🦴 Updated on July 13th, 2023
If you’re an Australian shepherd owner, you know this breed has an abundant coat. This pooch needs its grooming, including brushing. It has a double coat that sheds. If you don’t brush your Aussie regularly, you’ll end up with hair all over your floors and furniture.
The Best Brushes for Australian Shepherds Reviewed
Brushing is key to coat and skin health. When you brush your Australian shepherd, you’re removing loose hair, debris, and dirt. You distribute healthy oils down the length of each hair.
All the brushes we’ve included here are excellent choices for Australian shepherds. But we chose the Paw Brothers Extra-Long Brush as our top choice because of how it combines professional quality with an affordable price. It’s effective at keeping your Aussie’s coat healthy and it creates a comfortable brushing experience.
Let’s take a look at the best dog brushes for Australian shepherds below. We’ll go through the features of each brush and their pros and cons so that you can make an informed buying decision.
Paw Brothers – Our Top Pick
We chose this Paw Brothers brush as our top pick because it combines top-grade professional quality with an affordable price. It’s comfortable for your dog and you. It won’t slip out of your hand as you use it, and it’s got a comfortable grip.
The grip is non-slip, which comes in handy during longer brushing sessions. It’s one of the several features that make this an extremely versatile grooming tool.
The standard base brush construction keeps ergonomics in mind with a textured, nubbed grip both along both sides of the length of the handle and at its base to support your thumb.
The stainless steel pins are sturdy and durable, so they won’t get worn out. This Paw Brothers brush has an effective rectangular shape. It has rounded corners so your dog’s hair won’t get caught. This Paw Brothers brush is perfect for the Australian shepherd’s size and coat type.
That’s because of its extra-long pins. Their lengths make them able to get deep enough into the Australian shepherd’s lush coat. We didn’t have any trouble getting down to the undercoat.
We find brushing your dog with the Paw Brothers brush as you blowdry him makes the drying process faster. Part of the reason for this is how this brush can penetrate more deeply into your canine companion’s coat than many other brushes.
This Paw Brothers grooming tool is easy to use, even for dog grooming beginners.
Pros:
- Extra-long pins
- Comfortable to use
- Non-slip grip
- Large size
- Durable construction
Cons:
- Pins lack rounded ends
Wet Brush Detangler – Best for Quick Detangling
If you’ve ever tried one of Wet Brush’s popular brushes for humans, you know how effective their IntelliFlex bristles are. Give your Australian shepherd their benefits with this Wet Brush Pet Brush for large dogs.
IntelliFlex bristles are incredibly soft against your dog’s skin, and this brush makes it easy for you to brush for long periods. After all, it has a comfortable ergonomic handle.
If your dog has tangled or matted hair, this brush can be an invaluable tool!
If your Aussie flinches when you brush, he’ll appreciate this brush. It’s notably gentle as it effortlessly pulls out tangles. Like other good dog brushes, it will remove loose hair that will otherwise end up on your floors and furniture.
This Wet Brush has a classic oval shape. Its Intelliflex bristles and specially designed cushion are made for top efficiency.
We found this brush perfect for everyday detangling and general grooming. The design makes the task of brushing easy on you, too. It has an ergonomic handle that is anti-slip. This is valuable, as you don’t want to drop the brush when you’ve got a restless dog.
Pros:
- Intelliflex bristles for comfort
- Easy to brush wet hair
- Quick detangling
Cons:
- Not enough for severe matting
Chris Christensen Big G – Best Premium Brush
If you don’t mind spending more and want something that the professionals use, check out the Chris Christensen Big G Dog Slicker Brush. This is a classic slicker brush made to perfection. It features scratch-free pins and a cushioned pad.
The cushioned pad provides extra flexibility, meaning your Aussie will be more comfortable with brushing. The pins are extra-long and dense, making them able to get down to the undercoat.
While this brush is one of the more expensive designs on the market, it’s made to stand up to continual use and does its job well, so it’s likely the last brush you’ll have to buy.
One major advantage of this brush is the size of its scratch-free pins. We appreciated their length, and they’re significantly larger than you find with most slicker brushes. This means you’ll be able to give your dog a thorough brush more quickly.
As this is a professional brush, it goes without saying that it has a non-slip grip. The rubber coating is called GroomGrip. It’s so effective that you shouldn’t have trouble keeping a grip even if you use it when your pooch is in the bath.
This professional-grade brush is much more expensive than many other options. However, many Australian shepherd owners find it a good investment.
Pros:
- Professional grade
- Extra-long pins and handle
- Easy detangling and de-matting
- More pins than other brushes
Cons:
- Expensive
Solid Pet Slicker Brush – Best Self-Cleaning
The Solid Pet Slicker Brush is our pick for a self-cleaning dog brush. It has a self-cleaning button that you just click to pull off the hair you’ve accumulated in the brush. After that, you just throw the mess in the garbage.
The self-cleaning button retracts the pin bristles. When this happens, the accumulated hair is released.
The Solid Pet Slicker Brush has durable silicone construction. It’s easy to store this brush, as it has a hanging hole on the handle.
This grooming tool is high quality, with smooth 12 mm smooth stainless steel pins. This Solid pet brush is easy to use, with an impressively ergonomic design. It even has a thumb rest in addition to a silicone coating on the handle for comfort grip. The handle is non-slip.
This handle design helps give you extra control as you groom your Australian shepherd. This brush’s bristle ends are fine-textured and non-buffered, and they have rounded beads on the tips.
These ensure your pet is always comfortable. It’s a great brush for getting deep down into the underlayer of your Aussie’s double coat.
This is an excellent tool to have on hand for undercoat grooming. It’s made especially for grooming double-coated dogs, such as the Australian shepherd.
Pros:
- Retractable pin bristles
- Ergonomic handle
- Designed for double coats
- Reaches the undercoat
Cons:
- It may not be suitable for sensitive skin
Hertzko – Best Ergonomic Handle
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs has a retractable bristle system. This is invaluable when it comes to preventing bending and other kinds of damage to the bristles. This Hertzko brush is incredibly popular. More than 2 million of them have been sold.
The retractable bristles make cleaning simple and easy. They mean this tool is more transportable than some other tools.
When it comes to comfort, the self-cleaning brush has a sturdy, textured silicone grip to help you use the brush to its full potential without experiencing brushing fatigue. For when things get messy, it’s also anti-slip to prevent accidents.
The brush comes with an eyelet hold on the handle, too so you can hang it up for storage. This brush’s bristles will never cause scratches or discomfort.
This Hertzko brush features an anti-slip handle that is designed for the most comfortable ergonomic grip. No matter how tangled and matted your dog’s coat may be and how long you have to brush, you’re protected against wrist and hand strain.
We found this brush extremely durable, and you can depend on it for the long term. It’s easy to store, too, as it has an eyelet hole so you can hang the brush on the wall.
This brush’s bristles are fine bent wires perfect for brushing an Australian shepherd. This tool is so versatile you can use it on any dog.
Pros:
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- Comfortable to use soft grip
- Never scratches your dog’s skin
Cons:
- May pull at matting
FURminator – Best for Undercoat De-Shedding
The Long Hair model of this FURminator brush is perfect for your Australian Shepherd.
It has an ergonomic handle so it’s comfortable for you and a curved edge so it’s comfortable for your dog. This grooming tool has been designed to tackle the undercoat.
Dog owners often worry about grooming the undercoat because they think they might accidentally scratch their pet’s skin. You won’t have to worry about that with the FURminator.
The teeth can remove loose undercoat hair without potential topcoat damage. The FURminator for dogs is self-cleaning because of its FURjector button. Just press the button and grab the accumulated fur.
Remember to use this tool specifically for getting rid of loose hair in the undercoat. You’ll need another brush to take out all the knots and mats in your dog’s coat before using this tool.
The FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool has a Curved Edge, which ensures no matter your dog’s shape.
This tool removes loose hairs and debris from the undercoat – it helps prevent your Aussie from shedding all over your furniture.
Pros:
- Undercoat grooming without scratching
- Comfortable for most pets
- Ergonomic design
- Money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Aggravates extremely-sensitive skin
Ruffs ‘N Ruffus – Best for Durability
This is a slicker brush’s strengths come from its ingenious design. It’s great for getting rid of knots and de-matting. It’s durable and comfortable both for the human and the dog.
The handle is anti-slip, and it’s designed so that you don’t end up with wrist strain. You can use this brush on every dog size, including large dogs like your Australian shepherd.
This pain-free brush is an excellent choice to provide a gentle grooming experience or a helpful massage for your pet. Whether you want to remove dander and loose hair or massage the skin to prevent oil build-up, this Ruff ‘N Ruffus model is a terrific choice.
As a self-cleaning brush, this Ruffs ‘N Ruffus option includes push-button retractable bristles. When you press the button, the hair you’ve collected in the brush is accessible and ready for you to put in the garbage.
Ruffs ‘N Ruffus features pain-free bristles to keep your Aussie comfortable and happy. If you have a picky pet that fusses during grooming, give this brush a try.
The Ruffs ‘N Ruffus Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush comes with a free pair of nail clippers. These are top-quality and include a safety shield. The safety shield makes sure you won’t accidentally cut too near the quick of your dog’s nail.
Pros:
- Appropriate for any breed size
- Comes with free nail clippers
- Anti-slip, comfortable handle
- Durable and reliable
Cons:
- It may be less maneuverable
- Relatively expensive
AtEase Accents Double-Sided Dog Brush – Best Eco-Friendly Choice
This innovative dog brush is double-sided, making it more versatile and a great value. This brush is suitable for every hair length, and it’s perfect for Australian Shepherds.
One side of the brush has soft pins while the other features traditional bristles. This makes it two brushes in one, so it is a great choice for someone who has limited space. AtEase Accents makes this brush impressively durable.
Use this brush for removing tangles and mats from your dog’s coat. It improves coat health by distributing natural oils and boosting blood flow.
The soft pins side of the brush is perfect for distributing natural oils and improving blood flow. The bristle side, on the other hand, is ideal for removing loose hair and minimizing shedding. Both sides are great for taking out knots and mats.
Another excellent feature of this grooming tool is its attractive bamboo wood construction. If you’re worried about environmental sustainability, the AtEase Accents Double-Sided brush is a good choice.
Pros:
- Durable bamboo wood construction
- Environmentally sustainable
- Affordable
- Both pin and traditional bristles
Cons:
- Less durable
Freshly Bailey – Best Innovative Design
The Freshly Bailey De-matting and De-shedding Tool is designed especially for long-haired pets like Australian Shepherds. De-matting and de-shedding are equal priorities with this inventive tool.
We were impressed by the rounded teeth on either side. One side has 17 rounded teeth that are specially designed for de-shedding. The other side has 9 rounded teeth that are designed to eliminate matting, even when it’s deep in the coat.
We liked the non-slip handle on this product. It’s extremely comfortable to hold. This comes in handy when working on removing tangles and mats. Dogs love this brush because of how it massages the skin.
This innovative design means that you know exactly what you’re getting and which part of the tool to use for specific tasks. You get top-notch de-matting and de-shedding without any injury to the skin. It’s because of the rounded teeth. This tool is effective in getting rid of loose undercoat hairs.
The teeth have enough sharpness to get rid of all the loose undercoat but they are rounded enough to never injure your pet’s skin.
Pros:
- Ideal for difficult de-matting
- Rounded teeth
- Massaging effect
Cons:
- May not work on severe matting
Glendan Dog Slicker Brush – Best for Maneuverability
We loved the 360-degree rotation feature with the Glendan Dog & Cat Slicker Brush. This unique capability gives you much more maneuverability than you get with other brushes.
As well as grooming and beautifying the topcoat, this Glendan grooming tool will de-shed the undercoat. No need to worry about the bristles scratching your pooch.
The Glendan brush includes an anti-slip and comfort-grip handle. That’s an advantage whenever you need to brush your dog for longer periods.
Our dogs loved the soft “massage particles” on the ends of the pin bristles. They cap the bristles to help make brushing softer and more comfortable for your dog. The massage particles boost blood flow and improve circulation to beautify your Aussie’s coat.
With an ergonomic, anti-slip design, this tool lets you groom your Aussie for extended periods without a problem.
The Glendan Dog & Cat Slicker Brush handle has an eyelet hole so you can hang it up. The head of the brush has 360-degree rotation, giving it greater flexibility as you brush different parts of your pet’s body.
There is a ventilation hole in the brush bed which is the key to how the brush’s pins mold to the shape of your Aussie’s body.
Pros:
- Affordable
- 90-day money-back warranty
- Massages your dog
- 360-degree rotation
Cons:
- Hair might fall from the brush
Aussie Brushes Buying Guide
Now you know about the best brushes for Australian shepherds available on the market. But you should learn about your Australian shepherd’s coat and grooming needs.
What You Need to Know About Australian Shepherd Brushing
Brushing is an essential part of grooming an Australian shepherd. It maintains coat health and cuts down on your dog shedding hair all over your house. The brush removes loose hairs in the coat.
Brushing and Coat Health
Every dog needs regular brushing, and when it comes to dogs with long hair like the Australian shepherd, brushing is even more important.
Brushing improves coat health in these ways:
- It gets rid of loose hairs, reducing shedding
- It improves blood circulation
- It removes dirt and debris
- It distributes oils
- It removes tangles and mats
- It improves skin health
Australian Shepherd Grooming Tools
It’s best to have a few kinds of brushes and grooming tools to take care of an Aussie’s coat. These include:
Undercoat Rake
Finding the best undercoat rake for an Australian shepherd is easy. The undercoat rake is to brush and detangle the undercoat. It will help to remove loose hair and boost blood circulation. A long-tooth undercoat rake is best for an Australian shepherd.
Steel Comb
Some Australian shepherd owners sometimes use steel combs with their undercoat rakes. This comb is great for getting rid of any tiny bits of debris that the undercoat rake missed.
Slicker Brush
You use a slicker brush to brush your Aussie’s outer coat. Be gentle when using the brush to take out matted and tangled hair.
Pin and Traditional Bristle Brush
A pin and traditional bristle brush are perfect for grooming the outer coat while boosting blood circulation and encouraging skin health.
The Right Way to Brush Your Aussie
The best way to brush your Australian shepherd is using a slicker brush and an undercoat rake with long teeth. Here are the basic steps to take:
1. Brush Your Dog’s Coat
Staying with the direction in which your dog’s hair grows, brush it with a slicker brush.
2. Check for Tangles
You can use your fingers to check and make sure there aren’t still any tangles and mats in the coat. You can use the undercoat rake to check the coat. Be gentle with this, though, so you don’t scratch the skin.
Check down to your pet’s skin for matted hair.
3. De-shed the Undercoat
Gently use the undercoat rake to remove any tangles or matting in the undercoat. It will take out dead and loose hairs. This is the de-shedding part of the grooming process.
Best Dog Brush for Australian Shepherds FAQs
Let’s look at some FAQs about Australian shepherd grooming and brushes.
How often should you brush your Australian shepherd?
At a minimum, you should brush your Australian shepherd twice each week. It’s best to brush your pet more often than this, though. Make sure you’re grooming both the topcoat and undercoat.
How should I get rid of matting in my Australian shepherd’s coat?
Always be gentle when trying to take out matting in your dog’s coat. Going about this the wrong way will be painful for your pet. Get a detangling spray formulated for dogs and apply this to the matted hair before trying to comb and brush it.
Do I need any professional assistance?
For extremely-serious matting, you may need the assistance of a professional groomer. In some cases, you will need to remove the matting.
What Is The Best Brush for Australian Shepherd?
While all the products we’ve listed here are excellent, we decided on the Paw Brothers Brush as our top pick. It combines all the best features for grooming and promoting coat health. It combines professional quality with an affordable price.
The standard base brush construction keeps ergonomics in mind with a textured, nubbed grip both along both sides of the length of the handle and at its base to support your thumb.
