As well as top-quality dog food and plenty of toys for your beloved curly-haired pooch, finding the best brush for a Cockapoo should be a priority on the list of all Cockapoo owners, too. These much-loved Cocker Spaniel and Poodle crossbreeds are known for their curly coats and often thick fur, so a good brush is essential for keeping their coats looking and feeling their best.
As they are a hybrid of two popular dog breeds, a Cockapoo’s coat is unique in that it’s oh-so-soft like a Cocker Spaniel but with the curly texture of a Poodle. Due to this, their coats can become quite knotty so it’s vital to find a brush that can effectively detangle without causing your Cockapoo any distress. Finding a brush that can effortlessly glide through their fur and is gentle but also tough on tangles will make the grooming process more enjoyable for you and your pooch.
Best brush for a Cockapoo at a glance:
The best brush for a Cockapoo is one that has soft but tough pins that can gently work through knots and mats to leave your Cockapoo’s coat looking smoother and shinier. To help make the hunt for the perfect brush easier, we’ve searched the web to find slicker brushes with pins and brushes equipped with detangling edges that are more than equipped to tackle your Cockapoo’s coat.
How we tested the best brushes for a Cockapoo
To find the best brushes for Cockapoos, our Senior Pets Writer, Rosie Floyd, tried out six of the seven brushes we've featured on her two-year-old F1 Cockapoo, Bella over a period of a couple of months. We paid close attention to things like how comfortable to use the brushes were for both Bella and Rosie, how well they removed hair and tangles, how easy they were to clean and whether they were good value. For the one brush we haven't tested ourselves, we spent a lot of time reading reviewers from real-like customers, looking for mentions of the same important criteria we tested the other brushes on.
Best brushes for a Cockapoo
A must-have for owners of Cockapoos or any 'Doodle breed, the Mikki Dog Comb and Hard Pin Slicker Brush and Comb is created with the unique needs of thick or curly coats in mind. As it comes with a slicker brush and comb as part of the set, it will help you tackle both stubborn knots and more delicate areas that need brushing.
Both the slicker brush and comb are engineered with long-length pins, this is so it can get through your Cockapoo’s thick coat so you can brush closer to the root in the undercoat and not just on the surface of the outer coat. The slicker is designed to detangle and remove knots while the accompanying comb is made to smoothly glide through the hair with ease.
When our Senior Writer and dog-mum to Bella the Cockapoo, Rosie Floyd used this brush, she found it was easier to work in small sections of our Cockapoo’s coat. This allowed Rosie to get the smaller knots out as Bella went through the coat, which meant it stopped larger knots from building up that would ultimately be more painful to get out of Bella’s coat. Rosie agrees with customer reviewers that sometimes the hair was difficult to get out of the brush afterwards as it gets matted in the pins but as long as you’re regularly defluffing your brush as you go, it shouldn’t be too big of a problem.
Pros
- Includes a brush and a comb to get through stubborn knots and more delicate areas of their coat
- Longer pins on both the brush and comb to help you get through the layers of your Cockapoo's coat
Cons
- Removing hair from the brush can be difficult as it gets matted in the pins but shouldn't be a problem if you defluff the brush as you go
This Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs is one of the most popular dog brushes on the internet with over 90,000 reviews on Amazon alone.
As it is a slicker brush, it has angled stainless-steel bristles that pop out with a push of a button to help you easily reach through your Cockapoo's topcoat so you can remove any dead, loose hair and any dirt and debris that are hiding underneath in the undercoat to keep your pup's coat shiny and healthy. To help you with cleaning off the fur from the bristles, just push the button again and the bristles retract so you can simply wipe off the hair straight into the bin.
Rosie found this brush to be really comfortable to hold every time she gave Bella's fur a brush, which is echoed by reviewers online who also say the brush feels of good quality while being comfortable and simple to use. Rosie thought the bristles could feel a little sharp but as long as she was gentle and brushed in small sections, they didn't hurt Bella. As the bristles of this brush are so fine, they were able to work through the small knots in Bella's coat and make it feel lovely and smooth in the process.
Pros
- Highly rated by other dog owners, with over 90,000 reviews
- Removes dirt and debris to keep your pup's coat shiny and healthy
Cons
- We found the bristles to be a bit sharp but as long as you're gentle, you shouldn't hurt your pooch
We love this ACE2ACE Slicker Dog Comb Brush because you can clean it with just one push of a button. Just one click and the bristles retract so you can de-fluff your brush and carry on with brushing your Cockapoo's coat.
As a Cockapoo's coat can be a mixture of curly, wavy and straight hair, it can sometimes be difficult to get through it all without accidentally catching your pooch's skin with the brush as you navigate the changing textures and thicknesses. Luckily, this brush has rounded tips that are designed to not feel so sharp against your pup's skin.
Rosie's favourite feature of the ACE2ACE Slicker Dog Comb Brush is the push button that releases hair from the bristles. Bella had been to the groomers during the period that Rosie tested this brush with Bella so she didn't have as much loose hair in her coat. However, Rosie also used it on her Labrador Cross, Barney who sheds A LOT and Rosie found the release button super helpful for dehairing the brush throughout Barney's groom. When using the brush on Bella, Rosie found the odd bristle on the edge of the brush did bend slightly on bigger knots in Bella's coat but if you were using the brush daily, there wouldn't be the bigger knots to contend with in the first place.
Pros
- Brush has rounded tips to feel softer against your Cockapoo's skin as you brush through their changing coat
- Offers a more gentle groom to get loose hair from your dog's coat
Cons
- Our reviewer and customers online found the pins bent when trying to get out more stubborn knots and tangles
Give your pooch the professional grooming treatment with the Thunderpaws Professional Deshedding Tool and Pet Grooming Brush. It's used by expert groomers and veterinarians so you know it's going to do a job and have your pooch looking salon-fresh in no time.
It's built with a four-inch stainless steel comb that will be gentle to your Cockapoo's skin while being tough on knots and tangles in their coat. It is also designed with an ergonomic handle to make sure it's not just your pup who remains comfortable throughout the grooming experience.
Rosie was a little unsure about using this tool on Bella to start with as the comb attachment seemed a bit sharp and she didn't want to hurt her. However, Rosie found that she didn't need to worry about that as the comb wasn't long enough to reach through Bella's double coat to reach her skin but Rosie found it was great for unpacking knots and tangles in Bella's coat. Rosie found the size of this brush was particularly useful for use in more intimate areas, with Bella not even batting an eyelid when Rosie was getting out knots in her ears and in the folds of her legs. Reviews online are mixed on whether the length of the comb is good or not, but it's worth noting that this brush isn't just designed to be used on Cockapoos and a lot of the reviewers who felt the comb teeth could be longer own dogs with much longer coats than a Cockapoo.
Pros
- High-quality stainless steel comb that is gentle to skin while being tough on knots
- Ergonomic grip to ensure you feel comfortable holding it and using it throughout your Cockapoo's groom
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the comb could be longer but these reviewers typically had dogs with longer coats
Best large grooming brush for a Cockapoo
©Chris Christensen/AmazonWith a larger brush area compared to some of the other brushes on our list, the Chris Christensen Big G Coral Slicker Brush for Pets is ideal to use on those Cockapoos that don't particularly love to be brushed as it means a larger area of your pooch is covered at a time so the overall grooming time will be less.
Due to its bigger size, it also has more pins to get through your pup's coat. The flexible pins will help to remove mats, loosen dead hair from their coat and glide through the hair to get them looking neat and tidy. It's also got a comfort grip on the handle to make sure the brush doesn't slip through your hand while brushing through your hound's hair.
Retailing at over £70, we know this is a very pricey option when you look at it among other brushes on our list. However, as pet owners, we will do anything to make the lives of our pets as easy as possible, so it's definitely an investment buy that will cut down grooming time due to its larger surface area and more pins to get through your Cockapoo's knots and tangles.
Pros
- Offers a larger brushing surface to help cut down on overall grooming time
- Flexible pins will help to remove mats, loosen dead hair from their coat and glide through the hair
Cons
- A more premium option compared to others on our list but it's an investment buy that should make grooming your Cockapoo easier
Leave your dog's hair looking healthy and feeling knot-free while also giving your pooch a bit of a pamper with the FURminator Dog and Cat Dual Grooming Brush.
It has a dual-sided design with rounded pins on one side to tackle tangles in the undercoat while also massaging your pup's skin and soft boar head bristles on the other to smooth and shine their topcoat. Not only does it help with overall coat condition, but it also helps with removing loose hair and reduces shedding so you'll find yourself vacuuming up after your pooch a lot less.
The dual-sided design is something that was appreciated by both Rosie and Bella when we were testing this brush. Rosie found the side with pins was great for getting out knots and tangles, just making sure to work in small sections so it didn't pull too much at Bella's coat. Bella typically doesn't like to be brushed, especially if there are lots of knots to work through, so when Rosie sensed she'd had enough of the knot brushing, she was able to switch to the bristle side which Bella enjoyed a lot more. Rosie agrees with reviewers online that the brush feels a little bulky and found it could be better designed in the ergonomics department as it actually was a lot smaller than Rosie expected but overall found the brush to be very effective at getting the tangles and knots out of Bella's coat.
Pros
- Dual-sided design to help you de-knot your Cockapoo's coat while also adding shine to their coat
- Helps with removing loose hair so you should see it has an effect on the amount of fur your Cockapoo sheds
Cons
- We and other users online found the brush handle to be a bit bulky
You may have heard of Tangle Teezer for their human hairbrushes, but did you know they also have a full range of pet grooming brushes, too? Just like their human counterparts, the Pet Teezers have the two-tiered teeth that the Tangle Teezer brand is famous for, which are designed to gently remove dirt while smoothing the fur.
As the teeth are designed for a more gentle groom, you can quickly brush through your Cockapoo’s coat on wet or dry fur without worrying it’s going to tug at knots hidden amongst all that fluff. It also means that you can use it on more delicate areas under their stomach and around their legs without it being too harsh or sharp on their skin. While this brush does have many wonderful features for our four-legged friends, it’s also designed with you in mind as it’s made for you to wear in the palm of your hand with an ergonomic shape to minimise the strain on your wrists while brushing your pooch. Some customers questioned how suitable it is for getting knots out of their dog’s hair as they felt like it wasn’t very effective on their long hair breeds but we think the teeth should be long enough to penetrate through a Cockapoo’s coat with ease.
Having been a fan of Tangle Teezer's human products for years, Rosie was delighted to find that the Tangle Teezer Pet Detangling and Dog Grooming Brush worked almost identically to any human Tangle Teezer brush she's used. It still has the brand's two-tier teeth system that worked through Bella's tangles and got rid of any loose hair in the process. The bristles aren't as sharp compared to other brushes on our list, according to Rosie, but because they weren't as sharp, Rosie felt she could be more thorough in the groom as she knew it wasn't going to hurt Bella. All the times Bella has been groomed with this brush, she's rolled onto her back (which is a sign that she's relaxed and happy) and she's even used her brother, Barney, as a pillow during one of her brushing sessions as you can see from the picture, so she clearly loves being groomed by the Tangle Teezer.
Pros
- Designed for a more gentle groom to remove dirt and debris while smoothing the coat on either wet or dry fur
- Comfortable for you to hold as it's designed to fit in the palm of your hand
Cons
- Some reviewers felt like it wasn't as effective on their long hair breeds but should be perfectly fine for Cockapoos
Best brush for a Cockapoo FAQs
What is a Cockapoo?
A Cockapoo is a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mix. The combination has led to some fantastic traits, including a bubbly personality and high intelligence, to name a few.
Being a mixed breed canine, your furry friend may take after either of his parents. Whether your four-legged friends’ fur is more like a Cocker Spaniel or a Poodle, they will need daily grooming.
Do Cockapoos shed a lot of hair?
Like all dogs, your Cockapoo will require grooming to prevent their hair from shedding.
Cockapoos are considered a hypoallergenic breed, meaning that they are less likely to cause allergic reactions due to minimal shedding. Their tight curls tend to shed less than other dogs with thick straight hair because it binds together.
How often should you groom a Cockapoo?
Although Cockapoos do not shed as much as other dogs, they still do shed a bit and you would be wrong to believe that they require little or no maintenance.
Cockapoos still need daily grooming to avoid debris becoming trapped in their fur. Set aside ten minutes a day to spoil your four-legged best friend. It will help to prevent skin infections.
While brushing their hair, why not get their doggy toothbrush and dog clippers out to ensure good doggy hygiene?
How do you use a slicker brush on a Cockapoo?
To use a slicker brush on a Cockapoo, you'll want to brush gently in the direction of the way their hair grows, starting with the legs and working up to the rest of their body and around their head and ears. You'll want to use short, light strokes to avoid pulling on tangles and knots as this could end up hurting your pooch.
We also put some of the most frequently asked questions about Cockapoo grooming to Lauren Sellers, an Auxiliary Nurse at Woodgreen Pets Charity, who is also a Level 3 Qualified Dog Groomer.
How often do you brush a Cockapoo?
"Cockapoos should be groomed once a day to avoid a build-up of knots and tangles, which then turn into uncomfortable matts."
What kind of brush is best for a Cockapoo?
"Use a slicker brush first, followed by a comb to ensure your pet is fully brushed through. There are a few areas on a Cockapoo that matt quicker than others, such as behind the ears, armpits and rump so take extra care on those areas. Wearing a harness can also cause matting so you may want to brush your pooch after walks to avoid them from becoming too big that they're unbrushable."
What happens if you don’t brush a Cockapoo?
"Your Cockapoo will become matted, which is obviously uncomfortable for the dog. Their coat may then need completely clipping by the groomer or, in severe cases, at the vet under sedation or general anaesthetic. Depending on their breeding, Cockapoos can have either a wool-type curly coat or a wavy-type coat – the recommended time between grooming appointments is usually four to six weeks."
Should I brush my Cockapoo when wet?
"They can be lightly brushed when wet, although care must be taken not to irritate the skin. If Cockapoos are bathed in shampoo, it’s recommended that you use a conditioner on the coat afterwards to help prevent matting."
How to groom a Cockapoo:
It is important to always start with your hands. Using your fingers to weave through any knots will be less painful for your pup, and it should avoid distressing them. Using your fingers like a comb, gently run them through your dog’s coat, removing any trapped dead hair.
After teasing out any tangles or unpicking any patches of matted hair, you can use your favourite grooming brush to pamper your pooch and leave their hair looking silky smooth.
This article contains expert advice from Lauren Sellers, an Auxiliary Nurse at Woodgreen Pets Charity. She has a National Diploma in Animal Care and a BSc(Hons) in Animal Welfare and Management as well as a COAPE Animal Behaviour qualification. She has worked in mixed veterinary practice for over 15 years, assisting vets and nurses with caring for cats, dogs, horses and farm animals and became a Level 3 Qualified Dog Groomer after seeing dogs come into Woodgreen in a terrible state, which sparked an interest in grooming.
Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.