The best brush for a Basset Hound
A Basset Hound's short coat looks low-maintenance, but this is a breed that sheds far more than the coat length suggests, and the wrong brush either does very little or irritates a Basset's notably loose, sensitive skin. A rubber curry brush or grooming glove, rather than a slicker brush built for longer coats, tends to suit this breed's coat type far better.
Why a slicker brush is the wrong tool here
Slicker brushes, with their fine wire pins, are designed to work through longer or curlier coats and to break up mats, neither of which describes a Basset Hound's coat. Used on this breed's short, dense fur, a slicker brush can feel scratchy against skin that is already looser and more sensitive than most breeds', without doing much useful work removing loose hair.
A rubber curry brush or a grooming glove with soft rubber nubs works with a short, dense coat rather than against it, loosening dead hair and dirt while also giving the skin a gentle massage, which most Bassets tolerate well given their generally easy-going temperament.
How often, and what else helps
A couple of times a week is usually enough to keep shedding under control on a Basset, more often during a seasonal coat blow when shedding increases noticeably. Regular brushing also gives you a chance to check the skin underneath, since loose, folded skin can hide early skin irritation that would be harder to spot on a breed with tighter skin.
Basset Hounds also need their long ears checked and cleaned separately from coat brushing, since the ear shape restricts airflow and makes this breed more prone to ear problems than most, though that is a separate part of grooming to brushing itself.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Electric Pet Grooming Clipper
A quiet, rechargeable electric clipper for trimming dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets at home. Low-noise and low-vibration with an adjustable blade for tidy, stress-free grooming around the body and paws.
From£11.99
Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles
A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.
£18.99
Round-Tipped Deshedding Rake Comb
A double-sided undercoat rake with rounded stainless-steel blades that gently cut through mats and remove loose hair. The non-slip ergonomic handle makes deshedding dogs and cats quick and comfortable.
From£8.99
Pet Deshedding Grooming Mitt
A soft mesh grooming mitt you wear on one hand to lift loose fur while stroking your pet, turning shedding control into a soothing massage. Suits dogs and cats with any coat length.
From£7.99
Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
A skin-friendly slicker brush that gently lifts loose fur and undercoat from dogs, cats and rabbits. The angled pins glide through the coat while a one-click button releases the collected hair for easy cleaning. Soft non-slip handle.
£9.99
Double-Sided Deshedding & Flea Comb
A two-sided steel comb with coarse deshedding teeth on one side and fine flea-comb teeth on the other. Lifts loose fur and catches fleas to keep your cat or dog's coat clean and healthy.
£13.99
Steam Spray Detangling Grooming Brush
A rechargeable steam grooming brush with a fine mist that lifts loose fur and eases tangles while you brush. Gentle on the skin and cuts down flyaway hair, no bath needed. Chick design.
£12.99
Wahl Competition Series Clipper Blades
High-precision, chrome-plated clipper blades with a rust-resistant finish, available in 17 sizes for every coat type and clipping style.
From£37.99
Double-Sided Undercoat Rake
A twin-bladed rake that removes mats and tangles on one side and reduces shedding on the other. The non-slip ergonomic handle suits cats and dogs with thick or long coats.
£23.99
Silicone Pet Bath & Massage Brush
Soft silicone bristles work shampoo into a rich lather while gently massaging your pet and lifting loose hair at bath time. A handy strap keeps the brush secure across the back of your hand.
£7.99
Self-Cleaning Deshedding Slicker Brush
A deshedding grooming tool for dogs and cats that lifts loose undercoat and eases out tangles, with a self-cleaning button that releases the trapped fur in one press.
£25.99
Wooden Pet Deshedding Grooming Brush
An ergonomic wooden grooming brush with a fine-toothed edge that loosens and lifts away dead and shedding fur. The smooth contoured handle sits comfortably in the hand for quick, gentle daily de-shedding.
£14.99
Common questions
- Do Basset Hounds shed a lot?
- Yes, more than the short coat length suggests. Bassets have a dense undercoat that sheds steadily year-round, with heavier shedding during seasonal coat changes, so regular brushing genuinely helps keep loose hair under control.
- What type of brush is best for a Basset Hound?
- A rubber curry brush or grooming glove tends to work better than a slicker or pin brush, since it suits a short, dense coat without irritating the breed's notably loose, sensitive skin.
- How often should I brush my Basset Hound?
- A couple of times a week is usually enough for most of the year, increasing to more frequent brushing during a seasonal coat blow when shedding picks up noticeably.
- Why does my Basset Hound's skin look loose?
- Loose, folded skin is a natural feature of the breed rather than a health problem on its own, though it is worth checking regularly for irritation in the folds, since it can trap moisture and dirt more easily than tighter skin.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.