A double-coated dog has fur that you just can’t ignore. Why? Because they shed all year round, most especially during warmer weather. Your Shiba Inu is included in the list of dog breeds that need their fur taken care of by brushes for double-coated dogs.
First, to avoid the trouble that comes with shedding, it’s important that you have a durable vacuum cleaner at home. Second, you need a reliable dog brush specifically designed for double coats to manage loose hair and keep the coat in good shape.
The best brushes for a double-coated dog are an undercoat rake and a deshedding tool for the dense underlayer, a slicker brush for the topcoat and tangles, and a steel comb to finish. A rubber curry rounds out the kit for wet days and sensitive dogs. No single brush handles a double coat, because the two layers, a stiff topcoat over a soft undercoat, need different tools.
The right mix shifts with the dog. A short double coat like a Shiba's leans on the slicker and rake, while a long double coat like a golden retriever's or a husky's needs longer-pinned rakes and more combing to reach the skin. Match the tool to the coat length and the season, work with the lay of the coat, and stop the moment you feel resistance.
The short version, in four parts:
- Undercoat rake and deshedding tool for the dense underlayer, especially during a blow.
- Slicker brush for the topcoat, tangles, and everyday upkeep.
- Steel comb to finish and confirm the coat is actually clear.
- Rubber curry for wet coats, bathing, and nervous dogs.
What is a double-coated dog?
Double-coated dogs refer to dog breeds that have two layers of fur.
The outer coat is longer and coarser. It’s also known as the guard hair as it protects your dog’s skin against first and moisture. In addition, it is a protection against environmental elements, like cold snow and harmful UV rays.
The inner coat is shorter, thicker, and softer. It’s also known as an undercoat and shields your dog against hot and cold weather. It can keep him warm during the colder season and cool in warmer months.
Why double-coated dogs need regular brushing?
Double-coated dogs, such as the Shiba Inu, need high-maintenance grooming. Shiba Inu sheds a lot and without regular proper grooming, the undercoat will get caught with the outer coat, resulting in mats and tangles.
When you regularly brush your Shiba Inu’s fur, you are helping your dog’s body temperature regulate, eliminate dead hair and distribute natural oils. You also get to regularly examine your Shiba Inu’s skin and detect underlying skin conditions and parasites.
Types of Brushes to Groom your Shiba Inu
Considering that your Shiba Inu has two different fur types in its body, it’s only justifiable that you need different types of brushes to groom these as well.
Here are essential brush types you need to groom a double-coated dog.
- Wide-toothed comb. Eliminate mats and tangles on the overcoat
- Undercoat rakes. Goes through the undercoat to gently remove loose hair from the inner coat
- Bristle brushes. Smoothens the hair and spreads natural oils throughout the dog’s fur
- Slicker brushes. Helps remove loose hair and prevents matting and tangles. Helpful for areas where hair is thicker and longer.
The Best Dog Brushes for your Shiba Inu
Having a Shiba Inu at home means investing in the best dog brushes for double-coated dogs. That being said, we have rounded up the best brushes that you can use for your double-coated best friends!
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush perfectly collects loose fur from all over your Shiba Inu’s body. Since it is a slicker brush, it is capable of thoroughly brushing areas where the hair tends to be thicker and more difficult to clean.
One feature to appreciate about this brush is its self-cleaning button that retracts the metal wires and you can easily remove the collected fur.
BV 2-Sided Bristle and Pin Dog Brush
With the BV 2-Sided Bristle and Pin brush, you get two functions in one product. The pin side is helpful for detangling and smoothing out long fur while the bristle side distributes your dog’s natural oils throughout its body and removes dirt.
This is a regular brush that is gentle enough to be used daily.
FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool for Dogs
The FURminator deshedding tool is popular and we must say it does live up to the hype. If you are looking for the perfect tool to thin out the undercoat, this might be the perfect one for you.
It consists of small, closely-spaced teeth, specifically designed to collect loose undercoat hair. It also has a button that disposes of the fur you’ve gathered.
Like all deshedding tools, you need to be extra gentle in using the FURminator to prevent skin irritation and keep the top coat intact.
Pat Your Pet Undercoat Rake
For dogs with super thick fur, finding the appropriate brush might be a challenging task. But the Pat Your Pet Undercoat Rake is here to save you. It’s designed like a rake with rounded teeth. It reaches down past the thick coat and into the undercoat to comb out fur and remove tangles.
It also serves a double purpose. One side is lined with nine wide-spaced teeth for tangles while the other has 17 closely-spaced teeth for looser fur.
HappyDogz Slicker Dog Brush for Shedding Short Hair and Long Pet Hair
This tool is something that pet groomers love to the core. It’s excellent for long-haired dogs and helps brush away loose hair, tangles, and knots. It consists of gentle bristles to avoid irritating your dog’s skin.
The HappyDogz Slicker Dog Brush has an ergonomic design that is well-appreciated. It’s available in two sizes, one for small breeds while the other is for bigger dog breeds.
Matching the brush to a double coat, tool by tool
A double coat has two layers doing two jobs, so the kit needs a tool for each. Here is what each one does and when to reach for it, whatever double-coated breed you own.
- Undercoat rake. The core tool for any double coat. Its long teeth reach past the guard hairs to lift and clear the soft undercoat before it packs down and mats. Longer-coated breeds like huskies, goldens, and Aussies need a rake with longer, more widely spaced tips than a short-coated Shiba does.
- Deshedding tool. During a coat blow, a deshedder pulls dead undercoat out through the topcoat fast without cutting the guard hairs. It is a seasonal workhorse, not an everyday tool. Used too hard or on the same spot repeatedly, it can scratch skin and thin the coat, so keep the pressure light and the passes short.
- Slicker brush. The everyday tool for the ten months between blows. Its bent pins lift loose hair, work out tangles in the topcoat, and spread the skin's natural oils. It is the safest tool for frequent use because it tidies rather than strips.
- Steel comb (the finisher). Run a comb through last. If it glides, the coat is clear. If it snags, you found a mat the brushes skated over. On longer coats, a comb is essential for the feathering on the legs, tail, and behind the ears, where mats hide.
- Rubber curry. A soft rubber brush is gentle enough for bath time and nervous dogs, and it doubles as a massager that lifts surface hair. It will not clear a heavy blow, but it is the friendliest tool for a dog that dislikes being groomed.
A heavy-shedding double-coated dog we boarded had a topcoat that looked immaculate while the undercoat underneath had felted into the rear pants, because the owner had only ever used a slicker on the surface. It took an undercoat rake and patient line combing to open it back up. The lesson applies to every double coat: the tool that keeps the top tidy is not the tool that clears the bottom. For the Shiba-specific version of this kit, see our guide to the best brushes for Shiba Inus, and if you are weighing whether a heavy-coated breed fits your life, our take on whether a Shiba Inu is right for you is honest about the grooming load.
What we have seen since 2019
Across 250-plus double-coated dogs placed and boarded since 2019, the brushing failures rarely trace to the wrong brush. They trace to frequency and force. Owners buy a good rake, use it hard once a month, and wonder why the coat still mats. A double coat responds to short, regular sessions, not occasional marathons. Ten minutes twice a week beats an hour once a month, and the dog tolerates it far better.
The other common miss is skipping the finishing comb, which lets small mats survive an otherwise thorough brushing until they tighten. What worked across the dogs in our care: a small kit used on a weekly rhythm, stepped up during coat blows, and always finished with a comb. If a coat is matting faster than you can keep up, or the skin looks irritated under the fur, that is a groomer or veterinarian conversation, not a stiffer brush. Owners who board with us keep the coat on schedule through our in-home boarding, so a dog does not come home to a felted undercoat.
Common followup questions
What kind of brush is best for a double-coated dog?
No single brush covers it. An undercoat rake and a deshedding tool clear the dense underlayer, a slicker brush handles the topcoat and everyday tangles, and a steel comb finishes and checks for hidden mats. Match the rake's tooth length to your dog's coat: shorter for a Shiba, longer for a husky, golden, or Aussie.
Can I use a Furminator-style deshedder on any double coat?
Yes, during a coat blow, with a light hand. Deshedding tools pull dead undercoat out effectively across double-coated breeds, but pressing hard or working the same spot repeatedly can scratch skin and thin the coat. Use short passes along the lay of the coat, and set it aside once the heavy seasonal shedding ends.
Should you shave a double-coated dog instead of brushing?
No. A double coat insulates against both heat and cold, so shaving does not keep a dog cooler and removes its sun and temperature protection. It can also permanently change how the coat regrows. Brushing, not clippers, is the right tool. The only exception is a shave a veterinarian requires for a medical reason.
What to read next
For the Shiba-specific brush kit, read our guide to the best brushes for Shiba Inus, and to understand the coat you are working on, see the Shiba Inu coat explainer. Put it all into a routine with our guide to grooming your Shiba Inu. If a heavy double coat has you weighing the breed, our honest take on whether a Shiba Inu is right for you helps, and our in-home boarding keeps the coat maintained while you travel.
Need in-home boarding for your Shiba?
Small groups, five walks a day, never a kennel. Daycare and vet transport included.