Today, many people still revere the Pug for their easy-going temperament and striking looks. However, while this breed may appear to be low maintenance, they often require more brushing and grooming than you might think. Not only do some active Pugs usually need a bath every couple of months, but they also need routine brushing to maintain their sleek, healthy coats.
The good news is that, since the Pug only has one coat layer, they don’t usually shed as often as some other breeds. However, even if loose hair isn’t much of an issue, dirt and debris can be. Adventurous Pugs can collect dirt or debris that easily sticks to their skin and fur. Without regular brushing, your Pug’s coat could begin to smell and you may even notice an excess of dander.
Luckily, unless your Pug continuously rolls around in the mud or dirt, you will only need to brush these dogs around once a week to keep them healthy. Not only will this weekly brushing remove dead hair, dirt, and dander, but it will also distribute natural oils across your pooch’s skin and coat.
In many cases, the most difficult part of your Pug’s care isn’t the brushing itself—it’s finding the best Pug brush to meet your pup’s needs. While many brands may promise to get the job done, not all brushes are up to the task. Luckily, you don’t have to guess which grooming tool is right for your Pug—we’ve already done the legwork for you.
Keep reading for an in-depth look at the most popular brush types for Pugs as well as our top picks for 2024:
Although many would consider Pugs to be a low-maintenance breed, they still do require some time and effort to uphold their smooth, shiny coats. While there’s plenty of grooming brush types out there to pick from, not all of them are the right choice for your Pug:
Many people associate pin brushes with long-haired dogs but don’t realize that these brushes can actually work just as well on the short coat of a Pug. With long, rubber or plastic-tipped wires, the pin brush can penetrate even the thickest areas of your Pug’s coat.
Since the wires do usually contain a protective covering, pin brushes don’t usually irritate or scratch your Pug’s skin like a slicker brush might. Keep in mind that, while a pin brush will easily remove loose hair and dirt, it’s not ideal to handle matted or tangled fur.
Identifying a pin brush is fairly easy as well—just look for the grooming tool that’s identical to a hairbrush.
While bristle brushes are usually designed as a “finishing” tool, these soft brushes actually mesh well with the short, straight coats of a Pug. Once you’ve groomed your Pug with a pin brush, you can use the bristle brush to collect any loose hair or debris that the pin brush didn’t pick up.
Since the Pug’s coat is fairly short, the bristle brush may work more effectively than it would on a long-haired coat.
In some cases, you might not even need to purchase a bristle brush separately. Some pin brushes may also include a bristle brush head or side for convenience.
While slicker brushes might not always be needed for Pugs, it’s difficult to find a brush that can groom your Pug’s coat as well as the slicker brush can. With soft wires packed closely together, the slicker brush can easily dig deep into your Pug’s fur and remove dead hair or debris.
Oftentimes, the bristles are designed to be flexible and soft so that they won’t harm or chafe your Pug’s sensitive skin. Slicker brushes also tend to come in a variety of sizes so that they can work well for Pugs of all sizes.
Grooming gloves, or hound gloves, aren’t usually a primary grooming tool for dogs, but they often work well for the Pug’s short fur. While the majority of Pugs will happily wag their tails and loll their tongues when you’re brushing them, not all of these dogs may enjoy the process—especially if they have lots of loose hair or dirt.
The grooming glove can be one way to make your Pug feel more comfortable. Since the glove uses rubber bristles and easily slips over your hand, your Pug may feel more like they’re being “massaged” rather than brushed.
Many products may promise to be the best Pug brush, but only the Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush can truly claim that spot. As the name suggests, this miracle worker gently detangles any matted fur without harshly tugging on your Pug’s sensitive skin.
The pins are angled so that it can easily grab dirt and debris from those “hard to reach” spots and collect dirt or debris embedded in your Pug’s skin. To prevent slipping or hand cramps after a long grooming session, there’s an ergonomic handle that fits comfortably in your hand.
We aren’t done just yet—here are six more highly-rated products that we’ve also reviewed for you:
The ConairPRO Dog Pin Brush is the perfect size for small breeds like the Pug. Not only does it have a non-slip gel handle that fits comfortably in your hand, but it also uses stainless steel pins to pick up anything from loose hair to deeply-embedded dirt.
While the pins can pick up most debris and dead hair, they won’t cause your Pug any discomfort—the reinforced comfort tips help ensure that it won’t painfully scrape against the Pug’s skin while brushing.
Regardless of how dirty your Pug gets, the ConairPRO Dog Pin Brush can always help untangle matted fur and remove dirt.
Grooming your Pug might not just be uncomfortable for your Pug—it may also cause hand cramping and fatigued joints for you as well. The best way to get around this issue is by using the JW Pet Gripsoft Small Pin Brush. The brush uses an ergonomic handle to provide both owners and pets with a comfortable grooming experience.
Besides comfort, the JW brush also has an oval-shaped design and metal wires with round-tipped bristles. Both features can go a long way in ensuring that you won’t accidentally scratch your pup’s skin while trying to remove dirt or loose hair.
Unlike most brushes, the Highland Farms Select Deshedding Tool & Grooming Brush uses a comb-like design to remove loose hair. Not only is this contoured handle sometimes easier to hold, but the durable steel blades make rake up dead hair better than some other options.
Despite using metal blades, the Highland Farms Select brush is far from rough—the blade has a gentle touch against your pup’s skin.
In some cases, the wooden handle and steel blades may last the test of time much better than plastic or rubber-tipped brushes (and your Pug may be less likely to chew on it as well).
For a slicker brush that won’t leave a speck of dust behind, the Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is the way to go. Unlike some brushes that can feel like a chore to clean, removing the hair from the Safari brush is as easy as pushing a button. Once you do, pins will retract and the hair will fall off.
In addition to its self-cleaning mechanism, the Safari brush also has a padded handle to help you maintain a sturdy grip while avoiding hand cramping or fatigue. If you’re worried about the stainless steel pins irritating your Pug’s sensitive skin, there’s no reason to be—they’re soft enough to avoid scraping or pulling.
While the fur of a Pug isn’t usually long enough to tangle or knot, it can get matted, especially if their coat becomes damp or dirty. That’s where the Four Paws Magic Coat Slicker Brush comes in—with fine, angled bristles, you can safely remove mats without damaging your Pug’s delicate skin.
Not to mention, the Four Paws brush is also a great tool to stimulate blood flow and circulation within your pup. As you rake it across their coat, you’ll also be spreading natural oils on their skin too. After regular use, you may even find that your Pug’s coat becomes sleek and healthier.
It’s difficult to find a high-quality brush like the HERTZKO Self Cleaning Slicker Dog Brush. Not only will it remove dead hair that builds up, but the high-density bristles are designed to effectively remove deep knots and matted fur as well.
When you’ve filled up your brush with loose hair and debris, cleaning it is as simple as pushing a button to retract the pins. The hair will fall away, and the HERTZKO brush will be as good as new. Besides its ergonomic handle, keep in mind that this brush is recommended by vets and groomers alike.
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