the time in between each bath.
Sometimes it does happen that you miss a couple of brushing sessions. You’re now left with very tangled fur, but before you throw in the towel, we recommend you try the line brushing technique. This is a bit more intensive approach to brushing and it does take more time, but it’ll get your Dood’s coat back into good condition.
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Can You Over-Brush A Chow Doodle?
There really isn’t a limit to how much you can brush your Chow Doodle. As long as you’re using the right kind of brush according to your dog’s coat type and hair length, and don’t use excessive force or pressure, you’re good to go.
We do recommend that you’re mindful of how you use the brush. By putting too much pressure onto your dog’s skin, you can accidentally irritate the skin or even injure it. Similarly, if you’re dealing with knots and tangles, make sure that you’re not pulling on the root of the hair to get them out.
How To Brush A Chow Doodle Properly?
Choosing the right kind of dog brush and using it regularly are crucial, there’s no arguing with that. However, using the right kind of technique is just as important. Here’s a breakdown of a few simple steps you should follow when brushing your Chow Doodle:
Step #1
Before you start, make sure you have all of your grooming tools ready with you. You’ll need a pin or slicker brush, a metal or stainless steel comb, and a dog detangler spray. The last one is optional, but we find it to be super helpful when dealing with thick Doodle coats.
Step #2
First, you want to run your fingers through all areas of your Chow Doodle’s coat. Feel if there are any knots that need some special attention. If you do find any, first work on each of them individually with your stainless steel comb.
A helpful trick to prevent your pup getting hurt in the process is to hold the knot from the very root with your one hand and detangle them with your comb in the other hand. This will take the pressure off the root of the hair.
You can also use a dog detangling spray on those tangles to loosen them up. We recommend you start detangling the knots from the tip of the hair and move your way up toward the root.
Step #3
Once you’ve gotten rid of the worst knots, you can start brushing all over with your pin or slicker brush. Again, you can start by first spritzing on some dog detangler spray that helps make the fur more manageable.
You should first prioritize areas closest to the ground. So, you’ll start with the paws and feet, then move up towards the belly, chest, and neck. Then you’ll move onto the sides, bum, and tail area, as well as the face. Finally, you’ll brush the fur on the back. Make sure you pay extra attention to areas that are the most prone to matting. Especially behind the collar and ears, around the bum area and tail, and around the paws.
You’ll probably have an easier time brushing the facial hair with your metal or stainless steel comb. It’s smaller, making it easier to use around this delicate and curved area. It’s also less scary to use around your pup’s face if they’re not exactly thrilled to have a huge brush moving around their eyes and nose.
Here’s an example of what areas you should prioritize in which order:
Step #4
Fluff up your Chow Doodle’s coat with your brush or comb once you’re done brushing them. This will give your pal that gorgeous volume and make them look like a true Doodle!
Best Brush For Chow Doodles: FAQs
The best brush for a Chow Doodle is either the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush or their Original Series Oval Pin Brush. For curly-haired Chow Doodles, hands down the best option is the Big G, as it’s specially designed for very dense and textured coats. For wavy and straight-coated Doods, both pin and slicker brushes can be suitable options.
There’s nothing like that beautiful Chow Doodle coat being all fluffy and voluminous! The key to this look is regular grooming – daily brushing sessions, keeping the coat free from mats, bathing your pup as often as necessary (according to their skin and coat health), and regularly trimming their hair. For that quick fluffy effect, we recommend two things: blow drying the coat after bathing your dog and using a brush or comb to fluff up the fur as a last step in your grooming or brushing routine.
If you’d like to learn how to groom a Chow Doodle puppy, then follow the exact same instructions we listed above. However, as puppies have more delicate skin, you should be especially careful with the pressure you apply. Likewise, if you’re dealing with more stubborn knots, make sure you’re being very aware when detangling them. In addition to that, you might have to first purchase a smaller brush when your pup is still small, and switch to a larger brush once they grow up.
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