Pitbulls have a bad reputation, but if you’ve ever met one you’ll know that they’re actually extremely friendly, gentle, kind-hearted dogs. They are full of fun and highly affectionate, making them an excellent family breed. Even though they have short hair, they still need to be brushed regularly. We’ll look at 5 of the best brushes for Pitbulls, comparing brush type, how gentle they are, and general quality.
The Best Brush for Pitbulls2023 Review
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The Best Brush for Pitbulls
Editor's Choice
FURminator Dual Dog Brush- Best dual brush
- Pin brush and bristle brush in 1
- Gentle and effective
Runner Up
KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush- Best multi-use brush
- Use wet or dry
- Gentle for short-haired dogs
Also Good
ConairPRO Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush- Best bristle brush
- Both natural and synthetic bristles
- Unique handle
More Detailed Pitbull Brush Reviews
Ann-Marie Sharpe
FURminator Dual Dog Brush review
Features
- Best dual brush
- Pin brush and bristle brush in 1
- Gentle and effective
Ann-Marie Sharpe
If you need the best brush for Pitbulls, the FURminator Dual Dog Brush is a great choice, offering 2 brush types in 1. The pin brush side is designed to help remove tangles and loose hair, which is helpful when used gently on your Pitbull. The bristle brush side is great for distributing your Pitbull’s natural oils, making their coat shiny and smooth.
I loved the non-slip handle on this brush and found it really comfortable to use. I appreciated the 2 brushes in 1, feeling it was great value for money. In general, this brush is high-quality and designed to last.
Pros
- Owners generally felt this brush was gentle on their dog’s skin and coat, even for those with short hair
- Many said this brush was highly effective at removing loose hair and giving their dog’s coat extra shine
- A lot of owners said their dog loved being groomed with this brush, even those who had disliked being groomed with other brushes
- Owners found the brush easy and comfortable to hold during grooming, even those who struggle with grip due to medical issues
- Owners appreciated that the brush was versatile due to its dual sides with some also stating they felt the dual feature made it excellent value
- Most owners felt this brush was durable, well-made, and high-quality
Cons
- Some owners felt the brush head was too small for their large breed dogs
- Some owners of dogs with long, thick hair found this brush didn’t work well for them
- Some experienced breakage after a period of use, in particular mentioning the handle breaking
- Owners of dogs who shed a lot often found this brush didn’t help to reduce shedding
- Some found this brush wasn’t as high-quality as they expected and were disappointed with their purchase
Ann-Marie Sharpe
KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush review
Features
- Best multi-use brush
- Use wet or dry
- Gentle for short-haired dogs
Ann-Marie Sharpe
The KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush is an excellent, gentle choice for Pitbulls. Raised plastic bristles gently get rid of loose hair while massaging your dog’s coat and skin. If you’re looking for the best brush for shedding Pitbulls, this could be the 1 for you.
I love that this brush can be used at bath time to massage in shampoo. I felt it helped to brush out loose hair and dirt from my dog’s coat, as well as ensuring the shampoo was really massaged in well. It’s high-quality, easy to use, and produces great results.
Pros
- Owners generally found this brush was effective at removing loose hair, dust, debris, and pet dander from their dog’s coat
- Many owners found this brush helped to reduce shedding around the home
- Gently massages your dog as you brush, which many owners said their dog seemed to enjoy
- Owners liked that they could use this brush in the bath and felt it helped with shampooing
- Lots of owners, especially those with short-haired breeds, felt that this brush was much gentler on their dog than others they’d tried
- Many said they felt this brush was good quality and found it left their dog’s coat in good condition
Cons
- Some felt this brush was too stiff for their dog, and felt they would prefer a more flexible brush
- Some found this brush didn’t remove as much hair from their dog as other brush types they’d tried, in particular owners of dogs with long or thick hair
- Not designed to be chewed, with some owners saying their dog could chew through this brush
- Hair tends to fall to the floor rather than stick to the brush as with other types of brushes, which some owners didn’t like
- Some stated they wished the brush had a handle to make it easier to hold during grooming
Ann-Marie Sharpe
ConairPRO Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush review
Features
- Best bristle brush
- Both natural and synthetic bristles
- Unique handle
Ann-Marie Sharpe
The ConairPRO Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush is made from 50% natural boar bristles and 50% synthetic bristles, making it high-quality. It should easily move through your dog’s coat, releasing loose hair and promoting a healthier, shinier coat. The unique shape and positioning of the handle are designed to mimic you stroking your dog, making grooming more pleasant for them.
I found the handle comfortable to hold once I got the hang of it, and felt it made the grooming experience easy. I feel this brush is durable yet also gentle for short-coated dogs.
Pros
- Owners of dogs with short hair, including Pitbulls and Chihuahuas, found this brush removed loose hair while being gentle on their dog’s skin, even for dogs with sensitive skin
- Owners loved the ergonomic grip, with many stating the brush was comfortable to hold during grooming
- Lots of owners said their dog absolutely loved being groomed with this brush, even dogs who had previously disliked being brushed
- Owners liked that this brush massaged their dog during grooming and left their coat shiny and in great condition
- Most owners felt this brush was high-quality, durable, and easy to use
Cons
- Some owners found the bristles were too soft and felt the brush didn’t work for their dog
- Some felt the brush didn’t help to reduce shedding and stated it didn’t remove loose hair well
- Some felt the brush was too small for their large breed
- Some owners stated this brush wasn’t high-quality as they expected, in particular mentioning the quality of the bristles
Ann-Marie Sharpe
HandsOn All-In-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves review
Features
- Best grooming gloves
- Use dry or in the bath
- Mimics stroking
Ann-Marie Sharpe
When you’re on the hunt for the best dog brush for Pitbulls, don’t overlook the HandsOn All-In-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves. The rubber nodules along the fingers and palm are designed de-shed your dog’s coat while massaging to leave their coat silky and shiny. These gloves are a great option if your dog finds grooming stressful, as they mimic the feeling of being stroked.
I liked that these gloves could be used dry or in the bath. I found them comfortable to wear, easy to use, and loved that they came in a pair, unlike other grooming gloves I’d tried. I felt they were gentle on my dog and lightweight on my hands.
Pros
- Owners liked that these gloves could be used both wet and dry
- Many found these gloves were very effective at removing loose hair
- Owners appreciated you got 2 gloves in a set instead of just 1, which allowed them to use both hands during grooming making it quicker and more efficient
- Many said they felt these gloves were comfortable for both themselves and their dog during grooming
- Many owners of dogs who don’t usually like grooming said their dog enjoyed being groomed with these gloves
- Owners generally felt these gloves were high-quality and were pleased with their purchase
Cons
- Hair doesn’t stick to the gloves as much as it would with the brush, so it falls on the floor which some owners said they didn’t like
- Some said it was hard to clean the gloves after use and found that hair tended to cling to them
- Some said these gloves didn’t remove as much loose hair from their dog as a brush did
- Some felt the raised nubs on these gloves were too harsh for their dog’s skin
Ann-Marie Sharpe
FURminator Curry Comb For Dogs review
Features
- Best curry comb
- Removes loose hair and dirt
- Massages as you brush
Ann-Marie Sharpe
The FURminator Curry Comb For Dogs is designed specifically for dogs with short or medium hair, making it a great option for Pitbulls. The raised rubber bristles remove loose hair, dirt, and debris from your pup’s coat while leaving it shiny and in great condition. I found that the hand strap and side grips made it easy to get a firm hold of this curry comb.
The plastic is anti-microbial to fight germs and bacteria. It’s gentle on your dog’s coat and skin, even when used with firm pressure when they’re shedding. I felt this brush was durable and good quality, as well as being a very affordable price.
Pros
- Owners of dogs with short, smooth coats (including Pitbull owners) found this brush was excellent at removing loose hair, dirt, pet dander (meaning tiny, microscopic flecks of dead skin), and tangles
- Most owners said this brush was gentle on their dog’s skin, even those with sensitive skin and skin issues
- Many owners said their dog enjoyed being groomed with this curry comb and would even relax fully during grooming sessions
- Some said the brush was easy to hold and fitted in their hand well, making it comfortable to use during grooming
- Some said it was easy to remove hair from this curry comb
- Many owners said this comb was their favourite grooming tool and they felt it was high-quality
Cons
- Some found this comb didn’t remove hair from their dog effectively
- Some stated the hair didn’t stick to the brush and instead fell on the floor, which they found frustrating
- Some felt the brush wasn’t comfortable to hold, with several owners mentioning it was too small for their hand
- Not very effective for dogs with long, thick hair: more suited to short-haired dogs
- Some owners found this brush was not good quality and stated they weren’t happy with their purchase
Things to Look for in a Brush for a Pitbull
If you need the best brush for Pitbull coats, it’s a good idea to look for the following:
Brush Type
Since your Pitbull has short, single-layer hair, they don’t need an undercoat rake or a tough de-shedding tool. Instead bristle brushes, rubber brushes, curry combs, and grooming gloves are far better suited to their coat. These tools have shorter bristles or raised nubs to gently groom your dog’s short coat.
These tools also massage your dog as you brush them, which promotes improved circulation and distributes their natural oils through their coat. They’ll still help to get rid of loose hair and will keep your Pitbull’s coat in top condition.
High-Quality Materials
A brush made from high-quality materials is more likely to be durable and wear well. A quality brush will also be more effective at grooming your pooch.
Gentle for Your Pitbull
The Pitbull’s short, 1 layered hair doesn’t give them much protection during grooming so it’s important you choose a brush that’s gentle for your pup. You don’t want anything too harsh that’s going to scratch their skin.
Correct Brush Size
A brush with a medium head will get into all those hard-to-reach areas while still ensuring you can cover the surface area of your Pitbull efficiently.
Easy to Grip
You need to be comfortable during grooming too, so it’s important you have a brush that’s easy to grip and comfortable to hold onto.
The Pitbull Coat
Pitbulls have a short, single-layered coat. That simply means they don’t another layer of undercoat. Their fur is typically quite thin and close to the skin. When it’s healthy, their coat should look fairly shiny and smooth.
Despite their short fur, they still shed throughout the year. Some Pitbulls shed more than others, but no matter what they will shed to some degree and leave you with some loose hair lying around your home. Don’t worry though, regular grooming reduces shedding and keeps your pup’s coat healthy.
Brushing your Pitbull regularly is essential for other reasons too. It gets rid of any dirt and debris from their coat if they’ve been playing outdoors. Brushing also allows you to bond and build trust with your Pitbull. They’re such affectionate dogs and will love the extra attention.
Grooming your dog provides a great opportunity to keep an eye on their health. While you’re brushing them, you can keep an eye out for any skin issues, lumps, fleas, and ticks.
How to Groom Your Pitbull
How to Brush Your Pitbull
You should brush your Pitbull once or twice a week. As we mentioned, regular brushing is needed to keep their coat healthy. However, because their coat is so thin you don’t want to over brush them as this could irritate their skin and cause discomfort.
When you’re brushing them be gentle until you get used to how much pressure you can use. Brush in the direction of their fur. Make sure to give them plenty of attention and praise. It’s always a good idea to stop and give them breaks if they’re started to get frustrated.
It’s best to get your pup used to being brushed as early on as possible. This reduces stress and helps them to adjust to their grooming routine. Giving regular treats is a great way to make grooming more enjoyable for your pooch.
Other Grooming Tips
As well as being brushed, your Pitbull will need to be bathed now and then. They shouldn’t need a bath as much as other dogs, because brushing should be enough to keep their short coat clean. Bathing them too much can strip away the natural oils from their skin and coat.
Unless they get particularly dirty on an outdoor adventure, try to keep baths to a minimum. In general, you can bathe your Pitbull as regularly as once a month, or as little as once every few months.
Your dog’s nails will need to be trimmed regularly, typically once a month to every 6 weeks. You’ll know when they’re too long because they’ll ‘click’ on the floor a lot when your dog walks or seem uncomfortable for your pup. You can cut your Pitbull’s nails yourself or take them to a professional groomer if you prefer.
Since their hair is so short, they don’t need haircuts, which makes them more low maintenance than many other breeds. They do need to have their teeth brushed at least once a week to keep them free of plaque and tartar.
Finally, Pitbulls can be prone to ear infections so it’s crucial to regularly clean their ears: once a month is usually enough. You can use a cotton ball and a dog ear cleaning solution to keep their ears as healthy as possible.
Brush for a Pitbull FAQ
Do you need to brush your Pitbull?
Yes, although your Pitbull’s short coat makes them quite low maintenance, they still need to be brushed once or twice a week.
Do Pitbulls shed?
Yes, even though their coat is short Pitbulls shed throughout the year.
Conclusion
Regular grooming will keep your Pitbull looking pretty and feeling great! With the right brush to get the job done, you can relax and focus on cuddling them and enjoying their trademark smile.
The Best Brush for Pitbulls
Editor's Choice
FURminator Dual Dog Brush- Best dual brush
- Pin brush and bristle brush in 1
- Gentle and effective
Runner Up
KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush- Best multi-use brush
- Use wet or dry
- Gentle for short-haired dogs
Also Good
ConairPRO Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush- Best bristle brush
- Both natural and synthetic bristles
- Unique handle
