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10 Best Brushes for Boston Terriers — 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Chantelle Fowler

By Chantelle Fowler

boston terrier grooming

Boston Terriers are one of the most popular dog breeds1 in America for a good reason. This energetic, friendly, and well-mannered breed is a dog lover’s best friend, not to mention their adorable faces are hard to resist. Another great trait of Boston Terriers is their low-maintenance grooming needs. They don’t need intensive grooming sessions like Poodles or Portuguese Water Dogs, but owners will still need to perform basic grooming tasks to keep their Boston looking its best.

A high-quality brush is the best tool to have in your arsenal for your pup’s grooming needs. However, only certain brushes will work well on your Boston because of their short, smooth coats. If you’re already feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of brush shopping, we can help.

Keep reading to find our reviews of the ten best brushes for Boston Terriers and tips on choosing the best one that suits your needs.

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A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush
  • Soft bristles
  • Moves around your dog’s natural oils
  • Leaves coat shiny and smooth
  • Best Value
    Second place
    FURminator Hair Collection Dog & Cat Brush FURminator Hair Collection Dog & Cat Brush
  • Affordable price
  • Can be used on household surfaces
  • Won’t lose its shape over time
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    FURminator Short Hair Dog Deshedding Tool FURminator Short Hair Dog Deshedding Tool
  • Comfortable to hold
  • Push ejector for removing hair
  • Comes in different sizes and colors
  • Best for Puppies
    Frisco Cat & Dog Bristle Brush Frisco Cat & Dog Bristle Brush
  • Gentle on sensitive skin
  • Great for multi-pet households
  • Soft and flexible bristles
  • HandsOn All-In-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves HandsOn All-In-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves
  • Gentle rubber bristles
  • Non-abrasive tips
  • Easy-to-use glove design
  • The 10 Best Brushes for Boston Terriers

    1. Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush – Best Overall

    Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush

    Material Plastic
    Weight 6.56 ounces
    Feature Dual-action brush

    The Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush is the best overall brush for Boston Terriers, thanks to its soft nylon bristles. These bristles are ideal for moving around the natural oils and adding shine to your dog’s short coat. The dual-action design of this product can remove excess fur, brush out tangles, and soften the coat all at once. Your Boston Terrier probably doesn’t deal much with tangling or mating, but other pets in your home might. You may find yourself using the wired side less often with your pup unless it’s partial to the massage this side can provide.

    The brush has an ergonomic handle that’s comfortable to hold, ensuring you won’t feel hand fatigue or strain during your grooming sessions. However, it may be a little heavier than expected.

    Pros
    • Soft bristles
    • Moves around your dog’s natural oils
    • Leaves coat shiny and smooth
    • Steel side can offer a massage effect
    Cons
    • Brush may be heavier than expected

    2. FURminator Hair Collection Dog & Cat Brush – Best Value

    Material Plastic
    Weight 6.00 ounces
    Feature Four-sided

    We found the FURminator Hair Collection Dog & Cat Brush to be the best brush for Boston Terriers for the money. This inexpensive brush serves more than one purpose, as you can use it for grooming your dog and removing its fur from your clothing and upholstery.

    The brush is made of a durable rubber material that won’t lose shape or strength over time. It’s ideal for dog and cat coats of all lengths and textures, and since it can be used on wet or dry coats, it is highly versatile. Its bristles create an electrostatic charge which helps them to lift and grab any hair, dust, or other fine particles from your dog’s coat or other surfaces in your home. In addition, the brush has four sides, ensuring easier hair removal from hard-to-reach spaces.

    This item is great for picking up fur, but it doesn’t always hold it in the brush.

    Pros
    • Affordable price
    • Can be used on household surfaces
    • Won’t lose its shape over time
    • Good for coats of all lengths and textures
    Cons
    • Removed hair doesn’t always stay in the brush bristles

    3. FURminator Short Hair Dog Deshedding Tool – Premium Choice

    FURminator Short Hair Dog Deshedding Tool

    Material Stainless steel, metal
    Weight 13.33 ounces
    Feature Curved edge

    The FURminator Short Hair Dog Deshedding Tool is our premium choice brush as it’s of exceptional quality, which is reflected in the higher price. This de-shedding tool comes in three sizes and colors and is specially designed for dogs with short hair.

    The stainless-steel edge is good for reaching beneath the topcoat to remove any loose hair. Though Boston Terriers don’t have undercoats, this is a great tool to have on hand if you have other breeds in your home. In addition, the curved edge design provides a comfortable grooming experience for your dog as it conforms to its body.

    Its ergonomic handle is comfortable for you to hold during your groom sessions, and its push ejector button makes removing hair from the brush a breeze. The quick release sometimes gets caught, but it’s easy to manage.

    Pros
    • Comfortable to hold
    • Push ejector for removing hair
    • Comes in different sizes and colors
    • Curved edge conforms to your dog’s body
    Cons
    • Higher price
    • Push ejector sometimes gets caught

    4. Frisco Cat & Dog Bristle Brush – Best for Puppies

    Frisco Cat & Dog Bristle Brush

     

    Material Plastic, rubber
    Weight N/A
    Feature Ergonomic handle design

    The Frisco Cat & Dog Bristle Brush is a great brush to have in your grooming toolkit as it’s practical for many different breeds and coat types, making it a great pick for multi-pet households. We chose it as the best pick for Boston Terrier puppies thanks to its extremely gentle yet effective construction.

    The soft and flexible bristles will soften your puppy’s fur while distributing its natural oils for a shinier and healthier coat. The bristles are made of boar hair, providing a comfortable and gentle brushing experience. With regular use, this tool will keep your Boston Terrier’s coat soft and shiny.

    The removed hairs stick to the brush and can be difficult to remove.

    Pros
    • Gentle on sensitive skin
    • Great for multi-pet households
    • Soft and flexible bristles
    • Distributes natural oils
    Cons
    • Fur can be hard to remove from bristles

    5. HandsOn All-In-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves

    HandsOn All-in-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves

    Material Rubber
    Weight N/A
    Feature Doubles as a deshedder and massager

    The HandsOn All-In-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves are great for grooming your Boston Terrier, thanks to their gentle rubber bristles and unique glove design. There’s no more cornering your dog to brush it, as all you need to do with these is put them on and pet your pup as usual. These can be used wet or dry. The scrubbing nodules are great for cleansing when bathing your Boston Terrier but will also de-shed your pup during grooming sessions.

    These gloves are lightweight and flexible with non-abrasive rounded tips. They’re very durable and are designed never to crack, tear, or become a breeding ground for mildew. They come in five sizes, so you can easily find a size that suits your hands. The gloves are latex-free, so they’re great for people with allergies.

    The downside to these gloves is that the hair doesn’t stick to them, tending to fly away instead of remaining on the glove for easy cleaning. This may not be a big deal for dogs that don’t shed much like Boston Terriers, but it is worth knowing if you have other pets in the home.

    Pros
    • Gentle rubber bristles
    • Non-abrasive tips
    • Easy-to-use glove design
    • Can be used in the bath
    • Durable construction
    Cons
    • Hair doesn’t stick to the gloves

    6. Burt’s Bees Palm Bristle Brush

    Burt's Bees for Dogs Palm Brush

    Material Wood
    Weight 4.96 ounces
    Feature Hemp bristles

    The Burt’s Bees Palm Bristle Brush is designed to provide a stress-free grooming experience for your Boston Terrier. Its hemp bristles remove debris and shed hair from the coat while keeping the topcoat smooth, shiny, and soft. The gentle bristles are great for dogs with short coats. The soft fabric strap on the handle provides an easier and more comfortable gripping area. However, the holding area is quite large, which may make it difficult for dog owners with smaller hands to operate the brush as designed. This can easily be remedied by sewing the handle to be smaller if you find you need to use the fabric handle when grooming.

    The brush is made of bamboo and recycled materials, making it much more earth-friendly than other options on the market.

    Pros
    • Keeps topcoat smooth and shiny
    • Soft fabric strap for easy handling
    • Made of recycled materials
    • Removes debris and hair from coat easily
    Cons
    • May be too large for small hands

    7. Safari Bamboo Pin & Bristle Combo Dog Brush

    Safari Bamboo Pin & Bristle Combo Dog Brush

    Material Wood
    Weight N/A
    Feature 2-in-1 brush design

    The Safari Bamboo Pin & Bristle Combo Dog Brush is a 2-in-1 design with pins and bristles to keep your dog’s hair clean, soft, and shiny. The stainless-steel pins and blades lift out loose hair and dirt for a smoother coat, while the bristle end will distribute your Boston Terrier’s natural oils for a shinier and healthier coat. This brush is great for a wide variety of coats, so it’s a great tool to have in a multi-pet household. The eco-friendly bamboo handle is comfortable and secure to grip.

    The brush has a chemical scent when unpackaged, which should dissipate over time.

    Pros
    • Natural bamboo handle
    • 2-in-1 design
    • Distributes natural oils
    • Great for multi-pet homes
    Cons
    • Strong smell at first

    8. ConairPROPET Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush

    ConairPRO dog & cat Boar Bristle Brush

    Material Plastic
    Weight N/A
    Feature Made of 50% natural boar and 50% synthetic bristles

    The ConairPROPET Pet-It Boar Bristle Brush is an affordable option with soft boar bristles to gently remove loose hair and debris from your Boston Terrier’s coat. It smooths your dog’s fur while distributing its natural oils, leaving your pup with a shiny, healthy-looking coat. It’s perfect for your dog’s short coat but can also be used on other textures.

    This tool’s handle-free design mimics petting your dog, which can help make nervous pups more receptive to grooming sessions. It easily fits through your hand, providing a comfortable and secure grip. Unlike other one-size brushes, the ConairPROPET boar brush fits comfortably in smaller hands.

    Removing the hair accumulating in the brush can be challenging.

    Pros
    • Great for pet parents with smaller hands
    • Soft boar bristles are gentle on skin
    • Smooths coat
    • Great for nervous dogs
    Cons
    • Removing the hair can be tough
    • Not great for medium- or long-haired dogs

    9. Babyliss Pro Pet Bristle Paddle Pet Brush

    Babyliss Pro Pet Bristle Paddle Pet Brush

    Material Silicone, plastic
    Weight xx
    Feature Anti-slip handle

    The Babyliss Pro Pet Bristle Paddle Pet Brush features a combination of both pins and bristles to stimulate your dog’s natural oils, leaving behind a smooth and healthy look. The paddle is wide to cover a lot of territory in one swipe, cutting down on the length of your grooming sessions. However, this tool is meant as a finishing touch and isn’t the best option for removing tangles, dirt, and debris.

    This professional-grade brush is easy to use and ideal for most dog breeds, Boston Terriers included. Its handle is made of a bubble gel material for comfort and to help reduce hand fatigue.

    Pros
    • Mix of pins and bristles
    • Stimulates dog’s natural coat oils
    • Leaves a smooth and healthy coat
    • Wide paddle for faster grooms
    • Reduces hand fatigue
    Cons
    • Best for finishing touches
    • Doesn’t remove tangles as easily

    10. Mr. Peanut’s Hand Gloves Dog & Cat Grooming & Deshedding Aid

    Mr. Peanut's Hand Gloves Dog & Cat Grooming

    Material Neoprene, Rubber
    Weight N/A
    Feature Can be used wet or dry

    The Mr. Peanut’s Hand Gloves Dog & Cat Grooming & Deshedding Aid is a versatile glove-style brush that can easily collect loose fur and hair. Its soft rubber tips cover the palm portion of the gloves, allowing you to remove dirt and tangles while petting your dog. This tool is useful for all coat types and can be used during regular grooms or baths.

    The gloves come in only one size but are slightly adjustable with a fastener strap around the wrist. Though they are machine washable, the gloves are challenging to clean.

    Pros
    • Useful on many coat types
    • Comfortable to wear (provided they fit)
    • Soft rubber tips remove dirt and tangles
    Cons
    • Only come in one size
    • Adjustable fasteners may still not make them small enough
    • Challenging to remove fur from the gloves
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    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Brushes for Boston Terriers

    There are hundreds of pet brushes on the market, each claiming to be better than the last. Unfortunately, not every brush will work on your Boston Terrier’s coat. You need to know what to look for to save money and the hassle of trying out handfuls of brushes to find one that suits your pup’s unique coat.

    Comfort Features

    While you want to find a brush that works for your Boston Terrier’s coat, you also need a tool that is comfortable for you to use. A poorly made brush with no ergonomics will fatigue your hand and make you less likely to reach for it for your brushing sessions.

    Anti-slip handles are a great feature for both your and your dog’s comfort. Brushes with slippery handles will be harder to hold onto and make your hand more likely to slide, causing painful yanking on your pup’s fur.

    Comfort grip handles are designed to fit into your hand comfortably to prevent hand fatigue.

    Brush Style

    There are three main brush styles we’ve looked at today: handled, glove, and no handles.

    The handled style is the classic and most common brush option. The handles are made of various materials that determine the brush’s comfort. The most popular materials in handled-style brushes are wood and rubber. These are the most intuitive tools to use as they’re identical to the ones we use on our own hair.

    Glove-style brushes are great for Boston Terriers that aren’t too keen on grooming sessions. They’re anxiety-reducing as all you need to do is pet your dog as usual, and the glove brush will get to work removing excess fur and shining the coat.

    No-handled brushes aren’t exactly the most accurate way to describe the final brush style. They have handles, but they’re designed to be worn on your palm versus in your palm. These are typically more comfortable for people to hold as they conform to the shape of your hand.

    Brush Type

    There are four main kinds of dog brushes: slicker brushes, pin brushes, rakes, and bristle brushes. Not all these styles are good for Boston Terriers, however.

    • Slicker brushes: are made with fine, short wires. These are best for dogs with medium to long hair or curly fur textures. We didn’t review any slicker-style brushes today as they aren’t the best option for Boston Terriers.
    • Pin brushes: are great for nearly any coat type and length. They’re similar in appearance to the ones we use in our hair. This style works great for picking up loose hair.
    • Rake brushes: are great for penetrating a dog’s coat to remove knots and dead undercoats. They’re shaped like shaving razors and are best used on breeds with thick coats. But, again, we didn’t include any traditional rake-style brushes on our list as they’re not the best for Boston Terriers’ short coats. Finally,
    • Bristle brushes are the most popular pick for breeds with short and smooth coats. Their tightly-packed bristles remove loose hair and stimulate the hair to increase natural oil production.

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    In Conclusion

    The Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo brush is the best overall brush for Boston Terriers as its soft bristles are gentle on the skin and can move around your pup’s natural oils, encouraging a smoother coat. Next, the best value pick is FURminator Hair Collection Dog & Cat Brush for its affordable price and versatility. Finally, our premium pick, the FURminator Short Hair Dog Deshedding Tool, is fantastic due to its curved edge and ergonomic design.

    Hopefully, our reviews and buying guide have helped make buying a brush for your Boston Terrier a little easier.


    Featured Image Credit: hedgehog94, Shutterstock

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