9 Best Brushes for Pugs: Our 2024 Pug Brush Guide

Don’t let the Pug’s small size fool you—these little dogs are full of big personality. With expressive foreheads and big eyes, a Pug’s face seems to emote in a more human way than any other breed, which is one of the reasons so many people fall under their spell.

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Pugs are highly adaptable, and can live happily in nearly any environment (from small apartment to a sprawling farm) as long as they have loving owners. These dogs were originally bred to serve as the companions of Chinese Emperors, and they have remained popular ever since those not-so-humble beginnings.

Because they were bred with the expressed intention of being companions, Pugs are quite easy to train as their main goal is to please their owners. They are sensitive and eager, so take care not to be too harsh with your furry friend or their feelings may be hurt.

Though trainable they are, Pugs’ grooming needs are a different story. With short, glossy coats that are prone to shedding, Pug fur is difficult to manage (but easy to see when it’s all over your furniture). What’s more, some of these dogs have double coats, while others do not, so it takes some work on the part of the owner to figure out which brush is best for a Pug.

If you would like to start brushing your Pug to help them achieve a shiny coat while also keeping excessive shedding at bay, this guide is for you! We’ll discuss the different types of brushes and coats, then reveal our top picks for Pug brushes. Read on to learn everything about brushing your Pug that you never imagined you needed to know!

Different Types of Pug Brushes

If brushing your Pug is a new concept to you, you may be feeling a little lost in the sea of products. Here are different types of popular pug brushes:

• Shedding brush — These brushes usually feature one row of metal teeth that are extremely fine and shallow. A growing number of shedding brushes are also made of rubber or plastic with duller, nub-like teeth. Shedding brushes work by trapping loose fur before it is shed from your dog’s body.
• Slicker brush — Though more popular for long-haired breeds, a good slicker brush makes an excellent utility player in any grooming lineup. This brush type features thin, wire bristles on a flat brush head. The bristles can be stiff or flexible, and they clean, detangle, and collect loose fur from the coat.
• Pin brush — The classic pin brush is a favorite for both humans and dogs. Imagine your own hairbrush, and chances are a pin brush for your dog wouldn’t look much different. These brushes work out small tangles and add uniformity to unruly coats. They can also help stimulate oil production to add shine.
• Comb — Much like shedding brushes, there are traditional combs, and a newer wave of combs. Most of the combs you will see look just like human combs, but some new styles feature rubber teeth that work to smooth the coat more than they do to detangle it.
• Bristle brush — Though not a good choice for every coat, bristle brushes can work wonders for a Pug. The soft bristles add smoothness to these dogs’ coats, and stimulate oil production while evenly distributing those oils to add a high level of shine. Not to mention, they are extremely comfortable and relaxing for your dog, just by right of their design.
• Undercoat rake — Undercoat rakes do look just like small rakes. They feature a single row of wide set teeth that reach to the bottom layer of your dog’s coat to pull out loose fur and help prevent shedding. This type of brush is not a good fit for all Pug coats, which is an issue we’ll discuss further down.

Different Types of Pug Coats

Pugs come in two variations: fawn and black, with fawn being the classic type. What’s unusual about this divide is that one coat type tends to feature a double coat, while the other does not. We’ll discuss these two coat types and the obstacles they present now.

• Black — Pugs with this coat type tend to have a single layer coat. This is not an exact or scientific assessment, but something that owners over time have noticed and come to view as fact. Despite their lack of undercoat, black Pugs still tend to shed heavily, but this shedding cannot be remedied with an undercoat rake.
• Fawn — This coat type is more likely to feature double layers (though not all fawn Pugs have a double coat). This means that fawn Pugs are likely to do even more shedding than their black counterparts, and an undercoat rake can be used to help mitigate that.

Our Top Picks for Brushes for Pugs

Now that we have had a chance to address all of the background information, we’ll dive into our top picks for Pug brushes!

Our 2024 Picks: Best Brush for Pugs
	Furbliss Multi-Use Deshedding And Massaging Short Hair Dog Brush Comfortable for your dog Thins, cleans, and shines coat Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	FURminator DeShedding Edge Dog Brush Single row of fine metal teeth Skin guard edges prevent pricking Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	SleekEZ Deshedding Grooming Tool Effective for short Pug coats Removes loose fur from your dog and your furniture Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Pat Your Pet Two-Sided Undercoat Rake Safe for short haired dogs Double sides are extra value Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Andis Premium Large Firm Pet Slicker Brush Serves many different functions Makes for a quick step in the brushing process Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	FURminator Curry Comb For Dogs Unique design allows for easy handling Made specifically for shorter coats Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush Double sided brush head Includes both pins and bristles Price: $	CHECK PRICE
	Andis Premium Large Pin Pet Brush Classic pin brush design Widely spaced teeth allow for maximum comfort Price: $	CHECK PRICE
	KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush Ideal for small dogs like Pugs Rubbery material attracts and holds on to loose fur Price: $	CHECK PRICE

Furbliss Multi-Use Deshedding and Massaging Short Hair Dog Brush

Key Benefits:

• Made of medical grade silicone to attract fur
• Blunt teeth trap fur while massaging your dog
• Helps stimulate and distribute a coat’s natural oils
• Made specifically for small, short haired dogs

Overall Best Brush for a Pug —This brush won’t feel like a brush at all to your Pug. The soft material and dull teeth will have them believing you’re simply giving them a massage rather than removing dead fur and dander, and adding some shine to their coat. This brush is made specifically for small, short haired dogs so you know it will work well for a Pug coat.

Pros:

• Comfortable for your dog
• Thins, cleans, and shines coat
• Ideal for Pug size and fur

Cons:

• No handle so it’s difficult to hold on to
• Fur can be hard to remove from teeth

FURminator deShedding Edge Dog Brush

Key Benefits:

• Single row of fine metal teeth
• Skin guard edges prevent pricking
• Reduces shedding up to 90%
• Available in a short hair style and 3 sizes

Best Shedding Brush for Pugs —This shedding brush is a favorite of in-the-know dog owners, and it’s not hard to see why. The small teeth are highly effective at collecting loose fur, which can reduce shedding almost completely. What’s more, this brush comes in 3 sizes and even has a short hair option, so you can be confident that it will work for your Pug’s coat.

Pros:

• Designs available for small, short haired dogs
• Highly effective at reducing shedding
• Over 1,000 5-star reviews

Cons:

• More expensive than other shedding brushes
• Can be difficult to remove hair from teeth

SleekEZ Deshedding Grooming Tool

Key Benefits:

• Smooth, wooden handle for comfortable use
• Single row of shallow teeth
• Teeth designed specifically to protect skin
• Effective for almost all coat types

Best Deshedding Tool for Pugs —This deshedding tool looks like it’s about 90% handle, but the teeth at the very bottom are where the magic happens. These angled teeth safely comb through fur, causing loose strands to pile up in front of it. Not only will this deshedding tool work for Pug coats, it will also help remove shed fur from your furniture.

Pros:

• Effective for short Pug coats
• Removes loose fur from your dog and your furniture
• Keeps skin safe during use

Cons:

• Won’t reach the undercoat
• Doesn’t collect the loose fur it pulls out

Pat Your Pet Two-Sided Undercoat Rake

Key Benefits:

• Two rows of teeth on opposite sides
• Curved teeth prevent scraping
• One row aims to clean and detangle while the other thins
• Effective at reducing loose fur from the undercoat

Best Undercoat Rake for Pugs —Only appropriate for Pugs with double coats, this undercoat rake won’t scrape against the skin below their short fur. The rounded teeth will gently remove loose fur from the undercoat, effectively reducing shedding without causing your sensitive Pug any discomfort.

Pros:

• Safe for short haired dogs
• Double sides are extra value
• Effective for Pugs with an undercoat

Cons:

• Not all Pugs can benefit from this tool
• Pug coats are not prone to tangling, so one of the rows isn’t all that necessary

Andis Premium Large Firm Pet Slicker Brush

Key Benefits:

• Broad brush head covers a wide area at once
• Stiff bristles clean and thin coat
• Solid construction allows long term use
• Smooths fur’s texture

Best Slicker Brush for Pugs —Though not the most commonly used brush type for Pugs, this slicker brush can serve as a quick and beneficial step in your brushing routine. The broad head means that a few strokes is all it will take to fully brush your pug, leaving fur cleaner, thinned out, and more uniform.

Pros:

• Serves many different functions
• Makes for a quick step in the brushing process
• Helps Pug fur maintain its shine

Cons:

• May be too large for some Pugs
• Pug coats are not prone to tangling, combating which is a main function of a slicker brush

FURminator Curry Comb for Dogs

Key Benefits:

• Unique design allows for easy handling
• Made specifically for shorter coats
• Rubber teeth collect fur and encourage shine
• Anti-microbial plastic facilitates a healthy coat

Best Comb for Pugs —A departure from your run of the mill dog comb, this one is much more effective for short dog coats than most. The molded rubber teeth will help thin out the coat while stimulating the skin to produce oil, and distributing the natural oils that are already present. This comb will leave your Pug’s coat looking clean and shiny.

Pros:

• Comfortable to use
• Massages your dog as it works
• Cleans fur and encourages shine

Cons:

• Will not remove loose undercoat
• May not remove a noticeable amount of fur

Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush

Key Benefits:

• Double sided brush head
• Includes both pins and bristles
• Pins equipped with safety tips
• Comfortable handle to prevent strain

Best Pin Brush for Pugs — The addition of bristles to this pin brush makes it doubly useful for Pugs. Because their slick coats don’t collect too much dirt and aren’t prone to tangling, a pin brush on its own may not be necessary all that often. Bristles are always helpful to keep a Pug’s coat smooth and shiny.

Pros:

• Double sided head adds value for Pugs
• Can both clean and add shine to a Pug coat
• Very affordable

Cons:

• Pins aren’t the best tool for Pug coats
• Safety tips may pop off

2 More Top Rated Pug Brushes

Feel like you could stand to see a few more brushes before making your final decision? Luckily, we’ve got two more picks up our sleeves. These didn’t top our list of favorites, but they’re still great brushes sure to work well for your Pug.

Andis Premium Large Pin Pet Brush

Key Benefits:

• Classic pin brush design
• Widely spaced teeth allow for maximum comfort
• Constructed in one solid piece for a sturdy project
• Cleans, detangles, and adds uniformity

This style of brush is a classic for a reason. Its detangling function isn’t necessary for Pug coats, but it does a great job of cleaning and smoothing fur as well. The plastic-tipped pins will keep your pup comfortable as you give them a quick brushing with this pin brush. This is a great way to begin your brushing routine, as it will prepare the fur for other brushes.

Pros:

• Comfortable for your Pug
• Easy to use
• Cleans and smooths fur texture

Cons:

• Pug coats do not really tangle or mat so it’s better for long haired dogs
• Rubber backing may detach

KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

Key Benefits:

• Ideal for small dogs like Pugs
• Rubbery material attracts and holds on to loose fur
• Feels like a massage rather than a brushing
• Can be used on wet or dry fur

The KONG brand is a favorite among most dog owners because they consistently produce high quality products. This one is especially well suited for Pug coats, because the material will work to attract loose fur while the gentle ridges massage your Pug and give their coat an extra shiny appearance. You can use this brush on wet or dry fur, and your Pug will never protest.

Pros:

• Perfect for small dogs with short coats
• Provides your pup with a high level of comfort
• Thins fur while adding shine

Cons:

• Will not reach the undercoat
• May not collect all loose fur that is present

6 Tips for Brushing your Pug

If you’re like most people, brushing your dog doesn’t rank high on your list of favorite activities, and that’s okay, but it doesn’t have to be an unpleasant process either. Here are 6 tips to make the experience more enjoyable for both you and your Pug.

1. Don’t go overboard — Pugs are sensitive dogs, and many of them only have a single layer coat, so it is easy to overbrush your dog and cause them discomfort. Try to limit the amount of time you spend brushing to ensure that your dog’s skin isn’t becoming raw, and that you aren’t removing too much fur.
2. Cater your routine to your dog’s coat — As we mentioned above, some Pugs have undercoats and some do not; this will have quite a bearing on what sort of brushing routine you take on. Examine your Pug to determine which type of coat they have before purchasing a brush or setting out on your first brushing adventure.
3. Watch out for scraping — This tip goes hand in hand with the first one, but your Pug’s skin may be getting scraped even if you’re staying cognizant of how long you brush them. Certain brush types simply aren’t right for Pugs, so be sure to check on their skin after using a new brush for the first time.
4. Be affectionate as you brush — There’s nothing in this world a Pug loves more than quality time with their owner. Speak sweetly to your Pug as you brush them, and offer some loving rubs along the way so they feel comforted by the brushing process rather than scared of it.
5. Get your priorities in line — What’s the biggest reason you feel you need to start brushing your Pug? Is it to keep their coat as shiny as possible? To help cut down on some of their frequent shedding? Something else? Whatever the biggest problems you feel you’re facing with your Pug’s coat, be sure you purchase a brush that addresses them. Consult this guide to learn more about different brush types, and what they do.
6. Reward your Pug after brushing — Since Pugs are such loving companion dogs, receiving a reward from you following brushing speaks volumes to them about the importance of brushing itself. Offer them a special treat, or take them to do one of their favorite activities after you complete a brushing session.

FAQs Regarding Brushes for Pugs

Do you just have a few questions you’d like answered relating to Pug brushes? No problem! Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on the subject.

1. Do Pugs shed? Yes! Pugs shed more than you might imagine just by looking at them. Some Pugs even have double coats, which means a very high amount of shedding twice a year, but even single-layer coated Pugs shed regularly. Be prepared to buy a good shedding brush if you want to prevent your home from being covered in a thin layer of Pug fur.
2. How often should I brush my Pug? You shouldn’t need to brush your Pug more than once a week to keep their shedding under control and restore their coat’s natural shine. Over-brushing your Pug can be worse than not brushing them at all, so be careful that you don’t brush your pup for more than about 10 minutes at a time.
3. Does my Pug have a double coat? Maybe. Some Pugs (usually those with a fawn coat) have double coats, while others (usually those with a black coat) do not. To know for sure, you’ll have to examine your specific Pug. Finding out whether or not they have a double coat will help you with grooming down the line, as you will be able to determine whether or not an undercoat rake would be useful in cutting down on your dog’s shedding.
4. What kind of brush is best for a Pug? This depends on what your main grooming concerns are. If you’re worried about Pug fur taking over your home, a shedding brush is probably the best choice. If you are more concerned about helping your Pug maintain a smooth, shiny coat, a bristle brush might be your best option. Maybe you simply want to use brushing as a bonding experience for you and your dog, in which case a comfortable, massaging brush should be on your list.

Conclusion

Pugs want nothing more than to share their lives with the people they love. Their expressive faces and adorable size bewitch their owners, many of whom become lifelong Pug enthusiasts after owning their first dog of this breed. They don’t require much exercise or special care, so why not devote a little bit of time to properly brushing your Pug?

A dog who’s willing to give you this much love and loyalty deserves the best care possible. Return your dog’s affection in some small measure; shop this guide to find the right brush for your Pug!