Quick answer: The Mikki Dual Slicker (£8 to £12) is the safest all-rounder for most UK family dogs. The Wahl Pro-Pin Pro Slicker (£18 to £22) is the right pick for Cockapoos, Goldendoodles, Bichons, and other curly or mat-prone coats. A pin brush or bristle brush is better than a slicker for short smooth coats. A slicker is a daily or weekly tool, not a one-off demat tool.
What a slicker brush actually does
A slicker is a flat or curved pad of fine wire pins, usually bent at the tip. The pins reach through the coat to lift loose hair, break up small mats, and remove dirt and dander. Used correctly, a slicker is one of the most useful brushes you can own. Used hard, it can scratch the skin and damage a topcoat.
A slicker is not a dematting tool. For heavy matting, use a dematting comb or see a professional groomer.
Match the slicker to the coat
The right slicker depends on what you are brushing. Buying a single brush for a multi-dog household means picking something that works for the heaviest coat in the house.
| Coat type | Best slicker | Why | |-----------|--------------|-----| | Smooth (Staffy, Whippet, Pug) | None. Use a bristle brush or rubber curry. | A slicker is overkill on a short coat. | | Double (Border Collie, Labrador, Husky) | Slicker with longer pins, used gently. | Lifts the loose undercoat without stripping the topcoat. | | Long silky (Cocker Spaniel, Cavalier, Yorkie) | Pin brush, then a slicker for finishing. | The slicker finishes; the pin brush does the bulk. | | Curly (Cockapoo, Labradoodle, Bichon, Poodle) | Self-cleaning slicker with long flexible pins. | Curly coats mat fast and need a slicker that reaches through the curls. | | Wire (Wire Fox Terrier, Schnauzer) | Slicker is fine for finishing. Hand-stripping is the main technique. | Most of the work is stripping, not brushing. |
What to look for in a quality slicker
Four things make the difference between a slicker that lasts and a slicker that ends up in the bin.
Pin density. A denser pin pattern picks up more loose hair in fewer strokes. The trade-off is more pulling on a thick coat. For an all-rounder, medium density is the safe choice. For a curly mat-prone coat, denser is better.
Ball tips. Quality slickers have small plastic or metal balls on the pin tips. They reduce skin scratching. Cheap slickers without ball tips will pull and scratch, especially on a sensitive dog.
Pin length. Longer pins reach through a curly or double coat. Shorter pins suit a smooth or short coat. The wrong length either does nothing (too short) or scratches the skin (too long).
Handle comfort. You will hold this brush for 5 to 10 minutes at a time, often weekly. A padded, ergonomic handle saves your wrist. Cheap plastic handles fatigue fast.
Top UK picks for 2026
Mikki Dual Slicker Brush (best all-rounder)
The Mikki Dual Slicker is the safe everyday choice for most UK family dogs. It has a slicker side with fine bent pins and a pin-brush side for finishing, so it handles a Cocker, Border Collie, Cavalier, or small Doodle-cross in one tool.
- Available in small, medium, and large.
- UK retail £8 to £12 at Pets at Home or Amazon.
- Pins gradually bend if you use heavy pressure on a dense coat, so use it gently.
- Not enough on its own for serious matting on a curly coat.
If you only want to buy one brush for a typical pet dog, the Mikki Dual Slicker is the right starting point.
Wahl Pro-Pin Pro Slicker (best for curly coats)
The Wahl Pro-Pin Pro Slicker is the right pick for a Cockapoo, Goldendoodle, Poodle, Bichon, or similar curly coat. The longer, flexible pins sit in a cushioned pad and reach through curls without scraping the skin.
- Standard and large sizes.
- Self-cleaning version (pins retract with a button) clears hair in seconds.
- UK retail £18 to £22.
Chris Christensen Big G (best for show or professional use)
Chris Christensen brushes are the professional benchmark, especially the Big G for long and curly coats. They are the most expensive option (often £30 to £60) but last for years.
- Best for a household with a heavy or show coat.
- Worth the cost if you brush a thick coat daily.
Budget self-cleaning slickers (good for a one-dog home)
Mid-range self-cleaning slickers (Swihawk, Hertzko-style, generic Amazon Basics) work fine for a one-dog home with a short to medium coat. Expect to pay £6 to £12. Pin quality is variable; replace if pins bend or fall out within a year.
Common mistakes with a slicker
Five mistakes come up over and over in the groomer's chair.
1. Brushing too hard. A slicker should glide through the coat with light pressure. Heavy pressure bends the pins and scratches the skin. If you can see brush strokes on the skin afterwards, you are pressing too hard.
2. Skipping the metal comb. A slicker lifts the loose hair. A metal comb finds the small mats the slicker misses. Use both.
3. Brushing a matted coat. A slicker on a mat pulls the mat tighter and rips out the undercoat. Use a dematting comb or take the dog to a groomer.
4. Brushing a wet coat. Brushing a wet coat stretches and damages the hair. Brush before the bath, not during or after.
5. Using a slicker on a short smooth coat. A short smooth coat (Staffy, Pug, Whippet) does not need a slicker. A rubber curry or bristle brush is gentler and more effective.
Slicker care and replacement
A quality slicker lasts 2 to 5 years with weekly use. Three signs it is time to replace:
- Pins are bent or missing. The brush will skip and pull.
- The cushion pad is compressed. The brush will feel sharp on the skin.
- The handle is cracked or loose. The brush is uncomfortable and unsafe.
Clean the brush after every use. Pull hair out by hand, run a comb through the pins, and store flat or hanging.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best slicker brush for a Cockapoo?
A self-cleaning slicker with long flexible pins, such as the Wahl Pro-Pin Pro Slicker. The longer pins reach through a Cockapoo's curls without scraping the skin, and the self-cleaning feature saves time on a coat that drops a lot of hair.
Can I use a slicker brush on a short-haired dog?
A slicker is overkill on a short smooth coat. A bristle brush or a rubber curry is gentler and works better. A slicker on a short coat can scratch the skin and damage the topcoat.
How often should I replace a slicker brush?
Every 2 to 5 years with weekly use. Replace sooner if the pins are bent or missing, the cushion pad is compressed, or the handle is loose. A worn slicker pulls the coat and scratches the skin.
Are expensive slicker brushes worth the money?
For an everyday family dog, a £10 to £20 brush is plenty. For a show coat, a thick double coat, or a daily brushing routine, a professional-grade brush (Chris Christensen, Wahl Pro-Pin) is worth the extra cost because the pins last longer and the cushion is kinder to the skin.
Pair your slicker with our handmade dog accessories - gentle on the coat between brushes.
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