10 Best Brushes For Short Hair Dogs In 2023 Reviews Top Picks

The length of a dog’s hair is often a factor when choosing a dog to have as a pet. Although short-haired canines require less attention to grooming than long-haired dogs, they still need weekly brushing to keep their coats healthy and shiny. Shedding deposits clumps of hair around your home, but brushing catches loose hair and lets you deposit it in the trashcan. You can find thousands of dog brushes online, but which product is ideal for your short-haired friend?

We developed a list of the 10 best brushes for short-haired dogs and included detailed reviews to help you find the right tool for your pet.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites – 2023 Update

Image Product Details

Best Overall

FURminator deShedding

Reduces shedding by 90%

Comfortable handle

Curved guide protects your dog’s coat

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Best Value

JW Pet Brush Small Pin

Affordable

Non-slip handle

Lightweight

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Premium Choice

Bissell FURGET IT All-in-One

Multi-use grooming tool

Removes loose hair and tangles

Non-slip handle

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Frisco Pet Combo Brush

Affordable

Two-sided bristles

Ideal for puppies

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Hertzko 2-in-1 Pet Grooming

Flexible head

De-shedding tool and comb

Broad head for excellent coverage

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The 10 Best Brushes for Short Hair Dogs

We researched several exceptional products, but the FURminator Short Hair Undercoat deShedding Dog Tool won the prize for the best overall dog brush for short-haired pups. Unlike many of its competitors, FURminator designed its product with short-haired dogs in mind. The tool has curved teeth to follow your pet’s natural curves while brushing. The grooming blades reach the undercoat to remove loose hair without irritating the skin. The curved plastic edges on each side of the blades glide over the skin and protect the de-shedding teeth when the tool is stored.

Breed Type: De-shedding tool

Color: Orange/black

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FURminator’s ergonomic handle makes it one of the most comfortable tools to use on your dog. The comfortable grip does not slip if your hands are wet or sweaty, and the brush is light enough that it does not feel too overbearing on your pet. The manufacturer claims the tool will reduce shedding on your dog by 90%. According to FURminator’s customers, the claim appears to be true. We could find very little to criticize about the brush, but some dogs like to chew it if it’s not stored after grooming.

Pros

Reduces shedding by 90%

Comfortable handle

Curved guide protects your dog’s coat

Sturdy design

Cons

Some dogs like to chew on the handle

If you’re trying to save a few dollars on your grooming products, you can try the JW Pet Gripsoft Small Pin Brush. You’re unlikely to find another quality brush for such a low price. We gave the Gripsoft our award for the best dog brush for the money. It has a non-slip grip that makes grooming your pet comfortable and controlled. The short pins are tipped with round ends to prevent irritation when they glide over the skin. The brush effectively removes loose hair to reduce shedding.

Reduces shedding by 90%

Comfortable handle

Curved guide protects your dog’s coat

Sturdy design

Reduces shedding by 90%
Comfortable handle
Curved guide protects your dog’s coat
Sturdy design

Some dogs like to chew on the handle

Some dogs like to chew on the handle

Breed Type: Pin brush

Color: Black/yellow

Although the Gripsoft smooths out the animal’s coat and collects loose fur, it sometimes struggles to remove tangles or loosen matted hair. However, if you use the brush at least once a week, your dog’s coat is less likely to have issues with matting.

Pros

Affordable

Non-slip handle

Lightweight

Cons

Does not remove stubborn tangles

When your dog’s fur becomes tangled and matted, you need a brush that can handle multiple tasks. The Bissell FURGET IT All-in-One Grooming brush is a two-sided brush with one set of blades for tangles and mats and another for de-shedding the undercoat. It’s our premium selection, but it’s inexpensive for a brush that performs the same tasks as two grooming tools. The stainless-steel teeth are positioned behind curved metal guides that reach the outercoat without disturbing the animal’s skin. The soft non-slip handle is comfortable for long grooming sessions, and the broad head covers a large area.

Affordable

Non-slip handle

Lightweight

Affordable
Non-slip handle
Lightweight

Does not remove stubborn tangles

Does not remove stubborn tangles

Breed Type: De-shedding, de-matting

Color: Black/green

The Bissell brush is a valuable tool for short-haired canines. Still, some customers complained that the blades pulled at the fur when trying to remove stubborn matted spots.

Pros

Multi-use grooming tool

Removes loose hair and tangles

Non-slip handle

Cons

Tugs at fur when coats are dense

Puppies have lighter coats and more sensitive skin than adults, and we wanted to find a gentle but effective brush. The Frisco Cat & Dog Combo Brush meets the challenge with a double-sided tool with pins on one side to remove loose fur and soft bristles on the other to smooth out the coat, distributing natural oils. The pin bristles are tipped with rounded pieces to prevent damage to the skin, and they remove dirt, debris, and loose hair to minimize shedding.

Multi-use grooming tool

Removes loose hair and tangles

Non-slip handle

Multi-use grooming tool
Removes loose hair and tangles
Non-slip handle

Tugs at fur when coats are dense

Tugs at fur when coats are dense

Breed Type: Pin/bristle brush

Color: Green/gray

This Frisco brush is a gentle alternative to aggressive de-matters and rigid-blade models. However, the soft bristle side of the tool is too flexible and does little to smooth out thick coats.

Pros

Affordable

Two-sided bristles

Ideal for puppies

Cons

Bristle side is too soft to smooth out dense fur

The Hertzko 2-in-1 Dog & Cat Grooming Tool has a fine-toothed de-shedding tool on one side and a comb on the other for smoothing out the coat. It has a non-slip grip and a wide cutting head that reduces your grooming time by covering more area. One of the unique aspects of the Hertzko tool is the flexible head. The head is attached to the handle with a ball joint that allows the brush to bend with the contours of your pet’s body.

Affordable

Two-sided bristles

Ideal for puppies

Affordable
Two-sided bristles
Ideal for puppies

Bristle side is too soft to smooth out dense fur

Bristle side is too soft to smooth out dense fur

Breed Type: De-shedding tool/comb

Color: Dark gray/purple

Although the brush receives high marks from both dog owners and cat lovers, the comb side of the tool is a bit too rough for animals with light coats.

Pros

Flexible head

De-shedding tool and comb

Broad head for excellent coverage

Cons

Comb side is too aggressive for light coats

If you’ve cared for canines for several years, you’ve probably gone through several grooming tools and brushes. Because dogs are the most common pets in the United States, their products create a significant amount of waste. With the Bass Brushes Green Dog and Cat Oval Brush, you can groom your dog and show your love for the environment. The Oval brush is made from eco-friendly bamboo, and unlike the competition’s brushes, Bass uses bamboo pins to remove loose hair and dirt. The handle has an attractive stained finish, and the oval head is ideal for grooming smaller breeds.

Flexible head

De-shedding tool and comb

Broad head for excellent coverage

Flexible head
De-shedding tool and comb
Broad head for excellent coverage

Comb side is too aggressive for light coats

Comb side is too aggressive for light coats

Breed Type:

Color:

Several dog owners were pleased that the Bass brush used bamboo instead of metal pins, but some dogs liked to chew on the bristles. Keeping your brush in a drawer or cabinet can prevent your pet from damaging the tool.

Pros

Made from environmentally-friendly bamboo

Bamboo pins are softer than metal pins

Durable and attractive

Cons

Some dogs chew on the bristles

The Babyliss Pro Pet Flex Slicker Pet Brush has long, flexible pins that penetrate thick short hair to remove dirt and loose fur. The pins are angled to follow the curves of your pet’s body, and the gel-filled handle is comfortable and non-slip. The bristles of the Babyliss are more rigid than similar models, and they’re more capable of removing tangles and matted fur.

Made from environmentally-friendly bamboo

Bamboo pins are softer than metal pins

Durable and attractive

Made from environmentally-friendly bamboo
Bamboo pins are softer than metal pins
Durable and attractive

Some dogs chew on the bristles

Some dogs chew on the bristles

Breed Type: Slicker brush

Color: Black/white

However, the brush’s pins are too hard on dogs with light coats, and the brush is not suitable for pets that like to chew. Some customers complained that the gel leaked out of the handle when their dogs bit into it.

Pros

Affordable

Rigid bristles remove tangles

Available in two sizes

Cons

Gel handle leaks if damaged

Too hard on light coats

If your pup runs away when it sees the grooming brush in your hand, you may have to try another tool for removing loose fur. The HandsOn All-in-One Pet Bathing and Grooming Gloves are perfect for pets who disklike the feel of tiny pins on their skin. The gloves can be used in the bath to distribute shampoo and massage the dog’s coat, and they can be your go-to grooming tool for removing dirt and loose hair.

Affordable

Rigid bristles remove tangles

Available in two sizes

Affordable
Rigid bristles remove tangles
Available in two sizes

Gel handle leaks if damaged

Too hard on light coats

Gel handle leaks if damaged
Too hard on light coats

Breed Type: Grooming gloves

Color: Black

Dog and cat parents with sensitive pets love the grooming gloves, but they create more of a mess than bushes. The gloves remove fur and tangles, but the hair does not stick to the gloves; it falls on the floor or stays on your dog.

Pros

Gentle alternative to brushing

Removes tangles and loose hair

Cons

Expensive

Hair does not stick to gloves

Burt’s Bees Slicker Puppy Brush is made from eco-friendly bamboo and recycled materials. It has a broad head with sturdy slicker bristles to untangle fur and remove loose hair. It resembles an old-fashioned hairbrush for humans with a wooden handle. It is comfortable to use, although it is not non-slip.

Gentle alternative to brushing

Removes tangles and loose hair

Gentle alternative to brushing
Removes tangles and loose hair

Expensive

Hair does not stick to gloves

Expensive
Hair does not stick to gloves

Breed Type: Slicker brush

Color: Stained wood

The slicker brush was designed for puppies, but we thought it was more effective on adult dogs with dense, short coats. The bristles are too abrasive for thin coats, and they could irritate the sensitive skin of a young pup. If you have a puppy or an adult dog with a light outer coat, we suggest using a slicker brush with softer bristles.

Pros

Affordable

Made from recycled materials and eco-friendly bamboo

Cons

Too abrasive for light coats

Too abrasive for puppies

The FURminator Hair Collection Dog and Cat Brush is a unique tool that uses plastic knobs to loosen and collect hair. It has plastic pins on all four sides to groom difficult areas like the chin or around the neck. Unlike the other brushes reviewed, the FURminator can also clean your upholstery and dog furniture. It’s safe to use on wet or dry hair, and the plastic bristles create an electric charge when grooming that causes the loose hair to stick to the brush. Dogs who dislike the feel of metal bristles will enjoy grooming with the FURminator.

Affordable

Made from recycled materials and eco-friendly bamboo

Affordable
Made from recycled materials and eco-friendly bamboo

Too abrasive for light coats

Too abrasive for puppies

Too abrasive for light coats
Too abrasive for puppies

Breed Type: Four-in-one collection brush

Color: Gray/black

Although pets seem to like the feel of the brush, it’s not very effective at removing loose fur or reducing shedding. However, pet owners were astounded by how easily the brush cleans their furniture and dog equipment.

Pros

Affordable

Removes fur from pets and upholstery

Cons

Does not remove enough hair

Dogs can chew on the bristles

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Brush for Short Hair Dogs

You have several options for grooming tools, but whichever brush you choose, you can use this guide for tips on how to groom your pet safely and effectively.

Affordable

Removes fur from pets and upholstery

Affordable
Removes fur from pets and upholstery

Does not remove enough hair

Dogs can chew on the bristles

Does not remove enough hair
Dogs can chew on the bristles

Grooming Tips

Although some pets enjoy the experience, grooming is not pleasant for every animal. You can encourage your dog to be more receptive to the process by providing tasty treats after each brushing. Positive reinforcement is a practical training technique, and it works wonders with grooming timid pets.

To prevent skin irritation and keep your pet calm during grooming, you can:

Brush in the direction of the hair’s growth.

Only use brushes on wet hair designed for wet and dry use.

Apply light pressure when using a slicker brush. Pushing down with too much force can pull at fur and scratch the skin.

Refrain from shouting at your pup when grooming becomes difficult. Stay calm and praise your dog for being a good girl or boy.

Wait until after the animal has eaten before grooming. Hungry pups are more likely to gnaw on the brush while you’re grooming.

Grab a partner to help you with grooming if your pet tends to wiggle around during brushing.

If the brush becomes damaged or has rusted bristles, throw it in the garbage.

Keep your brush in a secure location to keep your pet from chewing on it.

Contact a professional groomer if tangled or matted hair cannot be smoothed out with your tools.

If you see a large amount of dandruff when you’re grooming, make an appointment with your veterinarian to inspect your pet for skin conditions.

If your pup is still fearful when you bring out the brush, you may have to use a different brush or tool that’s gentler on short hair. Slicker brushes and de-shedding tools seem to remove more loose fur than other brush types, but they can sometimes be too abrasive on dogs with thinner coats. When your dog dislikes the feel of sharp bristles, you can use one of these alternatives.