If you thought that getting a short-haired dog was a good idea because they don’t need to be groomed as often as other dogs welcome to the club, dear friend. It turns out that grooming a dog with short hair is just as important and just as complicated as grooming any other dog.
And just like with any other dog, the right brush can make quite a difference. In fact, it can make more of a difference here because you just don’t have that much to work with as with other dogs.
Thankfully, there is no shortage of options for every kind of brush out there, which makes it just confusing to get just the right brush for your dog. Thankfully, I have tried and tested plenty of brushes for dogs over the years, and I will give you the options for the best dog brush for short hair dogs right below.
The options provided below are, as always, the ones that give you the most bang for your buck and the ones that can make your life easier. So, without further ado, let’s get into the 5 best brushes for short-haired dogs.
Table of Contents
List of the Best Dog Brushes for Short Haired Dogs
- The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush – Best Overall
- The BV Dog Brush 2-in-1 Brush – Best Pin and Bristle Brush
- The Furminator Curry Comb for Dogs – Best Comb
- The Le Salon Rubber Grooming Brush – Best Deshedding Brush
- The Bamboo Groom Palm-Held Brush for Pets – Best for Casual Brushing
The 5 Best Dog Brushes for Short Hair in 2021
The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush – Best Overall
The Hertzko self-cleaning brush is the dog brush every dog owner should get, and it’s also the best of all the slicker brushes available. The comfortable grip makes it easy to use on your dog every day, and the anti-slip handle gives you a firm grip on it which is something I like because my wrists get tired out easily when using other slicker brushes but not when using this one.
It’s also quite effective against mats and tangles on short hair dogs.
The brush also works for de-shedding your dog by removing the loose and dead fur and hair by removing them from your dog’s coat instead of having to vacuum them out of every piece of furniture later when your dog sheds them.
I especially like the self-cleaning button that makes it easy to get rid of all the hair the brush has collected from their coat. Just one click on the button and the pins retract and leave the hair out there, which also makes cleaning the brush itself quite easy.
Pros VS Cons
Pros:
- Self-Cleaning
- Anti-Slip Handle for comfortable Grip
- Releases the hair with a button click
Cons:
- Not one of the best-built brushes
Bottom line
If you’re looking at slicker brushes, the Hertzko is your best brush for short hair. It’s effective, self-cleaning, and very easy to use while also reducing your dog’s shedding and all in a very affordable package that you simply can’t go wrong with.
The BV Dog Brush 2-in-1 Brush – Best Pin and Bristle Brush
The BV Dog Brush is the best pin and bristle brush I’ve used on a budget, and it’s still one of the best dog brushes I’ve used for my short hair dogs. The brush has two sides, one side is a bristle brush that’s useful in removing dirt, and the other side is a pin brush that can detangle your dog’s hair quite easily.
The individual ventilation holes on this brush make the pins quite flexible so they adjust to your pet’s body without requiring much effort from you or putting much pressure on your dog.
The handle is ergonomic and has embedded groovers which makes your grip firmers without straining your hands after using it for some while.
This brush can be used on all dog hair but I found it to be very compatible with my short hair dog.
Pros VS Cons
Pros:
- Can fight dandruff
- Very budget-friendly
- Works great with dogs with short hair
Cons:
- Not suitable for larger dogs
Bottom line
The BV dog brush is a very budget-friendly option but it’s also one of the best pin and bristle brushes you can get for your short hair dogs.
The Furminator Curry Comb for Dogs – Best Comb
Every dog owner needs a good comb for casual everyday use, and the Furminator comb is the best one for dogs with short and medium hair. It has short rubber teeth that are gentle on the dog’s skin and which work well.
The comb itself is good for removing dust and loose hair to reduce shedding, but what really makes this comb stand out is the design. The ergonomic design is just so well-thought-out and there is a level of attention to details that is just rarely found on similar products.
The ergonomic design fits very well in your hand and makes it easy to use on any dog, and the curve of the comb itself suits the dog’s body easily to avoid putting pressure on it.
The hand strap holds the comb to your hand quite well, which is very handy if your hand is wet (such as after giving the dog a bath).
The comb is also made from anti-microbial plastic that repels germs and bacteria.
Pros VS Cons
Pros:
- Well-thought-out design that’s ergonomic and comfortable
- Cleans the dog’s coat without putting pressure
- Removes loose hair to reduce shedding
- Anti-microbial plastic that repels germs
Cons:
- Not suitable for large dogs (the size is too small)
Bottom line
Every dog owner needs a comb to complete his set of brushes, and this is the best option out there – and it’s also quite affordable. Get this comb to complete your grooming set. You can also get these great shears for a truly perfect grooming set.
The Le Salon Rubber Grooming Brush – Best Deshedding Brush
The Le Salon Rubber is a great deshedding brush for short hair dogs with a very reasonable price tag. This short hair dog de-shedding brush can remove loose hair and fur from your dog’s coat easily without needing to apply pressure.
In addition to de-shedding your short hair dog, it also works great for adding the final touches in the grooming routine and leaving your dog’s hair looking smooth and glamorous.
The loop handle makes it easy to hold it which you will find very useful during bath time where you can use it to distribute the shampoo and condition on your dog’s hair to cover the whole coat.
Out of many brushes I’ve used, this one, in particular, doesn’t seem to bother my dog. The rubber teeth are gentle enough for short-haired dogs that they don’t bother them. In fact, some short hair dogs enjoy it as it gives them a relaxing feeling during the baths – something like a massage.
Pros VS Cons
Pros:
- Great for de-shedding your dog (removing loose hair)
- A good brush for bath time to distribute the shampoo and condition
- The loop handle makes it easy to hold it during grooming and bath time
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Doesn’t work well with matted or tangled hair
Bottom line
You need some dog brushes that can do the job every day, during bath time, and for de-shedding, and the Le Salon is the best brush for this if you have a short haired dog. It’s also one of the best brushes in the bang-for-your-buck category considering its high quality.
The Bamboo Groom Palm-Held Brush for Pets – Best for Casual Grooming
If your dog doesn’t really like any brush and doesn’t like to be groomed, you should give this one a chance. It’s a very gentle brush for dogs that also makes them feel relaxed while using it.
This brush also has a unique design that makes it feel different from other plastic brushes because it is very different from other brushes.
First off, it’s hand made and polished with natural oils to give it a very nice look and feel that you don’t get with almost any other brush.
The bristles on the brush are good for cleaning your dog’s hair and cleaning any dust or dirt that may have gotten stuck in your dog’s hair.
It works quite well for short hair dogs but I have used it on dogs with medium hair and long hair for the finishing touches after grooming sessions and it worked just as fine.
The brush also fits into the palm ad is secured with the band to your wrist which avoids it straining your hand after long grooming sessions.
Pros VS Cons
- Great for casual grooming
- Hand-crafted and made from wood and polished with natural oil
- Cleans dirt and dust off short hair dogs
Bottom line
This is not only one of the best brushes for short hair dogs, but it’s also one of the most unique looking and feeling brushes you can get. It works well for de-shedding purposes but works even better for casual grooming.
How to Groom a Dog With Short Hair?
Before we can discuss how to groom a dog with short hair, we need to first make sure your dog is truly a short-haired dog.
Short-haired dogs have a coat that is 1 inch in length or shorter. Their hair is very straight and doesn’t have any waves or curls.
Here are some examples of Short-haired dog breeds:
- Rottweilers
- Boston Terriers
- Greyhounds
- Bull Terriers
- Labradors
- American Pit Bull Terriers
Just for comparison, let’s take a look at some examples of long-haired dogs:
- Long-haired German Shepherds
- Border Collies
- Havanese Dogs
- Show Golden Retrievers
If your dog belongs to the first group and has a similar coat to them, then you know your dog does indeed have short hair, but if their hair looks more like the second group, then you have a long-haired dog.
Give Them Baths with Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
Short-haired dogs should get bathed once every week or when they need it – such as after a swim in the ocean or after they fall into the mud for the 1,000th time.
Bathing your dog regularly will remove the dead and loose fur – also known as de-shedding – and clean their coats of any dirt or debris that may still be there.
Use a gentle dog shampoo and conditioner to moisturize their hair and nurture it. Choose a shampoo that leaves no residuals and one that’s gentle on their skin and has no harmful chemicals.
Brush Them Before the Baths
Before you take them to the bath, use the bristle brush to quickly brush their coats. This can help loosen some dead hair that may still be there and make it easy for the water to wash it off. It can also remove dry skin flakes and dandruff and give the shampoo way deep into their coats and skin to moisturize their whole bodies.
Trim their Nails Regularly
Your dog’s nails will be touching the ground constantly, and depending on the surfaces they walk on, their nails will naturally get grounded and you won’t have to worry about trimming them.
However, if your dog usually lives inside the house and doesn’t go outside much, you will find that their nails will grow a bit longer than needed. Once you start hearing the clanking sounds while they’re running, it means their nails have grown too long.
Check their paws at least once a week and make sure their nails are an appropriate length. Long nails hurt when running or walking, and you should be able to integrate nail trimming into your grooming routine for your short hair dog.
Brush Their Teeth
Dental Hygiene is as important as all other parts of hygiene. Daily brushing can help prevent a lot of bad dental and gum problems which are not only painful but can also lead to other health issues that are going to be much worse than just your dog’s bad smell.
If you notice a build-up of tartar in your dog’s teeth or find their breath to be particularly smelly, schedule a visit to the vet to have them checked and treated.
Don’t Forget About the “Spot-Checks”
During your dog’s bath and sometimes even during your regular grooming sessions, you should take a look at your dog’s ears, paw pads, and genital area.
But what should you be looking for, in particular?
Ears
Take a peek in your dog’s ears, and I recommend using a flashlight that’s not too strong (your mobile’s flashlight is too strong). You should see light-pink skin on the inside of their ears, and you should take a sniff and smell nothing. Your dog’s ear should be odor-free.
If your dog’s ears smell like yeast or have a foul smell, it’s time for a veterinary check-up. The same is true if you notice debris in there.
Paw Pads
Your dog’s paws should look firm with just enough flexibility. Look for cracks, cuts, or dryness on their paws. If you notice their paws are a bit dry, moisturize them with cream for a couple of days and see if things improve.
If you notice your dog keeps licking at their paws or doesn’t want you to inspect it, there may be cuts in there which could be hard to see with all the hair. It’s not a bad idea to have them checked by a vet in this situation as well before it gets infected.
Genital Area
Female dogs can develop brown residue around their vulvas, and this is more common for those that were spayed before one year of age. If you notice it, don’t freak out, it can be cleaned easily during their bath, but you should be gentle with it.
For male dogs, check their member’s opening for healthy-looking skin. Redness, crust, and other skin issues here definitely warrant a visit to the vet.
You should also check their anal area and make sure no dry fecal matter build-up exists because this can irritate the dog’s skin. If you notice any lumps, swelling, or discharge around their anus, schedule a veterinary exam as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to brush a dog with short hair?
You use a good brush for dogs that can go through their short hair easily and brush them daily if possible.
Brush your dog’s coat in the direction of its flow, and make sure to be gentle and take things easy especially at the beginning.
Try to make the brushing a daily routine by choosing a time where they’re most relaxed such as after a walk and giving them treats and/or praise after your daily sessions.
Should you brush short-haired dogs?
Yes, you should brush your short hair dog daily using a high-quality brush for dog.
Not establishing a good grooming routine with daily brushing can harm your dog’s coat and lead to its health deteriorating quickly.
Daily brushing also distributes the dog’s natural oils and helps their skin become healthier. Daily brushing can also reduce shedding significantly, some claim to even reduce shedding by up to 90%.
And yes, shedding is a problem with short-haired dogs just as it with all other dogs.
