slicker or t-brush

[dal]

I have a 50 pound F1 wavy goldendoodle.  He does get matted and I try to keep him combed out.  Twice now, he's had to be shaved at the groomer because I can't keep up with the mats.

I have a comb and an oval wood pin brush.  The brush seems to do nothing.  The comb is pretty good.  I am looking for a new brush and am torn between the Chris Christensen medium slicker brush or the 16 mm t-brush.  Not sure which one to get though.  Any advice?

Thank you!!!  

[Debbie and Bentley]

I have the Activet brush (Les Pooches), & it does a great job. The key is to "line brush". If you go to YouTube, & search Grooming Sully, part one, she demonstrates this technique quite well. I have to keep Bentley short, because I can't keep up with the amount of brushing required. Also, he doesn't like being brushed. Yes, he's a spoiled brat. Good luck!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Your money will be well spent on the Les Pooches brush. They are not cheap but will pay for themselves if they keep your doodle mat free and prevent visits to the groomer. I'd recommend the red/purple one for yours.
Btw, I also own the Chris Christenson T brush. I like it too, but to brush out mats and the extra hair, there is no comparison.

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Winnie is a F1 and has a wavy coat, too. I have both the Chris Christensen 16mm T Brush and the Activet brush that Debbie mentioned.

The T brush is really good for "fluffing" her coat, but I wouldn't rely on it to prevent matting if your dog's coat is longer. Slicker brushes are good only if you do the "line brushing" that Debbie mentioned. The Activet is basically a slicker brush with longer pins so that it goes deeper into the coat. I used it a lot when her coat was long. Now that I keep her short, however, the Activet (or any other slicker brush) isn't necessary. 

Honestly, the best thing that I have found to prevent matting is a "rake." Not the kind that "cuts" through the coat, as that can be damaging. The kind I have is similar to the one below. It grabs out the loose hair close to the skin and prevents matting.  After I use that, I go over her coat with a comb. When her coat was longer, I raked her every other day. With a shorter coat I only use it once a week and fluff her with the T Brush every day. Hope that helps!

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I use the Activet brush and a steel comb like the Untangler.

[dal]

Thanks for the replies!

Which activet brush do you all use/recommend?  A link to the brush on amazon would be so very appreciated!

Leslie - I saw you recommended the red/purple one but I am still seeing a lot of choices on amazon and not sure which one you meant.

Thank you all!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

For a larger dog, I'd for sure get the 9.0cm size. I have the purple 9.0cm one. http://www.amazon.com/ActiVet-Purple-German-Grooming-Brush/dp/B00OT...

I think the green would be a little too soft for Winnie's wavy thick coat. And, the red "matt zapper" is very firm- I've never needed it but I know a lot of people on this site like it.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Just wondering if you are line brushing? Besides having a great tool you also need a great technique! LOL Here's a video in case you're not familiar with line brushing:

[Debbie and Bentley]

I use the green Activet brush on Bentley. I have the small one, but wish I had the larger one...he weighs 55 lbs. He is an F1, but has curlier hair on his head & around his ears. When he is cut short, his body feels like velvet. It isn't as curly as his head, but when it gets longer, it will mat. I don't know what to say his fur is like. I also use the Untangler comb after I brush him ( the one Nancy mentioned). It is steel & the teeth rotate, so it doesn't pull like a regular comb does.