Labradors have short coats, but their undercoat sheds frequently, and without regular grooming, the hair ends up on your furniture, carpet, and clothes. Several manufacturers produce brushes for long-haired dogs, but it’s more challenging to find a brush for short-haired dogs that does not irritate the skin.

Sometimes, the bristles are too rigid and abrasive, but we’ve found the best models for short-haired Labs. We included detailed reviews and a buyer’s guide to help you find the ideal brush for your best friend.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Dog Brushes for Labs

1. FURminator Short Hair Dog Deshedding Tool – Best Overall

You can find hundreds of dog brushes for sale, but we determined that the FURminator Short Hair Deshedding Dog Tool is the best overall brush for Labs. Grooming a Labrador Retriever can be a messy endeavor, but the FURminator removes loose hair and keeps it contained until you’re ready to dispose of it with the quick-release button. If you use the tool at least twice a week, you can reduce your dog’s shedding by 90%. We like the FURminator’s comfortable grip and durable construction.

Although it costs more than some of its competitors, it outlasts cheaper models, and you’re likely to use it for several years. The tool’s teeth remove loose hair on the undercoat without disturbing the topcoat, and the curved design follows the contours of your pet’s body to prevent irritation. Dog owners love the FURminator, and it’s difficult to find any problems. However, some customers mentioned that the hair ejection button does not function as well as the larger FURminator.

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2. JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush Soft Pin – Best Value

The JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush is our winner for the best dog brush for Labs for the money. Although it’s less expensive than the competition, the Gripsoft is sturdier and more effective in removing loose hair than similar models. The rubber-sheathed handle provides a comfortable grip and excellent grooming control. The slicker bristles are angled 90 degrees to prevent skin scratches or irritation.

If you’re on a budget, the Gripsoft is the perfect brush. Customers were happy with how the brush performed, but some dog owners mentioned that the bristles were too stiff for short-haired dogs. The bristles are softer than some of JW Pet’s other models, but they may be too rigid for dogs with sensitive skin.

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3. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush – Premium Choice

The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog and Cat Slicker Brush is one of the most popular brushes on the market, and it does a better job at removing dander, loose hair, and tangles than most of its competitors. It’s perfect for Lab owners, but the brush is designed for all coat types. The Hertzko’s handle has a handy thumb rest, and the non-slip grip does not wear out your hand during long grooming sessions. Although many brushes have ejector buttons for hair removal, Hertzko’s button has a firmer feel and ejects all the hair. We picked this brush as the best choice for premium models, but it’s cheaper than it was in previous years and costs less than competitors.

Most customers are happy with the Hertzko brush, but you must be careful not to brush too hard. The slicker bristles are a bit sharp and may not be appropriate for pets with skin conditions.

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4. FURminator Curry Comb for Dogs – Best for Puppies

Labrador puppies are not experienced with grooming, and some may be irritated by sharp bristles that rack against their sensitive skin. Most brushes are not designed for little pups with light coats, but we chose the FURminator Curry Comb as the best brush for Lab puppies. Instead of slicker pins or long bristles, the Curry Comb has blunt rubber knobs that remove hair and massage your dog’s skin. It’s designed for wet and dry use, and the comb excels at removing dirt and debris at bath time. The rounded handle is easier to use than models with bulky plastic handles, and the brush’s quality is impressive compared to other low-priced brushes.

The rubber teeth work well at removing loose hair and redistributing natural oils in the coat, but they struggle with stubborn tangles or overly matted fur. However, most puppies have fewer problems with matting than adults.

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5. The Pet Portal Cat and Dog Brush for Shedding

The Pet Portal Cat and Dog Brush is a high-quality slicker with a broad head that covers more area than many of its competitors. It removes loose hair, dirt, mats, and tangles and has one of the best fur ejectors of any brush on the market. We loved Hertzko’s ejector, but the Pet Portal is even better with a mechanism that moves the bristles instead of the plastic casing.

However, the ejector is a source of controversy in the product’s comment section. Several customers believed they had to hold down the button with their thumb to keep the bristles extended, and they complained how much their hands hurt after grooming. The button only needs to be pushed down once to keep the bristles extended, and when you’re finished, you tap the button to release the hair. The primary drawback to the brush is the sharp pins. Although it’s advertised as having soft bristles, the pins are too sharp for some dogs.

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6. HandsOn All-In-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves

If your Lab hates grooming brushes and tries to run when it’s time to groom, you can try the HandsOn All-In-One Pet Bathing and Grooming Gloves. The gloves are made of surgical-grade nitrile, nylon, and surgical-grade PVC. The materials are hypoallergenic, and they will not absorb water or other liquids. The gloves have several non-abrasive rubber nodules that reach through the topcoat to remove loose fur and dirt from the undercoat.

They help massage your dog and distribute natural oils throughout their fur. The HandsOn brush is excellent for pets with sensitive skin, but it’s ineffective at removing tangles or mats. Using the gloves is messier than using a slicker because loose fur does not stick to the rubber surface and ends up all over you.

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7. Andis Deshedding Dog Tool

The Andis Deshedding Dog Tool is designed to remove loose hair from the undercoat and reduce shedding. It has curved, stainless-steel teeth that glide through the topcoat to remove dead skin, dirt, and loose fur. Deshedding tools are helpful to Lab owners who struggle to keep their homes free of dog hair, but the Andis is not as reliable as the Furminator. It works best on dogs with thinner coats, but it becomes stuck in thicker hair and tugs at the fur. Although it’s promoted as having an ergonomic handle, the handle is uncomfortable to hold for long sessions. It’s also more expensive than economy brushes that operate without pulling at the topcoat fur.

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8. KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

KONG is world-famous for its durable chew toys, and now, the company offers a non-abrasive rubber dog brush. The KONG Zoomgroom Multi-Use Brush is made for wet and dry grooming, and it gives your dog a relaxing massage while removing loose fur and dirt. The brush is designed for all breeds and coats, but it’s more effective on animals with thinner coats. It cannot remove tangles in thick fur, but many customers with short-haired dogs prefer it to using a brush. The bristles are stiffer than other rubber brushes, and you must use a lighter touch to avoid irritating the skin. It’s ideal for removing dirt during a bath, but it’s less effective on dry fur.

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9. Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush

The Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush is an affordable double-sided model with stainless steel pins on one side to remove hair and nylon bristles to distribute oils and soften the fur. It has a soft, ergonomic handle that reduces hand strain while grooming, but it’s not as durable as some of the competition. Some customers complained that the glue binding the two sides weakens and causes the brush to fall apart. Other dog owners were disappointed that the Hartz brush did not remove enough hair. However, the brush is inexpensive, and it’s more successful with short-haired breeds.

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10. Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Brush for Short Hair Grooming

The Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Brush is made of medical-grade silicone, and it’s safe to use in the bathtub and on dry fur. The Furbliss claims to groom cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, and hamsters, unlike the other brushes reviewed. The Furbliss is designed for all breeds and coats, but it’s less effective at removing fur from dense coats. Most pet parents were more impressed with the massaging aspects of the Furbliss than hair removal. The Furbliss does not hold onto loose hair very well, and the silicone bristles are not as durable as the other rubber brushes in our reviews.

Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Best Brush for Your Lab

If you haven’t decided which brush is best for your dog, you can read on for more tips and essential facts about grooming brushes for labs.

Grooming Tips

Regular brushing keeps your pet’s coat healthy and shiny, but how much should you brush a Labrador? At a minimum, you should brush your pet three times a week, but daily brushing will remove more loose hair and reduce the clumps of hair lying around your home.

Brushing Timid Dogs

Some dogs are not fond of grooming sessions, but you can try familiarizing the dog with a new brush before grooming. Place the brush near your pet when you join in play sessions and allow them to inspect the tool thoroughly with sniffing. Of course, you’ll need to remove it if your dog starts biting it or putting the bristle side in their mouth.

Providing Treats

Some canines take a while to warm up to daily brushing, but they’ll learn to love it quicker if you provide treats and encouraging words before and after the grooming.

Following the Direction of Hair Growth

Grooming tools can remove a significant amount of loose fur in a few minutes when used correctly, but they can irritate your pet or injure their skin if you’re not careful. Try to avoid brushing against the grain of the fur’s growth. This can tug at the hair and damage the topcoat.

Brush Types

Although manufacturers produce several grooming brushes for dogs, our reviews focused on the five best types for Labrador Retrievers.

De-shedding Tools

Labs have short coats, but the undercoat sheds frequently and requires grooming to prevent tangles and matting. A de-shedding tool removes loose hair much better than brushes with longer bristles. It moves through a Lab’s topcoat to reach the loose fur on the undercoat, and the premium de-shedders such as the Furminator will not irritate the animal’s skin when properly used.

Slicker Brushes

Slicker brushes remove tangles and help distribute natural oils on the fur, but the models with shorter bristles are better for Labs. Long-bristled brushes are suitable for long-haired dogs with denser coats.

Combination Brushes

Combination brushes are best for touch-ups and light grooming, but most are not as effective as slickers or de-shedders. The metal bristles on one side remove hair, and the nylon bristles distribute oils and massage the skin.

Grooming Gloves

Pets that cannot adapt to using a brush usually enjoy being brushed with grooming gloves. They are ideal for cleaning and grooming a dirty dog in the bathtub, but they cannot remove stubborn tangles or as much loose hair as a slicker brush. However, they’re gentler than metal brushes and unlikely to harm your hairy friend.

Rubber Brushes

Like grooming gloves, rubber brushes are less abrasive than standard grooming brushes and tools. They’re great for puppies and dogs with light coats, but they’re ineffective at removing mats and tangles.

Conclusion

Our reviews have highlighted the best Lab brushes available online, but our overall favorite was the FURminator Short Hair Dog Deshedding Tool. We were impressed by how much loose fur it removes, and it’s sturdier and easier on your hands than the competition. Our best value selection was the JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush. The soft slicker bristles are ideal for a Lab’s double coat, and the price will probably convince you to purchase more as backups. We’re confident your pup will enjoy whichever brush you choose.

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Featured Image Credit: shadows_photo, Shutterstock