The Furrish Soft Slicker Brush for Dogs is the everyday brush in the Furrish range - fine wire pins on a cushioned pad that take out loose hair and light tangles without the dog minding.

Key Features

• Three sizes: S, M and L - pick by the dog, not the coat length
• Soft, fine wire pins for delicate skin
• Cushioned pad that flexes and takes the pressure out of each stroke
• Rubber grip handle
• Suits short, long and straight coats
• M and L are in stock; S is currently out of stock

Soft, Firm Or Ball Pin

• Soft Slicker - fine, flexible wire on a cushioned pad. The everyday brush, and the one for a dog that dislikes being brushed
• Firm Slicker - the same wire on a firmer pad, so more of your pressure reaches the coat. For thicker, curlier and denser coats
• Ball Pin Slicker - each pin tipped with a rubber ball. The gentlest of the three, for puppies, thin coats and sensitive skin
• If you are buying one brush for a typical dog, the Soft Slicker is it

Using A Slicker Without Hurting

• A slicker works on wrist movement, not arm pressure. Flick it through the coat; do not press it into the skin
• Slicker burn is real - drag fine wire repeatedly over the same patch of skin and you leave it red and sore. Keep moving, and lift at the end of each stroke
• Check the skin underneath after you finish, especially on a thin-coated dog
• Clear the pad out as it fills. A clogged slicker stops gripping and you start pressing harder to compensate

Getting The Technique Right

• Brush a dry coat, not a wet one. Wet hair stretches and breaks, and a wet mat tightens
• Work in sections, starting at the shoulders and moving back to the tail, then down the legs and belly. The belly, armpits and behind the ears are where mats actually form, and they are the bits everyone skips
• Short strokes in the direction the coat lies. Never drag a brush through a knot - hold the hair at the base so the pull is on your hand, not the dog's skin
• Little and often beats a long session once a month, both for the coat and for the dog's opinion of being brushed

When To Stop And Call A Groomer

• A mat you cannot get a comb under is past brushing. Forcing it hurts, and a dog that is hurt once during grooming remembers
• Tight matting against the skin traps moisture and heat and can hide sores underneath. In this climate that goes wrong quickly
• A groomer can clip a matted coat out safely in minutes. It grows back

Who Makes It

• Furrish is a UK dog grooming range built for home use rather than for salons - the kit you would want between professional appointments
• The range covers the whole routine: brushes and combs, shampoos, a detangler, wipes, colognes, a towel and clippers

Good To Know

• Check the skin as you go. Grooming is the best regular chance you get to find lumps, ticks, hot spots and sore patches early
• Stop before the dog wants to stop. Ending on a good moment is what makes the next session easier
• Clean the tool after use and let it dry - a damp brush in a cupboard grows things
• Grooming products are not treatments. Persistent scratching, bald patches, scabs, a greasy or yeasty-smelling coat, or a smell that comes back within a day of a bath all need a vet rather than another product