Choosing the best brush for Sheepadoodles is undoubtedly a difficult task. There are so many dog brushes on the market, all of them claiming to be the best of the best. However, not all brushes can manage the demanding Sheepadoodle coat. Luckily for you, we’ve decided to make this process for you as easy as possible. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly which is the best brush for your Sheepadoodle.
We’ve done our independent research, gone through hundreds of reviews by pro groomers and Sheepadoodle owners alike, and tried the dog brushes ourselves. As an added bonus, we’ll also be sharing with you our best tips and tricks on how you can keep your Sheepadoodle’s coat shiny, healthy, and free from mats. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
- Types Of Popular Sheepadoodle Brushes
- What Kind Of A Brush Does A Sheepadoodle Need?
- Best Brush For Sheepadoodle: Reviews With Pros & Cons
- Best Brush For Sheepadoodle: Honorable Mentions
- How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Sheepadoodle Can Help Prevent Matting
- How Often Do You Have To Groom A Sheepadoodle?
- How To Brush A Sheepadoodle Properly?
- Best Brush For Sheepadoodle: FAQ
- Best Brush For Sheepadoodles: Final Thoughts
The adorable, fluffy Old English Sheepdog-Poodle mix flaunts a typical Doodle-like coat. It’s thick and shaggy, and typically low-shedding. After all, that’s why the Old English Dog was crossed with a Poodle!
But as we say, with great Doodle comes great responsibility. All Doodles, including the Sheepadoodle, are well-known to be rather high maintenance. So, if you’ve got a Sheepadoodle pup, regular brushing is an absolute must. For this very reason, choosing the best brush for your Sheepadoodle can truly make a difference.
Types Of Popular Sheepadoodle Brushes
So, what’s the whole deal with finding the best brush for Sheepadoodle? Well, first it’s important we know the difference between the various types of dog brushes. All of them are designed for different purposes and work best on different types of Sheepadoodle hair. Let’s first take a look at the most popular Sheepadoodle brushes.
Slicker Brush
Slicker brushes are probably one of the most popular choices amongst Sheepadoodle owners. With a wide, rectangular paddle, densely packed bristles or pins, and a comfortable handle, you can easily brush through your pup’s hair with no effort.
Slicker brushes are great for gently detangling the hair, removing any dirt and debris from the coat (you don’t need to wash your pup as often!), and deshedding loose hair from the depths of the fur.
Pin Brush
Pin brushes are very similar to regular human hair brushes and they come in various sizes and shapes with different lengths of pins. As a general rule of thumb, if your Dood has longer hair, opt for a pin brush with longer pins to really get to the root of the hair.
Pin brushes are great for an all-round brushing session. They’re effective at removing loose hair, dirt, and debris from the fur. You can also use a pin brush to fluff up your Dood’s hairdo. They typically leave the hair less static and also help distribute your dog’s natural skin oils throughout the hair for a silky and shiny finish. On the other hand, pin brushes might not be as effective on very textured and thick, curly hair.
Bonus Feature: Metal Comb
Lastly, your Sheepadoodle grooming kit should also include a sturdy and good quality metal comb. Regardless of your Dood’s coat type, a metal comb is such a versatile tool that every Sheepadoodle needs once in a while.
With a comb, you can gently work through those hard-to-reach areas like the face, paws, and ears. Additionally, combs are super effective for dealing with more stubborn knots and tangles. And as it’s such a versatile tool, you can also use it to fluff up your Sheepadoodle’s coat after you’ve finished brushing them from head to toe.
What Kind Of A Brush Does A Sheepadoodle Need?
When choosing the best brush for a Sheepadoodle, there are quite a few factors you should keep in mind. For instance, is your Dood still a puppy or fully-grown? Which coat type do they have? How long is your Sheepadoodle’s hair?
For instance, for Sheepadoodle puppies, we recommend a smaller brush or even a dog brush specially designed for puppies. Puppies have more delicate skin and, of course, they’re much smaller in size. For this reason, you’ll likely need a smaller brush to comfortably brush through all of its hair. You’ll also want to use less pressure, so you don’t accidentally injure your puppy’s skin.
Different Types of Sheepadoodle Coats & The Best Brush For Each Coat Type
As the Sheepadoodle is a mix of two different breeds, they can come in three main coat types. Let’s take a closer look at each coat type and find out which Sheepadoodle brush works best on each of them…
Curly Coat a.k.a Wool Coat
Inherited mostly from the Poodle’s side of the lineage, the curly coat is usually the most hypoallergenic of the bunch. They tend to shed very little, which makes them a great choice for people with dog dander allergy. However, the curly coat is the most high maintenance of them all, as it tends to tangle very easily and it’s most prone to matting.
For curly coat Sheepadoodles, the best choice would be a high-quality slicker brush that really tackles all of the thick, textured, almost wool-like hair. Of course, you’ll also be needing a good quality comb to work through any knots and also more delicate areas like the face, paws, and ears.
Wavy Coat a.k.a Fleece Coat
The Sheepadoodle wavy coat combines the best of both worlds – the low-shedding qualities of the Poodle, but with more ease of grooming and a lesser chance of matting. However, wavy coat Sheepadoodles may come with an undercoat, so there might be some shedding.
For wavy coat Sheepadoodles, both slicker and pin brushes are a great option. It depends on how much your pup sheds, how thick and long their hair is, and how often their hair becomes knotted. For Sheepadoodles with very long hair, a pin brush with long pins might work better to really get to the root.
In addition to that, it all comes down to which brush type is more comfortable for you to use. You might even enjoy using a slicker brush for a more thorough grooming session and a pin brush for a quick daily brushing.
Straight Coat a.k.a Sheepdog Coat
Inherited mostly from the Old English Sheepdog parent, straight coat Sheepadoodles are typically the least hypoallergenic of the three coat types. As they’re typically double-coated, you should be prepared for some shedding. Naturally, this also means that you’ll have to brush out all the dead, loose hair from the fur to avoid matting.
Image by DoggieFetch.com, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
For straight coat Sheepadoodles, a slicker brush might be the best choice, as it’s a great tool for de-shedding and targeting thick, large areas of fur. But depending on your dog’s unique needs like the length of the hair, you might also find a pin brush an excellent choice for brushing the hair from the roots to the end.
Best Brush For Sheepadoodle: Reviews With Pros & Cons
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
The Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush is widely regarded as the best dog brush for Sheepadoodle. It’s such a multifunctional tool and its ease of use is unmatched. It comes with long, yet gentle bended pins that really get through all lengths of the hair. It’s amazing for getting rid of any knots and tangles while also removing loose, dead hair from the fur.
Although on the pricier side, the Big G is truly worth the investment. It’s super comfortable to use thanks to its large paddle, curved design, flexible cushion, and ergonomic handle. What’s more, Doodle owners praise the Big G for its durability. So, even if you have to splurge a little, this brush will last you a long, long time.
The Chris Christensen Big G is the best brush for Sheepadoodles with either very textured, curly hair that becomes easily knotted, or straight coat Sheepadoodles that tend to shed often.
Pros
- Covers large areas of fur
- Easy and comfortable to use
- Great for de-shedding
- Easily removes knots and tangles
Cons
Although an amazing brush, the Big G leans on the pricier side.
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Chris Christensen Pin Brush
The Chris Christensen Pin Brush is another wildly popular dog brush that Doodle owners swear by. It comes with durable long pins with rounded tips, meaning that your pup can enjoy a relaxing massage while you brush away.
It’s very lightweight, yet sturdy, and made with high quality and durable materials. And with the flexible cushion, you’ll have a much easier time navigating through the lengths of your Dood’s hair.
This is the best brush for a Sheepadoodle with wavy, fleece hair, as it’s great for removing loose hair, dirt, and debris from the coat. In fact, Doodle owners rave about the CC pin brush for working wonders on Sheepadoodles with very long hair. However, due to its design, it might not be the best choice for pups with very tangle-prone hair.
Pros
- Very gentle on your Dood’s skin
- Great for longer hair
- Helps with de-shedding
Cons
This brush might not be as effective on pesky knots and tangles.
Andis Steel Greyhound Comb
As we mentioned above, you’ll also be needing a sturdy and durable metal comb to tackle those stubborn knots and more delicate areas like the face, ears, and paws. For this, the Andis Steel Greyhound Comb is definitely the best choice. We’ve tried it, tested it, and absolutely loved it! Just like the thousands of other Doodle owners out there.
This metal comb has stainless steel pins with rounded tips. The comb has two sides, one with wider-set teeth and the other with narrow-set teeth, making this such a versatile comb for various purposes. Use it to remove knots before brushing or give your pup a fluffed up look after you’re done grooming. Whatever you need, this comb can do it. Regardless of your dog’s coat type, this metal comb works great on all Sheepadoodles.
Pros
- High quality and very durable construction
- Great for more delicate areas
- Helps getting rid of stubborn knots and tangles
Cons
A comb cannot replace a pin or slicker brush, so this is an additional investment you’ll have to make.
Best Brush For Sheepadoodle: Honorable Mentions
The best brush for Sheepadoodle puppies has got to be the Chris Christensen Baby G, which is the smaller version of the Big G. It has all the same features and amazing qualities as the Big G. But thanks to its smaller size, you can comfortably use it on your puppy.
If you’re looking for the best dog brush for Sheepadoodles that comes with a slightly smaller price tag than the Chris Christensen brushes, these are some of the highly recommended dog brushes and combs that you might want to check out:
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How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Sheepadoodle Can Help Prevent Matting
How do you keep Sheepadoodle hair from matting? The main goal of brushing is to keep your Sheepadoodle’s hair from matting. For this reason, it’s crucial you choose a brush that’s up for the task. Although many dog brushes on the market might seem like they do a decent job, you might still find knots and tangles stuck in your pup’s fur even after brushing. Naturally, as these sneaky knots are left in the fur, they’ll soon become full-blown mats, which are much harder to deal with.
Because of this, it’s important you use the best brush for your Sheepadoodle’s unique hair type, hair length, and shedding levels. As you’ll be using the brush on a regular basis, we recommend you invest in a dog brush that can withhold regular use.
As Sheepadoodles are prone to matting, we recommend you learn more about the topic from our ultimate guide on dealing with matted dog hair.
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How Often Do You Have To Groom A Sheepadoodle?
How often should you brush a Sheepadoodle? Regardless of your Sheepadoodle’s coat type, we recommend you brush their hair every single day. This is the easiest way to prevent matting and it’s also a great way to remove any dirt and debris that gets stuck in the fur during the day. As a result, you won’t have to wash your Dood as often, either.
Daily brushing is especially crucial for curly or wool coat Sheepadoodles, as they are the most prone to matting thanks to their textured, curly hair. As wavy and straight coat Sheepadoodles are less prone to matting, you might be able to brush them less frequently, at least 3 to 4 times a week.
Nevertheless, daily brushing is the easiest way to prevent matting in Sheepadoodles. Although it might sound tedious at first, trust us, it’s much easier than dealing with matted hair every few months.
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How To Brush A Sheepadoodle Properly?
How do you brush a Sheepadoodle? Can you over-brush a Sheepadoodle? Technically, you can’t over-brush a Sheepadoodle, as long as you don’t use too much pressure or force, which can result in skin irritations and injuries. In fact, regularly brushing your Doodle’s hair not only prevents matting and keeps the coat clean for longer, it also distributes the natural skin oils throughout the coat. Hello, silky smooth and shiny hair!
But before you start brushing your Sheepadoodle, go through the coat with your hand to find any knots or tangles hiding inside the fur. If you can feel any, go in with your metal comb and gently work through the tangles while not yanking on the hair or skin.
Now that you’ve gotten rid of all the major tangles, you can go in with your pin or slicker brush on larger areas. We recommend you start from the bottom of the feet and move your way up towards the belly, neck, and finishing with the back. Here’s a great guideline you can follow:
Why is the order of brushing the areas important? Well, if you start brushing from the top, it can actually cause more knots to accumulate while you brush. For this reason, always start from the bottom.
If you’re finding it difficult brushing through your Sheepadoodle’s coat, try using a dog detangler spray beforehand.
Finally, we recommend you learn the line brushing technique, which is more of an intensive treatment if you haven’t brushed your pup in a while. However, you can also do this on a weekly basis to really prevent matting.
See Also:
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Best Brush For Sheepadoodle: FAQ
What Is The Best Brush For Sheepadoodle?
When choosing the best brush for Sheepadoodle, you’ll have to keep in mind your Dood’s coat type, length, shedding levels, and how prone to knotting they are. The best dog brushes for Sheepadoodle are by far slicker brushes and pin brushes.
Additionally, you should also invest in a sturdy metal comb, which is a necessary tool for more delicate areas and also stubborn knots and tangles, regardless of your Sheepadoodle’s coat type.
How Do You Groom A Sheepadoodle Puppy?
Grooming a Sheepadoodle puppy works pretty much the same as if you were grooming an adult Dood. Only that their size is much smaller! Of course, as their skin is very delicate and their technically just *babies*, you’ll have to make sure that you’re extremely gentle and don’t use any force whatsoever.
First you’ll want to introduce your puppy to the grooming tools. Let them inspect and sniff the brushes and tools, so your pup gets used to them. Of course, have plenty of treats on hand and give your pup lots of praise and cuddles during the process.
If you’ve adopted your Sheepadoodle from a reputable breeder, it’s very likely that they’ve already started introducing the puppy to routinely grooming activities like brushing, bathing, and nail clipping. You’ll want to continue this process after you’ve brought your new puppy home. Grooming your pup from a young age helps them get used to grooming, so you’ll have a much easier time brushing or bathing your Dood once they’re fully-grown.
If you’re looking for the best brush for Sheepadoodle puppies, we recommend you try the smaller version of the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush called the Baby G.
Does A Sheepadoodle Have An Undercoat?
Sheepadoodles can come with an undercoat, depending on their coat type. Typically, curly coat Sheepadoodles rarely come with an undercoat and they’re often very low to non-shedding dogs. Wavy coat Sheepadoodles may come with an undercoat and straight coat Sheepadoodles almost always come with an undercoat.
Best Brush For Sheepadoodles: Final Thoughts
Regardless of their coat type, Sheepadoodles are high maintenance dogs and they require regular upkeep on your part. Namely, you should brush your pup on a daily basis to keep the knots and tangles at bay. Otherwise, you might be stuck with matted hair soon enough.
For this reason, choosing a correct dog brush is crucial, as you’ll be using it more than any other grooming tool in your arsenal. We hope this article has given you plenty of insight into the different types of dog brushes, Sheepadoodle coats, and their unique needs, so you can make an educated decision when choosing the best brush for Sheepadoodle.
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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.
Thank you for this! I purchased the Chris Slick Big K after reading this post. However, once in a while we have to clip our curly sheepadoodle to a very short short hair. When she has short hair, I noticed it is hard to use the big k on her. Can you let me know of a brush that I can use regular as her hair is short before transitioning back to the Big K when her hair grows out? I noticed the Big K is a bit uncomfortable for her. Thank you!
April 11, 2022 at 12:35 amFor shorter hair, definitely recommend the CC Pin Brush: https://doodledoods.com/recommended/chris-christensen-pin-brush/
April 13, 2022 at 10:52 amIt is a very soothing brush that your Sheepadoodle is sure to love.