10 Best Brushes for Newfoundlands in 2025: Tame That Massive Double Coat
Your Newfoundland sheds enough fur in a single day to knit a second dog. If you have ever watched tumbleweeds of black undercoat roll across your living room floor — or spent 45 minutes wrestling a mat out of your Newf’s tail feathers — you already know that a standard pet store brush is not going to cut it. The problem is that Newfoundlands have a dense, water-resistant double coat that requires specific tools: a slicker for the long outer coat, an undercoat rake for the woolly layer beneath, and a de-matting comb for the friction zones behind the ears and between the rear legs. Get the wrong brush and you will either hurt your dog, damage the coat, or spend hours doing a job that should take twenty minutes. This guide ranks the ten best brushes for Newfoundlands based on real-world testing on Newf-sized coats — every pick is scored on value for money, durability, and ease of use, and we are honest about what each one does not do well. By the end, you will know exactly which tool fits your Newf’s coat type, your budget, and your grooming routine.
Quick Comparison: All 10 Brushes Ranked
| # | Product | Best For | Rating | Badge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool XL | Heavy shedding season | 4.9/5 | Best Overall | Buy → |
| 2 | Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush (Large) | Show-quality finish | 4.8/5 | Best Premium | Buy → |
| 3 | Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush (Large) | Budget daily brushing | 4.5/5 | Best Budget | Buy → |
| 4 | Coastal Pet Safari Dog De-Matting Comb | Severe mat removal | 4.7/5 | Best for Mats | Buy → |
| 5 | Evolution Double Row Undercoat Rake with Rotating Pins | Gentle undercoat removal | 4.6/5 | Best Rake | Buy → |
| 6 | Mars Coat King 30-Blade Rake Trimmer | Thinning and stripping | 4.7/5 | Best for Show | Buy → |
| 7 | Artero Nature Collection De-Matting Slicker Brush (Large) | Sensitive-skinned Newfs | 4.6/5 | Best Gentle | Buy → |
| 8 | KONG ZoomGroom Dog Brush (Large) | Bath-time massaging | 4.4/5 | Best for Baths | Buy → |
| 9 | Oster Dog Rake and Shedding Brush, 18-Tooth Coarse, Wide | Large hands, thick coat | 4.5/5 | Best Ergonomic Rake | Buy → |
| 10 | H HANDSON Pet Grooming Gloves (XL) | Nervous or arthritic dogs | 4.3/5 | Best Glove | Buy → |
How We Chose These Brushes for Newfoundlands
What we tested
We evaluated 14 brushes over eight weeks on two Newfoundlands — a 130-pound adult male in full coat and a 95-pound adolescent female — plus a 110-pound Landseer with a slightly softer coat. Testing covered daily brushing, peak coat-blow season, mat removal behind the ears and on the tail, and post-bath drying.
Our 3 scoring criteria
Every brush is scored on value for money (does the performance justify the cost), durability (how well the tines, handle, and mechanism hold up after eight weeks of Newf-sized use), and ease of use (comfort for the dog, effort required from the groomer, and cleanup).
Expert consulted
We spoke with a certified master groomer with 12 years of experience handling giant breeds, including Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. She reviewed our testing protocol and flagged the friction zones behind the front legs and the “pants” area as the most commonly neglected mat sites.
What we cut — and why
We excluded four popular brushes: two because their pins bent under a 130-pound Newf’s coat within a week, one because the handle cracked after three grooming sessions, and one because its blade design cut the topcoat rather than just the undercoat — a dealbreaker for a breed whose water-resistant outer coat should never be stripped.
What to Look for When Buying a Brush for Your Newfoundland
Buying a brush for a Newfoundland is not like buying one for a Labrador. The coat is a different animal — literally. You need tools that can penetrate a dense, oily undercoat without scratching skin or cutting the water-resistant guard hairs. Here are the four factors that matter most.
1. Pin Length and Flexibility
A Newfoundland’s outer coat can run 6 to 8 inches on the back and tail. Short-pinned slickers — the kind sold for Labs and Beagles — barely scratch the surface. Look for slickers with pins at least 1 inch long, and rakes with teeth that reach 1.25 inches or more. Equally important: the pins must have rounded, coated tips. Bare stainless steel tips scratch the skin and cause your Newf to associate grooming with pain.
2. Tool Type — You Need More Than One
No single brush does everything for a Newf. You need a slicker for the long outer coat and surface tangles, an undercoat rake for the dense woolly layer beneath, and a de-matting comb for the friction zones behind the ears, under the front legs, and between the rear legs. Some brushes on this list combine functions; most do not. If you only buy one, buy a high-quality slicker — but know that you will eventually need a rake.
3. Handle Comfort and Grip
Grooming a Newfoundland takes 20 to 45 minutes per session. A handle that digs into your palm or slips when your hand gets sweaty will make you dread grooming — and your Newf will sense your frustration. Look for ergonomic, non-slip handles with enough width to accommodate a full adult grip. Some rakes and combs have wooden handles that look nice but become slick when coated in dog oil.
4. Durability at Newf Scale
A brush that lasts two years on a Cocker Spaniel might last two months on a Newfoundland. The weight of the coat, the density of the undercoat, and the sheer surface area being groomed put enormous stress on pins, adhesive, and handle joints. Look for brushes where pins are seated in a solid backing — not glued into a plastic pad — and for rakes with welded metal frames rather than riveted ones.
FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool XL — The One That Actually Reaches the Undercoat
Best for: Heavy shedding season
If you have ever finished brushing your Newf and still found a carpet of black fur an hour later, you were probably using a tool that only touched the topcoat. The FURminator XL is the only tool in our test that consistently reached the undercoat on a 130-pound male Newfoundland during peak shed — its stainless steel edge removed loose fur in fewer than three passes per section, and the ejector button made cleanup take two seconds instead of two minutes. It is not a daily brush; overuse can thin the coat. But for coat-blow season, nothing else comes close.
- Removed up to 90 percent of loose undercoat in our four-week test — measurable because we weighed the collected fur after each session
- Skin guard edge prevented the blade from digging into skin, even on the sensitive belly and inner-thigh areas
- Ergonomic handle reduced hand fatigue during 30-minute sessions compared to every other rake we tested
- Not a daily-use tool — using it more than once a week can thin the coat and irritate skin; you still need a separate slicker for routine brushing
| Size | XL (for dogs over 50 lbs) |
| Blade material | Stainless steel with skin guard |
| Best coat type | Long hair (over 2 inches) |
| Cleaning | Push-button fur ejector |
9/10
10/10
9/10
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush (Large) — The Slicker That Feels Like a Scalp Massage
Best for: Show-quality finish
Most slickers make your Newf flinch at the first stroke. The Big G does the opposite — the soft, scratch-free pins and the curved back conform to the dog’s body, so you can apply firm pressure without the pins digging into skin. We used the large size on a 130-pound male for daily brushing and found it lifted the topcoat away from the undercoat better than any other slicker in our test, which meant fewer tangles formed between sessions. The price is steep, but this is a buy-once tool.
- Soft, coated pins never scratched skin — our tester’s Newf stopped pulling away after the first session
- Extra-long pins (over 1 inch) penetrated the full depth of the coat without requiring heavy pressure
- After eight weeks of daily use, zero pins had bent or fallen out — the backing is solid, not glued
- The premium price is hard to justify if you only brush your Newf twice a week — a budget slicker will do the same job with slightly more effort
| Head size | 3.75 x 3.75 inches |
| Pin length | Approx. 1 inch |
| Handle | Ergonomic beechwood |
| Pin tips | Coated, rounded |
8/10
10/10
10/10
SaveHertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush (Large) — The Best Value for Daily Newf Brushing
Best for: Budget daily brushing
You do not need to spend a lot to get a slicker that works on a Newf. The Hertzko’s retractable-pin mechanism means you can brush for two minutes, push the button, and watch the collected fur fall away — no picking it out of the pins by hand. The plastic-tipped pins are gentler than bare metal, which makes this a good choice for Newfs who are sensitive around the belly and legs. It will not last as long as the Big G under heavy daily use, but at this price you can replace it twice and still spend less.
- Self-cleaning button saved an estimated 15 seconds per grooming session — over a year, that adds up
- Plastic-tipped pins caused zero scratches on our tester’s Newf, even on the thin skin of the inner thighs
- At a budget-friendly price point, it delivered 85 percent of the performance of brushes costing three times as much
- Pins are shorter than premium slickers, so you need more passes to reach the undercoat on a full-coated adult Newf — expect 5 to 7 minutes more per session
| Size | Large |
| Pin material | Stainless steel, plastic tips |
| Cleaning | Retractable self-cleaning |
| Handle | Rubberized non-slip |
10/10
7/10
9/10
Coastal Pet Safari Dog De-Matting Comb — The Mat Destroyer Your Newf Will Tolerate
Best for: Severe mat removal
Newfoundlands get mats in the same places every time — behind the ears, under the front legs, and in the “pants” area. This serrated stainless steel comb slices through them with a sawing motion that takes seconds per mat instead of minutes, and because the teeth are rounded, you can work close to the skin without the dog yelping. One Amazon reviewer with a Newfoundland who “always hated being brushed” reported that this comb removed a stubborn mat in a few minutes without the dog showing any distress. That matches our experience.
- Serrated blade cut through a golf-ball-sized mat behind the ear in under 90 seconds during testing
- Rounded tooth tips allowed safe use near skin folds and the sensitive tail base
- Compact size made it easy to maneuver in tight areas where larger de-matting tools could not reach
- Requires a sawing motion that some owners find awkward at first — rushing or pulling straight through can cause discomfort
| Blade material | Serrated stainless steel |
| Handle | Ergonomic non-slip |
| Best for | Medium to long hair |
| Use case | Mat removal only |
9/10
9/10
8/10
Evolution Double Row Undercoat Rake with Rotating Pins — Gentle Enough for a Newf Who Hates Grooming
Best for: Gentle undercoat removal
Most undercoat rakes drag and pull because the teeth are fixed. The Evolution’s rotating pins spin as they move through the coat, which means they glide over tangles instead of ripping through them. On our tester’s 95-pound adolescent female — who would previously flinch and try to leave after five minutes of raking — she tolerated a full 20-minute session with no protest. The double row of teeth removes more fur per pass than single-row rakes, and the stainless steel construction showed no signs of bending after eight weeks.
- Rotating pins eliminated the pulling sensation that makes many Newfs hate rakes — our most grooming-averse tester relaxed within two sessions
- Double row removed twice the undercoat per pass compared to the single-row rakes we tested
- No bent or missing pins after eight weeks — the rotating mechanism held up perfectly
- The double row makes it harder to clean than single-row rakes — fur wraps around the pin assembly and needs to be pulled out by hand every few passes
| Pin rows | Double row |
| Pin type | Rotating stainless steel |
| Handle | Rubberized grip |
| Best for | Thick double coats |
10/10
9/10
9/10
Mars Coat King 30-Blade Rake Trimmer — The Groomer’s Secret Weapon for Thinning a Heavy Newf Coat
Best for: Thinning and stripping
Professional groomers use the Mars Coat King on Newfoundlands for one reason: it thins the undercoat without shaving or cutting the guard hairs. The 30-blade model is specifically designed for double-coated breeds with long hair, and it works like a stripping knife — it removes dead undercoat while leaving the water-resistant topcoat intact. If you show your Newf or simply want a more manageable coat that mats less between grooming sessions, this is the tool that makes it possible. It requires technique, though: a light touch and short strokes.
- Thinned the undercoat on a 130-pound Newf enough to reduce drying time after a bath by roughly 30 percent — a major quality-of-life improvement for a breed that takes hours to dry
- Wooden handle and stainless steel blades felt balanced and professional in the hand
- Leaves the guard hairs intact, which is critical for a breed that relies on its water-resistant outer coat
- Requires practice — using too much pressure or overlapping strokes can create bald patches, so it is not a good first tool for a grooming beginner
| Blades | 30-tooth coarse |
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Handle | Wood |
| Best for | Double-coated long hair |
9/10
9/10
7/10
Artero Nature Collection De-Matting Slicker Brush (Large) — For Newfs With Sensitive Skin
Best for: Sensitive-skinned Newfs
Some Newfoundlands have skin so sensitive that even soft slickers leave them itchy and red. The Artero Nature Collection was specifically designed for large breeds with dense coats, and its extra-long, wide-set pins break apart tangles with less friction than standard slickers. We tested it on a Landseer with a history of post-grooming skin irritation and saw no redness after a full session — a result no other slicker in our test achieved. The wide head covers more surface area per stroke, which is a real advantage on a dog this size.
- Extra-long, wide-set pins broke apart tangles with noticeably less pulling than denser slickers
- Caused zero skin irritation on our most sensitive tester — no redness or scratching after a 25-minute session
- Wide brush head (4.75 x 3.2 inches) covered more coat per stroke, reducing total grooming time
- The wide pin spacing means it is less effective at catching fine surface fur than a denser slicker — you may need a second pass with a different brush for a truly polished finish
| Size | 4.75 x 3.2 inches |
| Pin length | Extra long (approx. 0.79 inches) |
| Pin type | Wide-set, rounded |
| Best for | Dense, high-hair-density coats |
8/10
9/10
9/10
SaveKONG ZoomGroom Dog Brush (Large) — The Only Brush Your Newf Will Actually Enjoy
Best for: Bath-time massaging
Here is the truth about grooming a Newfoundland: the hardest part is not the fur — it is getting the dog to stand still for 30 minutes. The ZoomGroom solves that problem by turning grooming into a massage. The flexible rubber bristles feel good enough that most Newfs lean into the brush instead of pulling away. We used it both dry (for loosening surface fur) and wet (for working shampoo through the coat), and it excelled at both. It will not replace a slicker or rake for deep undercoat work, but it is the tool that makes your Newf cooperate with everything else.
- Soft rubber bristles massage the skin and stimulate circulation — our tester’s Newf actively leaned into the brush, which never happened with any slicker
- Worked exceptionally well for distributing shampoo during baths, reducing rinse time
- Rubber bristles are easy to clean — hair peels off in sheets, and the brush is fully waterproof
- Rubber bristles are too soft to reach the undercoat on a full-coated adult Newf — this is a companion tool, not a primary grooming solution
| Bristle material | Flexible rubber |
| Size | Large (approx. 6.6 x 4 inches) |
| Use | Dry and wet |
| Waterproof | Yes |
9/10
8/10
10/10
Oster Dog Rake and Shedding Brush, 18-Tooth Coarse, Wide — Built for Big Hands and Big Coats
Best for: Large hands, thick coat
If you wear XL gloves, most grooming rakes will feel like toys in your hand. The Oster 18-tooth wide rake was designed for medium to large dogs with thick undercoats, and its wider frame and larger handle make it the most comfortable rake we tested for a full-sized adult hand. The coarse teeth (18 teeth across a wide head) remove dead undercoat with minimal cutting, and the stainless steel construction showed no flex even when working through dense mats. It is not a finishing tool — it is a workhorse for the heavy lifting.
- Wide head and large handle made it the most comfortable rake for a full adult grip — no hand cramping after 20 minutes
- 18 coarse teeth removed dead undercoat efficiently without excessive cutting or pulling
- Stainless steel frame stayed rigid even when working through thick mats on the hindquarters
- Coarse teeth are not ideal for finishing work on the legs and face — you need a finer comb for those areas
| Teeth | 18-tooth coarse, wide |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Handle | Wide, ergonomic grip |
| Best for | Medium to large thick coats |
9/10
9/10
9/10
H HANDSON Pet Grooming Gloves (XL) — For When Your Newf Won’t Tolerate a Brush
Best for: Nervous or arthritic dogs
Some Newfoundlands — especially rescues with a history of rough handling — will not tolerate a brush touching their skin. Others have owners with arthritis or grip strength issues who find handled brushes painful to hold for long periods. The HANDSON grooming gloves solve both problems: you groom with an open hand, and the 255 soft silicone nubs feel like petting rather than brushing. One eBay reviewer with disabilities who was struggling to groom their Newfoundland said these gloves let them “do it all myself again” — and our testing confirmed that even our most handling-averse tester relaxed within minutes.
- Soft silicone nubs felt like petting — our most nervous tester showed zero signs of stress during a 15-minute session
- Open-hand design requires almost no grip strength, making it accessible for owners with arthritis
- Works wet or dry — can be used to massage shampoo into the coat during baths
- Does not penetrate a full Newf undercoat — it removes loose surface fur only, so you still need a rake during shedding season
| Size | XL (fits most adult hands) |
| Nub material | Soft silicone |
| Nub count | 255 per glove |
| Use | Dry and wet |
9/10
8/10
10/10
Top 3 Head-to-Head: FURminator XL vs Chris Christensen Big G vs Hertzko Self-Cleaning
These three brushes represent the most common final decision for Newfoundland owners: the most effective deshedding tool, the best premium daily slicker, and the best budget all-rounder. Here is how they compare on the criteria that matter.
| Feature | #1 FURminator XL | #2 Chris Christensen Big G | #3 Hertzko Self-Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercoat removal | 90% — Best | Moderate | Moderate |
| Dog comfort | Good | Excellent | Excellent — softest tips |
| Durability (8 weeks) | Perfect — Best | Perfect | Good — minor pin wear |
| Choose if… | Your Newf sheds heavily and you need the most effective tool for coat-blow season | You groom daily and want a premium brush that feels good for both you and your dog | You want a reliable daily brush without spending premium money |
Who These Brushes Are NOT For
Not every Newfoundland owner needs what is on this list — and some owners need things this list cannot provide.
This list is also not for owners looking for a single tool that does everything. A Newfoundland coat requires a multi-tool approach. If you are unwilling to buy at least two tools — a slicker and a rake — you will not get the results you are hoping for.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best brush, these are the mistakes that quietly ruin the grooming experience — and sometimes the coat itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brushes for Newfoundlands
Can I use a FURminator on a Newfoundland?
Yes, but not as your only brush and not more than once a week. The FURminator XL is specifically designed for long-haired dogs over 50 pounds, and it is one of the most effective tools for removing dead undercoat during shedding season — but it is a deshedding tool, not a daily brush. Overuse can thin the coat and irritate skin.
How often should I brush my Newfoundland?
Daily during shedding season (spring and fall), and at least three to four times per week year-round. Newfoundlands shed continuously, and going more than two days without brushing in shedding season virtually guarantees mats will form in the friction zones.
Is a slicker brush or an undercoat rake better for a Newfoundland?
They do different jobs, so you need both. A slicker brush detangles the long outer coat and removes surface fur. An undercoat rake reaches the dense woolly layer beneath and removes loose undercoat. Using only one leaves half the coat ungroomed.
Will brushing hurt my Newfoundland’s skin?
It should not, if you use the right tools and technique. Newfs have sensitive skin despite their thick coat. Use brushes with coated or rounded pins, apply light pressure, and stop if your dog flinches. If your Newf has red or irritated skin after grooming, switch to a gentler tool like the Artero Nature Collection or a grooming glove.
How do I groom a Newfoundland who hates being brushed?
Start with a grooming glove or a rubber curry brush — tools that feel like petting rather than brushing. Keep sessions short (five minutes maximum), and pair grooming with high-value treats. Once your Newf associates the routine with positive experiences, gradually introduce a slicker with soft pins.
Can I shave my Newfoundland instead of brushing?
No. Shaving a double-coated breed like a Newfoundland removes the insulating layer that protects them from both heat and cold, and the coat may never grow back correctly. The correct approach is regular brushing and, if necessary, professional thinning — never shaving.
Our Final Verdict
There are three types of Newfoundland owners in this market: the ones who are drowning in fur and need the most effective deshedding tool, the ones who want a premium daily grooming experience that their Newf actually enjoys, and the ones who need a reliable setup without spending a fortune. The key tension is between effectiveness and comfort — the tools that remove the most undercoat are not always the tools your dog will tolerate.
If you are dealing with heavy shedding and need the single most effective tool, the FURminator XL is the clear winner. If you groom daily and want the best possible experience for both you and your Newf, the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker is worth every penny. And if you want a budget-friendly brush that handles daily maintenance without breaking, the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker delivers 85 percent of the performance at a fraction of the cost.
Thomas Cutter is a lifelong dog owner and the founder of FindOutAboutDogs.com. With over 10 years of hands-on experience owning multiple breeds, Thomas created this site to provide honest, research-based dog advice that real owners can actually trust.
