How to Groom a Collie Dog

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How to Groom a Collie Dog

  • by Adam
  • 04 Apr 2025
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How to Groom a Collie Dog



The Collie breed originated in the lands of Scotland and England as herding dogs helping out on the livestock farms. They have distinguishing features such as their luscious coats, expressive eyes, and their strong build, ranging from medium to large. These hardworking dogs have transitioned from working dogs into loving pets in the modern day. There are a few different types of Collies, each with its own grooming requirements. 

Collie dogs are in fact a high maintenance breed that require consistent care and grooming. Before we discuss how to groom a Collie dog, let's discuss the different types of Collie dogs and have a look at their breed profile for a better understanding of the process.  


HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN TYPES OF COLLIE 


Types of Collie Breed profile 
1. Rough Collie (Lassie Collie) 
  • Males stand 56-61cm tall and 51-56cm for females in size.
  • They have a long, dense coat with a ruff resembling the mane around their neck.
  • Sable, White, Blue Merle, and Tricolor coats ( black, white, and tan)
  • A long coat requires regular grooming to keep it mat and tangle-free.   
2. Smooth Collie 
  • Similar in build and size to a rough Collie. 
  • Short, dense coat.
  • Sable, White, Blue Merle, and Tricolor coats. 
  • It requires regular brushing but less grooming overall. 
3. Border Collie 
  • Medium-sized dogs with an athletic build.
  • Have both, either rough or smooth coat variations.
  • White, Black, Red and white, and Blue Merle color.
  • Grooming requirements may vary depending on coat type.
  • Regular brushing is needed for shedding management and coat maintenance. 
4.  Bearded Collie 
  • Males: 21-22 inches (53-56 cm) and Females: 20-21 inches (51-53 cm)
  • They are known for their shaggy coat that cover their entire body as well as their faces.
  • Colors are Blue, Black, Brown, and Fawn with white markings.
  • Regular maintenance is required to keep it tangled and mat-free. 
5. Traditional Collie 
  • Traditional farm Collies with no set breed standards.
  • Have medium built and long rough coats.
  • Various colors 
  • Grooming needs may vary based on the specific coat type they have.  

HOW TO GROOM A BORDER COLLIE DOG; DO'S AND DON'T  



Border Collies are athletic dogs with thick coats, often consisting of different textures (straightway or both), which is common among the breed. A Border Collie is double-coated, so there's an undercoat and an outer coat That sheds twice a year during the spring and autumn. This means that their coats change; this is their way of rejuvenating their fur. The molting process is what keeps this dog cool during the summers and warm during the winters.

The rule is NEVER to shave a double coat, as it will never grow back the same. We must warn you that shaving or clipping your Border Collie will ruin their coat. The fur will not grow back in the same way and will result in skin problems, as well as problems for their undercoat. This may even lead to the disruption of their natural process of body temperature regulation. 

Trimming

This dog breed does not require any kind of haircut; however, if you want a tidy appearance for them, you can lightly trim their outer coat by tracing the natural outline along the fur, and that should be enough. For further tidying up, you can snip on the knots and matting areas that you're unable to get rid of, like those around the back of ears, around the genitals, and sensitive areas. Cut off the excess hair around the feet to avoid dragging. If you spot any ribbon-like curling patterns and kinks, be sure to snip those off as well to restore healthy growth by removing the damaged fur. 

Brushing 

Brush your Collie as regularly as three times a week normally and regularly during molting.
The dog requires regular grooming in terms of brushing, so you may need to invest in multiple brushes if you're grooming them at home. A shedding brush for the molting season, the spacing between this brush ensures the removal of all loose hair and detangles the fur. An undercoat rake will help reduce the amount of hair that sheds by gathering loose hair from this area. 

A pin brush will help remove any dirt and debris from their coat and prevent matting. You can use slicker brushes to remove stubborn knots but beware of pulling too hard. You can also get a de-shedding comb to rid loose hair from the undercoat and combs with rotating pins for daily use to help distribute oils around the coat. Always buy a de-shedding rake, not a furminator! The furminator will destroy your Collies coat. 
You can use anti-static spray during shed season while brushing and also aloe hydrating sprays for coat protection. 

TIP: Brush them daily during the molting season; brush before you bathe them.

Bathing

A Collie's coat is water resistant. Frequent baths are to be avoided because you may end up washing out all their protective oils naturally produced by this breed's skin. You can, however, wipe them down on a regular basis using vet-recommended gloves or wipes suitable for sensitive skin. They are 100% safe, enough to lick and kill germs.
Another alternative to bathing is using a waterless shampoo or dry shampoo. This is also a suitable option for Collies that hate water. The formula would be waterless shampoo+detangling and finishing spray followed by brushing, and you're done. 

However, when you bathe them, shampoo them twice or three times if they are really dirty. The first rinse is supposed to help rid of all the dirt, debris, and grime; the rinse after will target areas that weren't thoroughly cleaned out. The double wash will ensure the coat is clean inside out and in all areas. If your dog has skin allergies, consult your vet for hypoallergenic and medicated shampoos; if not, you can use scented products for good smell. During shedding season, it is recommended that you use shed shampoo and treatments to ease the coat transition.  

Follow with conditioning, leave in the conditioner for 2-5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly; use this time to brush the coat, and get rid of all stubborn tangles while they marinate in the conditioner. Rinse and then pat dry with a towel. Follow up with a blow dryer from an HV dryer; it'll not only dry the dog but also get rid of all extra loose hair. Brush through the coat when blow-drying, and then comb to finish off. 
Some groomers suggest that you can bathe them as desired, especially if they get covered in mud and dirt. Bi-weekly bathing is used during molting, and tepid is used to warm water. 

TIP: If your dog fusses too much around water, use a high reward system only to be used when bathing them. 

Ears

Regularly check for redness, dirt, and discharge from the Collie's ears to prevent any dangerous infections, mites, and ticks. Always clean with ear cleaning solution post bathing. 

To finish off, trim their nails and regularly clean their teeth with dog toothpaste or dental chews. Also, paw balm should be applied as these dogs are out in the field most of the time, which can result in their paw pads cracking and drying. 


HOW TO GROOM A BEARDED COLLIE; DO’S AND DON’TS



A bearded Collie has a long, thick, double, shaggy coat that covers its body and face; this is why they are referred to as 'bearded.' These dogs need professional grooming about every two weeks in order to maintain all their fluff. The breed requires a consistent commitment to grooming, which will result in a matting nightmare, leading to an end result of the total clip down. 
The coat of a mature beardie needs consistent grooming. The breed is much more active and has no fear when it comes to jumping into a muddy puddle, and because of their long thick shag, you will often find twigs and leaves stuck in their coat. 

However, grooming needs are customizable depending on the coat, the coat's length, and the lifestyle of the owner. 

Brushing

You need to brush a breadie daily, for which you will need a handful of tools. For starters, the basics include a poodle/beardie comb. It is a tooth comb that most beardie groomers can not survive without. Next, you need a Nylon bristle brush; many groomers recommend  Mason and Pearson brushes, which are a little pricey but long-lasting. For Extreme matting, you can use a mat splinter as a last resort and a V-rake for tangles. 
Some groomers suggest a 16mm Chris Christensen 'T' brush and wooden handle poodle comb with wide spacing. There's also the popular slicker brush to help with matting control. 

You have to start brushing from the bottom upwards in sections, working through each section to ensure that it is tangle and matte-free. If you don't work in sections, you'll leave certain places, resulting in possible matting or horrible knots. When brushing a dry coat, spray a coat restoring conditioner to help with tangles. Use a bristle brush and pull the coat upwards. Then use a pin brush and go through the coat one more time; follow through with a tooth comb to finish, and your pooch should be free of all knots.   

NOTE: Only use the comb after working out all the knots and matting with brushes, or else it will cause pain and discomfort for your dog. Always pre-brush your beardie before bathing them.

Bathing

The Bearded Collie has a double coat, with a soft, furry undercoat and a harsh, shaggy outer coat that is weather-resistant. The frequency of their baths depends on how active they are and, of course, their lifestyle in general. If your beardie is particularly active, you have a window of 2-6 weeks; if they are fond of staying indoors, it expands to 6-10 weeks

To give them a thorough wash, you need a high-quality protein shampoo that is pH balanced and a good quality conditioner with some silicone in it. The process is similar to that of the border collie, using tepid to warm water and 2-3 washes before conditioning to clean the coat thoroughly, followed by conditioning with slight brushing to have each strand separated. 
Rinse thoroughly so that the coat is rid of all products and clean as a whistle.

Pat and dab dry, NEVER rub. Blow dry the coat with an HV and blow it with a dryer designed for dogs while brushing it with a pin brush. This will help improve the texture and prevent matting and breakage. You can apply a leave-in conditioner when brushing or combing your coat post-bathing to help it keep nice and healthy. 

Trimming 

Bearded Collies are given an 'ungroomed' grooming style, basically allowing their long, luscious, shaggy locks to flow freely. You can not clip or shave your beardie; it destroys their coat and disrupts their natural mechanism of regulating their body temperature. Only exceptions can be made in case of severe matting, that too on the recommendation of your vet or groomer.

You can slightly snip away their frayed ends and knots for a more presentable look. 
You have to trim around the eyes to help clear the vision and around the ears to prevent matting and help with circulation, but be careful not to do it too close to the skin. Trim between paw pads and around the paws to prevent dragging as well as accumulation of dirt. 
NOTE: Do not be alarmed when we say that this breed does not need haircuts; their hair does not grow past a certain length, so haircuts and clippings can be unhealthy for the dog. 
The process of cleaning the ears, wiping the eyes, and brushing their teeth remains the same as that of the Border Collie discussed above. 




RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

Here’s a list of tools recommended by our professional groomers for grooming a Collie dog:

1. Andis standard self-cleaning slicker brush 


2.  Andis dblc pulse zr ii cordless clipper 


3. Trixie dog de-shedding massage brush 


4. Groomer’s goop glossy coat shampoo


5. Trixie dog/cat nail clipper


Collies are generally very loving and affectionate dogs, but sometimes grooming can bring out their fussy, aggressive side. If your Collie is aggressive, you can read here:  how to groom an aggressive dog.

CONCLUSION

The Various types of Collie dogs have unique, distinctive personalities that stand out when they are groomed properly. Their health and appearance are measured with respect to their coat texture and their lifestyle.
These dogs have water-resistant coats, which means they do not require frequent bathing but need regular brushing to prevent matting and tangles and keep their coat in top-notch health. Trimming is limited, mostly around the eyes, ears, and paws to avoid discomfort and infections, and snipping only when they have horrible knots; shaving these dogs is a big NO. To groom these dogs, you will need to invest in good quality equipment, especially if you're grooming them at home.

By understanding the needs and differences between each type of Collie, you will be able to groom them easily, keep parasites and mites away from them, and keep their coat in the best possible health. 

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