Finding the right kind of dog grooming brush for a Doodle pup may take some trial and error. Perhaps you’ve already tried a couple, but none of them have worked out? Or maybe you’re just starting out on your search for finding the best brush for your Whipoodle? Whatever the case, we’re here to help you choose the right type of dog brush for your Dood according to your pup’s coat type. Also, we’ve prepared some of our best tips and techniques on how to properly groom your Whipoodle so that your dog’s coat stays free from mats and won’t shed that much, either.
Table of Contents
- Choosing The Best Brush For Whipoodle: Types Of Popular Whipoodle Brushes
- What Is The Best Brush For Whipoodle?
- Best Brush For Whipoodles: Reviews With Pros & Cons
- Best Brush For Whipoodle: Alternative Picks
- How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Whipoodle Can Help Prevent Matting?
- How Often Do You Have To Groom A Whipoodle?
- How To Brush A Whipoodle Properly?
- Best Brush For Whipoodle: FAQs
Choosing The Best Brush For Whipoodle: Types Of Popular Whipoodle Brushes
The Whipoodle, also known as the Whipoo, is a hybrid cross of the Whippet and Poodle breeds. They’re fun-loving and loyal, affectionate and intelligent, and of course, notorious for their low-shedding and allergy-friendly coats. Not just that, many would consider the Whipoodle a hypoallergenic breed. After all, that’s why the Poodle was first crossed with other breeds many decades ago now – to achieve a hypoallergenic guide dog.
But while it’s amazing that Whipoodles are so low-shedding that they won’t trigger allergies and also won’t leave a trail of hair behind them, there’s also the extra responsibility of keeping their coats this way with a good grooming regimen. As fellow Doodle owners, we can safely say that Whipoodles sure are high-maintenance when it comes to their coat care and grooming.
Like other Poodle mixes, Whipoodles flaunt thick and long, shaggy and fluffy coats that are so wonderfully soft to touch, but also quite tricky to manage without the right kind of grooming tools. Or, if you don’t really know what you’re doing… So, let’s first talk about the two types of best dog grooming brushes for Whipoodles and how they can help prevent matting and shedding on your pooch.
Slicker Brush
A slicker brush is generally the best brush for a Whipoodle thanks to its effectiveness and ease of use. Slicker brushes are designed to work through thick layers of fur that’s prone to matting. A slicker brush is excellent for detangling textured and tangle-prone coats, as well as deshedding the coat from loose dog hair. You can’t really go wrong with a good slicker brush, that’s for sure.
Not only are they effective, slicker brushes also feature an ergonomic handle that makes the grooming session that much more easier on your hand and arm. On the other hand, some people may initially have a difficulty getting used to this type of handle placement instead of the more familiar one we see on pin brushes and bristle brushes.
You’ll find lots of different slicker brushes available to purchase online and in pet stores. They come in different sizes, the handle length can vary, and the pins may also be either shorter or longer.
Pin Brush
A pin brush, on the other hand, resembles more of a regular human hair brush with its typically oval-shaped head and a familiar handle placement. While a pin brush can also be a great tool for general grooming activities like deshedding and detangling, it’s important to note that this type of dog grooming brush isn’t as effective as a slicker brush. So if you’re looking for something really heavy-duty, opt for a slicker brush instead.
As with any other type of dog brush, there are many different varieties to the pin brush. The main thing is that you get yourself a pin brush that has stainless steel pins. For Whipoodles, pins made of plastic or wood simply aren’t going to do much. And although a pin brush looks very similar to a bristle brush in terms of its overall design, we strongly advise against purchasing a bristle brush if you’ve got a Doodle dog. Again, a bristle brush simply isn’t effective on such thick coats.
Essential For All Whipoos: Metal Or Stainless Steel Comb
Then there’s another tool that absolutely every Whipoodle owner must purchase – a metal or stainless steel comb. This is a non-negotiable, an absolute necessity for Doodles. And no, that ole plastic or wooden comb you have lying in your drawer won’t be enough. For Whipoodles, we recommend sturdy and durable metal or stainless steel combs. These won’t break as easily and they’re also much more effective.
With a comb, you’ll get rid of those worst knots and mats that often start forming in the depths of a Whipoodle’s coat. And yes, although a brush is great for overall detangling and deshedding of the coat, a comb is necessary for detangling those knots that are almost impossible to brush out.
Additionally, as combs are so much smaller in design, you can also use this tool for detangling and deshedding the fur on smaller areas that are more sensitive or difficult to reach with a brush. We find that a comb is best for the facial hair, but also for the hair around the paws and ears, for example.
What Is The Best Brush For Whipoodle?
So, how to choose the best brush for your Whipoodle? Can you just purchase either a pin or slicker brush, based on your own preference, and you’re good to go? Or is there anything else you should consider before getting a brush for your pooch?
Poodle mixes like the Whipoodle aren’t as easy to care for as some other breeds or hybrid crosses. Their thick and shaggy coats are prone to matting and they have some unique traits that make the whole grooming process from start to finish a bit different than you’d see on, let’s say, a smooth-coated and short-haired pup.
An important factor to take into account is your Whipoo’s hair length. Some people love the long, shaggy look on their Doods, whereas others prefer to keep their dogs’ coat on the shorter side. If you’re part of the first group, it’s crucial that you choose a dog grooming brush according to your dog’s hair length. The pins on the brush should penetrate all layers of the fur, leaving behind no tangles or knots. Your best bet would be to get a dog grooming brush with long pins.
Also, your Whipoo’s size is perhaps not the biggest thing to worry about, but still something to consider before buying a brush. The size of a Whipoodle can vary quite drastically with some pups weighing as little as 15 pounds and others 45 pounds. For a smaller Mini Whipoo, a small-sized brush would be best, whereas opt for a medium to larger-sized brush if you’ve got a larger Standard Whipoodle.
But above all, a key thing to understand is your Whipoodle’s coat type, as this will dictate their grooming needs and also the kind of brush you should choose for your pooch…
Best Brush For Whipoodles According To Their Coat Type
Purebred Whippets and Poodles have very, very different coat types. We all know how Poodles have very tightly curled coats that can grow into insane lengths. Meanwhile, Whippets have very short and sleek coats with straight hair. Considering that these two purebreds are quite different when it comes to their coats, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that their Whipoodle offspring may inherit different coat types ranging from curly to wavy to straight. Let’s take a closer look.
Curly Coat
The great thing about curly-coated Whipoodles is that they inherit their coat genetics mostly from the Poodle. This makes the curly coat type the most hypoallergenic and almost non-shedding. The only downside about this coat type is that it’s also the most prone to matting, making it harder to groom and maintain due to its texture. If your pup has this coat type, the best brush for your Whipoodle would be a slicker brush that can prevent both matting and also shedding. And yes, even curly-haired Doodles shed hair, just not as much as those curls hold onto any loose hair and prevent it from falling out.
Wavy Coat
Wavy-coated Whipoodles have the perfect balance in their coat genetics. Their coats are neither curly nor straight, and they aren’t super difficult to maintain as curly coats. By the way, this coat type is probably the most common we see on Whipoodles.
The great thing about wavy-coated Whipoos is that they’ll never have an undercoat. While many Doodle breeds may actually come double-coated, meaning that they might not be the best choice for people with allergies, that’s not the case with Whipoodles. Both Poodles and Whippets are single-coated breeds, making the Whipoodle always a safe choice for someone with dog allergies.
For a wavy-coated Whipoodle, both slicker and pin brushes are great options. If your pup does get easily tangled, a slicker brush might be a better option, though.
Straight Coat
Straight-haired Whipoodles also have thick and shaggy coats, but as you can already guess, the hair isn’t very wavy but more on the straighter side. Although these pups won’t have a shedding undercoat either, they might be just a tiny bit less hypoallergenic than curly-haired Whipoos. As we mentioned, curly coats are so textured that they hold onto any loose hair. With straight coats, dead hair strands can fall out more easily. Fortunately, you can greatly minimize shedding and reduce allergens by regularly grooming your pooch with either a pin or slicker brush.
Best Brush For Whipoodles: Reviews With Pros & Cons
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
If you’re looking for a truly amazing slicker brush, then the best of the best on the market is the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush. Granted, it’s a bit on the pricier side, but we’re honestly yet to find something as good as this one. It lets you groom your dog so much quicker than any other slicker brush thanks to its long, tightly packed, and bended pins.
This slicker brush has an extra long ergonomic handle that’s so comfortable to use. It’s designed to prevent arm fatigue and we can certainly agree that it’s so much easier to use than most other slicker brushes. Also, the handle is very easy to grip thanks to its non-slip material.
Pros
- Specially designed for detangling and deshedding very thick, textured, and tangle-prone coats;
- Extra long non-slip ergonomic handle;
- Wide paddle and long pins are perfect for brushing through large areas of fur quickly and easily;
- Made from premium materials;
- Available in three sizes: large, medium, and Baby G.
Cons
- It’s quite an expensive dog grooming brush.
The verdict: The Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush is the best brush for Whipoodles with curly coats, but it’s also an excellent grooming tool for wavy and straight-haired pups.
Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush
For Whipoodles with wavy and straight coat types, a good and affordable alternative for the Big G is the Chris Christensen Original Series Pin Brush. Although it’s much more pocket friendly, no corners have been cut on the quality.
The pins on this brush are made from stainless steel and they’ve also been polished so that your pup can actually enjoy being groomed. The brush has a solid beechwood body that’s very lightweight, yet sturdy and durable. The handle is very easy to grasp and it won’t slip out of your hands when grooming your pooch.
Pros
- Super smooth stainless steel pins with polished tips for your pup’s safety and comfort;
- Great quality pin brush at an affordable price;
- Solid beechwood body that’s easy to grasp;
- Available in three sizes and pin lengths: 20mm, 27mm, and 35mm.
Cons
- Pin brushes are usually less effective than slicker brushes.
The verdict: The Chris Christensen Pin Brush is the best brush for Whipoodles that aren’t extremely mat-prone, such as wavy and straight-haired dogs. For curly-coated Doods, this isn’t a suitable option.
Andis Steel Greyhound Comb
The Andis Steel Greyhound Comb has got to be one of the best combs you can get for your Whipoodle. This comb is made from high-quality stainless steel, making it almost unbreakable even when working on the most stubborn knots and mats. The comb is also very easy to grasp and you quickly switch between the two sides according to your grooming purposes. What’s more, it’s super affordable, especially considering how durable and effective it is.
Pros
- Excellent comb for detangling knots and mats;
- Two sides that you can easily switch between;
- Premium quality comb that doesn’t break the bank;
- Perfect for smaller, more delicate areas.
Cons
- None!
Best Brush For Whipoodle: Alternative Picks
Granted, the Big G is one of the more pricier dog grooming brushes, so it’s only natural if you’d like to see what alternatives are out there. Below you’ll find some of our other recommended picks for Whipoodles that you may enjoy just as much:
How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Whipoodle Can Help Prevent Matting?
Whipoodles are prone to matting and the only way to prevent this common issue is to regularly brush your dog with a brush that’s suitable for their coat type. While Whipoodles are very low to non-shedding, allergy-friendly dogs, regular brushing is also essential to prevent excessive shedding and to reduce allergens. In fact, if your dog’s coat becomes matted, they can develop skin irritations, which could lead to the dreaded shedding.
By far the best choice for Whipoodles is a good quality slicker brush, as these types of brushes are designed to be effective on even the thickest, most textured of coats. Just like Doodles tend to have. However, another option you can consider is a pin brush. But we only recommend pin brushes for Whipoos with straight or wavy coats that are slightly less prone to matting.
But it’s not just about the type of brush you choose. It’s just as important to look at the pin size on the brush. Both slicker and pin brushes come in all shapes and sizes, and their pin lengths can also significantly vary. As a general rule of thumb, opt for a brush with long pins if your pup has long hair. And here’s another fun fact: the longer your dog’s hair, the more brushing it’ll require.
The design and construction of the brush can also make a huge difference. For example, for Whipoodles we only recommend brushes with stainless steel or metal pins. In addition to that, you might want to consider the handle placement, the length of the handle, and overall how durable and sturdy the brush feels in your hand.
How Often Do You Have To Groom A Whipoodle?
Choosing the right kind of brush for your Whipoodle is certainly important, but you should also get in the habit of using it regularly. Since Whipoodles are high-maintenance dogs, you should aim to brush your dog daily to prevent matting and reduce shedding.
If that seems a bit much for you, then consider the fact that the more often you brush your dog, the less time you’ll have to spend on those daily grooming sessions. Your pup’s hair won’t get as tangled and matted, so it won’t be much of a hassle, anyway. For curly-coated Whipoodles, daily brushing sessions are necessary. But if you’ve got a wavy or straight-coated pooch, the minimum you can do is to brush your dog about 3-4 times a week.
If for some reason you haven’t been able to brush your Dood in a while, you’ll likely notice how much harder it is to brush through the coat. The coat may be matted and it’s likely rougher in texture. Hopefully this will happen very rarely, but if it does, you can get the coat back in tip-top condition with the line brushing method.
Daily brushing is not just an effective, yet simple way to prevent matting, it’s also going to reduce shedding. In addition to that, you likely won’t have to bathe your pup too often if you’re consistently brushing out all the dust, dirt, and debris from their coat on a daily basis.
What’s more, brushing can also aid in healthy hair growth and make the fur stronger, shinier, and more nourished. That’s because brushing distributes your dog’s natural skin oils through the lengths of the hair and also promotes circulation under the skin that’s great for your pup’s overall health.
Can You Over-Brush A Whipoodle?
You don’t have to worry about over-brushing your Whipoodle. Whipoodles and other Poodle mixes have unique coats and grooming needs, so the more you can brush your pup, the better. On the other hand, issues may start to arise if you’re not being gentle enough with your dog.
Firstly, make sure that you’re not applying too much pressure onto the skin with the brush. You shouldn’t scrape the skin with the pins, as this can quickly lead to irritations and injuries. Secondly, when detangling knots and mats, never pull on the hair. Again, this can be very painful for your pup, but also contribute to excessive hair loss.
How To Brush A Whipoodle Properly?
Now that you know how to choose the best brush for your Whipoodle and how often you should use it, you’d probably like to know *how* to use it properly. Below you’ll find our step-by-step guide to properly brushing your dog so that their coat is fluffy, healthy, and mat-free. So grab your grooming brush, a metal comb, a dog detangler spray, and follow along.
Step #1
Before using any grooming tools, you should locate any knots and mats with your bare hands first. Run your hands through your pup’s coat and if you notice something knotty, detangle it with your metal comb. Pay close attention to areas that you know are the most mat-prone on your dog. These are usually behind the collar and harness, the ears, and around the paws.
Before you start detangling each knot and mat, we recommend you spray on a small amount of dog detangler spray to loosen up the knot. Then, you’ll hold onto the mat with your left hand while gently starting to detangle it with your comb in your right hand. This way, your dog won’t be as uncomfortable during the process, as you’re taking some of that pressure off the root of the hair. Always start detangling from the tip of the hair, brushing in the direction of hair growth. As the mat loosens up, you can start moving up towards the root of the hair.
Step #2
Now that your dog’s coat seems manageable and free from the worst knots and mats, you can reach for your dog grooming brush and get grooming. You can spray on dog detangling spray all over the coat to make the hair softer and easier to groom. This can also prevent matting later on. Just make sure to avoid the eyes, nose, and mouth!
When brushing your Whipoo, we recommend you start from the lowest points on your dog’s body. The best order for that would be: paws and feet, legs, chest and neck, belly, and bum. Then you can groom the sides and tail, and lastly grooming the back.
When detangling and deshedding the fur on the face, you can opt for either a smaller dog brush or use a comb instead. Some pups don’t like seeing a brush move around their eyes, so a comb can be very helpful in those delicate areas.
We also have a helpful illustration that shows you exactly which areas to prioritize when grooming your Whipoodle:
Step #3
For the final step, you can fluff up the coat in very gentle upward strokes with a brush or comb. This will make the hair fluffy again, especially if the coat gets a bit flat after grooming.
Best Brush For Whipoodle: FAQs
The best brush for a Whipoodle is the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush. This is the best, most effective slicker brush we’ve ever tried and it works amazingly well on all types of Whipoodle coats. But if you’re not a fan of a slicker brush and your Whipoo has a wavy or straight coat that isn’t very tangle-prone, a great alternative is the Chris Christensen Original Series Pin Brush. For detangling knots and mats, get yourself a high-quality stainless steel comb, such as the Andis Steel Greyhound Comb.
If you’d like to make your Whipoodle as fluffy as it can get, you can blow dry their hair after bathing. Just be sure to use the lowest setting so as to not cause your dog discomfort due to the heat. Another tip is to fluff up the coat with a brush or comb as the final step in your dog’s grooming routine. But above all, the key to having a fluffy coat on your Whipoo is keeping up with their grooming and hygiene routine. You should brush your dog daily, have their hair trimmed every few months, and bathe them when necessary to keep their coat in healthy condition.
The best way to groom a Whipoodle puppy is with a small-sized grooming brush. You can also opt for a puppy grooming brush, as these have softer bristles and therefore are gentler on a puppy’s delicate skin. And considering that puppies’ skin is even more delicate, you should be extremely cautious when grooming your pup. Excess pressure can quickly injure or irritate the skin. It could also potentially traumatize your pup so that they have a harder time when being groomed in the future. But all in all, if you start early on and gradually let your pup get used to the process, it should all go smoothly.
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