Which Refuresh Brush Is Right for My Dog? Complete Coat, Breed & Size Guide
Choosing the right deshedding brush can feel confusing—especially when two dogs of the same breed can have surprisingly different coats. This guide replaces our previous online quiz and gives you an easy way to choose the right Refuresh brush based on your dog’s actual coat, body size and grooming needs.
Start with the coat rather than the breed. Breed examples are helpful, but coat length, density and texture should make the final decision.
Rachael’s note: Refuresh is one of the products I recommend most often, both in the salon and for customers wanting to manage shedding at home. Unlike many traditional deshedding tools, it is designed to remove loose coat without cutting through healthy hair. The important part is choosing the right version for your dog’s coat length and texture—not simply choosing by breed. If you are unsure, send us a clear photo of your dog’s coat and I’ll happily help.
— Rachael, Professional Groomer & Veterinary Nurse
Quick answer: which Refuresh brush do I need?
START: Look at the coat on your dog’s body
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Is the coat short, flat, firm or relatively close to the body?
Examples: Labrador, Pug, Boxer, Beagle, Staffy, short-coated German Shepherd.
YES → Choose the Short/Medium Hair Refuresh.
OR
Is the coat longer, soft, flowing, fluffy, wavy or feathered?
Examples: Golden Retriever, Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel, Husky, long-coated German Shepherd.
YES → Choose the Long Hair Refuresh.
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Then choose the brush-head size:
Small for cats, toy breeds and detailed areas. Medium for most family dogs. Large for broad-bodied, large or giant breeds and faster salon work.
Still unsure? Send us a clear side-on photo and a close-up of the coat.
Step 1: choose by coat type
The two Refuresh versions differ in the shape and reach of their teeth. Choosing the right coat version matters more than choosing the biggest brush or matching a breed name.
Short/Medium Hair Refuresh
Choose the Short/Medium Hair Refuresh when the body coat is short, flat, firm, coarse or relatively close to the skin. It is also suitable for many medium-length coats that are straight rather than soft and flowing.
Common breed examples include:
- Labrador Retriever
- Pug
- Beagle and Basset Hound
- Boxer, Bulldog and Boston Terrier
- Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier
- Rottweiler and Dobermann
- Dalmatian and Great Dane
- Jack Russell Terrier, Fox Terrier, Border Terrier and Cairn Terrier
- German Shorthaired Pointer and Weimaraner
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Belgian Malinois
- Short-coated German Shepherds
- Corgis with a shorter, firmer body coat
Good rule of thumb: if you can smooth the coat down easily and it sits reasonably close to the body, this is usually the better starting point.
Shop the Refuresh Short/Medium Hair Brush →
Long Hair Refuresh
Choose the Long Hair Refuresh when the body coat is longer, soft, dense, fluffy, wavy or feathered. Its tooth design is intended to travel through longer coat and reach loose hair beneath the surface.
Common breed examples include:
- Golden Retriever and Flat-Coated Retriever
- Border Collie and Australian Shepherd
- Long-coated German Shepherd
- Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute
- Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog and Saint Bernard
- English Springer Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel
- English Setter
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Sheltie and Rough Collie
- Long-haired Dachshund
- Long-coated Chihuahua
- Shih Tzu, Maltese, Lhasa Apso and Havanese when kept in a longer coat
Good rule of thumb: if the coat lifts away from the body, has feathering, or your fingers disappear into the coat, the Long Hair version is usually more appropriate.
Shop the Refuresh Long Hair Brush →
Breed guide: popular questions
Which Refuresh brush is best for a Labrador?
Most Labradors suit the Short/Medium Hair Refuresh. Their dense double coat is short and lies close to the body, even though they can release an impressive amount of undercoat.
Which Refuresh brush is best for a Golden Retriever?
Most Golden Retrievers suit the Long Hair Refuresh because of their longer body coat and feathering. Comb through tangles behind the ears, legs and tail before deshedding.
Which Refuresh brush is best for a German Shepherd?
It depends on the individual coat. A short, firm stock coat generally suits the Short/Medium Hair version. A plush or long-coated German Shepherd will usually suit the Long Hair version.
Which Refuresh brush is best for a Border Collie?
Most rough-coated Border Collies suit the Long Hair Refuresh. A smooth-coated Border Collie may be better matched to the Short/Medium Hair version. Look at the body coat rather than relying on the breed name alone.
Which Refuresh brush is best for a Corgi?
Corgi coats vary. A shorter, firmer coat often suits the Short/Medium Hair version. A fuller, softer or longer coat may suit the Long Hair version.
Which Refuresh brush is best for a Husky?
Most Huskies suit the Long Hair Refuresh, particularly when the coat is plush and dense. Work in small sections and avoid repeatedly brushing one area.
Can I use Refuresh on a Cavoodle, Labradoodle or other Poodle cross?
Use extra care. Many Poodle-cross coats retain loose hair inside curls and can mat rather than shed freely. A slicker brush and metal comb are usually the main tools for these coats. Refuresh may be suitable for some straighter, shedding crossbreed coats, but it should not be used to pull through tangles or matting. Please ask us before purchasing if the coat is curly, woolly or prone to knots.
What about Pomeranians, Samoyeds, Chow Chows and Bichons?
Very soft, extremely fluffy, very long or exceptionally dense coats need an individual assessment. These coats can be damaged by incorrect tool choice or excessive brushing. Send us a photo or speak with your groomer before using a deshedding tool.
Step 2: choose Small, Medium or Large
The size changes the width of the brush head; it does not change which coat type the brush is designed for. First choose Short/Medium Hair or Long Hair, then choose the size.
| Size | Approx. head width | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 43 mm | Cats, toy breeds, small dogs and detailed areas |
| Medium | 63 mm | The best all-round size for most small-to-large family dogs |
| Large | 97 mm | Large and giant breeds, broad body areas and faster professional use |
A small brush can still work on a large dog—it will simply take longer. Likewise, a large brush can feel awkward around a small dog’s legs, chest and neck. For most households with one medium-sized dog, Medium is the safest all-round choice.
How to use a Refuresh brush safely
- Check the coat and skin. Do not brush over sores, irritation, wounds or painful areas.
- Remove knots first. Use an appropriate slicker brush and metal comb. Refuresh is a deshedding tool, not a dematting tool.
- Brush in the direction the hair grows. Use light, comfortable strokes without digging into the skin.
- Work in short sections. Avoid repeatedly brushing the same patch.
- Stop if the skin becomes pink or sensitive. More brushing is not always better.
- Reward your dog. Keep early sessions short and positive.
How often should I use it?
For most dogs, a short gentle session once or twice a week is enough. During a seasonal coat drop you may use it more frequently, provided the skin remains comfortable and you are not repeatedly working over the same area.
Bathing, conditioning and fully drying a shedding coat can release even more loose hair. Home users should only do this when they can dry the dog thoroughly and safely. A damp dense undercoat can remain wet close to the skin for longer than expected.
Will Refuresh cut my dog’s healthy coat?
Refuresh is designed to collect loose topcoat and dead undercoat without cutting through healthy coat. Correct tool choice and technique still matter. Use light pressure, work with the direction of growth and stop once the loose coat has reduced.
Can I use it on a matted coat?
No. Deshedding tools should not be dragged through knots or matting. Matting pulls tightly on the skin and can conceal irritation underneath. Ask a professional groomer for help if a comb cannot pass comfortably from the skin to the end of the coat.
Cleaning the brush
Remove trapped coat after each session. For professional use, clean and disinfect the brush between dogs using a suitable pet-safe grooming-tool disinfectant, then allow it to dry completely. Always follow the disinfectant manufacturer’s dilution and contact-time instructions.
Still not sure?
Send us two photos:
- One clear side-on photo showing your whole dog.
- One close-up showing the body coat parted between your fingers.
Please include your dog’s breed or mix, approximate weight and whether the coat tends to shed freely, tangle, or mat. Rachael can help you choose the most appropriate coat version and brush size.
Shop Refuresh
Short/Medium Hair Refuresh Deshedding Brush →
Long Hair Refuresh Deshedding Brush →
View the complete Refuresh collection →
This guide provides general grooming advice. Individual coat condition, skin health and temperament vary. Seek advice from your groomer or veterinarian if your dog has skin disease, significant matting, pain or unexplained coat loss.