To ensure a shiny and healthy coat, you must brush your Lab on a regular basis. Here are best brushes for Labrador Retrievers.
Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed since 1991. The breed holds number one rank for the title “Most Popular Dog Breeds” by AKC (American Kennel Club). AKC gives rank to dog breeds based on the registrations. Labs are affectionate, loving, sociable, and active. All these personality traits make them popular among families. However, the main problem with this breed is it sheds a lot.
When it comes to grooming, brushing plays a crucial role. To keep your pup’s coat clean and healthy, it’s imperative to maintain a proper brushing routine. This becomes more important when you own a double-coated breed like a Labrador Retriever.
Labrador Retriever Coat
Labradors have double coats – outercoat and undercoat. They have a soft undercoat and a wiry type of outer coat. Their double coats protect them from water and various weather conditions (like cold and heat). By adopting a lab dog, excess shedding is something you have to deal with. Labs shed moderately all year round. The shedding frequency increases twice a year – spring and fall.
In the fall season, labs shed their lighter undercoat. A thicker undercoat protects them from cold. On the flip side, in spring, they shed their winter coat and prepare for hot weather. During shedding seasons, you may find your pup’s fur in the carpet, bed, and other places in the house.
By getting irritated with excess shedding, many owners think of shaving their lab completely. Shaving is never recommended for a double-coated dog breed. It won’t lessen shedding. In fact, it can worsen your canine’s coat health by resulting in the issues like sunburn, skin allergies, etc.
Labrador Retriever Grooming Needs
Due to double coats, the breed’s grooming needs are a bit high. As we have seen, labs shed moderately the whole year. They shed even more during the spring and fall seasons. Thus, during shedding seasons, you have to pay more attention to grooming. Among different grooming activities, brushing is very important. Regular brushing using the right types of brushes would keep your labrador’s coat clean and healthy. Make sure to brush your canine once or twice a week.
Besides brushing, other grooming needs include:
- Bathing,
- Nail trimming,
- Dental care,
- Eyes cleaning, and
- Ear cleaning.
In this post, I will be specific about brushing.
Benefits of Brushing Your Lab On a Regular Basis
Coat brushing should be done regularly for a double-coated dog like a labrador retriever. Here are the benefits:
1. It reduces shedding
Labrador retrievers shed so much. Brushing is the best way to control the spread of fur in the house. By maintaining a proper brushing routine, you will notice less amount of hair on the bed, clothes, carpet, and other household items.
2. Prevents tangles
Besides shedding, hair tangling is another issue you will come across when you don’t maintain a proper brushing routine. Hair tangles can be painful and irritating for your lab. Regular brushing will prevent forming tangles in the first place and will also save from skin problems like infections.
3. Distribute natural oils
Dogs’ coats have natural oils. Brushing regularly would distribute these natural oils in the dog’s coat. This won’t just keep your canine’s coat healthy, but also give it glossy look.
4. Monitor your dog’s skin
If your lab is continuously scratching and itching skin, there’s something wrong. It could be because of spots, bumps, fleas, ticks, or any other issue. Brushing will allow you to monitor your pup’s skin. It will help you find out the main issue.
5. Build a bond
Besides play sessions, brushing can also be a great way to build a stronger bond with your paw friend. In the start, your dog may not respond well to brushing, but doing it regularly would make him get used to it. During a grooming session, you can spend quality time with your dog.
8 Best Brushes For Labrador Retrievers
Let’s talk about each brush, one by one:
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1. FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool
For grooming a labrador retriever, a de-shedding brush is the main tool you need to consider. This tool is designed especially for short-coated dog breeds. Using this de-shedding tool, you would be able to remove loose hair from your lab’s fur. It can be really useful when your canine is shedding excessively throughout the house.
The brush will go to the undercoat safely and remove loose hair. Don’t worry, it’s safe and it won’t damage your pup’s topcoat or skin. It has a FURejector button to easily collect and release collected hair. The company claims that this tool can reduce shedding up to 90%.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Removes loose hair
- Ideal for short-coated dogs
- Ergonomic handle for hassle-free use
- Stainless steel edge
- Won’t damage the topcoat or skin of your lab
CONS
- A bit pricy
2. Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
This is another best brush for labrador retrievers. Hertzko’s self-cleaning slicker brush will remove loose hair from your canine’s fur. Besides this, it will also prevent tangles, knots, and dander. It comes with bent wires that go well into the coat of your pup. The brush will neither damage your canine’s coat nor hurt the skin. Using this brush, you can safely groom your lab.
Another thing I like about this slicker brush is its easy cleaning. To release collected hair from the brush, just click the button. This feature is similar to FURminator’s undercoat de-shedding tool. Besides this, its ergonomic design would ensure a comfortable grip and hassle-free grooming.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Comfy, anti-slip handle
- It will improve your canine’s coat health
- Clean with a push button
- Removes loose hair
- Safe to use
CONS
- Brush wires are not coated so you need to be careful when brushing
3. Ruff ‘N Ruffus Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush + Pet Nail Clippers
This is another self-cleaning slicker brush. Hertzko slicker brush can be a good choice, but the main downside is its wires are not coated. If you are looking for a slicker brush with coated brush wires, consider buying this one. With this brush, you will get nail clippers for absolutely free. With Ruff ‘N Ruffus self-cleaning slicker brush, you can groom your lab on your own. It would let you remove loose fur from the coat and also prevent tangles. After using it, you can release the collected hair simply by pressing the button.
Talking about the FREE gift – nail clippers, it comes with a safety stop guard. This feature would ensure safety by preventing overcutting.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Remove loose hair and prevent tangles
- Get pet nail clippers for free
- Ergonomic handle for comfortable grip
- Coated bristles
- Push button to release collected hair
CONS
- Nail clippers are weak, thus not ideal for hard nails
4. Safari Plastic Pin and Bristle Dog Combo Brush
With this combo, you do not have to buy a pin brush and bristle brush separately. You can easily remove loose hair and tangles from your labrador’s coat with wire pins.
For a short-coated dog breed like a labrador retriever, a bristle brush can be a great addition to the grooming kit. The bristle brush will help you properly distribute natural oils and make the coat glossy. Apart from that, it can also be used to finish up grooming. When using the pin brush side of this tool, make sure to brush gently. The pins are not coated. So, doing it with pressure may harm your pup’s skin.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Double-sided brush
- Pin brush to remove loose hair and debris
- Bristle brush for a shiny coat
- Ergonomic design
CONS
- Pins are not coated
5. Le Salon Essentials Rubber Grooming Brush
The slicker brush and pin brush can be hard on the dog’s coat (when it isn’t coated). With a rubber grooming brush, this won’t be an issue. It would be gentle on your pup’s skin and coat. This rubber brush is designed especially for short hair dog breeds (like labradors).
Brushing with this grooming tool will remove loose shedding hair. Using it during bathing time will remove dirt from your labrador’s coat and keep it clean. As it’s made with rubber material, avoid using it on the tangled coat.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- It removes loose hair from the coat
- Good for short hair dog breeds
- Great for bathing time
- Loop handle for easy grip
CONS
- Not ideal for tangled coat
6. Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Dematting Undercoat Rake
When it comes to grooming a labrador, an undercoat rake can be a really handy tool. Maxpower Planet’s rake comes with a double-sided design. One side has 9 teeth and another side has 17 teeth. To reduce shedding, use 17 teeth side. And to remove tangles, use 9 teeth side. Don’t worry, the blades of this undercoat rake won’t hurt your paw friend’s skin, neither it will damage the fur. The tool will let you safely remove loose hair from the coat. Thus, keeps your hose clean.
Also, it will help you improve your dog’s coat health and also make it shiny & glossy. Using it would be super comfortable. It is lightweight and has non-slip rubber.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Double-sided design
- Remove loose hair
- Prevent tangles
- Ergonomic handle
- Get a shiny & healthy coat
- Won’t hurt your canine’s skin
CONS
- Should not be used as a comb as it may pull live fur
7. Pat Your Pet 2 Sided Undercoat Rake
Like Maxpower Planet’s undercoat rake, this one is also double-sided. One side has 9 teeth and another side has 17 teeth. With its dual sides, you would be able to minimize shedding and prevent tangles. The blades are slightly sharpened so that you don’t face difficulty cutting hard tangles. Talking about safety, it has no-scratch rounded teeth to prevent skin & coat damage.
Using this grooming tool would be comfortable. It features an ergonomic non-slip handle so that you can brush your pet without arm pain. Regularly brushing your lab dog with this undercoat rake will remove loose hair and keep the coat healthy & clean.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Double-sided brush
- Removes loose hair
- Cuts toughest tangles
- Safe for the skin
- Ergonomic anti-slip grip
CONS
- Should not be used as a comb as it may pull live fur
8. Four Paws Love Glove Dog Bath Massager Brush
Bathing is one of the crucial parts of grooming. Four Paws Love Glove is a set of two bath massager brushes. With these brushes, you can massage your lab and remove dirt from the coat. It is soft and flexible. This bath massager won’t damage your pup’s coat or skin. It can be used before the bath to gently remove dirt and dead hair from the coat.
And, these brushes can be used when providing bathe. After applying shampoo or conditioner, gently massage your canine’s coat with these bath brushes.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Soft rubber tips
- It will be smooth on your pup’s coat
- Removes dirt from the coat
- Easily distribute shampoo or conditioner
- It can be used before bath
Grooming Gloves For Labradors
When purchasing different types of brushes for your lab, consider getting grooming gloves as well. This is one of the best grooming tools for Labrador Retrievers. If brushing seems time-consuming, grooming gloves can save you time. I recommend Delomo’s pet grooming gloves. The gloves come with 255 silicone grooming tips. These tips would be so soft and gentle on your canine’s coat.
This can be a really useful grooming item, especially during the shedding seasons. Gentle massage with this brush would easily remove a lot of dirt, dust, and loose hair from the coat.
The glove is made with soft rubber, so it won’t hurt or damage the skin. The gloves have an adjustable velcro strap. Thus, they will fit perfectly on all hand sizes.
Types of Dog Brushes
When purchasing a brush for your labrador retriever, you will come across different types of brushes.
- Pin brush
- Slicker brush
- Bristle brush
- Rubber brush
- Undercoat rake
- Deshedding tool
Each of these brushes is used for different purposes.
1. Pin brush
A pin brush is the most common type of dog brush. The brush’s pins have plastic or rubber tips. Due to plastic/rubber tips, they are gentle as compared to slicker brushes.
2. Slicker brush
The slicker brush is another popular type of dog brush. A slicker brush is equipped with short wires on a flat surface. It is used to remove loose/dead hair from the dog undercoat as well as to remove tangles. If you are a beginner, make sure you learn to use this brush the right way. When brushing with a slicker brush, don’t apply too much pressure because it can cause discomfort to your canine.
3. Bristle brush
Bristle brushes are commonly used on dogs with short coats. This type of brush is also used to quickly finish up grooming. When buying a bristle brush, make sure to check the bristle’s length. For a short-coated breed like a labrador, a brush with tougher and shorter bristles is advisable. It will remove all the dust from your pup’s coat and give it a shiny look.
4. Rubber brush
If your dog doesn’t like getting brushed and runs away every time see you taking out a brush, consider using a rubber brush (also known as a curry comb). A curry comb would be gentle on the skin and provide an amazing look to the coat.
5. Undercoat rake
Undercoat rakes are used for dogs with double coats. What this rake does is, removes tangles from your undercoat. The blades of the rake will go into the coat and remove loose hair from the undercoat.
6. Deshedding tool
As the name suggests, a de-shedding tool is used to reduce dog shedding. As labradors shed throughout the year, this tool can be really useful. It will go in the undercoat and take out loose fur. By brushing your canine with a de-shedding tool, you would notice a reduced amount of fur throughout the house.
Related Questions
Which type of brush is best for a labrador?
To know this, we have to first understand the breed’s coat type and shedding level. Labradors are short-coated dogs and they shed all year round (shed excessively twice a year). The best type of brushes for labs are slicker brushes, de-shedding brushes, bristle brushes, undercoat rakes, and rubber brushes.
Do Labs need to be brushed?
Yes, labradors need to be brushed from time to time. As they shed moderately throughout the year, skipping brushing sessions would make your house and household items furry. It is advisable to brush a lab dog at least once a week.
How often should I brush my Labrador Retriever?
You should brush your Lab 2-3 times a week on normal days, and 4-5 times a week during shedding seasons (spring and fall).
Should I shave my Lab?
No, shaving a labrador isn’t advisable. It is a double-coated dog breed and shaving can result in irreversible changes to the coat quality. Shaving won’t stop shedding, but it would result in many other problems like sunburn, allergies, and poor coat quality.
Final Thoughts
Brushing is an important part of Labrador grooming. For a moderate shedder dog breed like a labrador, providing regular brushing is imperative. Regular brushing won’t just control shedding level, it will also keep the coat shiny. It will also ensure better coat health by preventing problems like coat tangling.
