I use a whole lot of different things, since I have both mastiffs with short hair, and a golden mix and a husky with long hair, and undercoat. For the mastiffs I use different rubber "brushes" they both get rid of loose hair and massage the skin to get the blood circulation going good, that helps with a good skin and a shiny coat, I also use a soft bristle brush on them. The longhair dogs I use slickers and rakes, and also something called "underwool knife" And when we have a "spa day" after I have bathed, brushed and done the nailes, ears and whatnot, I use a coat condition/coatshine spray, that gives the coats a real nice shine, and it makes the dirt "slide" off real easy for a while after, even if they have a good ol' time in the muddy places in the yard, it slides off when dry and it helps Zeus coat not stain (he is white)
Marit