If you’re a proud parent of a Goldador Doodle, you’ve probably made your way to this guide as there are simply way too many dog brushes to choose from. So, in this guide you’ll learn how to choose the best brush for a Goldador Doodle and how you can keep your Doodle’s coat healthy, beautiful, and free from mats!
Table of Contents
- Choosing The Best Brush For Goldador Doodle: Types Of Popular Goldador Doodle Brushes
- What Is The Best Brush For Goldador Doodle?
- Best Brush For Goldador Doodles: Reviews With Pros & Cons
- Best Brush For Goldador Doodle: Honorable Mentions
- How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Goldador Doodle Can Help Prevent Matting?
- How Often Do You Have To Groom A Goldador Doodle?
- How To Brush A Goldador Doodle Properly?
- Best Brush For Goldador Doodle: FAQs
Choosing The Best Brush For Goldador Doodle: Types Of Popular Goldador Doodle Brushes
The Goldador-Poodle mix, a.k.a Goldador Doodle, a.k.a Golden Retriever-Labrador Retriever-Poodle mix is one of those triple hybrid crosses that’s super friendly, loving, outgoing, and all around joy through and through. Although the Goldador, or the Golden Retriever-Labrador Retriever mix is a double-coated breed, by adding the Poodle into the mix we get the most wonderful combination of these three purebreds, minus the shedding coat.
Sounds like the perfect dog, right? Well, one thing to keep in mind with any Doodle breed, whether they’re a hybrid of two or three breeds, is that they’re also high-maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs. The Poodle sure does make things a lot less hairy in terms of shedding, but these Doods also tend to be quite prone to matting.
Fortunately, you can easily prevent matted and pelted fur with a good grooming regimen, starting with a good dog brush and using it religiously. But which of those countless dog brushes on the market is the best brush for a Goldador Doodle? Let’s find out.
Slicker Brush
Slicker brushes are ideal for Goldador Doodles and other Poodle mixes, since they’re specially designed for very thick and dense coats. Just like the Goldador Doodle’s! A slicker brush will have a wide paddle with an ergonomic handle that’s meant to take the excess strain off your hand and arm. As you can imagine, with all that fur that needs to be brushed, opting for the most optimal dog brush that gets the job done as fast as possible is key.
Slicker brushes are generally great for all types of different grooming purposes. They’re excellent for detangling very textured and thick coats, and they’re also perfect for deshedding the coat from loose, dead dog hair. You’ll find plenty of different varieties in pet stores and online retailers. Their pin length and pin density can vary as well as the materials and size of the brush.
Pin Brush
A pin brush is not much unlike our regular human hair brushes with its familiar handle placement and usually oval-shaped paddle. Although a pin brush is a great tool for deshedding and detangling the fur, it might not be the best pick when your Goldador Doodle has very curly hair. That’s simply because pin brushes generally are a bit less effective than slicker brushes.
We recommend pin brushes that are made from durable and sturdy materials, especially when looking at the pins. The best pins are usually made of either stainless steel or metal. They should also have rounded tips for your pup’s safety and comfort. Likewise, there are tons of other varieties to consider when choosing a pin brush for your pup, including the material, size, and other factors.
Essential For All Goldador Doodles: Metal Or Stainless Steel Comb
Although allergy-friendly and usually low to non-shedding dogs, Goldador Doodles tend to get easily tangled fur. Unfortunately, a dog brush along won’t be able to get rid of the most stubborn knots and tangles. And that’s where a high-quality comb will come into play.
A comb is perfect for detangling the more stubborn knots and mats. In addition to that, it’s an excellent tool to use around the face, paws, ears, and other areas that are a bit too hard to reach with a large dog brush.
When choosing a comb for your Dood, make sure to opt for something very sturdy, such as metal or stainless steel combs. Trust us, plastic and wooden combs are just not as effective. They also tend to break easily when dealing with the Goldador Doodle’s thick fur.
What Is The Best Brush For Goldador Doodle?
When shopping for the best brush for your Goldador Doodle, there are a few factors to take into account. After all, these dogs come in quite a few different coat types. Even their hair length can affect the outcome.
For example, if you prefer that longer shaggy Doodle look on your Goldador Doodle, then make sure you choose a dog brush with pins long enough to reach all layers of the coat. Similarly, if your Dood usually has a shorter hairdo, you can opt for shorter pins instead.
But, the most important thing to remember when choosing a dog brush is your Goldador Doodle’s coat type. Let us explain…
Best Brush For Goldador Doodles Based On Their Coat Type
Like the OG Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, Goldador Doodles may inherit one of three coat types. Usually, their coats are either wavy or curly, but some pups may also lean more on the Retriever’s side of their lineage and inherit a straight coat instead. Obviously, all of these coat types will also have slightly different requirements when it comes to their grooming routines.
Curly Coat
The curly coat is most inspired by the Goldador Doodle’s Poodle heritage. These pups inherit a similar curly coat that’s usually single-layered and sheds very minimally. This makes the curly coat the best choice for people with allergies. Or, if you’re not keen on having to deal with loose dog hair around the house.
Although the most in-demand coat type, it also requires the most grooming. Curly coats are notoriously prone to matting – everything that can get stuck inside the fur, will get stuck. So, you have to be mindful of that and make sure that you’re keeping your Goldador Doodle’s coat free from tangles, dirt, and debris to prevent those impossible mats. For this reason, the best brush for a Goldador Doodle with a curly coat would be something heavy-duty, such as a slicker brush.
Wavy Coat
Probably the most common coat type in Goldador Doodles is the wavy coat. This is a beautiful combination coat that’s much more relaxed than the curly coat and therefore also won’t be as prone to matting. Still, as even wavy-haired Goldador Doodles have thick coats, they can still become matted if not groomed properly. Another thing to note with wavy coats is that they may come with a lightly shedding undercoat.
For wavy-coated Goldador Doodles, both pin and slicker brushes can be great options. But as their hair isn’t as high-maintenance as it is for pups with curly coats, a pin brush can be an excellent tool for them.
Straight Coat
The straight coat of a Goldador Doodle isn’t much different than a straight coat on a Goldendoodle or a Labradoodle. After all, they share ‘ancestors’ in that sense. Straight-coated Goldador Doodles usually have thick and luscious double coats. Of course, this also means that they’re not the best option for people with dog allergies, as the shedding undercoat may start to trigger those issues.
The great thing is that with regular brushing you can minimize the shedding to some extent, and they usually aren’t as bad in that area anyway when compared to purebred Goldens or Labs. Still, with all that fur and loose dog hair, you have to stay on top of their brushing routine to rid the coat of the loose hair and prevent matting.
Best Brush For Goldador Doodles: Reviews With Pros & Cons
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
In our humble opinion, the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush is by far the best slicker brush available out there. Not to mention, it’s excellent for very dense and textured coats like Goldador Doodles have.
Not only is this slicker brush super effective, being one of the best tools for both detangling and deshedding thick coats, it’s also very high-quality. The wide paddle has long and bended pins so you can quickly and easily brush through large areas of fur at once. It also has an extra long ergonomic non-slip handle, making the process that much easier for you, too!
Pros
- Perfect slicker brush for very thick and textured coats;
- Wide paddle for quick results;
- Extra long ergonomic and non-slip handle;
- Very high-quality;
- Available in three sizes: large, medium, and Baby G.
Cons
- A bit pricey, but the quality and effectiveness of this brush more than make up for it.
The verdict: The Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush is the best brush for Goldador Doodles with curly coats. If you’ve got a smaller Mini Goldador Doodle or a puppy, the Baby G will be a good pick.
Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush
For Goldador Doodles that aren’t as high-maintenance or prone to matting, the Chris Christensen Original Series Pin Brush is a great choice. It’s affordable, very high-quality, and easy to use.
This pin brush is made from solid, but very lightweight beechwood that provides you with the perfect grip while you’re using it. But the absolute highlight of this brush is its pins. These pins are made from premium stainless steel and they come with rounded tips that glide through the fur so effortlessly. They’re also very gentle on the skin – your Dood will most certainly start to enjoy their brushing sessions with this brush!
Pros
- Great for general grooming, such as detangling and deshedding the coat;
- Very lightweight and easy to use;
- Affordable and high-quality;
- Super gentle and effective pins;
- Available in three sizes and pin lengths: 20mm, 27mm, and 35mm.
Cons
- Although an amazing pin brush, these types of brushes are less effective than slicker brushes.
The verdict: The Chris Christensen Pin Brush is the best brush for Goldador Doodles with wavy and straight coats that aren’t as prone to matting as curly-coated Doods.
Andis Steel Greyhound Comb
If you’re on the hunt for the best comb for your Goldador Doodle, then this is it! The Andis Steel Greyhound Comb is such a simple, elegant comb that has two sides for your different grooming needs. It’s made from premium quality stainless steel and it comes at such a great price! Detangling mats or when working on those delicate areas, this is the perfect comb for whatever you need to get done.
Pros
- Great for smaller, hard-to-reach areas;
- Perfect for detangling mats;
- Super high-quality and affordable;
- Two sides that you can easily switch between.
Cons
- None!
Best Brush For Goldador Doodle: Honorable Mentions
Whether you’re not exactly sure if you’d like to pay for the Big G or you’re simply wanting to see what other options are out there, be sure to take a look at some alternative picks we have lined up for your Dood here:
How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Goldador Doodle Can Help Prevent Matting?
The key thing to look at when choosing the best brush for your Goldador Doodle is that the brush can manage to work through all of those many-many layers of fur. As Goldador Doodles have thick coats, plus they’re prone to matting, having a high-quality dog brush and using it regularly will not just keep your Dood’s coat looking great, but also free from mats.
As we mentioned earlier on in this guide, the most important thing to take into account is your Goldador Doodle’s coat type. For very thick and textured, curly coats, a slicker brush would be the best pick. For wavy and straight coats, you might not need such a heavy-duty grooming tool, and can opt for a pin brush instead.
Likewise, don’t underestimate the importance of the pins on the brush. They should be durable, sturdy, but also long enough to penetrate all layers of the fur. It’s not uncommon that Doodle owners brush their Doods on a daily basis, but still struggle with very stubborn mats hiding very deep inside the coat.
Moreover, the size of your Goldador Doodle is also a thing to consider before making the purchase. If you’ve got a larger Goldador Doodle, don’t opt for the smallest dog brush out there. It’ll just make the process that much more tedious and time consuming. And vice versa – if you’ve got a smaller Mini Goldador Doodle or even a puppy, a small to medium-sized brush will likely be a better idea.
And finally, we also recommend you look at the quality of the materials and how comfortable it is to use the brush. The handle placement and length should be comfortable for you to use for 5 to 10 to 15 minutes at a time. And the materials can also very much affect how easy it is to use the brush. Even when looking at it from the standpoint of how long the brush will last you before breaking apart.
How Often Do You Have To Groom A Goldador Doodle?
In addition to choosing the best brush for your Goldador Doodle, you also have to use it regularly. The best strategy for preventing matting is to brush your Goldador Doodle daily. For curly-haired Doods, this is strongly recommended. For wavy and straight-coated Doodles, at least 3 to 4 times a week is the general recommendation.
But we live in a less ideal world and at times you might notice that it’s been a bit too long since you last brushed your Goldador Doodle. Sometimes, the only solution is to shave the whole fur off and start fresh. However, before you do it, try the line brushing method first and see if you can save your Dood’s precious coat. This technique can do wonders!
Preventing matted fur isn’t the only reason to brush your Goldador Doodle daily. Firstly, brushing helps remove any loose hair from your Dood’s coat, which ultimately minimizes shedding. Secondly, as you’re brushing the coat, you’re also removing dirt, dust, and debris from the coat, keeping your Dood cleaner for much longer. And thirdly, brushing is also a great way to give your Doodle’s coat that much-needed extra nourishment. As you’re brushing, you’re also distributing natural skin oils throughout all lengths of the fur, resulting in a much shinier and stronger coat.
Can You Over-Brush A Goldador Doodle?
No, you can’t really over-brush your Goldador Doodle. If you want to brush your dog two, even three times a day, no worries! This can actually have many amazing benefits for your Dood, such as keeping their coat cleaner and healthier, and certainly free from mats.
On the other hand, it’s still important to use the right kind of technique. Namely, be mindful of the pressure you apply onto the skin with the brush and make sure that you’re never pulling on the hair.
How To Brush A Goldador Doodle Properly?
Not applying too much pressure and not yanking on the hair are two of the most important things to keep in mind when brushing your dog. But, there are a few other tips and tricks to keep in mind in the process:
Step #1
Before you jump in with your slicker or pin brush, run your fingers through all areas of the coat. If you find any noticeable knots and mats, first work on each of them with your stainless steel comb. A helpful trick is to spray on a little bit of dog detangler spray to loosen up the knots.
Tip #1: Whether you’re using a comb or a dog brush, always start brushing from the very tip of the hair and slowly move your way up towards the root. If you do it the other way around, you’ll soon notice how the tangles get worse!
Tip #2: When working on very stubborn mats, you’ve got to be very careful to prevent accidentally hurting your pup. A simple trick is to hold the mat very close to the root of the hair in your one hand and detangle it with the comb in your other hand. This will take excess pressure of the root of the hair and your Dood hopefully won’t feel a thing.
Step #2
Once you’ve gotten rid of the worst tangles, you can start brushing with your pin or slicker brush. Start from the areas that are closest to the ground. So, starting from the paws and feet, then the legs, then the chest, neck, belly and bum, moving onto the sides and tail, and finally finishing brushing the back. Before you start, you can spray on dog detangler spray all over the coat to make the fur softer and easier to manage.
Here’s an illustration that you can use as a guideline:
Step #3
For the face and other hard-to-reach areas, we recommend using a comb to really get into all the nooks and crannies. Be sure to pay some extra attention to the areas that are the most prone to matting. These include the hair behind the collar and ears, between the paws, and around the bum and tail area.
Step #4
Once you’re all done brushing your Doodle, you can use either a comb or brush to gently fluff up the fur in upwards strokes. This will make your Goldador Doodle’s coat all fluffy and voluminous!
Best Brush For Goldador Doodle: FAQs
Arguably the best brush for a Goldador Doodle is the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush. Another great pick is the Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush. However, pin brushes in general aren’t as effective and they’re more suited for wavy and straight coats.
The secret to that fluffy Doodle coat is regular grooming. Daily brushing, regular bathing with an appropriate dog shampoo and conditioner, and getting their hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks are essentials. In addition to that, you can use the lowest setting on a blow dryer to lift up the root and make the coat fluffy. Also, a quick trick is to fluff up the coat with a brush or comb after you’ve finished grooming your dog.
When grooming a Goldador Doodle puppy, we recommend you use a smaller-sized dog brush that’s easier to control and maneuver. You should also keep in mind that puppies’ skin is very delicate and can easily become irritated or injured. So, be very careful and make sure that you’re not applying too much pressure. You can follow the same step-by-step guide we listed above, as it works for both puppies and full-grown Goldador Doodles.
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