Are you stuck after those endless hours of trying to find the best brush for your Irish Wolfadoodle? Perhaps you’ve already tried different dog brushes and nothing seems to get the job done? We know firsthand how tricky it can be to take care of those fluffy, thick Doodle coats. For this reason, we decided to take the matters into our own hands and single out which brushes are best for Irish Wolfadoodles. If you’re ready to take your grooming game to another level, then keep on reading!
Table of Contents
- Choosing The Best Brush For Irish Wolfadoodle: Types Of Popular Irish Wolfadoodle Brushes
- What Is The Best Brush For Irish Wolfadoodle?
- Best Brush For Irish Wolfadoodles: Reviews With Pros & Cons
- How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Irish Wolfadoodle Can Help Prevent Matting?
- How Often Do You Have To Groom A Irish Wolfadoodle?
- How To Brush A Irish Wolfadoodle Properly? Step-By-Step Guide
- Best Brush For Irish Wolfadoodle: FAQs
Choosing The Best Brush For Irish Wolfadoodle: Types Of Popular Irish Wolfadoodle Brushes
The Irish Wolfhound-Poodle mix is another one of our favorite large-sized Doods with the gentlest spirit. Smart, loyal, and incredibly friendly, the Irish Wolfadoodle is a sweet-natured and calm companion who is equally dignified, yet very silly. But just like the purebred Irish Wolfhound, the Irish Wolfadoodle is a humongous, majestic dog who towers over most other dogs, and even some people. In fact, the Irish Wolfhound is recognized by the AKC as the tallest breed!
Thanks to their Poodle heritage, Irish Wolfadoodles are often a better choice for people with allergies compared to purebred Irish Wolfhounds. Their coats are usually low to non-shedding, so people with allergies often tolerate them better.
While the hypoallergenic aspect of Poodle mixes is certainly one of the most attractive attributes of these dogs, it also comes with the added responsibility of regular grooming and brushing. Like other Doodle breeds, Irish Wolfadoodles often come with thick and fluffy coats that tend to become easily matted. On the other hand, a simple solution to this issue is to regularly brush your pooch.
This brings us back to the main topic of this guide – how to choose the best brush for your Irish Wolfadoodle? Let’s quickly discuss the two different types of dog grooming brushes that are most suited for Irish Wolfadoodles and then we’ll help you decide which one is best for your Dood.
Slicker Brush
Designed for thick and textured coats, a slicker brush is the perfect option for any Irish Wolfadoodle. A slicker brush usually has a wide, distinguishable paddle that lets you cover large areas of thick fur at once. As you can imagine, the process can be quite tedious and time consuming, so having that ergonomic handle placement will also help take that extra strain off your hand and arm.
That being said, not all slicker brushes are fit for the same task. You’ll find all sorts of different slicker brushes available on the market with varying lengths of pins as well as the overall size of the brush.
For Irish Wolfadoodles, we recommend a slicker brush that has a wide, large paddle with a long handle. The pins on the brush should be quite densely packed so that they’ll easily penetrate all layers of that dense coat. Also, look for stainless steel or metal pins that work best on textured coats.
Overall, slicker brushes are by far the most effective out of all the different dog grooming brushes, making this type of brush an excellent pick for Irish Wolfadoodles.
Pin Brush
With its oval-shaped paddle and familiar handle placement, you can’t really go wrong with a good quality pin brush. A pin brush is excellent for general grooming purposes on not-so-high-maintenance coats. But for certain Doods, a pin brush is an excellent tool for detangling and deshedding the coat. It’ll also promote circulation and distribute natural skin oils throughout the coat for that extra shine and strength.
When shopping for a pin brush for your pup, pay close attention to the materials that the brush is made of. Again, the pins should be made of metal or stainless steel for the best results. Plastic and wooden pins simply won’t manage to work through that thick Doodle fur. They also tend to be less durable in general.
Metal Or Stainless Steel Comb
Your most important grooming tool when dealing with more stubborn knots and mats is a metal or stainless steel comb. This is hands down the best tool to get rid of mats that are hiding inside the farthest depths of the coat. In addition to that, a comb comes in super handy if your pup is not enjoying being brushed with a larger brush around their face and eyes.
Speaking of, a brush simply won’t reach all of those places where you need to groom the hair. So, for smaller areas like around the eyes and ears, or even around the paws, it’s the perfect tool to use.
Like with a brush, it’s crucial that you pay close attention to the material and construction of the comb. Metal and stainless steel combs tend to be the most durable and also easiest to use on thick coats like the Irish Wolfadoodle’s.
What Is The Best Brush For Irish Wolfadoodle?
We talked about pin brushes and slicker brushes, but which of them is actually best for your Irish Wolfadoodle? To figure it out, there are a few things to consider.
For example, how long is your dog’s hair? Depending on your dog’s hair length, you can already start narrowing down your choice of brushes, especially if you’ve got a long-haired Dood. The key here is to choose the pin length according to your dog’s hair length. So, longer hair = longer pins; shorter hair = shorter pins.
But, there’s also the matter of your Irish Wolfadoodle’s coat type. After all, Doodles are hybrid breeds, meaning that we can never know for sure what traits they end up with.
Best Brush For Irish Wolfadoodles Based On Their Coat Type
You probably know all too well that Poodle mixes are often referred to as hypoallergenic and non-shedding dogs. But as we established earlier, that’s not necessarily the case with every Doodle.
Having said that, Irish Wolfadoodles can actually have very different coat types. It all depends on what they inherit from each side of their lineage. So, there are three coat types we should consider with these Doods – curly, wavy, and straight. Let’s take a closer look.
Curly Coat
As you can probably guess already, the curly coat resembles most the Poodle’s dense and textured curls. Although the most hypoallergenic of them all, this coat type is also the most high-maintenance of the three. Dirt and debris, dust, loose dog hair, all of it will easily get stuck inside the coat and become tangled. Based on that, the best brush for an Irish Wolfadoodle with a curly coat is a slicker brush that’s ideal for dense and textured coats.
Straight Coat
On the other end of the spectrum we have the Irish Wolfhound inspired straight coat. Important thing to remember with the straight coat is that it’s not exactly low-shedding nor is it the best option if you struggle with severe dog allergies. Since Irish Wolfhounds have double coats, their straight-coated Irish Wolfadoodle offspring also come with undercoats. Regular brushing sessions with either a pin or slicker brush will help minimize shedding and prevent that loose dog hair from tangling inside the coat.
Wavy Coat
Probably the most common coat type in Irish Wolfadoodles, however, is the wavy coat. Not exactly straight, but not curly either, this coat type may sometimes come with a lightly shedding undercoat. The wavy coat is usually much easier to manage than the curly coat, as it’s not as nearly textured. For wavy-coated Doods, a pin brush is a great choice.
Best Brush For Irish Wolfadoodles: Reviews With Pros & Cons
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
If you’ve already done a little bit of research to find the best brush for your Irish Wolfadoodle, then it’s safe to assume you’ve already come across the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush. And yes, the Big G really is that good! Whether you need to do some detangling or deshedding, or perhaps your Dood’s coat is just hard to manage, this is the only brush you’ll ever need.
With a wide paddle and long bended pins, the Big G slicker brush is the absolute best brush for Irish Wolfadoodles. It’ll work through even the thickest of Doodle coats like nothing you’ve ever seen. And for your comfort, it has an extra long ergonomic handle that’s covered in non-slip material.
Even better, this brush comes in three different sizes – large, medium, and Baby G, and for large dogs like the Irish Wolfadoodle, the large version is an amazing pick.
Pros
- Specially designed for heavy-duty grooming needs;
- Wide paddle and long bended pins for maximum results;
- Excellent grip with the long, non-slip handle;
- Very high-quality;
- Comes in three different 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 Irish Wolfadoodles with curly coats. However, it’ll also work great on wavy and straight coats, too!
Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush
If your Doodle pup has a wavy or straight coat, then you can opt for this Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush instead. Although pin brushes are usually not as effective as slicker brushes, on the right coat types it’s just as great for some light detangling and deshedding action.
This pin brush is made from very lightweight beechwood and you’ll have a nice, firm grip on it. The paddle is firm, yet provides plenty of movement so that you can easily maneuver it around your Dood’s body. What sets this pin brush apart from the others are its pins. The stainless steel pins are so smooth, so high-quality. The pins have rounded tips that not just glide through the fur so easily, but also provide your pooch with a massage sensation whilst you’re working on the coat.
Pros
- Very affordable and high-quality pin brush;
- Smooth and gentle pins
- Lightweight brush that’s comfortable and easy to use;
- Available in three sizes and pin lengths: 20mm, 27mm, and 35mm – choose one according to your Irish Wolfadoodle’s hair length!
Cons
- Pin brushes aren’t as effective as slicker brushes on very tangle-prone coats.
The verdict: The Chris Christensen Pin Brush is the best brush for Irish Wolfadoodles with wavy or straight coats that are less prone to matting than curly coats.
Andis Steel Greyhound Comb
As we discussed previously, your grooming kit will absolutely need a comb to really prevent matting and pelting. Our favorite for Irish Wolfadoodles is the Andis Steel Greyhound Comb. It’s affordable, high-quality, very sturdy yet lightweight, and insanely effective.
Whether you’re working on knots and mats or need a smaller tool for more delicate areas, this comb will be an excellent tool for all of that. It also features two sides that you can easily switch between.
Pros
- Super affordable, high-quality comb;
- Excellent for detangling very stubborn knots and mats;
- Great for grooming smaller areas;
- Two sides for your different grooming needs.
Cons
- None!
Best Brush For Irish Wolfadoodle: Honorable Mentions
Although we truly stand behind those TOP 2 best brushes for Irish Wolfadoodles we mentioned above, there are also plenty of other great dog grooming brushes that you can try out. If you’re not sure of your choice just yet, then have a look around some of these options instead:
How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Irish Wolfadoodle Can Help Prevent Matting?
Although Irish Wolfadoodles (like other Doodle breeds) are prone to matting, there’s a simple solution to this problem – regular brushing with a suitable dog grooming brush. The key is to choose the right kind of brush according to your dog’s coat type and hair length.
The Irish Wolfadoodle’s coat isn’t always the easiest to manage and it requires constant upkeep and maintenance to prevent matting and to keep it fluffy and healthy. So, you won’t be able to achieve the same results with just any dog brush.
To quickly sum it all up, here’s what you should keep in mind:
- For curly-coated Irish Wolfadoodles, more heavy-duty grooming tools are needed, such as a slicker brush;
- For wavy and straight-coated Irish Wolfadoodles, both slicker and pin brushes are good options.
Also, never forget to check the pins on the brush. Both length wise as well as the material they’re made of. This is especially important for Doods that have longer hair, as shorter pins simply won’t be able to penetrate all layers of the fur. And then all of your brushing efforts will be in vain.
You should also opt for a brush that’s made with stainless steel pins. They’re much more durable and sturdy, and glide through the fur more easily. Similarly, the overall construction of the brush should be durable and sturdy, providing you with a good grip.
Knowing that Irish Wolfadoodles are large, even sometimes giant-sized dogs, it only makes sense to opt for a brush that’s also larger in size. This will make your brushing sessions that much easier and quicker.
How Often Do You Have To Groom A Irish Wolfadoodle?
To prevent matting, you should brush your Irish Wolfadoodle daily. Although it may seem like a lot, it really is the best way to prevent those knots and tangles from forming into mats. By the way, daily brushing is also a great way to minimize shedding in double-coated Irish Wolfadoodles.
If you need some convincing, then know that it’s also going to be much easier to brush your dog if you’re already doing it regularly. You’ll likely have fewer knots and mats to deal with, so those brushing sessions won’t even require that much work.
Although preventing matting and minimizing shedding are the biggest reasons to brush your Irish Wolfadoodle daily, there are also many other benefits that come along with it. For instance, brushing distributes all of those skin oils throughout all lengths of the fur, making it healthy, shiny, and strong. In addition to that, you can also bathe your Dood less frequently because you’re consistently brushing out any dust, dirt, and debris from the coat.
But in case you’ve missed a couple of brushing sessions, it’s not too late to get back on track with it. Of course, you probably have a lot more to deal with in terms of knots and mats, but it’s likely still all salvageable. How so? Well, the perfect fix for those rainy days is the line brushing method – a more intensive, thorough technique to get rid of any nastiness from your pup’s coat.
Can You Over-Brush An Irish Wolfadoodle?
No, as long as you’re not hurting your dog and not pulling the hair when brushing them, you can’t over-brush them. Just make sure that you’re being gentle and using the right kind of grooming tools, and if you prefer, you can even brush your dog multiple times a day.
How To Brush A Irish Wolfadoodle Properly? Step-By-Step Guide
Gather all of your grooming tools, including a slicker or pin brush, a stainless steel comb, and a dog detangling spray, and then follow the step-by-step guide below to master the art of achieving the most gorgeous, fluffy coat on your precious pooch.
Step #1
As the very first step, you want to feel with your hands and fingers if you can find any knots and mats hiding inside the coat. If you find any, work on each of them individually with a comb. Before you start detangling them, you can spray on a little bit of dog detangling spray to loosen up the knots.
This step can be uncomfortable and sometimes even painful for dogs. A helpful tip is to take the pressure off by holding the knot in your one hand while you’re detangling it with a comb in your other hand.
PS! Always start detangling from the tip of the hair and slowly move your way up towards the root. If you start detangling directly from the root of the hair, it’ll make the knots harder to get out.
Step #2
Once you’ve finished working on the worst knots and mats, you can go in with a dog grooming brush. For this step, you can also spray on dog detangler spray all over the coat to make it softer and easier to manage.
Always start brushing from the areas that are the closest to the ground. First you’ll work on the paws and feet, then the legs, then moving onto the chest and neck, belly and the sides, bum and tail area, and finally finish brushing the hair on the back.
Many people find that it’s easier to use a comb around delicate and hard-to-reach areas like on the face, around the ears, and paws.
Step #3
It’s time for the finishing touches! Gently tease the fur with a comb or brush to bring back volume into your Dood’s hair.
Best Brush For Irish Wolfadoodle: FAQs
The best brush for an Irish Wolfadoodle is the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush. This one’s especially great for very thick and textured coats that are prone to matting. If your Irish Wolfadoodle has a wavy or straight coat, the Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush can also be a great choice.
A fluffy coat starts with regular grooming – brushing, bathing, hair trimming, and so on. If you feel that your Irish Wolfadoodle is still lacking that volume despite staying on top of their grooming routine, you can add a few extra steps: using a blow dryer after bathing them and fluffing up the coat with a comb or brush after you’ve finished grooming them.
The steps for grooming an Irish Wolfadoodle puppy are exactly the same as brushing a full-grown adult. Just make sure to be extra gentle, as puppies have even more delicate skin. You don’t want to accidentally hurt your pup or irritate their skin! However, the most notable difference when grooming a puppy is that you’ll likely have to use a smaller dog brush that’s better suited for a tiny body.
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