Best Brush For Dalmadoodle: Recommended By Pro Groomers & Doodle Owners

The best brush for Dalmadoodle doesn’t exi… Wait, it does! It’s no secret that taking care of a Doodle’s coat requires consistency, patience, and excellent grooming tools. In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose the best brush for your Dalmadoodle based on their coat type and unique needs as well as discuss what are the key things you should implement into your Dalmadoodle’s grooming regimen to prevent matting and a host of other coat and skin issues. 

Table of Contents

• Choosing The Best Brush For Dalmadoodle: Types Of Popular Dalmadoodle Brushes
• What Is The Best Brush For Dalmadoodle?
• Best Brush For Dalmadoodles: Reviews With Pros & Cons
• Best Brush For Dalmadoodle: Honorable Mentions 
• How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Dalmadoodle Can Help Prevent Matting?
• How Often Do You Have To Groom A Dalmadoodle?
• How To Brush A Dalmadoodle Properly?
• Best Brush For Dalmadoodle: FAQs

Choosing The Best Brush For Dalmadoodle: Types Of Popular Dalmadoodle Brushes

The Dalmatian-Poodle mix combines two of the world’s most well-known dog breeds. Often sporting the signature Dalmatian spotty pattern, whilst inheriting more of a shaggy and fluffy coat from the Poodle parent, Dalmadoodles sure are a sight for sore eyes. Especially considering how rare they are! If you come across one when out and about, you’re in for a real treat. And if you’re lucky enough to call one your best pal, even more special! 

Like Poodles and Dalmatians, Dalmadoodles are affectionate and friendly Doods with a fun, cheeky side. They can be quite boisterous, but that’s all part of their charm. As both of their purebred parents have also been blessed with high levels of intelligence and a strong sense of loyalty to their family members. 

But the tricky part with hybrid breeds, including all Poodle mixes and the Dalmadoodle, is that there’s never one set outcome to expect. In this case, their coat types can range from straight to wavy to curly, and they may also have varying levels of shedding to their coats. Of course, all of this will dictate their grooming needs and even which grooming tools you should opt for. 

For the Dalmadoodle, the two best types of dog grooming brushes are pin and slicker brushes. But which one should you choose and what’s the difference between them anyway? Let’s talk about it. 

Slicker Brush

A slicker brush is a type of dog grooming brush that usually has a wide paddle with an ergonomic handle placement. This type of dog brush may look like it’s only for pros, but that’s definitely not the case. On the other hand, you can most certainly achieve pro-level results with a great slicker brush. 

Slicker brushes are usually the most preferred when dealing with very high-maintenance, thick, and textured coats. These types of brushes are designed to tackle even the most demanding grooming needs, such as coats that are super prone to matting or are very heavily shedding. 

Needless to say, there’s no one-size-fits solution for all Dalmadoodles, and you won’t have to pick one certain slicker brush. There are tons of different slicker brushes available to purchase. They vary in overall size, handle length, pin length, and even pin density. In addition to that, different materials can be used in the construction of the brush, which will obviously also play a role in their quality and ease of use. 

Pin Brush

The second pick we have for Dalmadoodles is the pin brush. Pin brushes are more traditional in terms of their construction and handle placement, but they can also come in all shapes and sizes, and different materials can be used in the construction like wood or plastic. Sometimes the pins also come in wood, plastic, or stainless steel. For Dalmadoodles, we find stainless steel pins to be the best option. 

Although pin brushes can be excellent for those general grooming activities like deshedding the fur and minor detangling, it’s important we note that these types of brushes aren’t the best choice for very tangle-prone coats. Still, for certain Dalmadoodle coats, a pin brush can be an excellent grooming tool. 

Metal Or Stainless Steel Comb

Although technically not a brush, no Dalmadoodle parent can’t properly groom their Dood without a stainless steel or metal comb. This is an absolute non-negotiable, especially if your pup is prone to matting. And let’s face it, most Dalmadoodles are…

A stainless steel comb will serve many purposes in your dog’s grooming routine. Firstly, this is the tool you’ll most reach for when dealing with stubborn tangles and mats. Typically, a dog brush is best for brushing through larger areas of fur that aren’t extremely tangled, but a comb is perfect for when you’re dealing with badly knotted fur. 

Secondly, you can use a comb to work on areas where a brush can’t reach as easily. For instance, we love using it on the face and ears, paws, and other areas that are more delicate and need a more ‘personal’ approach. In fact, many dogs are not exactly keen on having a large brush moving around their face and eyes. For this, a comb is the perfect tool to use, as it’s simply not as scary for our canine pals. 

What Is The Best Brush For Dalmadoodle?

So, based on what we learned about slicker and pin brushes, how can you make the right decision for your Dalmadoodle, then? 

First, you must think through a few key things before buying that dog brush. Here’s what you should consider:

• What is your Dalmadoodle’s coat type? Different coat types also require different approaches and grooming tools. 
• How long is your Dalmadoodle’s coat? Make sure to buy a brush with appropriate sized pins – the longer the fur, the longer pins you’ll need.  
• How big is your dog? For larger dogs we recommend larger brushes, and for smaller dogs and puppies we recommend smaller brushes. For more information about the Dalmadoodle’s size, be sure to check out this guide. 
• What materials are used in the construction? Pay attention to the quality of the brush and don’t forget to check the pins. For Dalmadoodles, stainless steel pins are usually the best option. 
• Is the brush comfortable to use? Some brushes don’t provide a good grip or their design is simply not suitable for your liking. Go to your local pet store and ask to see different options to figure out what you prefer most. 

Best Brush For Dalmadoodles Based On Their Coat Type

A key aspect when choosing the best brush for your Dalmadoodle is understanding your Dood’s coat type. Like most other Doodle breeds, Dalmadoodles can come in three coat types – curly, wavy, or straight. The former inherits its curly coat from the Poodle, whereas the latter inherits its straight-haired look from the purebred Dalmatian. And then there are lots of those Dalmadoods that fall somewhere in between with their wavy coats. Of course, all of these coat types will all have different requirements in terms of their upkeep. 

Curly Coat

Much like the Poodle’s curly coat, curly-haired Dalmadoodles are praised for their hypoallergenic and low-shedding qualities. First of all, curly coats are typically single-layered, which means that there isn’t a shedding undercoat that will trigger those nasty allergies or shed all over yourself and your home. 

Secondly, as curly coats are so dense and textured, they trap in everything from dirt and debris to loose dog hair, which means that not much will fall out. Indeed, even curly-coated dogs shed hair, but it’s usually very minimal as all of it tends to get stuck inside those thick layers of fur. 

For this reason, curly-coated Dalmadoodles and other Poodle mixes are highly sought after. But what many people fail to realize is that curly-coated Doods also need the most upkeep. That’s because curly coats are the most high-maintenance and the most prone to matting. 

If your Dalmadoodle has a curly coat, the best brush for them would be a good slicker brush that’s specially designed for the task. 

Wavy Coat

Although the curly coat is the most hypoallergenic, the most common coat type in Dalmadoodles is actually the wavy combination coat. Dalmadoodles with this wavy coat type are usually quite well tolerated by people who suffer from allergies, but there isn’t a guarantee that they don’t shed any hair. 

As the wavy coat isn’t as tightly curled, anything that’s loose will ultimately find its way on your floors and furniture. But luckily, with regular brushing you can greatly minimize any shedding and enjoy the perks of having a Doodle pup. 

Another great thing about wavy-coated Dalmadoodles is that they’re usually a bit easier to manage when compared to curly coats. Still, if all that dead dog hair accumulates inside the fur alongside any dirt and debris, you may soon find your pup’s coat to become matted. 

The best brush for Dalmadoodles with wavy coats would be a nice pin brush that’s perfect for those general grooming tasks, such as deshedding and detangling the coat. 

Straight Coat

Some Dalmadoodles may also inherit a more straight-haired look from their Dalmatian parents. These pups are usually the least allergy-friendly of the bunch, as they inherit most of their characteristics from the Dalmatian side of their lineage.

Now, even though purebred Dalmatians are single-coated dogs, they actually shed quite heavily all year round. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that a straight-coated Dalmadoodle will also lean on that side a bit more. Still, as there are also Poodle genes to take into account, they usually shed much less than purebred Dalmatians. 

When choosing the best brush for a Dalmadoodle with the straight coat, you can also opt for the pin brush. You can easily remove any loose dog hair from the coat with it and get rid of some minor tangles as well. 

Best Brush For Dalmadoodles: Reviews With Pros & Cons

Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush

For Dalmadoodles with curly coats, arguably the best dog brush is the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush. Loved and recommended by professional groomers and Doodle parents, this slicker brush outshines most of its competitors. 

With its wide paddle and long, bended pins, you can use it for almost anything. This brush is excellent for deshedding and detangling even the most demanding coats. The construction is also unmatched, as the quality is on a whole other level. It’s easy and comfortable to use, and we can attest that with this brush the daily grooming sessions won’t even take that long. It’s just so good! 

The verdict: The Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush is the best brush for Dalmadoodles with curly coats. For Dalmadoodle puppies, we recommend the smaller Baby G Slicker Brush.   

Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush

If your Dalmadoodle has a wavy or straight coat, then we recommend you get yourself this Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush. For more relaxed coat types, this pin brush is a wonderful tool for all round grooming needs. You can use it to detangle the fur, remove any dirt and debris, fluff up the coat, or even for deshedding the coat.

Another great thing about this brush is that it’s super affordable, but no corners are cut when it comes to quality. The solid beechwood body gives you that good grip and the pins have rounded tips that easily glide through the fur. 

By the way, the pins on this brush are so good, you’ll soon find your Dalmadoodle looking forward to their brushing sessions! It’s like massage therapy for them whilst you’re doing all the heavy lifting. But to be fair, it’s not even that much of a heavy lifting job, as these pins really are something else!

The verdict: The Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush is the best brush for Dalmadoodles with more relaxed hair types, such as wavy and straight coats. 

Andis Steel Greyhound Comb

Whether you get yourself a pin or slicker brush, they won’t replace a good, sturdy comb. For Dalmadoodles, we’ve picked out the Andis Steel Greyhound Comb. It’s made from very durable stainless steel and it’ll last you a long, long time. Unlike flimsy plastic combs that will break on the first use. 

This comb has two sides that you can easily switch between, depending on what you’re currently dealing with. It’s nice and sturdy, yet very lightweight, and you’ll have a good grip whenever you’re using it. Whether you need to reach those delicate areas around the face or detangle the worst mats you’ve ever found hiding inside your Dood’s coat, this one’s the right pick for you. For such a low price, it’s truly a bargain! 

Best Brush For Dalmadoodle: Honorable Mentions

Although the dog brushes we recommended above are definitely on the top of our list, there are also other great alternatives that we recommend you check out. After all, not all dog brushes work the same way on different Dalmadoodles, so here are some other noteworthy brushes to consider: 

How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Dalmadoodle Can Help Prevent Matting?

Dalmadoodles and other Poodle mixes are notorious for their high-maintenance and mat-prone coats. So, how do you keep Dalmadoodle hair from matting? You can easily prevent matting and the consequent coat and skin health issues by regularly brushing your Dood. Keep in mind that mats are essentially knots and tangles that haven’t been dealt with. All of that dust, debris, and loose dog hair will wreak havoc inside your dog’s coat, which is why you have to make sure you’re getting rid of anything of that sort in a timely manner. 

Since brushing will be the most frequent grooming activity in your Dood’s beauty schedule, it only makes sense to invest in a good quality brush that’s actually designed for your dog’s coat type. This will be your most used grooming tool, and having to replace a dog brush every few months is going to get costly and pointless – even if you initially opt for the cheapest dog brush you can find. Quality matters!

Here’s a quick recap on how to choose the best brush for your Dalmadoodle:

• The best brush for Dalmadoodles with curly coats is by far a slicker brush. This type of dog brush is specially designed for very dense and tangle-prone coats that need a more intensive approach. 
• The best brush for Dalmadoodles with wavy or straight coats would be a pin brush. These two coat types are usually less prone to matting, which means that they won’t necessarily need a heavy-duty brush. 

Also, make sure to pay attention to the length of the pins. A Dalmadoodle’s fur can grow quite long, and many dog owners prefer that shaggy Doodle look on their dogs. However, this also means more brushing and grooming, and you should choose a brush with longer pins to really reach to the very root of the hair (that’s where most of the mats are usually hiding, too). 

How Often Do You Have To Groom A Dalmadoodle?

How often you should brush your Dalmadoodle depends on their coat type. But regardless, we recommend daily brushing for all Dalmadoodles. 

Daily brushing is most important for curly-coated Dalmadoodles, as their curls tend to tangle very easily. However, wavy and straight-coated Dalmadoodles will also thrive best on daily brushing sessions, as this will prevent matting (yes, even these pups are prone to matting, just a bit less than curly-coated dogs!), and also minimize any shedding. Since there’s usually a bit more hair fallout with straight and wavy-haired Dalmadoodles, daily brushing will help tackle this issue.  

You might also find that your Dalmadoodle doesn’t get as dirty when you regularly brush their coat. The logic behind this is very simple – daily brushing will remove all that dust and debris that accumulates in the coat throughout the day. This is especially helpful for pups that go crazy outside. But that’s not to say that you won’t ever have to bathe your Dalmadoodle, just a bit less than usual. 

If you’re guilty of not picking up your dog brush for a few days or weeks, then you might have to resort to a technique called line brushing. This is definitely more time-consuming and technical than those usual daily brushing sessions, but it will help you get rid of any mats from the fur and prevent your Dood’s beautiful coat being completely shaved off. 

Can You Over-Brush A Dalmadoodle?

No, you can’t over-brush your Dalmadoodle. If you like to brush your dog two, even three times a day, then be my guest! There are no negatives to that whatsoever. The issue with Poodle mixes like the Dalmadoodle is usually the opposite – people don’t know that their dogs require regular grooming and upkeep to prevent all sorts of coat and skin issues. 

In fact, as brushing distributes natural oils of your Dalmadoodle’s skin onto their coat lengths, it will help nourish the fur and act as a natural conditioner. So, that’s another reason to brush your Dalmadoodle daily! There’s not a single person on this planet who doesn’t love seeing their pup thrive with a beautiful, shiny, and healthy coat. 

All that being said, there’s still the matter of using the right kind of brushing techniques and the correct grooming tools according to your dog’s coat type. We’ll delve more into the correct technique in a moment, but ultimately, you should never use too much pressure when pressing the brush against your dog’s skin. Likewise, don’t pull on the hair when dealing with knots and tangles, as it can also hurt your dog. 

How To Brush A Dalmadoodle Properly?

To learn how to properly brush your Dalmadoodle so that there’s actually any benefit to the process, we’ve written down a step-by-step guide for you to follow:

Step #1

Make sure you have all of your grooming tools right in your reach – a slicker or pin brush and a metal or stainless steel comb. We also recommend you buy a specially formulated dog detangler spray that’s perfect for textured, tangle-prone coats. 

Step #2

As the very first step, run your hands through your dog’s coat. If you can feel any knots inside the fur, work on each of them individually with your metal comb. First you can spray on some dog detangling spray to loosen up the knot, and then you can start working on it.

This step can be uncomfortable for your pup, so make sure to not accidentally hurt them in the process. A helpful trick is to hold onto the root of the knot with your one hand and work the comb in the other hand. This will take much of the pressure off the root so your dog likely won’t feel a thing. 

Whenever you’re working on smaller areas with a comb or brush through larger areas with a dog grooming brush, start working from the tip of the hair and slowly move your way up towards the root. Doing this the other way around will make the tangles worse. Trust us, we’ve made this mistake already, so you don’t have to!  

By the way, the most matted areas tend to be behind the collar, around the paw pads, and the bum and tail area. Make sure you don’t forget to work on those areas as well. 

Step #3

Once you’re done with the precision work, it’s time to grab your brush. At this step, you can also start by spraying on dog detangling spray that will make your dog’s coat easier to manage. 

When working with your brush, start from the areas that are the closest to the ground. So, you’ll start brushing the paws and feet, and then move up towards the legs. After that, you’ll brush the chest and neck, belly, and bum area. From there you’ll move to the sides and tail. And the last area to brush should always be your dog’s back. 

When detangling the fur on the face, it’s probably easier to use a comb instead. It’s smaller so it’s also easier to move around those curved areas, and it’s also much less scary for your pup to look at! 

Here’s an illustration to help you throughout the process:

Step #4

After you’re all done detangling and deshedding the coat, it’s time for the finishing touches to fluff up the fur. You can either use your brush or comb – whichever you prefer more – to bring back the volume by using gentle upward motions. 

Best Brush For Dalmadoodle: FAQs