Best brush for a Cockapoo
A Cockapoo's coat is the reason grooming tools matter more than they would for a short-haired breed. Whether it comes out curly like a Poodle's or looser and wavier like a Spaniel's, that coat mats easily close to the skin, and the right brush is what keeps on top of it between full grooms.
Why the coat is the whole problem
Cockapoo coats vary a lot between individual dogs, from tight curls to a looser wave, but nearly all of them share the same trait: a dense undercoat that traps loose hair and tangles rather than shedding it out naturally the way a short-coated breed does. Left unbrushed, that turns into mats, and mats close to the skin can be uncomfortable and eventually need clipping out.
The areas that mat first are usually behind the ears, under the front legs, and around the collar line, so those are worth checking even on a dog who otherwise looks fine on top.
What kind of brush actually helps
A slicker-style brush or a dedicated deshedding comb is generally more effective on a Cockapoo's coat than a basic bristle brush, because it reaches down through the curl to the undercoat rather than skimming the surface. A tool like a self-cleaning deshedding comb makes regular brushing quicker, which matters because frequency does more for this coat type than any single tool.
A double-sided deshedding and flea comb is also worth having for finer detail work around the face, ears and paws, where a larger brush is too clumsy to use comfortably.
Keeping on top of it
Little and often beats an occasional big session on a Cockapoo. A few minutes several times a week, working in sections rather than skimming over the top, catches tangles before they compact into a mat that needs cutting out.
If you do find a mat that a comb won't work through, it is safer to have it clipped out by a groomer than to pull or cut at it yourself close to the skin.
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.
Ancol Ergo Wooden Handle Slicker Brush
A stainless steel slicker brush on a wooden handle, for short, long, wiry and curly coats
From£6.99
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
Ancol Ergo Double Sided Comb
Ancol Ergo Double Sided Comb: a SGL grooming comb for combing the coat
£8.79
Ancol Ergo Soft Bristle Brush
A soft bristle brush for dogs, for gentle grooming around the ears and face
£7.79
Ancol Ergo Grooming Glove
A rubber grooming glove for dogs, for removing loose hair on wet or dry coats
£9.79
Wahl Pet Grooming Scissors with Finger Rest
Stainless steel finishing scissors with ergonomic offset handles — perfect for tidying around eyes, ears, mouth, and paws.
£5.49
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
Slicker Brush for Dogs — Detangling & De-shedding
An ergonomic slicker brush with anti-scratch pins that works through tangles and removes dead hair from top and undercoat.
From£9.99
Groom Professional Curved Soft Slicker Brush
A professional-grade curved slicker brush with soft pins, designed to groom delicate and soft-coated pets without discomfort.
From£8.99
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
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
Common questions
- How often should I brush a Cockapoo?
- Several short sessions a week works better than one long weekly brush, because a Cockapoo's coat mats close to the skin and short, frequent sessions catch tangles before they set in. A dog with a tighter curl usually needs brushing more often than one with a looser wave.
- Do Cockapoos need a slicker brush specifically?
- A slicker-style brush or deshedding comb tends to work better than a plain bristle brush because it reaches down into the undercoat rather than just smoothing the surface, which is where most of the matting in this coat type actually starts.
- What should I do if I find a mat I can't brush out?
- Do not pull or cut at a mat close to the skin yourself, since it is easy to nick the skin underneath without realising how close it is. A groomer can safely clip it out, and regular brushing afterwards helps stop it building up again.
- Does clipping a Cockapoo's coat short reduce matting?
- A shorter clip does make matting less likely simply because there is less coat to tangle, but it does not remove the need for regular brushing altogether, since even a short Cockapoo coat can pick up debris and start to felt without any care at all.
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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.