The "Border Collie & Aussie Shepherd" Guide

Border Collie and Aussie Shepherd Grooming: Taming the Double Coat

Border Collies and Australian Shepherds are everywhere in regional Australia. Working farms, suburban backyards, agility clubs, you name it. They are clever, athletic, and famously loyal. They are also famous for one less convenient trait: the undercoat.

If you own a herding breed and your couch is permanently coated in a fine layer of fluff, you are not alone. These dogs were bred to work in highland weather, which means they carry two distinct coats: a coarse weatherproof outer guard hair, and a dense soft insulating undercoat. Twice a year, that undercoat blows out in clumps.

Why You Should Not Shave a Double Coat

The single biggest mistake new herding breed owners make is taking their dog to be shaved during summer, thinking it will keep them cool. This is the opposite of what actually happens.

The double coat is an insulation system that works both ways. In winter it traps warmth. In summer it traps a layer of cool air against the skin and reflects sunlight off the guard hair. Shave it off, and you expose the skin to direct UV, you remove the natural cooling layer, and the coat often grows back patchy and dull because the guard hairs do not regrow at the same rate as the undercoat fluff.

The correct approach is not to remove the coat. It is to thin out the dead undercoat regularly so the live coat can do its job.

The 3 Tool Brushing System

Trying to brush a herding breed with a single bristle brush is like trying to mow a paddock with kitchen scissors. You need a layered approach.

1. The Slicker Brush (Daily)

Use the Slicker Brush for a 5 minute daily once over. The wooden body and non slip rubber handle make it comfortable for long sessions, and the fine wire bristles catch loose surface hair before it ends up on your floor. Brush in the direction of hair growth, from neck to tail, with light pressure.

2. The Double Sided Coat Brush (Twice Weekly)

For deeper grooming, use the Bamboo Coat Brush. The pin side reaches down into the undercoat to lift out dead fluff, and the bristle side smooths and polishes the guard hair so it sits flat and shiny.

The technique that matters most is line brushing. Lift a section of coat with one hand, brush from the skin outward with the other, then move down 1cm and repeat. This way you actually brush the entire coat depth, not just the top layer.

3. The Wash Brush (Bath Time)

During a bath, use the Wash Brush. The bamboo top and soft rubber bristles serve two purposes. They massage the Barkmere 2-in-1 Shampoo deep into the dense coat so it actually reaches the skin, and they help loosen dead undercoat that the slicker missed.

The Seasonal Shed Routine

Twice a year (typically October and April in most of Australia) your dog will "blow" their coat. This is when handfuls of undercoat come out in clumps for around 2 to 3 weeks.

During a blow, ramp up to:

1. Brushing every single day (slicker plus coat brush).
2. One full bath with the Barkmere 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner partway through the blow. The handmade glycerine and organic coconut oil keep the skin hydrated while you are pulling huge volumes of dead coat out, which prevents the dry, flaky aftermath that some owners see.
3. A daily mist of the All Day Spritzer to keep loose hair settled and reduce static buildup, which makes brushing easier and cuts down on the airborne fluff.

After the blow is over, your dog's coat will look noticeably sleeker and the guard hair will lay flatter. That is the goal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does my Border Collie smell, even after a bath?

The dense undercoat traps moisture for hours after a swim or a rainy walk. If the coat is not dried properly down to the skin, the warm damp environment can lead to that musty odour. After every bath or swim, blot the coat thoroughly with a Travel Towel and follow up with a few sprays of the All Day Spritzer to neutralise any wet dog smell.

How often should I bath an Aussie Shepherd?

Once every 6 to 8 weeks is plenty for a herding breed. Their natural skin oils are essential for the weatherproof outer coat, and over washing strips those oils and leaves the coat looking dull. Between baths, daily brushing and the occasional spritz is all you need.

Do herding breeds get dandruff?

They can, especially during the dry months when the skin barrier is under stress. A switch to the Hypoallergenic Shampoo for sensitive dogs, plus consistent brushing to distribute natural skin oils, usually settles it down.