Best brush for a Staffy
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier's coat is short, close to the skin, and sheds a fine, dense undercoat year-round rather than in one or two big moults. A general slicker brush made for a longer-coated dog does very little on a Staffy; what works is a rubber curry brush or a close-bristled grooming mitt that lifts loose hair out of a short coat instead of skimming over the top of it.
Why a Staffy's coat needs a different brush
A Staffy's coat is a single, short outer layer sitting close to the skin, without the long guard hairs and dense undercoat of a double-coated breed like a German Shepherd. A wire slicker brush, which is designed to work through longer fur and untangle it, mostly slides across a coat this short without pulling anything free.
What actually removes hair from a coat like this is friction against the skin — a rubber curry brush or a silicone grooming mitt with short, close nubs grips the loose hair as it passes over the skin and lifts it out, rather than trying to comb through length that is not really there.
What to look for
A rubber curry brush with firm, closely spaced nubs is the standard choice for a short-coated breed, and it doubles as a light massage tool that many dogs genuinely enjoy rather than tolerate. A grooming mitt does a similar job and is often easier to use around a wriggly dog's legs and belly, since it moves with your hand rather than needing to be angled like a brush head.
A shedding comb with very fine, closely set teeth is worth having alongside a curry brush for the finer undercoat hair that a rubber tool alone will not always catch, particularly during a heavier shedding spell in spring and autumn.
Avoid long-pin slicker brushes and wide-toothed dematting combs for a Staffy — both are built for coat lengths and textures this breed simply does not have, and neither will do much beyond irritating the skin if pressed too firmly.
How often, and what else helps
A weekly brush with a curry tool is enough for most Staffies to keep loose hair off furniture and out of the shedding season's worst weeks, with a bit more frequency if your dog is going through a heavier moult. Brushing outside or over an easily swept floor saves a lot of hoovering afterwards.
A bath with a shampoo suited to a short coat, followed by a proper dry, loosens more of the undercoat than brushing alone and makes the next brushing session noticeably more effective. Leave a few days between a bath and heavy brushing so the skin's natural oils have a chance to settle back.
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
- Does a Staffy need a slicker brush?
- Not usually. A standard wire slicker brush is built for longer coats and tends to slide over a Staffy's short, dense fur rather than lifting hair out of it. A rubber curry brush or grooming mitt does the job far better on this coat type.
- How often should I brush my Staffy?
- Once a week is enough for most Staffies to manage everyday shedding, increasing to a few times a week during a heavier seasonal moult in spring and autumn. Regular short sessions work better than one long brush a month.
- Why does my Staffy shed so much for a short-coated breed?
- A short coat does not mean low shedding — Staffies carry a fine, dense undercoat that sheds steadily year-round, with heavier bursts around spring and autumn as the coat turns over for the season.
- Can I use a deshedding tool designed for a Labrador on my Staffy?
- Many deshedding combs work across coat types, but check the tooth spacing first — a comb built for a Labrador's denser double coat can be too aggressive on a Staffy's much thinner coat and irritate the skin if used too firmly or too often.
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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.