Pugs may be small, but they have big personalities! They’re full of mischief, curiosity, and affection for their owners. Despite having a short coat, most Pugs have a double coat and shed quite a lot. This makes regular grooming essential. We’ll focus on the best brush for Pugs, comparing 5 for brush type, durability, and quality.
The Best Brush for Pugs2023 Review
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The Best Brush for Pugs
Editor's Choice
KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush- Best multi-use brush
- Use wet or dry
- Excellent at removing loose hair
Runner Up
Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs- Best self-cleaning slicker brush
- Pins retract for easy cleaning
- Great for detangling
Also Good
Li'l Pals Coated Tips Dog Slicker Brush- Best slicker brush
- Small size for small breeds
- Flexible wire pins
More Detailed Pug Brush Reviews
Ann-Marie Sharpe
KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush review
Features
- Best multi-use brush
- Use wet or dry
- Excellent at removing loose hair
Ann-Marie Sharpe
If you need the best grooming brush for a Pug, the KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush should be at the top of your list. Made from high-quality, flexible plastic with plastic bristles, this brush is gentle for short-haired dogs yet removes loose hair easily and quickly. It’s also great for removing dirt, dust, and dead skin.
I love the ZoomGroom: I find it easy to use on my short-haired breed and very effective. I love that it can be used in the bath to massage in shampoo or dry for regular brushing. It’s durable and well-made and is easy to hold during grooming.
This brush even massages your dog while you brush which increases blood circulation and stimulates natural oil production. This leaves their skin and coat in great condition and looking shiny.
Pros
- Most owners found this brush easily and quickly removed loose hair and dirt from their dog’s coat
- Owners found this brush helped to reduce shedding around the home
- Many liked that this brush massaged their dog while they brushed, which some owners felt made their dog enjoy brushing
- Owners liked being able to use this brush wet or dry, in particular mentioning they felt it made bath time quicker
- Many said this was a much gentler option for their dog than other brushes they’d tried, yet still just as effective
- In general, owners felt this brush helped to keep their dog’s coat in great condition
Cons
- Some found this brush didn’t remove as much hair from their dog as other brushes they’d tried
- Some felt the brush was too stiff for their dog and would have preferred something more flexible
- Not designed to be chewed, with some owners stating their dog chewed through this brush
- Hair tends to fall off rather than stick to the brush, which some owners didn’t like
- This brush doesn’t have a handle, with some owners saying they wished it did as they found it hard to keep hold of
Ann-Marie Sharpe
Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs review
Features
- Best self-cleaning slicker brush
- Pins retract for easy cleaning
- Great for detangling
Ann-Marie Sharpe
The Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs is a great option for detangling your dog’s coat and getting rid of mats. Stainless-steel pins are designed to really get through your dog’s coat easily while still being gentle. This slicker brush is designed to be durable and effective.
I love that the ergonomic handle is easy to grip and comfortable to hold even during longer grooming sessions. This brush is even self-cleaning: at the touch of a button, the pins retract so you can easily remove your dog’s hair. It’s available in a small size to suit your Pug.
Pros
- Most owners appreciated the self-cleaning aspect of this brush, feeling it was very convenient
- Many said this brush was easy and comfortable to hold while grooming their dog
- Many found this brush was very effective at removing loose hair and reducing shedding
- Some found their dogs enjoyed grooming sessions with this brush, even those who usually don’t like to be groomed
- Many said they felt this brush was well-made and durable, feeling it would wear well over time
Cons
- Some found the self-cleaning mechanism was prone to breakage after a period of use
- Some owners of dogs with a long, thick coat found this brush wasn’t strong enough for their dog, in particular mentioning the pins not being robust enough
- Some owners of dogs with a long, thick coat found this brush didn’t remove as much loose hair from their dog as other brushes they’d tried
- Some owners felt the pins were too sharp and worried they would be uncomfortable for their dog
- Some owners felt this brush wasn’t as high-quality as they expected
Ann-Marie Sharpe
Li'l Pals Coated Tips Dog Slicker Brush review
Features
- Best slicker brush
- Small size for small breeds
- Flexible wire pins
Ann-Marie Sharpe
The Li’l Pals Coated Tips Dog Slicker Brush is designed to detangle your Pug’s fur while removing loose hair and dirt. It even smooths your pup’s hair, leaving their coat looking shiny and healthy. The flexible wire pins have plastic tips to ensure they’re gentle on your dog’s skin.
I found the handle easy to hold and felt the brush was generally high-quality. I love that it’s scaled down to a small size, making it perfect for toy and small breeds like the Pug!
Pros
- Many said this brush was very gentle on their dog’s skin and coat, even those with older dogs or dogs with sensitive skin
- Owners of toy and small breeds, as well as puppies, found this brush was small enough to brush all areas of their dog effectively including their face
- Many found this brush was great at detangling their dog’s coat and tackling mats, leaving it in great condition
- Some owners said their dog enjoyed being brushed with this brush, even dogs who usually dislike grooming
- Some found this brush helped to remove loose hair from their dog’s coat and reduce shedding around the home
Cons
- Brush is very small, with some owners of medium or large breeds finding this brush was too small for their dog
- Some owners of long-haired breeds felt this brush wasn’t effective enough at grooming their dog’s coat
- Some felt this brush was too harsh on their dog’s skin and felt it pulled at their dog’s hair
- Some found this brush wasn’t as effective at removing loose hair as other brushes they’d tried
- The small handle can be hard to hold for some owners, making brushing difficult
Ann-Marie Sharpe
Paws & Pals Best In Show Dog & Cat Deshedding Tool review
Features
- Best de-shedding brush
- Removes loose hair efficiently
- Small size suitable for Pugs
Ann-Marie Sharpe
If you need the best brush for shedding pugs, look no further than the Paws & Pals Best In Show Dog & Cat Deshedding Tool. This durable brush is designed specifically to remove your dog’s loose hair and reduce shedding. The stainless-steel blade reaches the undercoat while still being gentle on your dog’s skin.
I liked the comfort-grip handle, feeling it lived up to its name and was comfortable to hold while tackling my dog’s undercoat. I found it efficiently removed loose hair and dirt and made grooming easy. It’s even small in size to suit your little Pug.
Pros
- Most owners found this brush was highly effective at removing loose hair
- Many found using this brush regularly reduced shedding around the home
- Many stated this brush was much more effective than other brushes and similar de-shedding tools they’d tried
- Several owners stated this tool was surprisingly gentle on their dog’s skin and fur
- Some said this was a quality, more affordable option than other similar tools
- Many said this brush left their dog’s coat in a healthy condition
Cons
- Small size suited to small and medium dogs, with some owners of large breeds stating it was too small for their dog
- Fur should be detangled with another brush before using this tool, with some saying it tugged on mats and tangles
- Some owners felt this tool was too harsh on their dog’s skin and fur
- Some stated this didn’t work as well as other de-shedding tools they’d tried
Ann-Marie Sharpe
JW Pet Gripsoft Small Pin Brush review
Features
- Best pin brush
- Small head for small breeds
- Round tipped pins
Ann-Marie Sharpe
The JW Pet Gripsoft Small Pin Brush is a fantastic option for regular grooming, with round-tipped pins designed to be gentle on your dog’s skin while detangling their coat. This brush is made with high-quality materials, designed to stand up to wear with everyday brushing.
The Gripsoft technology features non-slip grips to make holding onto the brush easy and comfortable. I found this brush comfortable to use. It comes in a small size designed specifically for small dogs like the adorable Pug.
Pros
- Owners generally found this brush helped to detangle their dog’s fur and prevent mats
- Many said their dog enjoyed being groomed with this brush
- Most owners felt this brush was gentle on their dog’s skin and coat, in particular mentioning the soft bristles
- Some found this brush helped to remove loose hair and reduce shedding, in both long and short-haired breeds
- In general, owners felt this brush was great quality, especially for the low price
- Many said this brush was comfortable to hold and easy to grip during grooming
Cons
- Some found the brush was larger than they expected, which they felt was too big for their small dog
- Some owners found this brush got stuck on mats and didn’t work through them the way that other styles of brush did
- Some stated their dog didn’t enjoy being groomed with this brush
- Some felt this brush wasn’t as high-quality as they expected, in particular mentioning the plastic handle
Things to Look for in a Brush for a Pug
When you’re looking for the right brush for your best pal, you should look for the following:
Brush Type
Of course, you need the right type of brush for your Pug. There are so many on the market to choose from. In general, de-shedding brushes can be useful once a week to help remove loose hair from your Pug’s double coat and reduce shedding.
For daily brushing, a slicker brush, pin brush, bristle brush, or rubber brush can help you to keep your Pug’s coat tangle-free, shiny, and healthy. Slicker brushes have flexible wire pins usually packed densely together, while a pin brush has pins that are usually more rounded at the ends. Both help with detangling and tackling mats.
A rubber or plastic brush typically has raised plastic bristles or nubs that help to remove loose hair gently while also massaging your dog’s skin. Bristle brushes have tightly packed synthetic or natural bristles which act in a similar way to rubber brushes. Both are great for short-haired dogs like Pugs.
High-Quality Materials
A brush made from high-quality materials is likely to be more effective and durable. Since you’ll be brushing your Pug regularly, you want a brush that’s going to stand up to regular use and be long-lasting.
Correct Size for Your Pug
Since your Pug is an adorable small size, you need a brush that’s small too! It’s important the brush you choose is small enough to get into all the curves and crevices of your pup’s body to groom them properly.
Easy to Grip
You’ll be spending quite a bit of time regularly brushing your Pug, so it’s important you’re just as comfortable as they are! Choosing a handle that’s easy to grip and ergonomic so it’s comfy to hold is key.
Pug Coat Basics
The Pug’s coat is short yet more high maintenance than you might think at first glance. This is because their coat is dense, and most Pugs are double-coated. This means they have a tightly packed undercoat which works to keep them warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather.
Interestingly, black Pugs often have a single coat while fawn-coloured Pugs have the traditional double coat we’ve discussed. If you’re unsure whether your dog has a single or double coat, it’s best to get guidance from your vet or a professional groomer as this will impact their grooming needs.
Despite having a short coat, both single-coated and double-coated Pug’s shed a lot. This shedding occurs all year round, but increases during the summer months.
Since their coat is so dense, the shed hair will often get trapped in the coat rather than falling to the floor. This can cause matting, odour, and increase shedding around the home as they rub against furniture and their bedding. This means they need regular brushing to get rid of loose hair, prevent matting, and keep their coat as healthy as possible.
Brushing your Pug can also help you to bond and build trust. It’s a great time to keep an eye on their health, checking for lumps, bumps, skin irritations, rashes, and biting pests.
How to Groom Your Pug
Brushing Your Pug
You should brush your Pug at least 3 times a week or more if you can. They will need daily brushing during high shedding season in the spring and summer months.
You should brush your Pug with firm, even pressure but not so hard that you’re scratching their skin. You want to get all the way through their dense coat to remove mats. Use short strokes and move from the head down to the tail.
Take your time and take breaks if your pup is getting frustrated. Use lots of praise, encouragement, and treats (of course). Start brushing your Pug as soon as you get them so become accustomed to the process: this should reduce stress and help them to enjoy the experience.
Other Grooming Tips
Your Pug will also need to be bathed regularly: once every 3 to 4 weeks is typically enough to keep them smelling fresh as well as keeping their skin and coat healthy. You can bathe them more frequently if they get particularly dirty. Ensure you use a good quality shampoo and rinse them thoroughly to make sure there’s no residue left caught in their dense coat.
Due to your Pug’s thick coat, you may need to use more than 1 towel to make sure they’re dry after their bath. You can also use a doggy blow drier if you have 1. Since your Pug has a short coat, their coat doesn’t need to be trimmed. It shouldn’t be shaved as this can interfere with their temperature regulation.
Your Pug’s nails need to be trimmed regularly, usually every month to 8 weeks. Since Pugs typically aren’t as active as other breeds, their nails may not wear down as much naturally. Keep an eye on the length of your Pug’s nails: you should be able to tell if they’re uncomfortable and need a trim.
Your Pug’s little ears will need to be cleaned every 2 to 3 weeks to stop wax building up and prevent moisture being trapped. This helps to prevent ear infections. Their large eyes can easily attract debris, so you should clean the eye area at least once a day to keep them healthy.
The Pug’s well-known (and frankly adorable) skin folds and wrinkles need to be regularly cleaned to ensure they stay free of bacteria and yeast. Pugs can be prone to infections in these areas. Ideally, these should be cleaned daily with fragrance-free wipes or a specialized cleanser and a cotton ball.
Like all dogs, it’s very important that your Pug has a regular oral hygiene routine. This may include you brushing their teeth along with giving them dental chews. This ensures their teeth stay free of plaque and tartar.
If you don’t feel confident grooming your pug at home, there are lots of articles and videos online to guide you. You can also choose to take them to a professional groomer. Ensure they go every few weeks to keep up with their grooming requirements, and maintain daily grooming (such as brushing, cleaning their eyes and wrinkles, and teeth brushing) at home.
Brush for a Pug FAQ
Do Pugs need to be groomed?
Yes, Pugs shed a lot and need to be regularly brushed. Like all dogs, they need regular grooming to keep them healthy and happy.
How often should you brush your Pug?
You should brush your Pug at least 3 times a week to get rid of loose hair and tangles.
How do you stop your Pug from shedding?
You can’t stop your Pug from shedding, it’s a natural process that keeps their coat healthy. However, you can reduce the hair around your home by regularly brushing your Pug to get rid of loose hair before it falls.
Conclusion
Regular grooming keeps your precious Pug looking and feeling great. The right brush can make grooming them easy and stress-free.
The Best Brush for Pugs
Editor's Choice
KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush- Best multi-use brush
- Use wet or dry
- Excellent at removing loose hair
Runner Up
Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs- Best self-cleaning slicker brush
- Pins retract for easy cleaning
- Great for detangling
Also Good
Li'l Pals Coated Tips Dog Slicker Brush- Best slicker brush
- Small size for small breeds
- Flexible wire pins
