9 Best Brushes for Boxers: Our 2024 Boxer Brush Guide

Boxers are full of love for their favorite people. Their alert, engaged dispositions make them excellent family pets; they’re highly trainable and very bright. Not to mention, their protective attitudes can come in handy in all sorts of questionable situations.

Most Boxers are compact but extremely muscular with easily recognizable boxy heads (though this is supposedly not where the breed name originated.) These dogs could not be sweeter to familiar faces, but their loyalty to their owner makes them wary of strangers, so they make excellent guard dogs.

This breed features a smooth, shiny single-layer coat that sits tight against the skin. Though looking at a Boxer you might assume they don’t take much grooming (and you wouldn’t be completely wrong), these loving dogs need more brushing than you would imagine.

Everything from promoting shine to reducing shedding can be accomplished through regular brushing your Boxer, but you might not know where to start with that process. That’s why we have created this guide: to walk you through different types of brushes and their functions and give you a list of our favorites. Read on for a thorough education on Boxer brushes!

Different Types of Boxer Brushes

Wondering what type of brush is even necessary for a Boxer’s coat? Here is a list of the different brush types you’ll see when shopping for your own.

• Shedding brush — Despite not having an undercoat, most Boxers are still pretty prolific shedders. Their lack of undercoat simply means that rather than two big sheds per year. Boxers lose their coats steadily year-round. Because of this, a good shedding brush is crucial to ensure your things aren’t constantly covered with fur. These brushes usually have a set of fine metal teeth. Some are also made of rubber or silicone and have broader, shorter teeth to collect fur.
• Slicker brush — Equipped with a broad head of fine, wire bristles, slicker brushes are most commonly used to reduce tangling. However, these brushes are great for short haired breeds too, as they remove dirt and debris while adding some smoothness and uniformity to the coat. Many of these brushes have angled bristles that protect dogs’ skin from raking.
• Comb — One of the less common brush types for Boxers, combs (the dog versions look virtually identical to most human combs) are generally more effective for long-haired dogs. They can also help clear out debris and dirt from short haired coats, though, so it is not a bad idea to have one on hand for your Boxer.
• Pin brush — Just like a human hair brush, only the pins are packed less densely, pin brushes promote even oil distribution to give Boxers the shiniest possible coat. This gentle brush type usually feels like a massage, even for single coated dogs that don’t have much protecting their skin.
• Bristle brush — A great final step in the grooming process, bristle brushes are particularly good for short, smooth coated dogs. They are essentially just a brush head of densely-packed pliable bristles that collect loose fur and promote a healthy, shiny coat.

Different Types of Boxer Coats

All boxers have essentially the same coat, they simply come in a few different colors. We’ll discuss those variations here!

• Fawn — A light brown color, fawn coated boxers can also have white accents on the chest, belly, or paws. Boxers may also feature some black on their boxy faces, but their bodies will be either fawn or white.
• Brindle  — Brindle is essentially a fawn base with the addition of darker striping over the top. This striping can be sparse or dense, but the fawn color should always be present below it. This coat type can also feature white accents.
• White — While Boxers with this coat are technically fawn with a white “paint job” over the top due to a recessive gene, it is easier to simply refer to them as white. Any Boxer whose body is substantially covered with white is considered to have this coat type, even if there is some color present as well.

Some breeders market rare black Boxers and sell them for an inflated price. While these pups are cute to be sure, they are not purely Boxer. This breed doesn’t have a black coat gene, so Boxers who exhibit this color have another breed somewhere in their lineage.

Our Top Picks for Boxer Brushes

Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s get into the fun stuff! Here are our top picks for Boxer brushes in a number of categories.

Our 2024 Picks: Best Boxer Brushes, Combs and Rakes
	FURminator Curry Comb For Dogs Made specifically for short coats Rounded rubber teeth collect and smooth fur Price: $	CHECK PRICE
	FURminator DeShedding Edge Dog Brush Single row of fine, stainless steel teeth Skin guard edges protect your Boxer Price: $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Furbliss Multi-Use Deshedding And Massaging Short Hair Dog Brush Made entirely of medical-grade silicone Soft, rounded teeth gently collect loose fur Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	Andis Premium Large Firm Pet Slicker Brush Broad head is perfect for larger dogs Angled bristles ensure comfort and safety Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	ConairPRO Dog Medium Comb Rounded stainless steel teeth Medium thickness helps smooth coat out Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush Double sided head makes this a utility tool Pins on one side of the head, bristles on the other Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Pet Republique Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush Promotes a clean, silky coat Effective on any coat type Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	JW Pet Gripsoft Shedding Blade Regular Oval shaped blade with small teeth Teeth turned 90 degrees from skin to promote comfort Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Andis Premium Large Pin Pet Brush Removes dirt and debris as well as loose hair Leaves fur looking smooth and uniform Price:  $	CHECK PRICE

FURminator Curry Comb for Dogs

Key Benefits:

• Made specifically for short coats
• Rounded rubber teeth collect and smooth fur
• Promotes distribution of natural oils
• Handle makes it easy to hold on to

Overall Best Brush for a Boxer — This brush combines the best aspects of a comb, shedding brush, and bristle brush into one. The rounded design features a series of soft rubber teeth on the bottom that collects loose fur, smooth it out and leave it shiny. The antimicrobial material helps keep your Boxer healthy.

Pros:

• Comfortable for short haired dogs
• Eliminates main Boxer grooming issues with one tool
• Promotes a healthy, shiny coat

Cons:

• Not as effective as some other shedding brushes
• Fur does not collect well in teeth when brushed out

FURminator deShedding Edge Dog Brush

Key Benefits:

• A single row of fine, stainless steel teeth
• Skin guard edges protect your Boxer
• Comes in 3 sizes
• Short hairstyle available

Best Shedding Brush for Boxers — Don’t be fooled by the short, smooth coat—Boxers shed more than you would think. This brush will effectively reduce shedding to the point where it practically doesn’t exist when used regularly. A single row of fine, stainless steel teeth will work through your Boxer’s coat and collect loose fur along the way while protecting their skin.

Pros:

• Reduces shedding up to 90%
• Certain to work for even short-haired dogs
• Sturdy design

Cons:

• May not collect short fur in the teeth
• Hair release button might stick

Furbliss Multi-Use Deshedding and Massaging Short Hair Dog Brush

Key Benefits:

• Made entirely of medical-grade silicone
• Soft, rounded teeth gently collect loose fur
• Flexible design is comfortable on your hand
• Help keeps your Boxer’s coat shiny by distributing natural oils

Best Deshedding Tool for Boxers — This tool from Furbliss looks completely different than most other grooming items. Made entirely of silicone, it is great for trapping loose fur from short hair dog coats. The soft, rounded teeth mean that your Boxer won’t feel any discomfort as you use this tool, so you’ll both be able to enjoy the grooming process a little more.

Pros:

• Made specifically for short-haired dogs
• Enhances shine as well as reduces shedding
• Won’t cause your Boxer any discomfort

Cons:

• Lack of handle makes it difficult to hold on to
• Can be hard to collect loose fur from the teeth

Andis Premium Large Firm Pet Slicker Brush

Key Benefits:

• Broad head is perfect for larger dogs
• Angled bristles ensure comfort and safety
• Removes dirt and debris from shorter coats
• Sturdy, solid design

Best Slicker Brush for Boxers — This brush features densely packed wire bristles on a wide head to maximize the amount of space you can cover while using it. Though slicker brushes are usually used for dogs with longer hair to reduce tangling, they can also be great on short coats like a Boxer’s to remove dirt and debris while restoring shine.

Pros:

• Large size is excellent for bigger breeds
• Angled bristles maximize comfort
• Helps gather loose fur

Cons:

• May cause some raking of the skin with too much pressure
• Tends to pull at fur

ConairPRO Dog Medium Comb

Key Benefits:

• Rounded stainless steel teeth
• Medium thickness helps smooth coat out
• Uniform length of teeth is ideal for short coats
• Gel grip handle maximizes your comfort

Best Comb for Boxers — This comb features a set of uniform, medium teeth to help smooth out your Boxer’s coat and even collect a little bit of loose fur if it’s there. Though traditional combs like this aren’t necessarily the most crucial Boxer grooming tool, they are good to have on hand as a way to finish or begin the grooming process. A quick run through with the comb will prep your pup’s fur for more specialized grooming tools.

Pros:

• Rounded steel tips ensure your pup’s comfort
• Gel grip makes the process better for you
• Uniform teeth give you a high degree of control

Cons:

• Combs may not be necessary for most Boxers
• Teeth could dig into Boxers’ skin if pressed too hard

Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush

Key Benefits:

• Double-sided head makes this a utility tool
• Pins on one side of the head, bristles on the other
• Safety tipped pins protect skin
• Removes dirt, debris, loose fur, and softens

Best Pin Brush for Boxers — This brush offers a lot of bang for your buck, particularly because Boxers’ coats can greatly benefit from both bristles and pins. The safety tipped steel pins will help bring out any loose fur and dirt that is lingering in your pup’s coat, then the bristles will evenly distribute the skin’s natural oils and add shine.

Pros:

• Double sided head adds value for Boxers
• Safety tipped pins ensure comfort
• Bristles leave coat shining

Cons:

• Safety tips may fall off of pins
• Rubber backing may separate from the brush head

3 More Top Rated Boxer Brushes

Looking for just a few more options to round out your search? No problem! Here are 3 more top rated brushes that didn’t make it to the very top of our list, but that we still love.

Pet Republique Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

Key Benefits:

• Retractable teeth make collecting hair from the brush easy
• Tightly packed bristles are certain to collect loose fur
• Promotes a clean, silky coat
• Effective on any coat type

This slicker brush features an elevated self-cleaning element which can be utilized simply by pressing a button. The wire bristles retract so you can painlessly retrieve hair collected in the brush. The tightly-packed bristles are sure to pick up any dirt or loose fur that is present, even on a short coat like a Boxer’s. Slicker brushes are a highly versatile tool that every Boxer owner should consider having, and this one is especially useful.

Pros:

• Easy to use self-cleaning mechanism
• Effective even on short, shiny boxer coats
• Promotes cleanliness and shine

Cons:

• May hurt Boxers’ skin with too much pressure
• Slicker brushes might not be necessary for all Boxers

JW Pet Gripsoft Shedding Blade Regular

Key Benefits:

• Oval shaped blade with small teeth
• Teeth turned 90 degrees from skin to promote comfort
• Soft, grippable handle
• Excellent at removing dead and loose fur from short coats

This brush is similar to those used for horses, which makes them great for Boxer coats as they feature the same tight, shiny fur. This oval-shaped blade is full of small teeth turned away from the skin to prevent raking. A few swipes over your Boxer’s coat with this brush, and you’ll be amazed by the amount of hair collected.

Pros:

• Simple, effective design
• Works especially well on short coats
• Shape of teeth prevents any scraping

Cons:

• Blade tends to bend easily
• Teeth may not hold on to loose fur that is brushed out

Andis Premium Large Pin Pet Brush

Key Benefits:

• Safety tipped pins
• Sturdy, solid design
• Removes dirt and debris as well as loose hair
• Leaves fur looking smooth and uniform

This pin brush features a classic design that is ideal for eliminating any dirt from your Boxer’s coat while also helping smooth out any inconsistencies. The safety tipped pins will keep your Boxer’s skin protected as you brush, and will help encourage blood flow. Plus, the solid design means that you’ll be able to keep this brush for the long haul, and it won’t cause you discomfort to use.

Pros:

• Large enough to work well for a Boxer
• Safety tipped pins keep skin comfortable
• Costs less than $8.50

Cons:

• Rubber backing may detach from head
• Not effective at collecting loose fur

6 Tips for Brushing your Boxers

It’s okay if you don’t feel completely certain about how to go about brushing your Boxer; the process will inevitably take a little time to fall into a comfortable rhythm. Here are 6 tips to help expedite that process!

• Don’t overdo it — Boxers don’t have the added protection of an undercoat to shield them from potential scrapes, so it’s easy to damage their skin while brushing them without even realizing it. Be cognizant of your pressure and of the amount of time you spend brushing. These factors will be small adjustments for you, but will make a huge difference for your Boxer’s comfort level.
• Show them love while brushing — These dogs can’t get enough of the people they love, and a little affection from you will go a long way to ease some of their discomfort or disinclination surrounding grooming (which most every dog has.) Speak kindly to your Boxer and offer some loving rubs during brushing, and you’ll find they don’t seem as reluctant to sit still and let you groom them. Make sure to shower them with a few moments of affection once you’re finished as well, to let them know that you appreciate their good behavior.
• Make it a comfortable experience — The fact that Boxers do not have an undercoat will need to play into the brush choices you make. Read reviews before purchasing a brush to ascertain whether it will be comfortable for a dog with a short, single layer coat. Things like safety tips and angled bristles should help ensure that your Boxer doesn’t experience any pain. If your dog seems to recoil from the brush, chances are it’s hurting them and you need to either adjust your technique or use a different brush.
• Incentivize good behavior — It’s not easy to sit still for an extended period of time for most dogs anyway; add an unfamiliar activity to the equation and it becomes next to impossible to stay calm. Encourage your Boxer to remain calm while your brush them, and offer them something like a treat if they behave well while you brush. It may be a good idea to purchase special treats that you only give your dog during grooming sessions so they have a reason to look forward to being brushed.
• Establish a routine — Like most animals, dogs do much better with a routine than without one. You may have noticed that your dog picks up on subtle cues that you’re about to leave the house or take them for a walk; this is because they can easily identify routines. Choose a specific day and time to brush your Boxer, then stick to that routine for several weeks. This will make the process of grooming easier on both you and your dog.
• Assess how much grooming is necessary — There is no sweeping rule in terms of how much grooming a boxer requires. If your dog sheds heavily, amp up your brushing frequency. If they mostly stay inside and don’t seem to shed often, once a week should suffice. Every dog is different, so every brushing routine is, too. The specific needs of your dogs will also influence the types of brushes that you need to purchase.

FAQs Regarding Brushes for Boxers

Left with some questions about brushing your Boxer? Here are answers to 3 of the most common FAQs related to the subject.

• Do Boxers shed? – Yep! You might not guess so based on the look of their coat, but Boxers shed year round, and some of them shed a pretty significant amount. Though their fur is short, it’s still quite noticeable when it’s covering your clothes and furniture. This means that you don’t have to work especially hard to prevent shedding during a coat blow (since Boxers don’t have an undercoat), but you will want to stay on top of regular brushing.
• What kind of brush is best for a Boxer? – It depends on your Boxer. If they shed quite a bit, a shedding brush may be the most important tool. If you’re mostly concerned about keeping your Boxer’s coat sleek and clean, opt for a bristle brush. Figure out what your Boxer’s biggest issues are in terms of their coat and grooming, then consult this guide to figure out which type of brush will best suit your particular concerns.
• How often does my Boxer need to be brushed? – A good rule of thumb is to brush your boxer once a week. This, too, can be pretty variable depending on your specific dog’s needs. Experiment with brushing frequency until you find a balance between preventing shedding/adding shine and over-brushing so your dog’s skin becomes raw. Once you have figured out what frequency works best for you, establish a routine to follow every week.

Conclusion

When people talk about dogs being man’s best friend, Boxers are exactly the sort of dogs they mean. This kind and protective breed makes for a loyal and affectionate companion when they are treated kindly by their owners.

Their coats are relatively easy to keep up with, but regular grooming shouldn’t be ignored just because their fur isn’t prone to tangling or matting. Because they only have single layer coats which are quite short and tight to the skin, it’s easy to select the wrong brush and cause your Boxer discomfort.

Avoid making a misstep in the brush buying process; shop this guide to provide your Boxer with the same tender care they offer you!