Do Border Collies Shed? Yes, But Here’s How To Manage It

So, you’ve found your perfect dog, the Border Collie, and you can’t wait to bring him home, but there’s a question playing on your mind, do Border Collies shed and if so, how much? The quick answer is yes, he does shed, and in this guide we are going to tell you everything that you need to know about his coat, how to manage his shedding, and recommend a few grooming tools perfect for the Border Collie’s coat.

The Border Collie is described as affectionate, smart and energetic, and in 2019 he is ranked as the 35^th most popular dog breed in America. Dating back to the Roman Empire in Great Britain, the Collie was bred to work the stock in the Highlands of Wales and Scotland, and it is his thick coat that keeps him warm enough to be able to fulfil this task.

Like other similar breeds, this double-coated pup is definitely prone to shedding. Below you’ll find more information about their coats, as well as some recommended products to make hair control a bit easier.

At A Glance: Best Products For Border Collie Grooming

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Border Collie Coat

The Border Collie has a thick double coat which can either be smooth or rough. Both varieties of coat have a dense and soft undercoat, which is waterproof and wind resistant to keep him feeling warm in the cold Highlands. The short coat is exactly that, much shorter and closer to his body and is coarse to the touch, and the rough coat is medium length hair that is softer with feathering on his chest, belly and legs. Both coat varieties shed the same amount, but having longer fur the rough coat will be more noticeable.

The Border Collie sheds all year round, but it is during shedding season that you will notice how much he can really shed! Typically, he will lose the winter coat in the spring ready for the hotter summer months, and he will shed his lighter summer coat in the fall, ready for his thicker winter coat. He will shed both his soft and dense undercoat as well as his longer protective overcoat, and this period is also known as blowing his coat.

The more time your Border Collie spends outdoors the more sensitive he will be to temperature fluctuations. Some house dogs are less prone to excessive shedding, but as the Border Collie is an outdoorsy pooch who prefers the fresh air over being cooped up in the warm, this is less relevant to his shedding routine.

Despite his coat being dense and thick, it helps to regulate his body temperature, so it is important not to shave or clip his coat in an attempt to keep him cooler in the summer months, as not only will this disrupt his normal temperature regulation, but it also exposes him to dangerous UV rays, so don’t be tempted to do this.

Managing The Shed

The Border Collie’s moderate to heavy shedding is unavoidable, so if you want to welcome him into your home you need to learn how to manage it as best as possible, and thankfully there are a few ways in which you can do this.

Anti-Shed Shampoos

Excessive bathing is not good for Border collies, but when you do bathe them, it can be helpful to bathe them with an anti-shed shampoo. This helps to keep fur under control during grooming sessions.  Bathing your pup on your own isn’t too time-intensive, and we recommend it rather than paying for someone to groom your pup.

Using an Anti-Shed shampoo is a good first step in combating excess shedding, and will make brushing your pup regularly much easier to do.  If your Border Collie has sensitive skin, you may have to look at other alternatives.

Brushing

The easiest way to keep on top of his shedding is to brush him regularly, after all, what ends up in the brush doesn’t end up on your sofa! Ideally, during shedding season he should be brushed every day, and 2 to 3 times a week for the rest of the year. Because of his thick and dense undercoat, spending 10 minutes every day will be needed to remove his dander and excess hair.

Not only does this keep his shedding under control, but it also promotes blood circulation which in turn improves his coat’s natural regulation. There are multiple options that you can choose from when looking for the right grooming tool for your Border Collie.  While we have a few recommended products down below, you can check out this in-depth deshedding tool guide as well.

Diet

Surprisingly, a diet can affect the amount that your dog sheds. A high-quality Border Collie formulated kibble will ensure that all of the nutrients and supplements that keeps a dog’s coat healthy are included in the recipe and will nourish his coat from the inside out. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids such as salmon oil and flaxseed, as well as vitamins A, B and E, zinc and linoleic acid, all help to contribute to a healthy skin and coat, which controls the amount he will shed.

Fleas & Ticks

Shedding can also be a sign that he may have fleas or ticks, so be sure to keep an eye on this if you think he is shedding more than he does normally, and treat him accordingly. If you employ a regular grooming routine, you will be able to notice any of these as soon as they appear, and a slicker brush will help to identify any dirt, eggs and parasites themselves which will be caught up in the fine bristles.

Grooming Tips

Start early: As soon as you welcome your Collie into your home begin his new grooming regime to allow him to get used to you touching and brushing him. If you need to shave your collie because of excessive matting, getting your pup used to a quieter set of clippers early on in their life is recommended.

Distract him: If your Border Collie becomes bored quite easily, be sure to hand him a chew toy or brain game to keep his easily distracted mind entertained.

Establish a routine: Keep the season in mind and be sure to brush him the recommended amount. Keep on top of his grooming, otherwise you risk his fur matting and tangling, and if left for too long they will become painful for your Collie.

Treat him: After every grooming session make sure that you treat him for being a good boy, or girl! This is particularly true for those Collies who are young and just getting used to grooming, or those older dogs who are learning their new routine.

Deshedding Products

Here we have a selection of grooming products that are perfect for the Border Collie and his thick double coat. Because of his unique needs across different seasons it would be beneficial to purchase a de-shedding tool for those weeks where he blows his coat, and a comb or a slicker brush for those lighter months.

This de-shedding tool is designed with the large dog with long hair in mind, and it reaches through the top coat to remove the loose hair and dander underneath without damaging the top coat unlike other deshedding tools. It has a FURejector button for easy release for all that fur, and it also comes with a money back guarantee if it doesn’t work for your Border Collie. This tool is great for shedding season, as well as all year round.

This 2 in 1 brush has one side with 9 teeth to remove mats and tangles, and a side with 17 teeth perfect for thinning and de-shedding his heavy undercoat. The rounded teeth also help to massage his skin to promote blood circulation. This tool also comes with a money back guarantee if you are not happy with the end result. This is another great option for those weeks where he is blowing his coat.

This slicker brush is 5 inches wide for those larger breeders with a lot of hair. The soft and flexible pins remove tangles, loose fur and dirt which is perfect for daily brushing to control the excess fur in between thorough grooming sessions. Again, this high-quality brush comes with a money back guarantee.

Note: Clicking the above links in this section will take you to Amazon.com, where you can get additional product information and customer reviews. If you make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

How To Keep Your Home Clean

Even if you stay on top of your dog’s shedding, you’re bound to have dog hair around your house that needs cleaning up. We have lots of experience in this department. Depending on your cleaning preferences, you may find one or all products suitable for your home.

Robot Vacuum

If you want the cleaning done for you, then we recommend the Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL. This self-cleaning robot vacuum can map out your home, so you can send it to a specific area that needs cleaning. You can also set “no-go zones” for areas around your dog’s food and water bowls to ensure the vacuum doesn’t mess with those areas. The brushroll removes pet hair, so there is no hair wrap, and the self-emptying base holds up to 45 days of dog hair, dirt, and debris.

Cordless Vacuum

Bissell’s ICONpet Edge vacuum is perfect for general vacuuming and getting those hard-to-reach areas like windowsills, room corners, underneath furniture, etc. It’s cordless, so it’s easy to grab and go. It includes several attachments to help clean up the dog hair on your stairs, hardwood floors, and everywhere in between.

Air Purifier

Filtrete’s air purifier captures 99.97% of airborne particles, including pet odors and dog hair. This air purifier can help clean the air in a room up to 250 square feet in size. It notifies you when the filter needs changing to ensure optimal performance. You can adjust the fan speed, set a timer, and dim the control panel lights from the soft-touch display. If you notice your home has a pet odor, this will help eliminate that fast.

Final Thoughts

The Border Collie has a thick double coat who sheds moderately throughout the year, and very heavily during shedding season. He is a hard-working dog who deserves to be looked after, and what better way to say thank you than by pampering him a few times every week. Not only will he love being brushed, but he will also relish the time that he spends with his master.

So, whether you are just starting your grooming routine with your pup, or introducing your oldie to a new pampering regime, as long as you follow our tips and make it a pleasant experience with the right tools, he’ll enjoy it in no time.