GROOMING A BORDER COLLIE – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
A border collie’s coat requires a lot of work to ensure it remains in top condition, especially when they begin to shed their fur. Border collies have what is known as a double-coat, so they shed a lot more hair than other breeds. The top coat protects your dog from various weather conditions, keeping it dry in the rain. The underneath coat is called the undercoat, and it’s a soft and fluffy coat that regulates its temperature. It helps to keep them cool in the summer and then nice and warm in the winter months. On top of that, border collies need a good amount of exercise, which means their fur can often get mucky when they are out and about exploring.
As a border collie owner, it’s important to use the best brush to get rid of any loose hair that has built up. If you don’t do this, you’ll come across large tufts of hair around your home, even if it’s not a heavy shedding season. You should aim to groom your dog about twice a week, but when they are blowing their coat (happens twice a year), you’ll need to up this to once a day. The shedding season lasts for between six to eight weeks, so you’ll need to put a good amount of time aside during this time.
3 BEST BRUSHES EVERY BORDER COLLIE OWNER SHOULD HAVE
Before brushing and combing your border collie, you need the right grooming tools. Using the wrong tool can actually cause a lot of damage to your dog’s coat. These are the top three tools that should be used on a border collie’s coat.
1. The 2-in-1 Deshedding Grooming Tool
The 2-in-1 Deshedding Grooming Tool is one of the best tools for border collies. This tool has nine rounded teeth on one side, which remove tangles, and then 17 rounded teeth on the other side, which are specifically designed to remove the heavy undercoat and minimize shedding. This tool is one of our favorites for that heavy shedding.
The brush is 100% safe as the inner part of the brush’s teeth are sharp enough to remove the dead hair from their undercoat but won’t harm your dog during the process like other deshedding tools do. In fact, this tool is designed to be comfortable and soothing for your pet and offers a calming massaging effect when it’s in use.
2. The Slicker Brush
A slicker brush is one of the best brushes for border collies. A slicker brush is perfect for daily use because it is so effective and easy to use at the same time. It is one of the favorite dog brushes recommended by groomers and vets. With so much hair to get through, we know how challenging it can be to groom your dog, which is why we love this Freshly Bailey Self Cleaning Slicker Brush.
This brush is both effective and comfortable, and it makes brushing much more enjoyable for both you and your pet. After brushing, the bristles retract, so they won’t get damaged or bent between uses (bent or damaged bristles can poke your dog and be super uncomfortable and painful). The thing we love most about this brush is that it’s so easy to clean. With just a click of a button, the hair will slide off the brush, leaving you with a clean brush ready for another grooming session.
3. Dual-Length Detangling Pet Comb
The final best brush for border collies we recommend is this Dual-Length Detangling Pet Comb. It’s the perfect brush for a border collie’s coat, and it has both long and short stainless steel teeth which will easily detangle matted hair. You’ll find that’s it’s ideal for the hair length of your dog, and you’ll no longer waste your precious time and money visiting the groomer due to unpleasant tangles.
When using this comb on your dog, you’ll find the rounded head pins stop their sensitive skin from being scratched. In case you are worried about any slippery accidents, there’s also an anti-slip handle to offer a safe and enjoyable experience for both of you.
How to Groom a Border Collie
Shedding Season Grooming
Shedding season for border collies occurs twice a year, which is when they "blow their coat". They get rid of their old undercoat in preparation for the upcoming season. We highly recommend grooming with the 2-in-1 Deshedding Grooming tool. Use the the 9-rounded-teeth side first to remove any matting or tangles. When done, proceed to use the 17-rounded-teeth side to begin deshedding and thinning out your dog's coat. You won't believe how much hair will come out!
Year-Round Grooming (2 to 3 Times a Week)
1. Start With Your Slicker Brush
Grab your slicker brush to brush your dog’s hair. Do not just brush the top of the coat as this does not really get deep into the undercoat. Start at the bottom of the coat, grab a handful of hair, and brush a line of fur away. You should be able to see the skin. As you go, brush the hair down making sure that with each line you get right to the skin. Do not drag the brush across the dog’s skin, but do a pull-away type of stroke. Move up as you go along, and make sure you brush your dog’s entire coat. Don’t forget about the tail and armpits.
2. Use a Comb and Remove Tangles
Following your thorough brushing with the slicker brush, use a metal comb to finish off the process. You’ll want to comb over the whole coat to ensure it can easily pass through all of the hair without any knots or tangles. If you do find tangles still, you’ll want to use the dematting tool. Hold the matted fur close to the dog’s skin with your fingers, and then work your way up from the knot.
There’s no denying that being a border collie owner is hard work, but with the best brushes and a consistent routine, you’ll keep them looking and feeling their best for many years to come.