What is the best kind of brush to use on a long haired dog?

What are the slicker brushes used for?What is the best kind of brush to use on a long haired dog?
Is his long hair wire (like a Airedale) or fluffy (like a collie) or smooth (like a Lhasa)? That is how you would decide on what brush to use.


Also, Slicker brushes are used to brush out fur that the dog is shedding and to fluff out the fur.





EDIT::: I, personally, would use a fine tooth comb and a bristle brush.What is the best kind of brush to use on a long haired dog?
for a long haired dog, you want to use a hound tooth comb and a slicker brush, it really depends on the dog though, im a handler and i showed and bred afghan hounds. a slicker smooths the hair but wont go to the bottom layer of the hair, so you should alternate the slicker and the comb. but if its something more of a double coated breed (German shepherd dog, Pomeranian, ect) your going to want both comb slicker and something called an undercoat rake
It does depend on the breed of dog but as a general rule for average pet owners I advise universal slicker brush. It removes a good bit of undercoat %26amp; any tangles %26amp; small mats. It costs only 4-5 dollars thru most online stores like Petedge or Dr Foster %26amp; Smith. Follow up with a comb that was wide teeth %26amp; narrow teeth. Use the wide end first then smaller teeth to make sure all tangles are removed. Don't forget areas like armpits, behind the ears %26amp; stomach.
Slicker brushes are used for shedding fur and as a flea comb. The are uncomfortable for a dog and wont work that well on long haired dogs. The best brush you could use is just one with bristles or wire pins with plastic tips. They work well when detangling, without hurting the dog with the pointy wires of a slicker brush. Good Luck!
I have a slicker brush and honestly never use it. The slicker brush has such short needles it does nothing for tangles in the undercoat. It basically ';fluffs'; the outercoat. I prefer a good wide tooth metal comb for my cocker spaniels. Start at the skin and slowly work your way out, and be careful not to rake it against their skin. Hold the comb at an angle! Pay special attention to the armpits as that is where tangles like to hide.
Furminator they are expensive but work great!!!