Need Pin Brush Advice!

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Hi everyone, our doodle Whopper recently went through the dreaded 9 1/2 month old shave down due to some pretty extensive matting. She definitely seems to be a lot lighter on her feet these days and a little more jumpy! We have a comb, we have a dematting tool, and have a slicker brush, but our groomer told us the best thing to keep her coat from matting again is a good pin brush. We went to a local pet store and the pin brushes there didn't seem like they'd hold up well...any recommendations? We are trying to find a good brush on the lower end of the budget scale. Below you can see the Whopper before and after shots...I'm still trying to get used to her new look.

[Leslie and Halas]

We have a Chris Christensen brush with wooden pins. It's holding up well, and it cuts down on the static a little bit, which was good for us over the winter.

[Chris & Boys]

WOW - She looks great! It was really hard for me the first time Fozzy got cut........I kept laughing! But I just love how well you can see her face! I haven't had any luck with brushes yet. They all say use the Chris Christianson T-brush.

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Thanks. The best word to describe how I feel Whopper looks right now is Silly. She's still cute but she's just so skinny and they weren't able to shave her completely evenly due to mats. I joke with my husband that we now have a gazelle because Whopper is prancing all over the place and jumping with quite a clearance. My husband wanted her to sit with him and she was behind the couch. He said up and hit the couch and Whopper jumped over the back of the couch to land right next to him. We couldn't help but laugh!

[Adina P]

I think most pin brushes in stores are on the low end of quality unless you find a store that specializes in grooming tools.
I use the Chris Christensen T pin brush and LOVE it. It's very well made and the pins are made to be non-scratchy so Rosco (who used to hate his legs being brushed) doesn't mind it at all anywhere on his body. It's a very nice brush for $20-some.

Here's my review of it: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum2/topics/2065244:Topic:20087

[StaceyW]

Ollie is about 14 weeks - I try to bruch him every other day - am using the yellow les pooches brush. At what point does matting usually start? does regular brushing help or do they just happen anyway? Does a pin brush serve a different purpose than the les pooch? Thanks

[Adina P]

I've never used the Les Poochs because none of my dogs 'need' it since they don't mat except Rosco on a VERY rare occasion and I can always brush or comb out any of his rare mats.

My guess is that the Les Poochs is more needed for matting issues (but not sure) and a regular pin brush is just for regular brushing. If I find a strong tangle/mat I almost always revert to using a metal comb...it just works better for me. But again Rosco's rare mats and the incredible matting that can happen to other doodles is VERY different.

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

For us we had no issues with matting at all until about 8-8 1/2 months. We tried keeping up with it for a couple weeks but it seemed like every morning the same mats were back and even more extreme. From everything we've learned here, it seems that this is due to the transition from puppy to adult coat and for some doodles, matting can really become a problem. We do not have a les pooch brush however so maybe that will help you prevent even this stage of matting.

[20xlhzzaoccks]

I would have to sing the praises of the Chris Christensen t-pin brush as well. I just got the one that I won off this sight last week and it is great. It didn't seem to bother my dog Steve as much as a slicker brush. My mom's doodle Jack has a similar coat to Whoppers and he mats easily. We noticed that the brush really made a big difference with his coat and straightened out the tight curls.

[GBK]

I love my Chris Christensen brushes also! I have very curly doodles and they really do a great job.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Has anyone used a Conair brush - yes, the ones we use for our hair?
For those with Doodles with coats that are more poodle than lab, what do you think?

I use mine (I bought another for myself) for Samantha and she does't mind it and so far not a knot. Granted, she won't mat but still doesn't have knots.
I have used the same one on Mickey - I tried a rake but his being so prominant, it hurts ME to use it on him - and like Samantha, he doesn't mind it and no knots.

[Apple Creek Doodles]

Do you have one of these, they work great to get down to the skin and through the thicker coats of goldendoodles when they are left longer. It also works great to get the puppy coat out without damaging the top coat. They have them at Target and Walmart for $5. I use it at work everyday on just about every dog I groom, it is my favorite tool.

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Hi. We don't have one of these. Does this have a particular name? Thanks.