I'll be honest: My experience using this brush on a dog is minimal, although my mother's dogs seem to adore it. The feel of the pins against their skin seems to delight them, and probably helps with loosening dead skin and reducing itching.

A lot of this is supposition, because primarily I use the Safari pin brush on my own hair. It's the best brush I have ever found for long, fine hair, and ordinary "human" brushes just cause static or get tangled in my hair. I use the brushes until they wear out and then buy another one. If these brushes can handle human hair I'm sure they'd be great in long-haired dogs like Flat-Coats and Irish Setters.

The only downside to this brush is that the pins do break over time, usually by coming loose from their rubber base and sinking into the brush. But you can get a couple of years of good use out of one of these before you have to replace them.

Pros: Great for dogs and people too!

Cons: Not as durable as some

I like to use a slicker on my cockapoo's nonshedding hair, and this pin brush on my big dog's coat. He's got the coarse overhairs with the fuzz underneath, and the pins get in and remove the loose growth without raking his skin.

Pros: Wood handle pleasant to use; gets out the soft underhair

Cons: Pins sometimes pop out after long use

This safari brush doesn't go far from our sight at the shelter. It is wonderful on all our animals and works well on human hair as well. It massages our dogs and brushes out dead hair leaving their coats shiny. That is important to us as we want our adoptable dogs to look the best they can for potential adopters.

Pros: Massages while it brushes out dead hair

Cons: None

Although you may pay a little more for the Safari brand than no-named brands, I love safari products. They are durable and well though out in design and materials. My dogs love this brush as it massages while it gets the under coat and helps control shedding. Great product by a great brand name!

Pros: Massages while it brushes

Cons: None

Safari Pin Brushes stay in good shape even when abused. The rounded pins are set in a rubber cushion that gives a bit when you are brushing. A good tool for long haired cats and dogs.

Pros: Comes in multiple sizes, does cost a lot, pins are rounded and don't hurt skin.

Cons: None