Chris Christensen Pin Brushes, T Brush or Oval Brush? 16 or 27mm?

[Beth & Cheddar]

I am putting together my dog supplies as we prepare to get a F1 goldendoodle puppy this summer. I have seen recommendations for both the Chris Christenson T Brush and Oval Brush. Which one is best for grooming a goldendoodle puppy through the first year and beyond. Also is the 16mm or 27mm better to start with?

I don't mind paying the $25 for a quality brush, but would rather get it right the first time ;)

The breeder I am using has bred this pair before and had a pretty consistent result of wavy to loose curly coat. So there is a good chance that is what I will be working with once our dog's coat comes in.

I already plan on buying a comb with rotating teeth along with blunt nose scissors for trimming facial hair, and a good detangler. In the future I plan on investing in a dematting tool, thinning shears, and dog trimmer as the doodle's coat comes in and they are necessary.

Any advice or experience is appreciated, thank you!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I use the Tbrush. It's 16mm. Mine doods are now 2 & 3 years old. I still use the Tbrush, but for the most part I use the Activet( les pooches) brush. Since their adult coat started at about 10 months old, the Activet has been my go to brush. The Tbrush is now just a supplement, but I did use it a lot before the coat change.

[Beth & Cheddar]

Thank you! The 16mm TBrush is the one I will get then, I want the dog to have a pleasant experience being brushed so grooming later will be easier. Which Activet brush do you use?

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I had just the green one for a year. I did end up getting the one that has red on one side and purple on the other. My boy has a much denser coat than my girl, so the purple one does much better on him. But I still use both. These brushes help pull out the hair as they "shed" it so they don't matt. Plus if you catch matts soon enough, they help "tease" the matt out.
I remember thinking when Yogi was 10 months old that I couldn't have got through the coat change without it. When it starts, it's like overnight they start matting! Just keep up with it.
Also I started them both out with a very soft brush at first just to get them used to brushing. Then you can work up to the stiffer ones as needed.
Btw, both mine have a wavy, mildly curly coat.

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I have the 16mm T Brush, too. I would describe it as being a more "fluffing" and maintenance brush, but not what I would rely on to prevent mats. It's really easy on the skin, though, so both of my Doodles like it better for brushing the tender areas (like the legs). 

[Beth & Cheddar]

Thank you for sharing your experience with this, Which tool(s) do you use to prevent matting?

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I swear by using a "rake" like this one. I can count on one hand the number of matts that Winnie has had in the 2 years that I've had her. It was great during the coat change of puppy hood, and now for maintenance.

Use LONG strokes from the neck to tail, hip to foot, etc. both in the direction of the hair growth AND against the hair growth. This is a much different technique than "line brushing." It gets out any hair that is trapped next to the skin. Three days a week I take my Doodles outside to rake them and on a windy day it looks like I have a cottonwood tree in my backyard. :-)  After I use the rake, I do a couple of swipes with the TBrush and/or the comb. 

I also have an Activet purple brush, and this is really good for "line brushing." It does a great job, but when Winnie's coat was longer I honestly didn't have the time or patience to line brush her every day. The rake gets all of that out much quicker. 

[Amy and Annabelle]

I have both Chris Christensen brushes, the oval and the t in the small size, but I have a 15lb mini. I bought the oval first for the puppy coat and still use it in the summer when she has a shorter coat. She is in her little swimming pool a lot in the summer, sometimes just laying in the water cooling off. It is much easier to maintain if it is shorter, not to mention, better to see any ticks. I also have a LesPooches mat brush. The t and mat brushes are used more when her hair is longer. I also have 2 steel combs, one is small for her face. Annabelle loves to roll in the grass and sometimes picks up seeds in her coat and the small steel comb works great for getting those out.