Best Brush for Husky – Our Top 5 Picks!
Published: Last updated: by Jessi Larson Affiliate Disclosure: We hope you love the products we've recommended! As an Amazon Associate we earn a small share from qualifying purchases.The Siberian Husky’s coat is thicker and denser than almost all other dog breeds. Because of that, we’ve created the best brush for the husky guide with the top picks for this amazing animal.
After all, you can’t buy just any brush for a Husky!
With their thick double coat, a Husky needs grooming tools that help thin out excess hair, remove any mats or snarls, and keep their fur looking shiny and healthy.
Our top five picks for the best brush for husky pups are designed to do exactly that!
Buyer’s Guide: Best Brush for Husky
With all the options out there, you’re likely asking yourself, “What is the best brush for Husky canines, and where do I find it?”
Don’t worry – we have the answer to both those questions.
As we put together our best brush for Husky guide, we took into account thousands of user reviews, breed recommendations, manufacturer standards, and more.
Our Top Brush
Coastal Pet Long Tooth Undercoat Dog Rake
Precision pins reach deeply into a dog’s coat to prevent mats, remove loose hairs and make the fur silky smooth.
Our top pick on our best brush for Husky guide: The Coastal Pet Long Tooth Undercoat Dog Rake.
The rake moves gently through both layers of a Husky’s coat, removing mats and tangles and pulling up any loose hair in the undercoat that needs to go.
For users, ergonomic features like a non-slip grip and curved handle make the experience more comfortable, which is great because, as a Husky owner, a brush is your best friend!
Pros:
- The widely spaced pins dig deeply into both layers of fur without irritating the skin
- Users report that it’s great for breaking up mats without causing a dog any discomfort
- You’ll have far less fur in your home after using this
Cons:
- For a super shiny, smooth coat, it’s a good idea to also run a slicker brush over the fur after using a rake, so you may need another tool
- Although the rake dramatically cuts down shedding, you’ll always have hair in your home from a Husky
The Runner-up
Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
The innovative design makes this brush easy to use and simple to clean, which is super helpful with a Husky.
The runner-up for the best brush for a Husky is the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush.
The brush features a button that extends and retracts fine bent wires. These wires are designed to penetrate deeply into a Husky’s coat, grooming both layers of their fur without irritating the skin.
Clean-up is extra easy. You retract the wires, and all that’s left is a clump of hair to discard.
Pros:
- Cleaning the brush is incredibly easy
- The gentle brush removes loose hair and eliminates knots, tangles, trapped dirt, and dander
- The anti-slip handle and comfortable grip make grooming more comfortable
Cons:
- The price is a bit higher than other brushes
- Users say it doesn’t work as well on breeds with shorter coats
Our recommendation: If you can swing it, we recommend buying the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush AND the Coastal Pet Long Tooth Undercoat Dog Rake. The brush helps smooth over fur after you’ve used an undercoat rake to dig up loose hair and debris.
Other Top Brushes
Pet Neat Pet Grooming & Deshedding Tool
This de-shedding tool removes up to 95% of loose hair and tangles. (It’s also our go-to grooming tool for our dog Toby.)
Pat Your Pet Rake Grooming Tool
A 2-in-1 grooming tool, the pet rake painlessly cuts through tough tangles and also acts as a deshedder to thin their coat.
Glendan Dog Slicker Grooming Brush
This massaging brush smooths out a Husky’s fluffy fur and can even help improve its circulation.
About the Husky’s Coat
A Husky has what’s called a double coat. The breed originated in Siberia, where winters are incredibly harsh, so it makes sense that their fur is so robust.
The first layer is a topcoat called the guard hairs. These short, straight hairs protect the breed against the elements – they hold in heat when it’s cold outside, reflect heat during the summer, and even repel water.
Underneath the guard hairs is a dense undercoat. This thick layer provides an extra layer of protection and helps insulate a Husky.
To keep your Husky’s coat healthy and well-maintained, experts recommend brushing this breed weekly.
At least once a year, the Husky will shed its entire undercoat to make way for warmer weather. During this time, you may feel like pulling your hair out, too!
The best thing you can do is brush your pup frequently and always have a vacuum handy to clean up the aftermath.
Best Brush for Husky: What You Should Look For
Dog brushes are not created equal. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and styles.
Which one is right for your Husky?
To help you decide, let’s look at the different types of dog brushes, what they’re designed for, and what a Husky needs.
Pin comb
A pin comb features long, wide-spaced wire pins that are designed to cut through mats and tangles and pull up extra hair.
For a Husky, it’s a smart idea to start with this or an undercoat rake. A Husky’s long, thick locks need extra attention, and a pin comb can deeply dig into their undercoat layer without irritating their skin.
Undercoat rake
A rake looks like a pin brush but with fewer and longer pins. It reaches deeply into double and heavy coats and removes unwanted undercoats.
This tool also works well to gently break apart tangles and mats without causing pain to your canine.
As a Husky parent, we guarantee this tool will be your best friend.
Slicker brush
A slicker brush is typically rectangular in shape and has fine wire bristles placed in rows closely together.
This brush does a good job of grooming a Husky’s outer layer of fur. It smooths hair and adds shine to the process.
While it doesn’t penetrate the lower layer as well as a pin comb, it can still help a bit with snarls and deshedding.
Bristle brush
A bristle brush is made of either natural or synthetic bristles, making it softer than the other brushes on the list.
While it’s softer, this brush is also less effective for dogs with long coats like the Husky. They’re actually better suited for pups with short or wiry hair, so skip this style.
Deshedding tool
A de-shedding tool is designed to drag up loose hairs and cut down on the amount of fur naturally shed by a dog.
This tool looks like a comb with small teeth and is attached to a handle so you can easily pull it through their fur.
Although it won’t completely prevent shedding, a brush like this does wonders to decrease the volume of unwanted hair in your home.
Rubber mitt
Another option is a pet rubber mitt, which looks exactly like the name implies. It’s a glove with small rubber teeth attached that you can run through a dog’s coat to smooth out hair.
They’re really better for short-haired dogs, however, and won’t do as much for a Husky.
What if Your Husky Doesn’t Like Being Brushed?
Some Huskies love getting their coat brushed out and find it relaxing.
Others want to run the other way as soon as they see you pull out a grooming tool.
If your dog hates being brushed, or you want to ensure it’s a pleasant experience for them, here are some helpful tips that go a long way.
1. Find the optimal time
To start, it’s always a good idea to pick a time when your dog is happy, calm, and content.
Grooming gets harder when they’re hyper and fired up. Or if they’re grumpy and not in a good mood.
2. Show them the brush
We know this sounds silly, but before you go near your dog, show them the brush. If they’re interested, let them sniff it and feel comfortable around the object.
This helps a dog feel more comfortable with the brush, which is important since you’ll be moving it all over its body.
Suddenly this brush won’t seem so scary or invasive, and they’ll be a bit calmer when it comes time to groom them.
3. Take it slow
When you’re ready to brush your Husky, start slowly. Be gentle and reassuring.
It’s also helpful to verbally praise your pup and let them know they’re doing well.
Picking an option from the best brush for Husky list helps since they’re designed to move through a canine’s coat smoothly without hurting your husky.
4. Don’t forget the treats
Treats are a great way to provide positive reinforcement. When you’re done brushing your dog, don’t forget to give them a treat!
This signals to your pup that they did a great job, and the next time you groom them, they’ll feel good about the process.
Tips for Grooming a Husky
Grooming a Husky can seem intimidating at first. There’s just so much fur!
Yes, the Husky does have an extra thick coat, and sure, there are other dog breeds out there that require less grooming. But really, a Husky is more than manageable.
In fact, once you get in a regular routine, things get even easier.
With these tips, you’ll be confident in your grooming skills, and your Husky will look good and feel good.
1. Brush them at least once a week
Thorough brushing at least once a week is recommended to keep a Husky’s coat in top shape.
According to grooming experts, you should start with their undercoat and brush away from the skin.
After this, focus on the guard hairs and brush in the direction of the hair growth. This will ensure maximum smoothness.
One tip: Always make sure your Husky’s coat is dry before brushing.
2. Remove mats and tangles ASAP
If you spot a major mat in your Husky’s fur, don’t stress, try to brush it out as soon as you can. This will ensure their hair doesn’t get even more tangled and twisted.
First, grab your brush. Any option mentioned above in our best brush for Husky guide will do, although pin combs and rakes are best for this.
Next, take the tangled piece of fur and brush the ends slowly and gently. Work down to the bottom until the tangle is entirely removed.
3. Watch for shedding season
About once a year, as soon as the weather starts to warm, Huskies will “blow out their coat.”
The breed doesn’t need as much fur when spring rolls around, so these dogs shed large clumps to create a thinner, cooler coat in anticipation of the hot temperatures right around the corner.
For a Husky home, this can be quite a nuisance!
It’s not uncommon to see big handfuls of fur that almost look like a tumbleweed during this time. To get ahead of it, however, we recommend brushing your dog daily and investing in a good pet vacuum to clean up afterward.
4. Don’t forget bath time
Bath time is another essential part of pet grooming. For all dog breeds, baths help remove dirt and debris and make a coat shiny and healthy.
Fortunately, Huskies are naturally hygienic dogs, according to breed experts. They generally need a bath every 1-2 months, but that, of course, depends on the dog.
And if your dog’s gotten dirty, an impromptu bath is always in order!
5. Trim their nails
Like all dogs, the Husky needs their nails trimmed regularly. The frequency depends on your dog and their activity level, but expect to trim them every few months on average.
You can do it by yourself with a nail clipper or grinder if you’re feeling confident. Or a local groomer typically trims nails for $10-20 a session.
6. Teeth are important, too
To keep your dog’s teeth healthy and their breath smelling fresh, you can brush them with a toothbrush and pet toothpaste or use dog dental wipes.
Many people forget to tend to their teeth, but they’re very important.
To keep this on the forefront, you could try to brush their teeth every time you brush their fur. (If your dog has a long enough attention span, of course!)
How to Maintain a Dog Brush
A dog brush isn’t going to break the bank, but the expenses associated with owning a dog can add up quickly if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s always a good idea to make your dog brush last as long as it can.
To get the most out of your dog brush, we recommend the following tips:
- If your dog likes to chew, keep it out of reach. We learned this the hard way when our dog was younger, and he can destroy dog brushes.
- Make a habit of removing the hair after brushing. Always. Don’t let it build up on the brush.
- Wipe it down from time to time to prevent dirt and grime from building up.
Conclusion: Best Brush for Husky
All five options on our best brush for Husky guide work great for this breed. Ultimately, you know your pup better than anyone and what’s right for them.
Is a slicker brush the right choice for their fluffy fur? Or is a de-shedding tool better since it helps eliminate excess hair like they so badly need?
This breed needs something that gently but firmly combs through its extra thick coat and can help cut down on unwanted shedding.
Our recommendation for the best brush for Husky pups:
If you’re able to, we recommend buying two brushes for your Husky.
Start with the Coastal Pet Long Tooth Undercoat Dog Rake. This tool is great for getting rid of any tangles and pulling out loose hairs.
Finish with the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush. This will quickly smooth and straighten their fur for a polished finish.
No matter which one you pick; however, your Husky will have healthy, lustrous locks if you use it regularly!