Maintaining your St. Bernard’s coat may seem like an overwhelming task given their immense size and the amount of hair they have. However, regular grooming is essential for keeping them happy and healthy.
The right tools can make the entire process much easier, and the most essential item is something that can help deal with the tangles and matting common to this breed. You are going to want to purchase the very best brush possible for your St. Bernard.
Here we will take a look at some important things for you to consider before buying, cover some frequently asked questions about St. Bernard grooming, and provide a few recommendations for good quality grooming tools that can make all the difference.
What are the Best Brushes for St. Bernards?
- Best Overall: FURminator deShedding Edge
- Best Combo Brush: Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush
- Best Slicker Brush: Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush
- Best Glove Brush: Mr. Peanut’s Hand Gloves Dog & Cat Grooming
- Best Multi-Use Brush: KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush
- Best De-Matting Brush: Safari De-Matting Dog Comb
- Best Shedding Blade Brush: Safari Dual-Sided Shedding Blade Dog Grooming
- Best Comb: Andis Steel Pet Comb
- Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush
- FURminator Firm Slicker Brush For Dogs
- Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush
- Four Paws Ultimate Touch Instant Mat & Tangle
8 Different Types of Brushes for St. Bernards
- Comb – Combs come in a variety of designs, and the gaps between the teeth can differ considerably with wider-spaced ones being good for general use and eliminating knots and narrower-spaced ones being better at removing dead hair and dirt. These can also be used to remove any mites, fleas, or ticks in your pet’s coat.
- Slicker Brush – The slicker brush, which can be used on all coat types, consists of fine, short wire bristles placed close together on a wide surface. This is a great brush for painlessly removing mats and tangles. It’s also useful for dealing with loose hair and dirt, so with regular use, you are likely to have a lot less hair on your furniture.
- De-shedding Brush – The de-shedding brush is the perfect brush for reaching down through the layers of your dog’s coat and removing dander and especially loose hair that could cause overheating and irritation if not dealt with. There are many different designs tailored for different types of coats. These are great for shedding breeds.
- Bristle Brush – The bristle brush is probably one of the most versatile of all the brushes. In design, they resemble regular human brushes and have nylon or other synthetic bristles. These brushes are used to soften hair and distribute your pup’s natural oils evenly throughout their coat to keep it healthy and looking and feeling great.
- Pinhead Brush – The pinhead brush tends to have longer bristles than other brushes, and these are often constructed from metal with soft rubber tips to ensure that they don’t scratch your furry friend’s skin. These are good for brushing through the topcoat and removing any dirt.
- Undercoat Rake – The undercoat rake, as the name would suggest, utilizes a rake-like design with either a single or double layer of long, metal bristles. These are perfect for penetrating a thick coat down to the bottom layer, where they can remove tangles, loose hair, and any debris caught up deep down in your pet’s coat.
- Grooming Glove – The grooming glove, otherwise known as the grooming mitt, is better for shorter coats, though it can also be used to remove dander from your pooch’s top layer. The glove-style design makes it easy and comfortable to use, and your pup will likely just think that they are getting some loving attention rather than being groomed.
- Shedding Blade – The shedding blade is another useful tool for dealing with large amounts of loose hair in your pet’s coat and helping to keep your house relatively dander free. Again there are different styles, but the most common one resembles a strip of metal with teeth that vary in both length and spacing on each side.
6 Key Considerations When Looking for the Right Brush for your St. Bernard
- Which type of brush do you need? Undoubtedly the primary consideration when looking to purchase a brush for your dog is the type of functionality required. There is an extensive range of brushes out there tailored to various tasks. However, more versatile ones can tackle just about any job, just perhaps not as well as one designed specifically for it.
- How many brushes you should get? This sits hand in hand with the previous question. Some people like to have one good all-rounder, while others prefer to have multiple grooming tools so that they can be more thorough. Chances are you will need at least two different types of brush to allow you to best deal with your pup’s coat at different times of the year.
- How long should the bristles be? What the brush is being used for will determine how long the bristles or teeth need to be. If it’s just to smooth out the topcoat than short ones are fine, but for general care, dealing with knots and mats or removing loose hair, then they will need to be long enough to penetrate your pooch’s coat all the way down to their skin.
- How dense should the bristles be? The density of the bristles is also determined by the key function of the brush. While wider spaced bristles are better suited to dealing with tangles, denser brushes are likely to be more effective at removing dander. Take care of using dense bristles on knots or matting, as this will likely be very painful for your pal.
- How comfortable does the brush need to be? One key aspect of dog grooming brushes that people tend to forget is the shape of the handle and the effectiveness of the grip. An ergonomically designed brush is a lifesaver when you are spending so much time working on your extremely hairy baby; otherwise, you may find yourself with painful wrists and hands on a regular basis.
- What is your budget? With so many brushes available, you are likely to find one to suit your specific budget with ease. The cost of the brush is likely to depend on how many functions it serves alongside the quality of the material used. Keep in mind that if you are looking for something durable – which you will certainly need for your St. Bernard– and that will last a long time, it might be worth paying a little more.
Overall Best Brushes for St. Bernards
| Our 2021 Picks: Overall Best Brushes for St. Bernards | |||
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FURminator deShedding Edge Dog Brush
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Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush
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Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush
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Mr. Peanut’s Hand Gloves Dog & Cat Grooming
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KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush
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Safari De-Matting Dog Comb
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Safari Dual-Sided Shedding Blade
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Andis Steel Pet Comb
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Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush
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FURminator Firm Slicker Brush
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Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush
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Four Paws Ultimate Touch
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FURminator deShedding Edge Dog Brush
Key Features:
- Stainless steel edge
- Contoured brush
- Ergonomic handle
- Reduces shedding
Best Overall – The excellent De-Shedding Brush by popular canine brand FURminator makes grooming your fur baby an absolutely effortless experience. This brush is perfect for St. Bernards in that the de-shedding edge can reach deep within their coat to remove all the loose hairs and debris trapped in the undercoat without damaging either the topcoat or your pet’s skin.
The brush has been designed by groomers to ensure the very best results. With regular use, it has been demonstrated to reduce loose hair from shedding up to as much as 90%, which means less hair about the house. The ergonomic handle design fits nicely in your hand to prevent any discomfort, even with frequent and heavy use.
Pros:
- Does an excellent job of removing hair
- Perfect for shedding seasons
- Dogs enjoy the experience
Cons:
- Not suitable for thinner, smoother coats
Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush
Key Features:
- Dual-action brush
- Stainless steel pins
- Nylon bristles
- Ergonomic handle
Best Combo Brush – Groomer’s Best Combo Brush is both a cost-effective and convenient choice of brush. The back to back pinhead and bristle brush is incredibly versatile in terms of functionality and provides multiple benefits. Also, the comfortable grip handle helps prevent any strain and wrist fatigue while you groom your pooch.
The stainless-steel, pin-like bristles are perfect for penetrating your pup’s coat to remove loose hair, tangles, and debris. The nylon bristles help bring out the softness and shine in your pet’s hair by smoothing it and redistributing your pup’s natural oils. This brush is excellent for both long and short-haired St. Bernards.
Pros:
- Multi-functional brush
- Quick and convenient to use
- Works to reduce shedding
Cons:
- May not be as effective as more specialized brushes
Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush
Key Features:
- Special pin bend
- Flexible cushion
- Extreme curved back
- Extra-long ergonomic handle
Best Slicker Brush – The Long Pin Slicker Brush has been expertly designed specifically to suit long, dense coats such as can be found on many St. Bernards. The unique malleable, hooked design of the pins guarantees that they can pick up and remove more loose hair than conventional brushes, and they are also great for dealing with matting.
For your pooch’s comfort, the bristles are built into a special cushion, meaning that even with a little pressure, they won’t scratch their skin. For your comfort, the smooth and soft, extra-long curved handle has been specially crafted to avoid hand and wrist pain, and the effectiveness of the brush means that grooming time will be significantly reduced.
Pros:
- Quality construction for purpose
- Reaches down to the undercoat with ease
- Quick and easy to use
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other options
- Can hurt if you press too hard
Mr. Peanut’s Hand Gloves Dog & Cat Grooming & De-shedding Aid
Key Features:
- Flexible mesh and soft, rubber tips
- Adjustable fuzzy fastener strap
- Perfect for all coat types
- A glove for each hand
Best Gloves – Mr. Peanut’s Hand Gloves Grooming Aid is a useful daily solution to the issue of shedding, especially for dogs who are a little wary of brushes and other grooming tools. All you need to do is pop on the glove and make a fuss of your pet as you usually would. The soft rubber tips will do the hard work of removing tangles and lifting dirt.
As the gloves remove the loose hair, they trap it making it easy for you to collect and dispose of it efficiently. This brush is suitable for use on all coats, both wet and dry, and is incredibly easy to clean when you are done using it, and there is no issue here with fatigue in your hands or wrists from gripping a handle.
Pros:
- Two gloves to reduce grooming time
- Great for removing loose hair
- Pets enjoy the experience
Cons:
- Not a great fit for small hands
- Doesn’t always collect the hairs well
KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush
Key Features:
- 2-in-1 grooming tool
- Great for bath use
- Made in the USA
- Effectively removes loose hair
Best Multi-Use Brush – The KONG ZoomGroom is an excellent multipurpose brush that removes loose hair and can also be used to ensure effective shampooing while washing your pup. The firm but gentle silicone bristles are great for reaching all the way down to your pal’s undercoat. This means a squeaky-clean coat and a thorough groom that can help reduce shedding around the house.
Other benefits of this handy little tool are that the silicone bristles massage your pet while you brush and keeping them engaged in the process. This also stimulates capillary action and natural oil production for overall healthier skin and a gleaming coat.
Pros:
- Gentle on dog’s skin
- Enjoyable grooming experience
- Comfortable to hold
Cons:
- Removes but doesn’t trap loose hair
- Not great on short-haired dogs
Safari De-Matting Dog Comb
Key Features:
- High-quality, rust-resistant
- Stainless steel serrated blades
- Rounded ends for safety
- Comfort-grip, anti-slip handle
Best De-Matting – This explicitly designed De-Matting Comb is handy for helping to keep your fur baby’s coat smooth and healthy. It is especially effective for dogs with medium to long hair. It can cut through tangles and matting with ease and without any painful pulling.
The high-quality, rust-resistant stainless-steel serrated blades are super sharp, but the rounded edges help keep both you and your pup safe while using this efficient grooming tool. The comfort-grip, anti-slip rubberized handle fits easily within your hand to prevent hand and wrist strain, while the thumb rest positioned over the blades allows for better control.
Pros:
- Perfect for shedding seasons
- Reduces grooming time on long-haired dogs
- Makes brushing a more enjoyable, less painful experience
Cons:
- Right-handed design
- Care needed with the blade
Safari Dual-Sided Shedding Blade Dog Grooming Tool
Key Features:
- Dual-sided stainless-steel blade
- Vinyl comfort handle
- Versatile design
- Suitable for use on all dogs
Best Shedding Blade – This Dual-Sided Shedding Blade is incredibly suited to its intended purpose. With a stainless-steel blade and vinyl, comfort handle, this tool is designed to quickly and efficiently remove loose, dead hair from your pooch’s coat.
On one side, the coarse teeth are excellent for use on thicker coats and removing dirt, debris, and loose hair. In contrast, the finer teeth on the other side are great for finishing, making your pup’s coat look smooth and shiny. The best thing about this is you can unhook the handles to cover extensive areas of your dog with ease.
Pros:
- Excellent for shedding dogs
- Removes hair quickly and easily
- Efficient for large areas
Cons:
- Doesn’t trap the hair
- Handle a little uncomfortable
Andis Steel Pet Comb
Key Features:
- Stainless-steel construction
- Wide and narrow teeth
- Removes tangles and loose hair
- Stimulates skin and hair follicles
Best Comb – The simple Steel Pet Comb is practical, functional, and a useful side tool for dealing with those really deep or stubborn tangles. The graded wide to narrow teeth make the comb nicely versatile for use on all areas of your pup, including delicate face and paws.
As well as being useful for removing tangles, loose hair, and dirt, this comb is also perfect for giving your pup a fluffy or finished appearance to their coat for that professionally groomed look. Not only will they be clean and dander free, but they will look great too.
Pros:
- Durable material
- Good length teeth
- Great for use all over
Cons:
- For specific areas rather than all over
- Teeth a little far apart to grab all hair
4 Other Top Rated St. Bernard Dog Brushes
Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush
Miracle Care’s Slicker Brush features soft, stainless wire tines that gently detangle and prevent mats while loosening and lifting dead hairs away from your pet’s coat. The angled pins effectively reach to the undercoat on double-coated breeds and glide through the hair for effective grooming without scratching your pup’s skin.
FURminator Firm Slicker Brush For Dogs
This Firm Slicker Brush is a great double-sided brush specifically for large dogs. The straight and hooked bristles work well together to remove dander, surface mats, and tangles without pulling, and the brush is well designed to match both the contours of your pal’s body and your hand.
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush
This unique Slicker Brush is an easy-to-use grooming tool that can remove even the thickest and most stubborn of knots from your pet’s undercoat. The bristles are a nice length and density for collecting hairs, and you can quickly clean the brush by pressing the bristle retraction button.
Four Paws Ultimate Touch Instant Mat & Tangle Remover
The Mat and Tangle Remover is wonderfully designed for dealing with painful and irritating patches of clumped hair. Pet grooming experts recommend this tool for getting rid of even the toughest of tangles and leaving your pooch’s coat looking great.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many layers does a St. Bernard have to their coat? Long used as rescue dogs to help find people stranded in colder climes, St. Bernards have incredibly dense weather-resistant, double-layer coats that are designed to keep them toasty warm in the winter and help with cooling in the summer. However, there are actually two different types of St. Bernard: long-haired and short-haired. The short-haired coat is smooth but dense, and the long-haired one is slightly wavy but never curly or shaggy. The kind of coat your pet has will impact their grooming schedule with long-haired types requiring more frequent care because of issues with matting. Your pup’s coat type will also determine which brushes will be most effective for taking care of their coat. For a long-haired dog, you will need to ensure you select one that can reach right down into your friend’s coat to remove dirt and tangles all the way through.
- How often should I be grooming my St. Bernard? Twice weekly grooming is recommended, more for the long-haired variety. If you can dedicate a little time to brushing them out each day, this will no doubt make your life easier, especially in the spring and fall when they may be shedding. Brushing your St. Bernard provides a whole host of other benefits. It helps to stimulate blood flow and distributes natural body oils to moisturize their coat and skin. It also allows you to check for cuts and lesions and for the presence of any fleas, ticks, or other critters.
- Which brush should I get? The brush you opt for will depend on many factors such as which type of coat your dog has, how much time you have to dedicate to grooming, how thorough you want to be, and how much money you are willing to spend. Bristle brushes provide a good all-rounder for getting your canine’s coat clean and looking good. Still, this type of brush is not so great for detangling and removing loose hairs from the undercoat, so you might want to pair it with a brush more suitable for these tasks such as a slicker brush or an undercoat rake. Combs are always handy to have around for dealing with particularly stubborn knots.
- Why is it essential to remove loose hair? Removing your pooch’s loose hair is incredibly important for temperature regulation and for helping to prevent matting and skin irritation. The presence of loose hair can make your pet’s coat feel incredibly itchy and uncomfortable.
A St. Bernard’s coat requires a moderate amount of attention. However, grooming them can be time consuming due mostly to their size and their dense, double-layered coat. Having good-quality tools to hand can make the entire process that much easier for both you and your canine friend, and your St. Bernard will undoubtedly be much happier with a clean, shiny, healthy-looking coat.
