Even though you love your Doberman and enjoy their single-layered coat, you have to deal with the shed just as much as most other dogs. Daily brushing is an essential part of routine care to combat shedding and keep your Doberman’s skin and fur looking fresh.
Several products on the market are notable, but we rounded up the best brushes for Dobermans we could find to add to your grooming collection. Hopefully, these reviews really help you out on your brush search!
We think the best overall brush for Dobermans is the Andis Firm Slicker Brush. It is the perfect brush for everyday coat maintenance, and it’s super easy to clean. This specific brush is designed for large breeds like your Doberman. It has an innovative curved design to help collect the shed without irritating the skin.
We love the shape of the handle, for maximum grip. It fits in hand comfortably and you can navigate it across your Doberman’s body without much effort. We also like the wide coverage it provides.
The head of the brush or the bristles work perfectly for all the problematic areas on your Doberman. Because your Doberman has short hair, this brush is gentle enough to use routinely. We think if you’re looking for a maintenance brush, this is definitely the best option on our list.
This Hartz Groomer’s Combo Dog Brush is a real value, and we think it is the best dog brush for Dobermans for the money. This brush uses a dual-headed design to serve multiple functions, keeping your Doberman coat soft, supple, and debris-free.
This brush is perfect for everyday use or after a refreshing bath. On one side, synthetic nylon bristles are very close together, providing a sleek finish. The other side has stainless steel pinned bristles that smooth out any tangles, penetrating the fur to the skin.
This brush controls shedding and evenly distributes the oils throughout your Doberman’s coat to keep it looking its best. We think this is a terrific combo and at this price, it sells itself.
Kenchii Boar & Nylon Bristle Brush is an excellent choice for Dobermans, but the price might not fit all budgets. This fancy brush offers both boar hairs and synthetic nylon bristles for a sleek finish. The bristles are reinforced to help prevent pin loss and reduce static.
We love the bristles’ overall efficiency since they are firm enough to comb the coat completely without irritating your Doberman’s skin. It creates a smooth finish, breaking up and removing any dander or debris.
The overall construction of this brush is beautiful. It has a one-piece Maplewood construction that is high quality and durable. There’s a rubber non-slip grip portion around the handle to provide grip and comfort.
Pros
Real boar hair
Anti-static
Durable construction
Cons
Pricey
4. Martha Stewart Adjustable Strap Brush– Best for Puppies
If your Doberman puppy is just getting acclimated to routine brushing, we recommend starting with the Martha Stewart Adjustable Strap Brush. It fits perfectly on hands of any size, and there is much room for control.
This brush has rubber knobs and nylon bristles for massaging and combing the fur. This is a terrific way to get your puppy acclimated to everyday brushing by making it a pleasurable experience.
Because of the overall design, you can also use this brush during a bath to help evenly distribute the shampoo and remove any dirt or buildup from the skin. With the way that the bristles are designed, it is also meant to stimulate the skin and encourage plentiful hair growth.
We love the adjustable fit around the hand, and the fact you can take it in the tub or brush them on the couch. The versatility is a perk, and it’s terrific for puppies just learning the ropes.
You can use this dog brush on wet or dry fur, but it’s beneficial for massaging in the bath. We wouldn’t recommend using this product if it’s the sole brush you’re going to own. But this is a great addition to your collection.
Not only do the rubber tips massage your dog’s coat, it also collects shed, preventing it from going into your drains instead. This brush can definitely make bath time easier, and you can even use it for massages in between baths.
You can easily remove the hair from this brush and cleaning is a breeze. You can wash this brush with soap and water, keeping it completely sanitary without mold and other bacteria buildup.
The FURminator Short Hair Dog Deshedding Tool is perfect for those deep grooming sessions. This is definitely not something you’ll want to use every day, but it is very efficient for removing dead skin, hair, and any debris in the fur.
This brand makes excellent quality products, and this item is no different. It is designed specifically for dogs with short hair, so the bristles are smaller, lessening the risk of scratching the skin. The handle is comfortable and easy to hold. You can quickly get into all the nooks and crannies under the arms and back legs.
We want to stress that this tool shouldn’t be used regularly or incorrectly. Learning how to use it is important, so you don’t damage your dog’s skin or coat.
The Wopqaem Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is a handy brush to have on hand. It is the perfect size for your Doberman. Even though this isn’t as sturdy as our number one, it does have a few perks.
For example, it has a self-cleaning feature. After every brushing session, you simply push the button on the top to release the hair into the waste bin. This makes cleanup a breeze, going from brush straight to the trash.
This style of slicker brush is perfect for everyday use. After you use it, it’s easy to wipe down and dry off, removing any buildup or debris that might be left over on the brush. We love the style and think that it definitely deserves attention.
If you are looking for a whole little grooming kit to get you started, the Rexipets Dog Brush & Comb Grooming Set is a real steal. Because you have a Doberman with short hair, you might not frequently use all of the features in this brush, but it’s definitely worth a look.
You can use this brush to detangle and smooth out your Doberman’s fur. The primary brush has a dual head, one side with nylon bristles and the other side with stainless steel pins. This might be incredibly good for multi-dog households, especially if you have different fur types.
You can occasionally use the comb, although it probably won’t be of primary use. This three-in-one grooming set can really get things started for you, and it’s gentle enough to use for virtually any canine in your home. However, it might be a little bit more than what you’re looking for.
Pros
Entire set
Good for a multi-pet household
Cons
Won’t use all parts often
Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Brushes for Dobermans
Your Doberman Pinscher is a large breed, and they’re not hypoallergenic by any means. That means that even though they have short tight coats, they shed just as much as most other breeds. Routine brushing is highly advised to combat the shedding and ensure a healthy coat and skin.
When you are purchasing grooming tools for your Doberman, you might wonder what your best options are. Maybe you’ve tried a few brushes that just don’t seem to cut the mustard.
Regardless of the reason for your shopping, here are a few key points when you’re shopping to help you navigate the process and slim down your choices.
Why Brush?
Your Doberman has a short sleek coat. Even though they have a lighter coat than many other large breeds, they still require daily brushing. Daily brushing removes any debris from the coat and evenly distributes natural oils throughout your dog’s skin.
This improves overall coat appearance and promotes health in between baths. A daily brushing also reduces the bulk of shedding, even though your Doberman only has a single-layer coat, it can still riddle your home with tiny hairs stuck to everything!
Image Credit: SasaStock, Shutterstock
Common Brush Types
You might get confused by the different designs on the market. But generally, there are only a few brush types, no matter how fancy each one might be.
Slicker
The slicker brush is a sleek, handy design that collects shed, so you don’t find it all over your sofa. These brushes typically have slightly angled pins to gently scoop any shed and debris from your dog’s fur. Most of the time, the hair collects in such a way that it’s easy to discard, whether there’s a retractable release button or not.
De-shedding
De-shedding tools are bladed brushes designed to remove debris, dead hair follicles, dirt, and loose hairs. This removes any imperfections in the coat, leaving your Doberman’s exterior refreshed.
The entire concept of the deshedding tool is to use blades to scope and remove any dead layers of the undercoat. The shedding tools are nice to have on hand, but they should never be relied upon. These tools will be used very sparingly, preferably once a month.
If you use a de-shedding tool too much, it could cause breakage and irritation on your Doberman’s skin. Not only is it simply uncomfortable, but it can also lead to infection. If you are not familiar with the concept of a de-shedding tool, it might help to watch a tutorial before you start.
Seeing someone perform the action can give you an excellent idea of how to navigate the process yourself.
Bristle
Bristle brushes are perfect for everyday use because they are gentle on the skin and fabulous for distributing oils. This is a wonderful tool to have on hand in between baths to keep your pets looking their best.
Bristle brushes can be made out of animal hair, synthetic materials, or a combination of both. These tightly bound bristles gently move through your Doberman and use your dog’s natural oil excretions to smooth out the coat.
These types of brushes are also terrific for promoting healthy blood circulation. But these are not as great for tangles and mats. Thankfully, with the breed’s natural coat structure, tangles should rarely, if ever, be a problem. They should always be suitable for your Dobermans coat, no matter the purpose.
Comb
You probably won’t use a comb often on your Doberman, if at all. Combs are generally for dogs with medium to long coats. But combs use a series of teeth that detangle hair strands.
Rubber Glove
Rubber gloves are often textured with bumps to loosen and collect hair. These are perfect to have on hand for grooming purposes, but not necessary for everyday use. Most of the time, these gloves are used during bathtime to massage the skin and remove dead hair follicles.
Also, because it’s a glove design, make sure that your hand size is compatible with the product before purchasing. The last thing you want is a glove that is too big or too small, making grooming extra difficult for you.
Conclusion
We think that our number one—the Andis Firm Slicker Brush—is perfect for everyday use. It is a slicker brush that detangles, removes debris, and smooths the fur, leaving your Doberman fresh and fabulous.
Remember the Hartz Groomer’s Combo Dog Brush if you want the biggest bang for your buck. It is a dual-headed brush that removes debris, gets blood flowing, and evenly distributes your dog’s natural oils.
Keep in mind that the Kenchii Boar & Nylon Bristle Brush is expensive, but it’s terrific quality. You can use it every day even though it won’t work for the tough stuff.
Depending on your needs, you can get one or a combination of these tools. Hopefully, you’ve found a new product to try out, and we think you’ll love it no matter which one you choose!
Featured Image Credit: Yama Zsuzsanna Márkus, Pixabay
Ashley Bates is a freelance dog writer and pet enthusiast who is currently studying the art of animal therapy. A mother to four human children— and 23 furry and feathery kids, too – Ashley volunteers at local shelters, advocates for animal well-being, and rescues every creature she finds. Her mission is to create awareness, education, and entertainment about pets to prevent homelessness. Her specialties are cats and dogs....Read more