Quick Answer: For matted fur, a grooming comb wins. Slicker brushes are better for surface debris and shedding on already-detangled coats. If your dog has mats or tends to mat easily (Doodles, Collies, Spaniels), start with a wide-tooth comb to work through tangles, then finish with a slicker brush to smooth the coat. Using a slicker brush on mats usually makes them worse.
What Each Tool Actually Does
The Grooming Comb
A grooming comb (also called a detangling comb or steel comb) has rigid, evenly spaced teeth that work through the full depth of the coat. The wide-tooth end is used first to break apart larger mats and tangles. The fine-tooth end follows to catch smaller knots and smooth the coat.
Combs give you precision. You can isolate a mat, hold the base of the fur close to the skin to reduce pulling, and work through it methodically without yanking. This is the right tool when you're dealing with actual tangling.
The Slicker Brush
A slicker brush has fine, short wire pins set at an angle on a flat or curved pad. It's designed to remove loose fur, surface debris, and minor tangles from the top layer of the coat. It works well as a finishing tool and for maintaining a coat that's already mat-free.
What it's not designed for: working through dense mats. Dragging a slicker brush through a mat pulls the skin and often compresses the mat tighter rather than breaking it apart. Many people make mats worse by brushing with a slicker before combing.
Which Dogs Need a Comb vs. a Brush
Comb-First Breeds (mat-prone)
- Goldendoodles and Labradoodles: Curly and wavy coats mat rapidly, especially behind the ears and legs. A comb is essential.
- Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apsos: Long, fine coats that tangle easily. Daily combing prevents mats from forming.
- Cocker Spaniels: Feathered ears and legs mat without regular combing.
- Border Collies and Shelties: Double coats with a dense undercoat that can felt if not regularly combed.
- Bernese Mountain Dogs: Thick coats that mat at the ruff and behind the legs.
Brush-First Breeds (shedding-focused)
- Labrador Retrievers: Short, dense coats that shed heavily but rarely mat. A slicker brush handles most grooming needs.
- Beagles and Boxers: Short coats where a slicker brush is the primary tool.
- German Shepherds and Huskies: These double-coated breeds benefit from both, but a deshedding comb for the undercoat and a slicker for the outer coat is the right sequence.
The Right Grooming Sequence for Matted Coats
- Start with your fingers: Gently break apart large mats by hand before any tool touches them. This reduces pulling and gives you a sense of how severe the matting is.
- Wide-tooth comb: Hold the fur at the base (close to skin) with one hand to prevent pulling. Work from the tips of the mat toward the base in small sections. Never drag through from the root.
- Fine-tooth comb: Once the mat is broken apart, run the fine-tooth end through to catch any remaining smaller tangles.
- Slicker brush: Finish with the slicker to smooth the coat, remove loose fur, and give it a polished look.
When to Give Up and See a Groomer
If a mat is tight against the skin, covers a large area, or is causing your dog visible discomfort when you try to work through it, stop and see a professional groomer. Severe mats sometimes have to be shaved out. Forcing a comb through a tight skin-level mat can tear the skin. This is especially common in dogs who haven't been groomed in a while or went through a wet period (mats form quickly when wet fur dries improperly).
Our Pick: ReliableGoods Grooming Comb
Our 2-in-1 grooming comb has both wide and fine teeth on the same tool, designed for detangling and deshedding long-coat breeds. The rounded tips prevent skin scratching while the stainless steel teeth work through even dense mats without bending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a slicker brush every day?
Yes for low-mat breeds. For breeds prone to matting, daily combing is more important than daily brushing. Use the comb first, slicker second, every time.
My dog's mat is right behind the ear. Is that normal?
Very common. Behind the ears is one of the highest-friction areas on a dog's coat and one of the first places mats form. Check this area every few days on mat-prone breeds.
What's a dematting comb vs. a regular comb?
A dematting comb has bladed teeth designed to cut through mats rather than work them apart. They're faster for severe matting but can cut fur unevenly. A regular wide-tooth comb is gentler and better for maintenance. Use dematting combs only for serious cases.
How often should I groom my Doodle?
Every 2 to 3 days with a comb to prevent mat formation. Daily is even better for heavy curly coats. Many Doodle owners find that once mats form, they spiral quickly — prevention through frequent combing is far easier than remediation.
Written by Brandon Gruber, Founder of ReliableGoods. Based in Chicago, IL.