What comb should I buy?

[Melissa & Porter]

Apologies if this has already been addressed.  I did do a search and it seems like the Chris Christiansen products are much-liked.  But there are many choices on the site (and these are quite pricey once you get the wood handle too). 

My doodle is curly fleeece.  His legs are almost always wiggley strings with no matts, but his neck, butt and belly/pits matt very easily.  I have kept him pretty short as a result, but am considering trying to go long until May when it warms up a lot.

I have a red, small Les Pooches brush...  I have used human combs on him, but know this is not the best way to go. 

Thanks

 

[Louise and Toby]

Sounds like your boy's coat is very like Toby's. I just purchased several combs etc trying to find the right one to go through that THICK fur. I like the ones with a handle so far but am still in the testing mode. The Four Paws dematter/detangler tool is good, followed by a brush with the CC T pin brush does good on mats. But a comb to prevent them and get out the fluff undercoat out is what I'm looking for now. Will watch the responses here with you.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

My Gracie Doodle is a Goldendoodle and is a wavy fleece. For a comb I use one I purchased at Pet Smart that is made by Bamboo (red and white). It has "rotating" teeth which is really what you want. This way you don't rip the hair out and it is much gentler on the Doodle. I have used this comb for 2 years and have found it to be the best as far as combs go. I also use the Les Pooches brush but Gracie doesn't like it. Her hair is very soft and it hurts her skin. Your Doodle looks a little more on the wooly side and it might be harder to get a comb through. I also have a dematting tool that works great...especially where the tail attaches to the body!!!

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

I have been wanting to replace my 'rollie comb' for some time, but I haven't seen one. I love it for my shepherds.

[Robin Evenson]

I'm also interested in these comments and am looking at ways to keep Bella's coat looking it's best. Maybe pictures of the products you use might be helpful, i'm a very visual person and the descriptions are helpful but seeing it makes a big difference for me, just a suggestion :)

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

This picture of my chocolate girl may not look it because of the curl, but this is an 8 inch coat. I keep long coats by doing the following.
1.blow coat with strong blower
2.brush-comb-brush [Les Poochs lime, steel comb with wide and narrow tynes, Les Poochs yellow]
3.wash with Stazco shampoo and conditioner [wash as you would human long hair..without tangling]
4.towel dry [never rub. Wrap towels around dog and squeeze]
5.spray with Stazco spray conditioner/detangler..also has UV protection
6.blow coat in direction of hair growth with strong blower to get the water out and spin the coat into it's curls and dreadlocks.
7.air dry naturally
This method works well on my fleece and wool coats.
This girl is having her first litter as I write this. :-)

This cream coat is a fine fleece and does not respond well to the blowing when wet. I just let it dry naturally to get this look. The coat is short right now so the babies don't get tangled in it. The 2 girls are sisters, but their coats are different.

[Melissa & Porter]

Beautiful doodles! And all those puppies--how sweet.

LOL though because my idea of "long" is going to be about 2-3 inches :-)

Thank you for the tips!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Your Doodles are gorgeous. My Gracie Doodle is more like your cream coated Doodle. She has the wavy fleece but fine and soft. I love your puppies. They are sooooo sweet looking!!! Congratulations!

[Melissa & Porter]

Okay. I went to Target and bought a comb for $3.49. They didn't have the Bamboo one-but thank you for the recommendation for spinning tines.

It seems to work well though I have nothing to compare it with.

Here are some pictures of the comb (all that hair, I know, but I only brush about once a week) and the dog, post brushing and combing. He actually looks the same but is now verrrrry soft.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Here are the things I use when I am brushing, demating and combing Gracie Doodle who is a wavy fleece very soft and not dense. I also Dremel her toes weekly. The two tools I use the most are the comb and dematting tool. She is not fond of the Les Poochs brush because it hurts her. Hurts me too if I accidently poke my hand or finger...which I do all the time and draw blood. I am really not a fan of the brush but I guess if you have the really dense wooly coated Doodles you would be a fan. I have also have the Chris Christensen 16mm T-pin brush and the 20 brush. Neither of which I or Gracie like. I think it becomes very personal as to what fits and works best in your hands and combing style. Also, which one the Doodle runs from and which she stays around for!!!! ha ha Oh by the way, the rug is great. It is from Orvis and is a heavy duty mud, rain, snow, you name it rug that hoses down. I put it out during the rainy months in the kitchen at the back doors. It's a runner that goes across from door to door. Comes in many colors, styles and sizes!!!

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

You need the yellow brush or at least the lime one. I only use the purple on for my one coarse woolly dog and I have 14 doodles. I don't use a matt splitter [I have one] as it cuts the good hair on the coat too much. When using the Les Poochs brush they must remain 100% flat on the skin. /coat.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Oh wow, thanks Barb. So you are saying Gracie would be much happier with the yellow or lime brush? I guess the lime is the lesser stiff of the two?? Boy, that was an expensive mistake!!!! Thanks for the good advice.

[Tammy & Gracie]

I use the small lime on my Gracie (recommended by Kemp). It is pretty flexible. She is, I guess, a fleece. She does get mats in certain places, underarms, tail, neck under collar.