It really depends on the length, texture, and type of coat.
A pin brush with rounded metal pins is usually a pretty good brush to start with. A plastic brush is cheaper, but plastic brushes are more prone to static buildup. Static makes it harder to work the brush through the coat, plus not many animals enjoy repeated zaps while being brushed. I also avoid the kind of brush with metal pins on one side and soft bristles on the other. I haven't yet owned a dog with the kind of coat that would make a dual purpose brush necessary.
Another useful tool for long haired dogs is a Greyhound comb. (They are called Greyhound after the company that originally made them popular, not because they were used on greyhounds.) After I brush with a pin brush I run the comb through the hair to check that I haven't missed any tangles.
You may also find an undercoat rake helpful if your dog has German Shepherd shedding tendencies. My dogs don't shed, but I sometimes run an undercoat or mat rake through their hair if they have been running through leaves and dry grass. The rake helps dislodge the debris.
A pin brush with rounded metal pins is usually a pretty good brush to start with. A plastic brush is cheaper, but plastic brushes are more prone to static buildup. Static makes it harder to work the brush through the coat, plus not many animals enjoy repeated zaps while being brushed. I also avoid the kind of brush with metal pins on one side and soft bristles on the other. I haven't yet owned a dog with the kind of coat that would make a dual purpose brush necessary.
Another useful tool for long haired dogs is a Greyhound comb. (They are called Greyhound after the company that originally made them popular, not because they were used on greyhounds.) After I brush with a pin brush I run the comb through the hair to check that I haven't missed any tangles.
You may also find an undercoat rake helpful if your dog has German Shepherd shedding tendencies. My dogs don't shed, but I sometimes run an undercoat or mat rake through their hair if they have been running through leaves and dry grass. The rake helps dislodge the debris.
