Hello,

What type of brush do you recommend using on a lab. he is 9 months old and we have noticed parts of his fur are turning brown. i think it is the dead hair as when i touch the hair and pull a little it just falls off. TIA

labman

For general conditioning, I use a traditional soft bristle brush. Sounds like he thinks it is spring if it is coming out in chunks. Sometimes you can pull out big wads of hair. For major sheds like that, I switch to a wire toothed slicker brush. It looks terrible, but the dogs don't seem to mind too much. Here is a picture of my Aster, the pile of hair I pulled off, and the slicker brush. Not a good detail of the brush, but should give some idea. She does a very efficient job of converting Pro Plan to hair.



Other people have good luck with a brush that has large rubber cones as teeth or a flexible metal saw blade looking thing with 2 handles.

fredg

Hi,
The types of brushes mentioned in the answer before mine are all good.
Here is a link with many different types:
http://www.epetpals.com/dog_brushes.htm
I also have used the metal "bristle" brush, and the dogs I have had do like it. It's like giving them a gently "rubdown".
I would like to add that if you have a Walmart near you, or another large department store, they will be cheaper there; if that's a concern. I do wish you the best.

aj55

Thanks for the replies.... i do have a walmart and will pick one up...how often do you recommend brushing? We give him a bath once a month (which he hates)...........

fredg

Hi,
How often to brush?
Whenever you notice any loose hair is a good time. There is no "set" time intervals between brushings. Also, when you do brush him, use your other hand on part of his body to gently rub him up and down, like you are giving a massage. He will like it, and will associate brushing with a good massage. I got that tip from NGEO, TV National Geographic, with a dog show!