Dachshunds are such unique dogs.They’re one of the most recognizable breeds and are easy to care for in terms of grooming. Although they may not shed much and may spend more time in clothes than not, having some simple brushes could be a great way to condition the skin and bond with you tiniest companion.
They have outsized personalities that outrank their small bodies, but one thing owners typically love about their small companions is the grooming ease. They don’t need a lot, but you will have to keep in mind their particular skin condition. Luckily, you won’t need many tools, but you do need one or two key ones. If you want to cut down on what little shedding happens with a Dachshund anyway, a simple brushing once a day plus routine bathing can help alleviate any problems you might have.
They’re an easy breed for grooming, but for many Dachshunds, a light brush helps turn over dead skin and create a soft coat. Brushing can also be a gentle bonding time for you and your pet. Their coats are unique because short hair Dachshunds typically have single coats while long hair Dachshunds have double coats. The double coat sheds a bit more and needs more grooming to loosen the undercoat.
The biggest thing to consider is whether your Dachshund has long or short hair because that will affect the bristle size. Longer hair Dachshunds will need some help with mats or keeping their coat free of dirt and debris. Short hair Dachshunds may not need much of anything in the way of grooming at all but will still love the feeling of a light brush. Choosing the right brush starts with your Dachshund’s coat type and goes from there.
We’ve put together a list of brushes that would be perfect for your Dachshund. The brushes won’t hurt your Dachshund’s delicate skin and could be just the thing to help condition the skin. They can’t be their charming selves without feeling comfortable in their own skin, so let’s find out which brush can help make that happen.
Brushes come in all shapes and sizes. Not all of them will be something that can benefit your Dachshund. Long hair Dachshunds will need a brush that doesn’t pull too hard on mats or get tangled up, and short hair Dachshunds need a softer bristle brush that won’t damage the skin. Let’s look at a few common types to see which might be best.
Bristle brushes are great for Dachshunds with short hair because the soft bristles bend well and help gently pull up any loose hair. They massage the skin and help encourage skin cell turnover so that your Dachshund’s skin is healthier overall. Plus, they feel great on the surface of your Dachshund’s skin. Look for a bristle brush with natural bristles instead of metal or plastic for the best feeling. Avoid metal bristle brushes altogether because they can hurt.
Bristle brushes may not be so great for longer haired Dachshunds overall because they have trouble getting down to the root of the hair. They are great for finishing grooming sets to help smooth hair down. Aside from that, they’ll still feel great.
Rakes use a single layer of bristles to get down to the undercoat and the root to lift dead hair out. They’re particularly useful for double coat breeds but might be a little much for your single coated Dachshund.
Long hair Dachshunds will have some luck because the rake can fully reach down to the root of the hair. Find one that matches the length of your Dachshund’s particular hair length. For short hair Dachshunds, we don’t recommend a rake brush because it can cause discomfort and pain to your Dachshund’s skin.
Slicker brushes aren’t a good idea for your shorthair Dachshund because the bristles are far too irritating. For your long hair Dachshund, a slicker brush can help remove mats and dirt from the coat, but you’ll still need to be careful when using it.
Find a slicker brush that matches your long haired Dachshund’s hair length to prevent getting tangled up or not working effectively. Gentle use can really help cut down on mats and debris.
Grooming gloves are excellent for short hair Dachshunds because they feel like gentle fingers that pull shed hair away from the skin. They’re easy to use and are gentle enough for daily grooming. If your Dachshund is too small for a glove, you can get the same type of sensation from a rubber “bristle brush.”
Want to know our top pick for a Dachshund brush? Read on.
Kong’s brush has rubber bristles that help massage the skin and gently loosen hair that needs to go. It’s easy to use and won’t damage your short hair Dachshund’s skin, so you can use it absent-mindedly without worry. Every night, brushing your Dachshund with this brush stimulates the skin and creates a great bonding experience for your Dachshund.
Long hair Dachshund’s can also benefit from this brush as a finisher for after grooming sessions. The bristles are long enough to reach down to the root of the coat and stimulate the skin, but again, you don’t have to worry about it being too rough for your little friend. It’s easy to use and simple to grip. The one downside is that dogs tend to think it’s a toy, but that’s more of a concern for those of you with much larger breed dogs.
Here are more contenders worth checking out.
Hertzko’s slicker brush is a good option for long hair Dachshunds who tend to spend a lot of time outside. It features bristles designed to remove mats and help get out dirt and debris. The bristles should be a good length for your long hair Dachshund’s hair, and you can easily clean it out with a retraction button that pushes the hair away from the base of the brush.
It’s affordable and small enough to fit a Dachshund. The design is ergonomic to prevent wrist strain and has a good handle grip. Plus, the bristles are curved slightly to penetrate hair more effectively without causing pain or injury to the skin’s surface.
Hop’s double-sided brush is excellent for those of you with both long and short hair Dachshunds. One side has short rubber bristles which are great for your short hair Dachshund’s coat and skin. They gently pull the hair away without damaging the skin or causing discomfort.
The other side has longer, metal bristles designed to work through thicker, longer hair. They’re tough enough to handle thicker mats but can still be used every day without stressing out your Dachshund’s coat because of small pins on the ends of the bristles. The handle uses a gel style grip that molds to your hand for an ergonomic fit.
Furminator makes the classic de-shedding brush, and for those of you with long hair Dachshunds will be glad to finally get underneath the top coat to reduce your overall shedding. This particular one is made for small dogs in particular so you can get into smaller areas such as around the legs and underneath the chin.
The teeth are highly rounded to help prevent irritation across the skin. You can reduce the amount of loose hair over time with regular use, but make sure you don’t use it on your short hair Dachshunds without a great deal of care. It can really irritate skin if you’re not careful.
A Dachshund that has plenty of time outside could find itself forming new mats every few days without a brush designed to get rid of them. Short hair Dachshunds won’t be so much in danger, but long haired ones could benefit from this mat remover brush. It’s specifically designed for a variety of coat lengths and dog sizes.
It’s easy to hold and can help you keep the coat mat free through daily grooming use. The comb has reversible quills os you can get into hard to reach places, and it’s not difficult to clean it out when you need to. It can make getting rid of mats so much easier, but it’s also great for when your Dachshund explores a little too hard and comes back with debris in the coat.
Short hair Dachshunds still need some minor grooming, so a brush like this could be a great help. It uses soft, medical grade silicone bristles to gently loosen hair and stimulate the skin for better conditioning. It has curved sides to make it easier to hold, but it’s gentle enough to use every day without worrying about irritating your Dachshund’s skin.
It’s perfect for both wet and dry hair, and it begins to de-shed the more you use it. It gently stimulates the production of healing oils that can help keep your Dachshund’s skin and coat soft and shiny. You can throw it in the dishwasher periodically to remove built-up oil and grime, but make sure your Dachshund isn’t allowed to chew on it.
Our final brush is a simple, rubber tipped brush designed to massage the skin and gently loosen hair. It uses an ergonomic hand grip that is easy to hold and features a durable body that won’t come loose in your hand. It’s best for short and medium coats, but it can also be used to gently smooth long coats and remove dust.
One great feature about this brush is that it has antimicrobial plastic in the handle to prevent dirt and debris from getting all over your Dachshund’s coat. It’s bright and easy to find. Plus, it’s a great shape for daily brushing.
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Gentle brushing every day is a great way to help keep things under control and should even help keep the coat healthier over time. Gentle brushing redistributes oils from the skin that can protect the coat. It massages the skin and improves the overall look of the fur. If you keep up with brushing daily, you won’t have as much issue with shedding, although we won’t see much shedding anyway from a Dachshund.