Best Brush for Australian Shepherd Grooming

The Australian Shepherd is the one with the dark blotches against a lighter but same colored background. It looks marbled or mottled. This is called a merle coat and usually comes in blues and reds.

It can also be all red or all black and tri-colored. And when you look at it from behind – the tail is a naturally short bob! To keep it looking so beautiful, you need to groom it properly. Beauty comes with work, not only genes!

Are Australian Shepherds Hypoallergenic?

No, the Australian Shepherd dog is not considered to be hypoallergenic. The term means “less likely to cause allergies.

• The more a dog sheds, the less likely it is to be hypoallergenic. But it is not the actual hair or fur that is shed that causes the problem. Humans are allergic to a protein called Can f 1 in the dander from the dog’s skin. It floats around in the air when the dog moves or settles on surfaces like your favorite chair. The dander sticks to the dog’s hair and thus it is easily and widely distributed during shedding. And it stays put for weeks or even months.
• Allergens also occur in saliva and urine so it is not sufficient to have a “non-shedding” dog for it to be hypoallergenic. Wherever a dog licks, it deposits some saliva which can contain allergens. We’ll skip the bit about urine, think about it…
• Beware claims made by breeders that their dogs are “non-shedding and therefore hypoallergenic”. Repeat: the allergens are not in the hair but in the dander. Even if a dog does not shed at all (hmm, very unlikely unless it is completely naked) the skin cells still die and are replaced regularly. Note for exam: “dander” is a word used to describe dead flakes of skin.

Australian Shepherd Shedding: Do Australian Shepherds Shed a Lot?

Yes, Australian Shepherds shed. What is a lot? It depends on how regularly it has been brushed, how often it goes outdoors and what breed you are comparing it to. Australian Shepherds are considered a moderate shedder, compared to other dog breeds.

• Like all double-coated dogs, an Australian Shepherd will seem like it sheds by the loads if it has not been regularly brushed. It needs to be brushed at least twice a week since their coat is classified as medium-length. This is why some dogs get an undeserved reputation as heavy shedders when it’s really the owner who hasn’t kept its coat shipshape!
• Shedding is initiated by changes in day length (and, of course, the temperature also changes when the days get shorter or longer). Consequently, dogs that go outside regularly, as your Aussie should, will shed heavily with the change from summer to winter and back. Dogs that stay indoors most of the time do not perceive the change in day length as sharply and may end up moderately shedding right through the year.
• Comparing Aussies to other double coated dogs, and in particular long-coated dogs, they really do not shed extravagantly. “Average” is probably the best way (yes it is a bit vague) to describe it.
• Aussies that shed uncommonly much could have a thyroid problem. If the skin is very dry as well, it is advisable to check with your vet. It is possible to do a blood test to determine whether your dog’s thyroid is producing sufficient hormones or not.

Shaving Australian Shepherds: Do Australian Shepherds Need Haircuts?

No. You should never shave an Australian Shepherd. Australian Shepherds are bred to be hardy working dogs with thick double coats. If the undercoat is brushed out as it sheds and the coat is kept matt-free, they need very little to no trimming.

I found that some people like to shave their their Aussies to keep them cool in the summer.

But beware!

Shaving can actually have the opposite result as it can affect the coats ability to do its proper job.

How an Australian Shepherd’s Coat Works

Australian Shepherds are a double-coated breed, which means they have two coats:

1. A long outer coat that acts as a barrier against extreme heat and cold.
2. The inner coat provides insulation underneath.

Together, they help keep the dog at a healthy temperature throughout the year.

In order for both layers to insulate properly, they need to be kept free from excess hair and matting. The best way to ensure an Aussie’s coat is kept in a healthy condition is a regular brushing and grooming schedule.

I’ve lived with dogs who shed heavily so can understand the frustration of some Australian Shepherd owners who find themselves constantly removing hairs from their clothes with a lint roller.

To combat this, some owners choose to shave their dog’s coat.

However, shaving a double coated dog will not stop the dog from moulting. It will simply reduce the size of the hairs that shed.

In some cases, shaving can actually prevent hairs from growing back correctly.

This means mean that the coat cannot properly insulate the body, which is damaging to the dog’s health and welfare. Despite this, some owners who live in particular hot areas still shave their dog in the hotter months as they believe it helps their dog cool off easier.

There is limited research to suggest shaving a double coated dog actually helps them cool off in hot weather. In fact, the lack of insulation can have the opposite effect.

The coat also helps protect the dog’s skin from damaging sun rays, so if you swear by shaving your Aussie, just remember to leave enough of coat to act as protection from the sun.

Most of the research points towards regular grooming as the best step for maintain a happy, healthy pooch.

Experts agree that with a weekly brushing routine, an Australian Shepherd shouldn’t really need a haircut.

However, the occasional trim might be beneficial.

Australian Shepherd Coat Stages

• All dogs are born with a single coat of fine, soft and delicate hair. It is shed from 4 months onwards to grow the adult coat, which in the Aussies’ case, will be a double coat. During the transitional stage form puppy fur to adult hair, the coat may look quite scraggly. Do not despair!
• A dog’s coat goes through different stages of growth. The hair follicle has a lifelong capacity to cycle through recurrent phases of controlled growth (anagen), regression (catagen) and quiescence (telogen), each associated with specific morphological changes. Shedding of the hair shaft is a fourth distinct cycle phase named exogen.

How to Brush Your Australian Shepherd

We’ve established that an Australian Shepherd doesn’t need a haircut with a proper grooming regime. Now let’s take a look at best practices when it comes to brushing an Aussie.

Essentially, we’re looking to achieve two things when brushing a double coated dog:

1. Remove any mats and tangles.
2. Remove any loose hairs to prevent further mats and allow our dog’s coat to insulate properly.

Brushing your Aussie has other health benefits too.

It stimulates your dog’s skin, increasing blood flow to the area which removes chemicals and toxins more quickly!

So, how exactly do you go about brushing an Aussie?

First, let’s look at equipment.

You’ll need a rake and a good brush (I recommend a slicker brush).

1. Begin by using the rake to de-matt dog’s undercoat.
2. Start at the very root of the hair and gently glide the rake towards the tip of the hair (you should not be raking across your Aussie’s skin).
3. You may notice your dog feels a bit ‘lumpy in some places. The rake is perfect for removing these mats of hair.
4. Next, use the slicker brush to remove any loose hairs from the outer-coat.
5. Thoroughly work through the coat, brushing with the growth of the hair rather than against it. This step is probably going to be more time consuming than raking the coat. It’s important to cover all areas of the body including head, neck, back, legs, chest and sides.
6. When the brush is looking ‘full’ remove the hair and start again. This step should be repeated until you can run the brush all over your dog without picking up any loose hairs.   

A solid grooming routine is key to keeping an Australian Shepherd in tip-top shape. A good thorough brush once a week should be enough to keep those nasty mats at bay.

How to Trim Your Australian Shepherd

A well-brushed Australian Shepherd shouldn’t require too much trimming. However, from time-to-time, it may be necessary to remove excess hair.

Feet

Aussie’s feet hair tends to grow fairly long (yikes, Bilbo Baggins!).

Keeping this trimmed back not only looks neater but is also more comfortable for your dog.

1. Start by carefully removing any hairs trapped between the toes or under the foot.
2. Cut the hair so that it doesn’t stick out past the foot.
3. To give a neat appearance, the hair on the top of the foot should fall level with the toenails.
4. Use scissors to cut the hair on the underneath until the hairs are level with the bottom of the pads.

Legs

The longer, silky hairs on the legs are usually relatively thin and don’t require too much trimming.

Some Australian Shepherd owners do like to trim the hairs on the legs as it can become tangled.

In some Aussies, the hair at the top of the back legs around the backside can become quite thick. Some owners cut the hair shorter nearer the rear to ensure their dog has a clean bottom.

Body

While some Australian Shepherd owners choose to trim the hair on the body of their dog, experts agree it’s not really necessary unless the coat is tangled, matted or damaged.

I recommend using scissors if you do choose to cut the hair on the body of your shepherd. It may be quicker to use clippers but what you save in speed you lose in accuracy. This is important because a double-coat may not grow back properly if clipped too short.

As a guide, the hair on the body should never be cut shorter than an inch in length. This will ensure the coat can still protect the dog from sunburn.  

Ears

The hair around and Australian Shepherds ears can be prone to matting.

When this happens, it’s advisable to cut the clumps out with scissors. Matting can be prevented by trimming the hairs around the air to about a ¼ inch in length.

A good pair of thinning scissors are recommended. These allow the shorter hairs on the ears to be ‘blended’ with the longer hairs on the coat with no visible edges.

Australian Shepherd Grooming Styles

You can apply any style that is suitable for medium length double coated dogs to the Australian Shepherd.

The Teddy Bear Cut and the Simba Style are the most popular Australian Shepherd grooming styles.

Keep in mind that the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard prescribes what the coat should look like. However, if you are not going to show your Aussie, you can groom its coat into different styles.

The Teddy Bear Cut

This cut leaves all the hair the same length, usually around one half to three-quarters of an inch long.

Legs and face are clipped to look round and full.

The result is that the dog looks like a teddy bear – it is particularly cute on a mini Aussie.

Simba Style

Not quite a Lion Cut, the Simba Style also leaves the hair around the head and neck and along the front of the chest in a mane but the rest of the body is not as closely shaved as in the Lion Cut.

Best Brush for Australian Shepherds

Best Bristle Brush for Australian Shepherds

The longish silky top coat of the Aussie can be easily cleaned of debris and loose hairs with a soft to medium bristle brush with widely spaced bristles.

Brush with the direction of the coat not against it.

Use long, slow, gentle strokes.

Best Slicker Brush for Australian Shepherds

The undercoat of the Aussie needs a bit more attention because it is much denser.

A slicker brush is ideal to tease out the mats and tangles.

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Pay attention to the length of the bristles – they should be long enough to penetrate into the undercoat so that you discover the tangles and mats but not so long that you tear the skin.

Also, do not put too much pressure on the bristles to avoid scratching the skin. In fact, when you buy the brush test it on the skin if your forearm. If it scratches you, it will definitely scratch the dog.

Note: check thoroughly behind the ears, since this is where mats usually form.

To use the slicker brush:

1. First, try to detangle as much as you can of the knots with your fingers.
2. Then use a metal comb to disentangle mats.
3. Then use the slicker brush for the final separation of the knotted hair. Do not use a slicker brush on your Aussie’s face.

Best FURminator for Australian Shepherds

The very popular FURminator is a brand of undercoat rake, with bells and whistles.

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If you have difficulty in brushing out the undercoat with the slicker brush this product will probably set you right.

It is effective and what’s even better, some owners notice that the dog actually likes being brushed with it!

Best Thinning Shears for Australian Shepherds

As a grand finale, you may trim the hair on and around the ears, on the feet, between the toes, and around the tail area.

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Hair on the paws should stop at the edge of the toenails, not go beyond.

Best Shampoo for Australian Shepherds

The best shampoo for Australian Shepherds are the ones that has a pH of around 7.5.

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Check this and if there is no mention on the bottle of the number, do not buy it.

Human shampoo, even baby shampoo, is TOO ACIDIC for your Australian Shepherd’s skin!

Don’t be fooled by the term “pH-balanced” on human shampoos – it means the shampoo pH is about 5.5, a long way below 7.5.

Next thing to keep in mind is that the Aussie has a double coat so the shampoo must penetrate the undercoat but not stay there. Oil-based shampoos tend to be very difficult to rinse out completely so they are not a good choice for your Aussie.

Whether to use conditioner?

It is not essential but it can make it easier to comb out the coat. Look for one that meets the same requirements as a good shampoo.

If your Aussie has a skin condition, scratches, wounds, fleas, or ticks, you should get your vet’s recommendation for the appropriate shampoo to use.

Avoid These Common Chemical Ingredients in Dog Shampoo

• Phosphates
• Parabens
• Methylparabens
• Phthalates
• Artificial coloring such as D&C, FD&C, or Yellow 5
• Cocomide DEA or MEA
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine
• Diazolidinyl urea
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Quarternium-15
• Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol (could also be listed as isopropanol, 2-propanol, or propyl)
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone

The chemicals above are either carcinogenic, potentially carcinogenic, allergenic, or break down into other harmful chemicals.

Better safe than sorry.

Related Questions

My dog freaks out when I try to cut their hair. What can I do to calm them down?  Many dogs get nervous on grooming day because they are not used to the more structured handling and unsure of the equipment. Before attempting to groom your dog, help them build a positive association with the grooming process. Start by simply showing your dog the brush or scissors and give them a treat if they stay calm. Repeat this and gradually reveal the item closer to your dog each time until you can touch the dog with item whilst they remain calm. By putting in the training sessions before it’s time to groom your dog, you’ll make the process a lot less stressful for both you and your dog!

Do Australian Shepherds need baths? Most dogs should be bathed at least once every three months. Regular bathing helps keep the skin healthy and free from bacteria. If your dog gets particularly muddy, you can safely bathe your Australian Shepherd every couple of weeks. Just make sure to use a shampoo that’s gentle on the skin.

Related Reading

• Do Australian Shepherds Bark a Lot?