Australian Shepherd Grooming
Australian Shepherd Grooming: A Guide to a Healthy, Beautiful Coat
The Australian Shepherd’s beautiful, double coat is one of its most distinctive features. While stunning, it requires consistent and proper care to keep it healthy, manageable, and to support your dog’s overall well-being. At Elysian Shepherds, we believe grooming is an essential part of responsible Aussie ownership and a great way to strengthen your bond.
Understanding the Aussie Coat
Australian Shepherds have a weather-resistant double coat, designed to protect them from both heat and cold. This consists of:
A Dense, Soft Undercoat: This insulates the dog. It sheds seasonally, typically in clumps during spring and fall.
A Longer, Coarser Outer Coat: This is straighter and repels water and dirt.
The grooming needs vary slightly between the standard coat and the less common “working coat” (shorter and less feathered), but the core principles remain the same.
Your Australian Shepherd Grooming Routine
1. Brushing: Your First Line of Defense
This is the most critical part of Aussie grooming.
Frequency: 2-3 times per week is ideal for preventing mats and managing shedding. During heavy shedding seasons (spring and fall), daily brushing may be necessary.
Tools:
Undercoat Rake: Essential for reaching and removing the dense, dead undercoat without harming the topcoat.
Slicker Brush: Perfect for detangling the longer fur on the mane, chest, and “pants” (back legs).
Pin Brush or Comb: Good for a final once-over to smooth the topcoat and ensure no small tangles are left.
Technique: Brush in sections, all the way down to the skin. Be gentle around sensitive areas like the belly and behind the ears. Pay extra attention to the feathered areas on the legs, chest, and breeches, as these are prone to matting.
2. Bathing: As Needed, But Done Right
Aussies generally do not need frequent baths, as over-bathing can strip their coat of natural oils.
Frequency: Every 4-6 weeks, or when they get noticeably dirty or smelly.
Process:
Brush Thoroughly First: Never bathe a matted coat, as it will make the mats tighter and worse.
Use a High-Quality Dog Shampoo: Opt for a gentle, moisturizing formula. A conditioner designed for double-coated breeds can help keep the coat soft and manageable.
Rinse Extensively: Any leftover shampoo residue can irritate the skin.
Dry Thoroughly: Use a high-velocity dog dryer (on a cool setting) to blow out the loose undercoat. If you don’t have one, towel dry vigorously and ensure they are completely dry to prevent hot spots.
3. The “Big Shed”: Blowing the Coat
Twice a year, you will witness the “coat blow.” The undercoat comes out in large clumps. This is not a sign of poor health—it’s completely normal!
Your Best Friend: The undercoat rake and a high-velocity dryer are lifesavers during this time. The dryer can powerfully blow out huge amounts of dead undercoat before you even start brushing.
4. Beyond the Coat: Essential Maintenance
Nails: Trim every 2-4 weeks. Long nails can affect their gait and be painful.
Ears: Check and clean weekly with a vet-approved ear cleaner to prevent infections, especially if your Aussie loves to swim.
Teeth: Brush several times a week (or ideally daily) with dog-specific toothpaste to prevent tartar buildup and periodontal disease.
Paw Pads: Check for debris and trim the fur between the paw pads to improve traction and prevent matting.
The Elysian Shepherds Grooming Foundation
We start our puppies on a positive grooming journey from day one. At Elysian Shepherds, we:
Introduce Positive Handling: Our puppies are gently handled, their paws touched, and they are introduced to the sound and feel of brushes and clippers.
Perform First Grooming Sessions: We give our puppies their first gentle baths and nail trims before they go home, ensuring they are prepared for a lifetime of stress-free grooming.