If you’re struggling to find the best brush for your Poochon, then this guide is going to help you get started on the right track. In this guide, we’ve reviewed the best dog grooming brushes that professional groomers and Doodle owners recommend for Poochons. Plus, we have some excellent grooming tips for your Poochon so that your little pal always flaunts a fluffy, shiny, and mat-free coat. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- Choosing The Best Brush For Poochon: Types Of Popular Poochon Brushes
- What Is The Best Brush For Poochon?
- Best Brush For Poochons: Reviews With Pros & Cons
- Best Brush For Poochon: Alternative Picks
- How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Poochon Can Help Prevent Matting?
- How Often Do You Have To Groom A Poochon?
- How To Brush A Poochon Properly?
- Best Brush For Poochon: FAQs
Choosing The Best Brush For Poochon: Types Of Popular Poochon Brushes
An adorable, fluffy cross between the Bichon Frise and Poodle, the Poochon sure is every bit as adorable as its parents. These small Doodle pups are lively, playful, super friendly, and oh so loving companions for people looking for a low-shedding, hypoallergenic pup. In fact, both the Bichon Frise and Poodle are considered allergy-friendly and low to non-shedding dogs. So, you can only imagine what their offspring will be like.
But as we like to say, with great power comes great responsibility. Even though Poochons are by far one of the most allergy-friendly pets out there, they also require lots and lots of grooming to keep them this way. If anyone has ever told you that Doodle breeds aren’t high-maintenance, they’re flat out lying to you! Like other Poodle mixes, Poochons can be prone to matting, especially if they’re not being properly groomed. You see how things can go wrong, right…
That being said, even though high-maintenance, the trouble is well worth it. And if you have the right kind of grooming tools, especially a great dog grooming brush for your Poochon, it’s not going to be much trouble for you, anyway! The key is to choose the best brush for your Bichon-Poodle mix and you’ll see that there’s nothing to worry about. And that’s exactly what we’re going to help you do in this guide.
Slicker Brush
Loved by professional groomers and Poochon owners alike, slicker brushes are one of the most effective types of dog grooming brushes out there. Typically, a good quality slicker brush is designed to take care of those heavy-duty grooming needs. For instance, when dealing with very thick, textured, and mat-prone coats.
A slicker brush has a distinctive ergonomic handle placement that’s designed to make the grooming sessions easier and less laborious. Another notable feature on a slicker brush is its wide paddle that’s perfect for getting the job done quickly and effectively.
When shopping for a slicker brush for your Poochon, you’ll notice the countless different varieties that you can choose between. Above all, you should pay attention to the quality and comfort of the brush. Not all of them are as effective or comfortable to use as you’d think!
In addition to that, slicker brushes can come in different sizes and also have different sized pins on them. So, be sure to pay attention to those details before making that purchase. Otherwise, you might accidentally end up with a brush that’s not very effective.
Pin Brush
A pin brush is a very familiar-looking dog grooming brush. At first glance, it doesn’t look much different from the hair brush you might have lying in your drawer. But, of course, if you’re planning to use a pin brush on your Poochon, make sure that it’s designed for our canine pals.
A pin brush has a very simple design with usually an oval-shaped cushion and pins attached to it. Like with slicker brushes, there are tons of different pin brushes for dogs. For example, pin brushes can have either stainless steel pins, wooden, or plastic pins. Likewise, the body can be made from different materials. For Poochons, we recommend pin brushes that have stainless steel pins. Stainless steel pins glide through the coat much easier than any other material.
Although great for general grooming purposes like deshedding the coat, removing dirt and debris, and minor detangling, it’s not as effective as a slicker brush. And again, make sure to pay close attention to what size the pins are. If they’re too short for your Poochon’s coat, they won’t manage to effectively brush through all layers of the hair.
Metal Or Stainless Steel Comb
Another important grooming tool in your at-home grooming kit is a metal comb. If a brush is great for detangling and deshedding the coat in general, a comb is essential when working on knots and mats that are harder to get out. In addition to that, thanks to its much slimmer and smaller construction, you can use a comb when detangling the fur on the face, around the ears, muzzle, and paws.
We specifically recommend you get a metal or stainless steel comb, as these are the most effective, sturdy, and durable. Combs made from materials like wood or plastic usually don’t have the same power to them, making them much less effective at detangling. Moreover, they can very easily break, especially when working on stubborn knots and mats.
What Is The Best Brush For Poochon?
So, you’re ready to start shopping for the best brush for your Poochon. But which one should you get – a slicker brush or a pin brush? And are there any other factors to take into account before you make the purchase?
For starters, your Poochon’s coat type, including how prone to matting they are and whether or not they have an undercoat, might be something to consider when choosing a brush for your pup.
Secondly, since the Bichon-Poodle mix is a small dog, you’d likely be better off with a small to medium-sized dog brush. If you get a brush that’s a bit too big in comparison to your Dood’s size, it won’t be as comfortable to use, and therefore, not as effective either.
Thirdly, as we mentioned earlier, be sure to choose the size of the pins according to your Poochon’s hair length. As a general rule of thumb, the size of the pins should correlate to your dog’s hair length. So, the longer your dog’s hair, the longer pins you should opt for.
And lastly, the quality and the construction of the brush can make a huge difference for both your comfort and the results you’re after. A good sturdy design with durable materials is always the best way to go.
Best Brush For Poochons Based On Their Coat Type
While many other Poodle mixes can inherit wildly different types of coats from each side of their lineage, that’s not the case with the Bichon-Poodle mix. Both the Bichon Frise and Poodle have very curly coats that are considered hypoallergenic.
But, there’s one main difference between the Bichon Frise and Poodle. The Bichon is a double-coated breed, whereas the Poodle is a single-coated breed. Therefore, some Poochons may come with a lightly shedding undercoat, whereas others will just have one single layer of fur on them.
Single-coated Poochons have curly coats that are considered one of the most hypoallergenic options. So, if you have severe dog allergies, this might be the safest option for you. A single-coated Poochon’s hair is very thick and textured. And although they don’t have an undercoat, their hair can easily become tangled and matted if not brushed out regularly. Any loose dog hair, dirt, debris, and dust will easily get stuck inside those textured curls, all of which can lead to matted fur.
A double-coated Poochon will have very much the same thick and textured curls, but with an addition of soft undercoat. Although with many other breeds the presence of an undercoat would also mean moderate to heavy shedding, it’s not the case with curly-coated Poochons. Similarly to single-coated Poochons, all of those curls will trap in any of that shed hair. This means that none of it will fall out. Still, it’s vital to brush your double-coated Poochon’s coat to prevent matting and to help get rid of dead hair from the fur.
For Poochons, we’d recommend getting a good quality slicker brush that’s specially designed for those thick, curly coats. However, if your Poochon isn’t particularly prone to tangles, you can just as well use a pin brush.
Best Brush For Poochons: Reviews With Pros & Cons
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
The best brush for Poochons is without a doubt the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush. A tried and true slicker brush that’s loved by professional groomers and Doodle owners, this slicker brush makes grooming so much easier and faster than any other slicker brush we’ve tried. To be fair, we wouldn’t expect anything less from this brush, as it’s been designed specifically for very textured and dense coats that require a bit more TLC.
This slicker brush has a wide paddle with long, bended pins that penetrate even the longest and toughest Poochon coats. It also features an extra long ergonomic handle that prevents arm and hand fatigue. Also, the handle is covered in non-slip material, giving you a good grip for the whole grooming sesh.
Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush
If you’re not a fan of the handle placement on a slicker brush or if your Poochon isn’t very tangle and mat-prone, then you might prefer the Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush. It’s great for general grooming purposes like deshedding and detangling the coat. However, as we mentioned earlier, pin brushes usually aren’t as effective as slicker brushes. So, if your Poochon does get their coat heavily tangled all the time, that’s something to keep in mind.
This pin brush is made from solid, but very lightweight beechwood that’s easy to grip. The pins come in three different sizes that you can choose between. Just make sure to opt for one that’s suited to your Poochon’s coat length.
Speaking of which, the pins on this brush are out of this world! The tips on the pins are ground and polished so that they glide through the fur very easily. They’re also going to massage your little Dood whilst you’re grooming them!
Andis Steel Greyhound Comb
A good greyhound comb is unbeatable when working through those stubborn knots and mats. Our favorite choice for Poochons is the Andis Steel Greyhound Comb that’s affordable, high-quality, and very effective.
This comb features two sides that you can easily switch between, depending on what you need to get done. Although the design is very simplistic, it’s actually very comfortable to use and provides you a good grip.
The comb is made from premium quality stainless steel and there’s probably nothing you can do to destroy it. That’s why we love it so much when detangling knots and mats – no need to worry about it snapping in half.
Best Brush For Poochon: Alternative Picks
Although it’s hard to find dog grooming brushes that can match the quality and ease of use of the Chris Christensen brushes, there are some alternative options that can live up to our standards, such as the ones below:
How Choosing The Correct Brush For Your Poochon Can Help Prevent Matting?
As we’ve mentioned a couple of times, Poochons are high-maintenance when it comes to their coat care and grooming. They need to have their hair brushed, bathed, and trimmed to keep them fluffy, tangle-free, and overall healthy. But by far the best way to keep your Poochon’s hair from matting is to brush it regularly.
So, as you’re already having to spend quite a lot of time on brushing, make sure to opt for a dog grooming brush that’s suited for a Poochon’s demanding coat. After all, who wants to spend all that time without getting the results, right?!
The best brush for a Poochon would be a slicker brush that’s perfect for grooming very curly coats. However, if you prefer the handle placement of a pin brush more, it might be more sustainable for you to look towards that direction instead. Still, keeping in mind that pin brushes are a bit less effective than slicker brushes, that’s something to keep in mind.
Then there’s also the matter of choosing the best brush for your Poochon according to your Dood’s coat length. Keep in mind that the worst knots and mats are usually hiding in the deeper layers of the coat. If your pooch usually sports a longer hairdo, opt for pins that are long enough to penetrate all layers of the coat. If you prefer to have shorter hair on your pup, you can opt for shorter pins.
You should also pay attention to the material of the pins. Wooden and plastic pins simply won’t do on textured Poochon coats. Instead, look for brushes that have metal or stainless steel pins.
How Often Do You Have To Groom A Poochon?
With Poodle mixes like the Poochon, the more often you brush them, the better. To prevent your Poochon from matting, we recommend you brush them daily to get rid of tangles, dirt, debris, dust, and loose dog hair from the coat.
Although single-coated Poochons don’t have a shedding undercoat, they technically still experience some degree of shedding due to the natural growth phases of hair. So, you still have to brush those dead strands out to prevent matting. And since double-coated Poochons have an undercoat, this should also be brushed out regularly to prevent it from wreaking havoc inside the coat.
What’s more, by regularly brushing out all of the daily grime that gets stuck inside the hair, you’re also keeping your pup all nice and clean for much longer. It’s best not to bathe Poochons too often, anyway, as this could lead to skin and coat problems. So, if you’re brushing your pup daily, they probably won’t even need to be bathed as often.
In addition to all of the above, brushing is also a great way to promote circulation under the skin, which can help promote healthy hair growth. And whilst you’re brushing your Dood, you’re also distributing their natural skin oils through all lengths and layers of the fur. As a result, your Poochon will have much shinier, stronger, and healthier fur.
In case it’s been a hot minute since you last picked up your grooming brush, you’re very likely stuck with knotted and matted fur. Now, in more severe cases, the only solution would be to shave the whole fur off and wait until it grows back. But, if you’re willing to spend some time detangling the coat with the line brushing technique, you might be able to get it back to a good condition.
Can You Over-Brush A Poochon?
There’s no way to over-brush your Poochon, as these dogs can get very matted, very quickly! That’s why we recommend you brush your dog at least once a day to prevent those painful mats from forming in the first place. If you don’t mind the extra few minutes, you can brush your Poochon even a couple of times a day to get rid of any dirt and debris that might get stuck inside the fur during your morning and evening walkies.
Needless to say, it’s important that you’re using the right kind of grooming tools and the correct technique when brushing your Poochon. Otherwise, it’s all for nothing.
Also, make sure that you’re careful not to pull on the hair too forcefully or apply too much pressure onto the skin with the brush. The hair can get damaged if you pull it too much and it’s also going to be painful for your pup. Likewise, if you’re using too much pressure, the pins on the brush can irritate or even injure your dog’s skin.
How To Brush A Poochon Properly?
There’s nothing difficult about brushing your Poochon properly. However, there are a few simple techniques you should utilize to ensure that you’re actually getting rid of all the tangles, debris, and loose hair from the coat.
We often hear from our readers who brush their Doodles daily that they’re still finding those awful mats very close to the skin. Well, that’s the thing – the worst knots and mats usually hide in the deepest layers of the fur. That’s why it’s so important to really brush through all of those thick layers.
If you’re ready to take your grooming skills to another level, then follow the step-by-step guide below the next time you’re about to brush your Poochon. Gather all of your grooming tools, including your dog brush, comb, and a dog detangler spray, and start finessing your technique!
Step #1
The very first thing you’ll do is run your hands through your Poochon’s coat. The goal is to locate any noticeable knots and mats and work on each of them individually with your metal comb.
You need to get really close to the skin and pay extra close attention to the areas that are the most prone to matting. These are usually behind the collar and where the harness sits on your dog’s body, behind the ears, in the bum and tail area, and around the paw pads.
When you’re ready to start detangling those knots with a comb, first spray on a little bit of dog detangler spray to loosen them up. Start combing from the tip of the hair and slowly move your way up towards the root of the hair as you go. To make this process more bearable for your pup, hold onto the mat with your one hand, very close to the root, while you’re using the comb in your other hand.
Step #2
Once you’ve gotten rid of the worst knots and mats with your trusty comb, you can reach for your slicker or pin brush. Before this step, you can also spray on dog detangling spray all over the fur to make it softer and easier to manage. Just make sure to avoid getting the spray into your Poochon’s nose, eyes, and mouth.
To get the job done quickly and effectively, start by brushing the areas that are the closest to the ground. So, you’ll start by brushing the paws and feet, then moving up the legs, then towards the chest and neck, and then belly. Once these areas are done, you can move onto the sides, belly, and the bum and tail area. And finally, the easiest area to brush through, the back.
If your pup hates having a slicker or pin brush around their eyes and muzzle, you can easily detangle the hair on the face with a comb instead. It might be easier to maneuver around those delicate areas, too.
You can follow this illustration as a guide when brushing your Poochon:
Step #3
After all the hard work is done, you can add a bit of volume back to your Poochon’s coat by gently teasing the coat with upwards strokes. You can either use a dog grooming brush or a comb for this step, whichever you prefer more.