Best brush for a Labrador
A Labrador's short but dense double coat sheds a surprising amount, especially during seasonal coat changes, so the most useful brush is one built for deshedding rather than a soft bristle brush meant for a finer coat. A rubber curry brush or a dedicated deshedding tool tends to work better than a standard slicker brush on this coat type.
Why a Labrador's coat needs a specific type of brush
Labradors carry a dense double coat: a coarser outer layer over a soft, insulating undercoat, and it is that undercoat which sheds heavily, particularly twice a year during a seasonal blow-out. A brush designed for long or fine hair often glides over the top of this coat without shifting the loose undercoat underneath.
A rubber curry brush or grooming mitt works well for everyday use, loosening dead hair and dirt close to the skin, while a dedicated deshedding tool with fine teeth is better suited to the heavier shedding periods when a lot more undercoat needs to come out at once.
How often to brush
A weekly brush is generally enough for a Labrador outside of shedding season, mainly to keep loose hair and dirt from building up and to catch anything unusual on the skin early. During the two heavier shedding periods each year, brushing several times a week makes a noticeable difference to how much hair ends up on floors and furniture instead.
Short, more frequent sessions tend to work better than one long, thorough brush, both because a heavily shedding coat produces loose hair faster than a single session can remove and because most Labradors tolerate a shorter session more happily.
Bathing alongside brushing
A dog shampoo formulated for the coat type helps loosen dead undercoat during a bath, which can make the brushing that follows noticeably more effective, particularly heading into a shedding period. Over-bathing can dry out the skin, though, so this is worth doing as needed rather than on a strict weekly schedule.
Brushing before a bath, rather than only afterwards, removes a good amount of loose hair before it gets wet and tangled, which makes the whole process quicker and generally more comfortable for the dog.
Getting a Labrador used to brushing
Labradors are generally food-motivated and sociable, which makes them easier than many breeds to introduce to a regular brushing routine, especially if a puppy is introduced to it early and calmly rather than only once shedding becomes a problem.
Keeping sessions short to begin with, and pairing brushing with a treat or calm praise, builds a dog's tolerance for the routine over time. A dog who associates brushing with something unpleasant will fight it far more than one who has simply learned it is nothing to worry about.
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 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
Ancol Ergo Universal Slicker
A universal slicker brush for dogs, for coats from smooth to curly
From£6.79
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
- Do Labradors need professional grooming?
- Most Labradors do not need professional grooming for their coat type, since regular brushing at home is usually enough to manage shedding. Some owners do use a professional groomer occasionally for a thorough deshedding session, particularly ahead of a heavy shedding period.
- How do I stop my Labrador shedding so much?
- You cannot stop shedding entirely, since it is a normal part of how a double coat works, but regular brushing, especially with a tool built for deshedding, removes a lot of the loose hair before it ends up on your floors and furniture.
- Is a slicker brush good for a Labrador?
- A slicker brush is designed more for longer or curlier coats and tends to be less effective at reaching the dense undercoat a Labrador sheds. A rubber curry brush or dedicated deshedding tool generally does a better job on this coat type.
- How often should I bathe a Labrador?
- There is no fixed schedule that suits every dog, and bathing too often can dry out the skin. Most Labradors do well with a bath every few weeks or when genuinely dirty, with regular brushing doing most of the day-to-day coat maintenance in between.
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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.