Matting and brush recommendations questions

[Leigh & Allie]

Allie turns 1 next month. She has started matting. Not a major deal as I have been brushing her about every other day to stay on top of it. I use a slicker brush (doesn't work very well) and a comb. Comb works but is very time consuming. I am wondering if there is a good brush that will get most of the small mats so I don't have to tackle all of them with the comb. Thanks.

[Kyoko]

I use a rake as well. It works really nice on Charlie, and she does not mind it at all. ( She does not care for a comb)

[Winnie's Dad]

My "desert island brush" is the Chris Christensen 16mm T Brush.
http://www.chrissystems.com/brushes.htm
Scroll all the way down, it looks like this:

You'll still need to comb some, but this brush is the "one brush" that I would take to the desert island if forced to choose one brush.

BUT if you start to slack off a bit, you can get one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006TUE7Y/ref=asc_df_B0006TUE7Y1195468?sm...

but BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THAT TOOL!!!! If you aren't careful, you'll cut yourself and/or your dog with this matt buster. I like this matt breaker because a) it is T shaped, so you can use it in either hand, and go in either direction, many matt breakers are "one way" b) it is "claw-shaped" so you can get under the matt, and then gently rock the blades and cut through the matt.

BUT BE CAREFUL! I haven't cut Winnie with this thing, but I did slice my finger nicely once when I was clearing a matt from the claw. I had to re-program myself to only do that from the BACK of the blades.


I also have a Les Pooch brush, but I don't use it very often.