Most grooming-tool brands sell one size and tell you it works on "all breeds." It doesn't. A comb that handles a husky undercoat will scrape a chihuahua raw. A comb that's gentle on a chihuahua won't make a dent in a husky's autumn blow-out.
That's why every Doodio comb comes in three sizes. Here's how to figure out which one is right for your dog.
Step 1: identify the coat type
Forget breed for a second. Coat type matters more.
Single-coat (smooth or short)
One layer of fur, lying flat against the skin. Shedding is moderate and year-round.
Examples: Whippets, Greyhounds, Boxers, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, Vizslas, most Pit Bull mixes, Dachshunds (smooth), Beagles, short-haired Chihuahuas.
Double-coat (the heavy shedders)
Two layers: a topcoat of guard hairs, and a dense undercoat that sheds in big seasonal blows (spring and fall). This is where most of the "my whole house is fur" stories come from.
Examples: Golden Retrievers, Labradors, German Shepherds, Huskies, Malamutes, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Corgis, most Pomeranians.
Curly or wavy coats
Hair instead of fur. Doesn't shed much, but mats easily and needs regular detangling. Often hypoallergenic.
Examples: Poodles, Doodles, Bichon Frises, Wheaten Terriers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Soft-Coated Wheatens.
Wire-haired
Coarse, wiry outer coat with a softer undercoat. Doesn't shed much. Needs occasional hand-stripping for shows but light comb maintenance for pet dogs.
Examples: Most Terriers (Jack Russells, Westies, Wire Foxes, Schnauzers), Wirehaired Dachshunds, Brussels Griffons.
Step 2: match coat type to size
Small Doodio comb (3.5" head)
Best for:
- Any cat
- Toy breeds under 10 lbs
- Single-coat small dogs (Chihuahuas, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs)
- Wire-haired terriers
- Puppies of any breed under 4 months
The tighter tooth spacing on the Small comb catches fine fur that wider combs miss, and the smaller head navigates around small bodies without snagging.
Medium Doodio comb (4.5" head), the most popular
Best for:
- Medium dogs 22-55 lbs
- Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds
- Most Doodle mixes
- Mid-size double-coats
- Pet-cut Poodles
If you don't know your coat type and your dog is in this weight range, get Medium. It's the most versatile size.
Large Doodio comb (5.5" head)
Best for:
- Dogs 55+ lbs
- Heavy double-coats: Goldens, Labs, Huskies, Malamutes, Shepherds
- Long-haired large breeds: Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands
- Anyone dealing with seasonal blow-outs
The Large covers more surface per stroke and lifts more undercoat per pass, which matters when you're working on a coat that's dropping a pillow's worth of fur per week.
When in doubt: size up
If your dog is on the boundary between two sizes (say, a 25-lb Cocker Spaniel mix between Small and Medium), go up. A slightly oversized comb still works well; an undersized comb is a tedious slog.
Multi-pet households
If you have a mix of pets, you generally only need one size, but it's not always intuitive which one:
- One cat + one small dog: Small handles both.
- Cat + medium dog: Get Medium; it still works on the cat with light pressure.
- Two large dogs: Large, obviously.
- Big dog + small dog: Get both. They're not expensive and the combs last forever.
About 60% of our customers eventually own two sizes anyway. Once you experience how nice it is to have the right tool, you stop wanting to compromise.