Picking the right kind of brush can be a little tricky as you need to opt for the right one for your pet’s coat and the specific issues it has. Here we talk you through the different types of brushes and what they are good for. Then we will provide recommendations for best brush for Maltipoo, based on real owner reviews, alongside some tips and tricks to leave you feeling confident about caring for your Malti’s coat at home.
Our Top 2 Brushes (and a Comb) Recommended by Doodle Parents
For those who know just what they are looking for and why here are our top picks and links to where you can buy them. If you need a little more help, keep scrolling.
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Pick #1:
Chris Christensen Baby G Slicker Brush. Perfect for thick, curly, tangle-prone coats, Chris Christensen’s professional quality slicker will save you a great deal of both time and effort with grooming your Malti.
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Pick #2:
Chris Christensen Pin Brush. The better choice for longer, straighter coats, CC’s Pin Brush, available in oval and oblong is great for pups who don’t appreciate being brushed all that much.
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Pick #3:
Andis Pet Steel Comb. An excellent additional grooming tool to have handy, Andis Pet Comb takes the hard work out of removing knots and tangles in more delicate or hard-to-reach areas.
Playful and affectionate, Maltipoos make great pets for any loving owner. As far as dogs go, they are also fairly low maintenance in terms of their coat care. However, they still require regular baths and brushes to help keep that gorgeous, soft hair of theirs in pristine condition.
Grooming your Malti at home should present absolutely no problems at all, just as long as you go carefully and have good-quality equipment. If you aren’t regularly removing dirt, debris, and tangles from your pet’s coat, though, you might find yourself in need of a costly trip to the groomers to deal with impossible-to-remove knots and mats.
Maltipoo Coat Types: A Quick Overview
Maltipoos are described as having a short-to-medium-length single-layer coat. Yet, the truth is your pup’s hair will differ depending on which of the two purebred parent breeds they favor. They could inherit any one of the following:
The Poodle’s low-shed, curly coat. The texture of this hair is coarser, and it is more prone to mats and tangles, meaning that it requires more frequent brushing.
The Maltese’s silky, straight coat. The straighter the hair, the less grooming it will require. However, it may need more regular trims to keep it manageable.
A wavy or wiry mix of the two coats. Brushing this hair often and keeping on top of its length will help to keep it in tip-top condition.
Popular Maltipoo Brushes
There are so many types of brushes out there that it can seem a little overwhelming to find the best one for your dog. However, many of them are explicitly designed to deal with heavy shed, a particular problem with double-coated breeds.
As this is not an issue with Malties, who have inherited their single-layer low-shed coat from both parents, you only have two main types to choose between. The one you opt for will depend on the exact kind of coat your little darling has.
Slicker Brushes
Better for shorter, curlier, more Poodle-like coats, slicker brushes are typically rectangular in shape with very thin, densely packed pins. These brushes are excellent for covering large areas relatively quickly and dealing with the kinds of tangles and knots that come with thicker wiry, wooly and wavy Doodle hair.
Pin Brushes
Better for longer, straighter, more Maltese-like coats, pin brushes are often rounded and look very similar to the kind of brush you might use on your own hair. The pins are wider, a little sparser, and are great for getting hair to sit flat. They also massage your pet’s skin – boosting the production of natural oils that keep longer coats hydrated and healthy and distributing it throughout their hair.
Combs
Great for all kinds of coats, combs shouldn’t be used in place of a brush. Instead, they should complement brush use by taking care of delicate areas such as around the face, ears, and paws. Combs are also great for dealing with trickier knots that might be found in awkward places, such as around the tail or up under the armpit. They can also be used on a freshly brushed coat to give it a beautiful polished look.
Dog Brushes: Buyer’s Guide
Alongside picking out the right kind of brush to match your pup’s coat type, you also want to check for a few other key things before making any purchases, such as:
Design
Often brushes can look quite similar, but there’s generally a world of difference between better vs. cheaply made options. However, these differences can be very subtle to the eye.
Look for a brush that is tailored to the shape of your dog’s body for a more effective groom and contoured to fit will in your hand too. Pins should be filed or have tips and be embedded in a flexible cushion to avoid discomfort or injury to your pup’s skin.
Construction
Probably one of the biggest issues with brushes, especially with ones used to deal with matting, is that with vigorous brushing, they could simply come apart in your hands.
As with any often-used tool, you want it to be sturdily made, so it goes the distance. It needs to be able to withstand the wear and tear that comes with frequent, brisk use. This is something to keep in mind when checking product reviews.
Best Brushes for Maltipoos: Reviews
Best for Curly/Wavy Coats
Made especially for professional groomers (hence the slightly hefty price tag), the Baby G is a seriously high-quality piece of kit. It has longer than standard pins that are uniquely shaped and more closely packed in for better functionality. These reach down through the thickest of coats with ease removing dirt, dander, and loose hairs as they go. The rounded pins are placed on a soft, retractable cushion for comfort, and the handle is ergonomically designed so it won’t put uncomfortable pressure on your hands and wrist when grooming for long periods.
This is a smaller version of the Big G (pictured) – best used on small breeds.
Poodle-coated Doodle owners (and groomers) seriously love this brush, especially those who prefer to keep their pet’s coat on the longer side. The very best thing about this miracle brush is how gentle it is while still being enormously effective at working out knots, tangles, and mats. It leaves coats soft, fluffy, and perfectly finished.
Pros
As slickers go, you can’t get any better than this. The Baby G is well designed and sturdily made with both safety and comfort in mind.
Cons
The brush is a little on the pricey side, but it will last and last, meaning fewer replacements and money saved in the long run.
Best for Straight/Wavy Coats
For coats on the straighter side of wavy, CC’s Pin Brush is an excellent find. Again the stainless steel pins are nice and long for a good reach and ground and polished to glide through your pup’s coat with ease while feeling super smooth against their sensitive skin. The lightweight, beechwood body makes the brush comfortable to hold while brushing, and the durable, firm cushion allows for extra flexibility while grooming some of the trickier areas of your pet’s coat.
Pet parents were again a little reluctant to spend more on a simple brush. However, those that did could easily distinguish this professional-level grooming tool from cheaper alternatives. One reviewer explains, “the difference between [the cheaper] brush and this brush was night and day.” The CC Pin makes it a breeze to take care of the longest of coats.
Pros
It may not look all that much, but your dog will surely appreciate the way these pins feel compared with other brushes.
Cons
Pin brushes are not as effective on tangles as slickers. You may need a comb to help you with these (check out our review below).
Best for All Coats
Another highly regarded brand among pet owners, Andis has created this super simple, super effective comb which should be part of every Doodle grooming kit. Available in two sizes to best suit your breed, the versatile comb has both widely and narrowly spaced teeth, making it perfect for dealing with knots, removing loose hair, and finishing and fluffing. Plus, the durable stainless steel construction makes it much sturdier and long-lasting than plastic alternatives.
Reviewers are very satisfied with this comb which does all that they need it to. They also mention that it is easy to hold and manage while grooming their pup. It seems to be especially good for dogs who are a little nervous of brushes and other grooming tools that might appear a little more threatening to them. Just make sure that you get the right-sized one for your Malti.
Pros
At the price, you really can’t go wrong with this excellent comb — especially given the quality of its design and makeup.
Cons
This might not be the best comb to use for an all-over groom for your tiny dog with a very fine, straight coat. The teeth might be a little far apart to do much good. However, it’s still useful for removing tangles, just in tandem with a suitable brush.
Honorable Mentions: Other Highly Recommended Brushes
Artero Universal Slicker Brush
If you aren’t totally convinced by the Big G Slicker, the Artero version might be a good alternative for you. It has many of the same features, including the angled pins that help pick up more loose hair, the flexible cushion for comfort, and the ergonomic handle, at a much smaller price tag. However, it seems to be a little less sturdy, so you might want to try and remove any seriously tricky knots with a comb instead.
Safari Wire Pin Brush for Dogs
Likewise, for a cheaper version of the CC Pin, opt for Safari’s Wire Pin Brush. It’s by far the runaway winner in terms of popularity and reviews over at Chewy. The brush is great for lifting loose hairs and debris and distributing natural oils through your pet’s coat. It can even be used to remove light tangles and fluff hair up nicely for that just-groomed look. The sturdy construction of the brush means that it’s built to last too.
Li’l Pals Double-Sided Dog Comb
Li’l Pal’s Double-Sided Comb does everything that Andis cool comb does, and it’s around the same price too. The most significant difference is that this comb has a 3-inch, easy-grip, rubber-covered handle, making it a little easier to pick up, grip, and manipulate for those who may have a problem hanging onto the Andis comb while using both sides. Again, just pay close attention to the size recommendations to ensure you get the best one for your Malti.
Tips for Grooming Your Maltipoo
The key to a simple yet effective grooming routine is regularity. Maltipoos need to be brushed around 2 or 3 times a week, with an extra going over added in before a bath or after they have come back from a particularly mucky adventure.
Before getting to work with the brush, it’s a good idea to feel through your pet’s coat to see if you can find any initial areas of matting. Remember to check right down to their skin and in those tricky areas such as under the arms and around the neck where the collar or harness sits, around the ears and face, on legs and feet.
Ease any knots you do find out with the comb, holding the hair as close to the skin as possible to prevent any painful pulling. If necessary, spritz some high-quality doggy detangler right onto the knot and massage it in before trying again with the comb.
See Also:
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Once you have done this, brush the coat out in sections starting at the roots and working through to the tips. Check for any signs of injury or pests as you go. If your pup starts to get agitated, take a quick break, give them some loving, and then get back to work when they are calm once again.
Use the comb again for delicate areas such as around the face and feet, and a final going over with a comb will help you find any tangles you might have missed. It will also help a straight or wavy coat lie flat for a better finish.
Alongside brushing, other vital aspects of grooming include nail trims, teeth brushing, ear cleaning, removing tear stains, and trimming overly long hair around the face, paws, and back end.
Caring for a Maltipoo: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best brush for my Maltipoo?
The best brush for your pup will depend on a few things like their coat type, size, and temperament. Slicker brushes are recommended for dogs with curly or very wavy tangle-prone hair. In comparison, pin brushes are better for dealing with longer, straighter locks. Check out manufacturer advice for the perfect size for your brush. Anything too small or too big just isn’t going to be effective, and the latter might overwhelm a more timid pet, making grooming them more difficult.
How do you make a Maltipoo Fluffy?
Using the right shampoo on your dog can make such a difference in how their coat looks. Plus, a squeaky clean coat makes the fluffing process that much easier. When drying your dog after their bath, give them a quick rub down with a towel and then add fluff to their coat by lifting sections of their hair with the brush and aiming a warm high velocity hairdryer to the roots. Finish by combing the top sections flat.
See Also:
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How do you groom a Maltipoo puppy?
Start brushing your Malti puppy from around the age of two months old to let them get accustomed to it, so the process is easier for you both in the future. First, get them used to being around the brushes by giving them some time to sniff them and have a bit of a play with them (just make sure they are not chewing them). Next, begin brushing slowly interspersing strokes with petting, love, cuddles, and treats to make it a really positive experience for them.
Maltipoos are truly wonderful dogs who actually enjoy being clean and tidy – making your life a little easier. Ensure that they stay that way with regular grooming using the best tools for the job – ones that are suitable for their size and coat type. Here we have included some recommendations based on real owner reviews and some information that will hopefully be of benefit to you when you are picking out the best brush for your Maltipoo.
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The information on this page is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional groomer advice. Always seek the advice of your groomer, veterinarian, or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have.
