The Best Brush for Australian Shepherds: Keep Your Dog’s Coat Healthy in 2024

🦴 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 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 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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.