10 Best Dog Brush for Maltipoo in 2026: Ranked by Coat Type
The best dog brush for Maltipoo is the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush, which pairs fine pins with one-press hair release. We evaluated 10 brushes and combs, scoring each on gentleness, detangling power, and ease of use. Most brushes look alike on paper but fail on curly Maltipoo coats, where hidden tangles form near the skin. Whether you need a puppy starter, a mat fixer, or an everyday slicker, this guide gives you one answer.
Quick Comparison: All 10 Products Ranked
| # | Product | Best For | Rating | Badge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush | Daily brushing of curly or wavy coats | 4.8/5 | Best Overall | Buy → |
| 2 | Frisco Soft Slicker Brush | Gentle daily maintenance on a budget | 4.6/5 | Best Budget | Buy → |
| 3 | Chris Christensen Baby G Slicker Brush | Dense curls brushed several times weekly | 4.6/5 | Best Premium | Buy → |
| 4 | Safari Wire Pin Brush | Wavy or straighter Maltipoo coats | 4.4/5 | Best Pin Brush | Buy → |
| 5 | Andis Premium Steel Comb | Checking ears, legs and beard for tangles | 4.5/5 | Best Comb for Tangles | Buy → |
| 6 | Burt’s Bees Puppy Double-Sided Pin & Bristle Brush | Young puppies learning to accept brushing | 4.4/5 | Best for Puppies | Buy → |
| 7 | ConairPRO Dog Soft Slicker Brush | Nervous dogs, seniors and thin coats | 4.4/5 | Best for Sensitive Skin | Buy → |
| 8 | JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush | Owners who groom at home every week | 4.4/5 | Best Ergonomic Grip | Buy → |
| 9 | Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush | Quick cleanup after every session | 4.4/5 | Best Easy Cleanup | Buy → |
| 10 | Pat Your Pet Dematting Comb | Small mats behind ears and under legs | 4.2/5 | Best for Mats | Buy → |
How We Chose These Brushes
What we evaluated
We compared 10 brushes and combs on pin design, head size, handle comfort and fit for curly, wavy and puppy Maltipoo coats.
Our 3 scoring criteria
Gentleness on skin, detangling power and ease of use. Each is scored out of 5 and averaged into the overall rating.
Where our input came from
Groomer coat-care guidance, manufacturer specifications and patterns in verified owner feedback, cross-checked against each other.
What we cut and why
Stiff-bristle and de-shedding tools. They target double coats and can damage or thin a Maltipoo’s soft, curly hair.
What to Look for When Buying a Dog Brush for a Maltipoo
A Maltipoo coat blends Maltese silk with Poodle curl, so no two dogs brush alike. These four factors narrow the field fast.
1. Brush Type
Slicker brushes suit curly and wavy coats, pin brushes suit softer, straighter coats, and a steel comb checks the work. Most Maltipoo owners end up with one slicker plus one comb. If you are unsure how the two differ on tangles, read this comparison of slicker brush versus metal comb. Pick the type that matches your dog’s coat before worrying about brand.
2. Pin Tips and Safety
Fine pins reach tangles, but bare tips can scratch thin skin. Look for soft, rounded or coated tips on puppies and sensitive dogs. Small tangles become mats quickly, so learning about preventing mats in curly dog hair pays off. Light pressure matters as much as tip design.
3. Size and Handle Comfort
A small head fits legs, face and tail without pulling. A cushioned, non-slip handle matters because Maltipoos need frequent sessions. Heavy handles tire your wrist and make you rush. Choose something you can hold steadily for ten minutes.
4. Cleaning and Durability
Hair builds up on slicker pins quickly. Self-cleaning models save time, while fixed-pin brushes last longer because there is no mechanism to wear out. Replace bent or rusted pins, and wipe the head after each use.
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush — Easy-clean slicker that suits most Maltipoo coats
Best for: Daily brushing of curly or wavy coats
Maltipoo owners usually want one brush that handles fluffy puppy coats and curly adult tangles without a fight. The Hertzko slicker fits that brief with fine bent pins that reach through curls and a push-button that retracts the pins, so loose hair lifts off in one swipe. That cleanup button saves real time during daily sessions. It works best on a dry, lightly misted coat, with light strokes around the belly and armpits. The trade-off is a head that runs slightly wide for tiny puppies, and tight mats still need a comb or a groomer.
- Retractable pins release hair with one press
- Fine bent pins reach through curls
- Cushioned handle suits daily sessions
- Head runs wide for tiny puppies
- Needs a comb for tight mats
4.7/5
4.8/5
4.9/5
Frisco Soft Slicker Brush — Budget slicker with gentle, softer pins
Best for: Gentle daily maintenance on a budget
If you want a dependable slicker without spending much, the Frisco Soft Slicker is an easy place to start. Its softer pins flex against the skin, which suits Maltipoos with sensitive or thin coats, and the compact head moves easily around the legs and face. It handles daily surface tangles well and pairs nicely with a steel comb for a finishing pass. It is not built for heavy matting, and the pins can bend if you press hard. Think of it as a gentle maintenance tool, not a rescue tool for neglected coats.
- Softer pins feel gentler on skin
- Compact head reaches legs and face
- Budget-friendly for daily maintenance
- Pins can bend under heavy pressure
- Weak on dense, set-in mats
4.7/5
4.4/5
4.6/5
Chris Christensen Baby G Slicker Brush — Groomer-grade slicker for dense curly coats
Best for: Dense curls brushed several times weekly
Professional groomers often reach for Chris Christensen, and the Baby G is the small-breed version of their well-known slicker. Its fine, flexible pins glide through thick curls and break up tangles before they harden into mats, which matters for Maltipoos with dense poodle-type coats. The smaller head gives better control around ears, paws and tails. It costs more than a typical pet-store slicker, and fine pins punish heavy pressure, so a light hand is essential. For owners who brush several times a week and want longer-lasting quality, it is the strongest upgrade here.
- Fine pins glide through thick curls
- Small head controls ears and paws
- Professional-grade build for frequent use
- Premium cost for a single brush
- Fine pins punish heavy pressure
4.5/5
4.9/5
4.3/5
SaveSafari Wire Pin Brush — Classic pin brush for softer, straighter coats
Best for: Wavy or straighter Maltipoo coats
Not every Maltipoo has a tight curl. If yours has a soft, wavy or straighter coat, a pin brush can be gentler than a slicker and leaves the hair smoother. The Safari wire pin brush separates hair through the top coat, spreads natural oils and works well for quick daily passes. It also lets you watch the skin as you go. The limitation is reach: pins skim the surface on dense curls, so it will miss tangles close to the skin. Pair it with a comb for the legs, ears and behind the elbows.
- Smooths straighter or wavy coats well
- Gentle on skin for daily passes
- Spreads natural oils along the hair
- Skims past tangles in dense curls
- Does not clear undercoat knots
4.7/5
3.9/5
4.5/5
Andis Premium Steel Comb — Essential comb for checking tangles after brushing
Best for: Checking ears, legs and beard for tangles
A brush can make a coat look finished while tangles hide near the skin, so a steel comb is your quality check. The Andis Premium Steel Comb has wide and fine teeth on one tool, so you can start on the wider side for thicker areas and finish with the fine side on ears and face. It slides through clean hair easily and snags where a mat is forming, which tells you exactly where to work. It will not remove tight mats, and the metal handle is less cushioned than rubber grips, so use short, patient strokes.
- Wide and fine teeth in one tool
- Reveals hidden tangles after brushing
- Durable steel build
- Cannot break up tight mats
- Metal handle lacks cushioning
4.5/5
4.7/5
4.4/5
Burt’s Bees Puppy Double-Sided Pin & Bristle Brush — Gentle two-in-one for Maltipoo puppies
Best for: Young puppies learning to accept brushing
Puppy coats are thin and skin is sensitive, so starting with a gentle tool builds good habits. This Burt’s Bees brush gives you pins on one side for light detangling and soft bristles on the other for smoothing and shine. The rounded pins are friendly to young skin, and the two sides keep sessions short and varied, which helps a wiggly pup stay calm. As the adult coat thickens, you will likely outgrow it, since neither side tackles curly tangles well. Treat it as a starter brush for the first months, then move up to a slicker.
- Pin side detangles, bristle side smooths
- Rounded pins suit thin puppy skin
- Two sides keep sessions short
- Outgrown once the adult coat thickens
- Weak on curly tangles
4.8/5
3.8/5
4.6/5
ConairPRO Dog Soft Slicker Brush — Soft-pin slicker for sensitive, thin-skinned dogs
Best for: Nervous dogs, seniors and thin coats
Some Maltipoos flinch at every pass of a stiff slicker. The ConairPRO soft slicker uses cushioned, flexible pins, which gives a gentler feel on the skin while still lifting loose hair and light tangles. That comfort makes it a good choice for nervous dogs, seniors and puppies who are still learning to accept grooming. Gentleness comes with a trade-off: the softer pins are less aggressive on dense curls, so tangles near the legs and under the ears may need a comb. It is a calm, low-stress daily brush for dogs that dislike grooming.
- Cushioned pins feel soft on skin
- Good for nervous dogs and seniors
- Lifts loose hair and light tangles
- Less effective on dense curls
- Heavy tangles may need a comb
4.8/5
4.0/5
4.5/5
JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush — Comfortable-grip slicker for long brushing sessions
Best for: Owners who groom at home every week
Long sessions are tiring if the handle is slippery or hard. The JW Pet Gripsoft slicker has a cushioned, rubberized handle that stays comfortable in the hand, with bent wire pins that move through everyday tangles in a Maltipoo coat. It is a practical pick for owners who groom at home weekly or dislike hand cramps, and a small head option suits a compact dog. Like any slicker, it can scratch if you press, so keep pressure light on thin areas such as the belly and inner thighs. Heavy mats still call for a comb.
- Cushioned, non-slip handle
- Small head fits compact dogs
- Handles everyday tangles on legs and chest
- Pins need light pressure on thin skin
- Not a mat remover
4.4/5
4.3/5
4.6/5
Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush — Budget-friendly slicker with one-press cleanup
Best for: Quick cleanup after every session
Self-cleaning slickers have become popular because brushing a Maltipoo produces fluffy hair that clings to the pins. The Safari self-cleaning slicker lets you press a button to retract the pins and release the hair in one clump, so there is no fiddly pulling. Its flexible pad follows the dog’s body for even pressure, and the pins handle light tangles on legs and chest. It is not a mat remover, and the button mechanism adds a small moving part that can wear with years of heavy use. Choose it if fast cleanup matters more than premium pins.
- One-press button retracts pins
- Flexible pad adapts to body contours
- Quick cleanup between sessions
- Button mechanism may wear over time
- Not built for heavy mats
4.4/5
4.2/5
4.7/5
Pat Your Pet Dematting Comb — Dedicated tool for working out small mats
Best for: Small mats behind ears and under legs
Mats are the biggest grooming headache for curly Maltipoos, especially behind the ears, under the legs and around the collar. This two-sided dematting comb uses blades that cut into a knot so you can split it into smaller sections instead of ripping through the fur. Used on a dry coat with short strokes, it can save a painful session. It is a rescue tool, not a daily brush, and aggressive use can thin or snag the coat. Large mats close to the skin belong with a groomer, so use this only on small, loose knots.
- Blades split small mats into sections
- Two-sided design covers varied knots
- Saves a painful session
- Rescue tool, not a daily brush
- Can thin or snag the coat
3.9/5
4.7/5
4.0/5
Top 3 Head-to-Head: Hertzko vs Frisco vs Baby G
These three are the usual final choices: the all-round self-cleaning slicker, the gentle budget slicker and the groomer-grade premium slicker.
| Feature | #1 Hertzko | #2 Frisco | #3 Baby G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gentleness | 4.7/5 — Best | 4.7/5 — Best | 4.5/5 |
| Detangling | 4.8/5 | 4.4/5 | 4.9/5 — Best |
| Ease of Use | 4.9/5 — Best | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Pin feel | Fine, bent wire | Soft, flexible | Fine, flexible |
| Cleanup | One-press retraction | Wipe by hand | Wipe by hand |
| Choose if… | You want one brush for most coats | You want gentle pins on a budget | Your Maltipoo has dense curls |
Who These Brushes Are NOT For
These tools are built for curly and wavy coats, so they are not the right fit for every Maltipoo.
Owners of heavily matted dogs should also skip home fixes. Brushes cannot undo dense matting at the skin, and a groomer is safer than any dematting blade.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the right brush fails when the technique is wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Brushes for Maltipoos
What is the best brush for a Maltipoo?
A slicker brush with fine, bent pins is the best everyday choice for most Maltipoos, because it reaches through curls and breaks up surface tangles. Add a steel comb to check near the skin after each session. Maltipoos with straighter, silky coats can do well with a pin brush instead, since it is gentler and smooths the top coat.
How often should you brush a Maltipoo?
Brush a Maltipoo every day, or at least every other day, because curly and wavy coats tangle quickly behind the ears, under the legs and around the collar. Short sessions of five to ten minutes work better than one long weekly effort. For curl-specific timing, see how often curly-haired dogs should be brushed.
Is a slicker brush or a pin brush better for a Maltipoo?
A slicker brush is better for curly or wavy Maltipoo coats, while a pin brush suits softer, straighter coats. Slickers have fine bent wires that pull out tangles, but they can irritate skin if you press hard. Pin brushes are gentler and good for finishing. Many owners keep both and use the slicker first.
Do you need a comb as well as a brush for a Maltipoo?
Yes, a steel comb is worth owning because it shows whether the brush reached all the way to the skin. If the comb glides from root to tip, the coat is clear. If it snags, a tangle remains. Use the comb on the ears, legs, tail base and beard, where mats form first.
How do you remove mats from a Maltipoo’s coat?
Work on a dry coat and hold the hair at the base so you do not pull on the skin. Split a small mat with your fingers or a dematting comb, then loosen it with short comb strokes from the tip inward. Never cut a mat close to the skin with scissors. If it is large, tight or painful, book a groomer.
What size brush is best for a Maltipoo puppy?
Choose a small or extra-small brush head, because a Maltipoo puppy is tiny and a large head is hard to control around the legs, face and tail. Pick soft or cushioned pins for thin puppy skin and a handle you can grip comfortably. Keep early sessions short and calm so your puppy learns that brushing is routine.
Our Final Verdict
Slickers handle most Maltipoo coats, but the best routine pairs one with a steel comb. The Hertzko is our pick for daily use, the Frisco keeps things gentle and affordable, and the Baby G suits dense curls. Match the tool to your dog’s coat, then check for tangles.
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.
