Australian Shepherds are energetic, brilliant herding dogs with a gorgeous medium-length coat, often in merle patterns. That coat is practical and weather resistant, but it needs regular brushing to stay tangle-free and to keep shedding under control.
- Coat type: Double coat
- Routine: Bathe every 6 to 8 weeks.
- Key tools: Undercoat rake, slicker brush, wide-tooth metal comb
What kind of coat does an Australian Shepherd have?
Aussies have a double coat: a dense undercoat and a medium-length outer coat that can be straight or slightly wavy, with feathering on the legs, a mane and fluffy 'pants'. They shed moderately year-round and heavily during seasonal changes.
Coat type, more than breed name, is what decides how often a dog needs a bath, a brush or a haircut. Mixes and individual dogs vary, so treat the schedule below as a starting point and adjust it to your dog's lifestyle, skin and how quickly the coat gets dirty or tangled.
How often should you groom an Australian Shepherd?
Bathe every 6 to 8 weeks. Brush 2 to 3 times a week, daily during shedding season. Trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks. A professional bath, deshed and tidy every 6 to 8 weeks keeps feet, ears and feathering neat.
How to bathe an Australian Shepherd at home
- Brush and rake thoroughly before the bath. Water tightens loose undercoat into clumps that are hard to remove later.
- Use lukewarm water and soak all the way to the skin. Double coats repel water, so this takes longer than you expect.
- Lather with a dog shampoo, working it in with your fingers against the direction of growth so it reaches the skin.
- Rinse until the water runs completely clear, then rinse once more. Leftover shampoo trapped in the undercoat is a common cause of itchy skin.
- Apply a light conditioner if you use one and rinse again.
- Dry completely, down to the skin. A damp undercoat can lead to hot spots and odor. Finish with a final rake once dry.
Always use a shampoo made for dogs; human shampoo is formulated for a different skin pH. Keep water out of the ears, and give a treat at the end so bath time stays positive.
Brushing routine
Rake the undercoat, use a slicker on the feathering and mane, and comb behind the ears and on the pants, where mats like to hide.
Short, frequent sessions beat one long struggle. Two to ten minutes, a few times a week, keeps most coats in good shape and gives you a chance to spot skin problems, lumps, ticks or sore spots early.
How much does a Australian Shepherd shed?
- Shedding level: Moderate all year and heavy twice a year. The dense undercoat is what comes out, so you'll see soft tufts from the mane, the 'pants' and behind the ears.
- Compared with other breeds: Most owners find Aussies shed about as much as Golden Retrievers and Border Collies, and more than they expect from a medium-size dog.
- In South Florida: Warm weather and air-conditioned homes mean many dogs never get two clean shedding seasons. They shed steadily all year, with smaller peaks around March to May and September to November.
- During a coat blow: During a coat blow the undercoat comes out in clumps for two to four weeks. Rake every day then, and expect the coat to look thinner until it grows back.
How to keep Aussie shedding under control: An undercoat rake 2 to 3 times a week, a slicker on the feathering, and a bath followed by a thorough blow-dry at the start of each coat blow remove most of the loose hair before it lands on your floor. Never shave an Aussie to stop shedding: it doesn't, and it can ruin how the coat grows back. Bald patches, red or flaky skin, constant scratching or a sudden jump in shedding are not normal seasonal shedding, so check with your vet.
Step-by-step help: How to Deshed a Dog at Home, Dog Shedding Season in Florida and Can You Shave a Double-Coated Dog?. Want a brushing and bath schedule matched to your dog's coat? Take the 1-minute Pawfile quiz. Or skip the guesswork: Mango's Grooming Calendar & Checklists ($7.99, printable PDF) maps out brushing and baths week by week through every coat blow, and Mango's Starter Kit ($19.99) adds the step-by-step brushing guide. In Boca Raton? Book a bath at our Boca salon before the next coat blow and get $10 off your first groom with code PAWFILE10 (teeth brushing and nails are always included).
Australian Shepherd grooming styles: what a good trim looks like
Australian Shepherds don't need a haircut the way a Poodle or a doodle does. The "style" is the natural double coat, kept brushed out and tidied in a few spots. When owners search for Australian Shepherd grooming styles or before-and-after photos, the big change usually comes from a full brush-out of the loose undercoat, not from cutting the coat short.
- Natural, brushed-out coat: the standard look. A full deshed, bath and blow-dry, with nothing cut except the tidy areas below. This is the "after" in most before-and-after photos.
- Tidy feet: trim the hair between the paw pads and around the edge of the foot so it looks neat and doesn't collect burrs, sand or mud.
- Sanitary trim: a short, neat trim under the tail and around the belly for hygiene. It doesn't change the overall look.
- Tidied feathering and "pants": a light trim to even out the feathering on the legs and the long hair on the back of the thighs. Thin it lightly with thinning shears instead of cutting it blunt.
- Ears and hocks: a little neatening around the ear edges and the back of the lower legs.
What to avoid: a shave-down or short summer cut. Shaving a double coat doesn't keep the dog cooler or reduce shedding, takes away protection from sun and heat, and can make the coat grow back patchy or uneven. Most groomers will only shave a double-coated dog when the coat is badly matted or a vet asks for it. More in Can You Shave a Double-Coated Dog?
To keep that brushed-out look between grooms, Mango's Between-Visits Brushing Guide ($14.99, printable PDF) shows the line-brushing method for thick double coats step by step, and Mango's Starter Kit ($19.99) adds a week-by-week grooming calendar.
Fitting the routine into your week
Pick two or three set days for brushing, for example Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, and add a quick daily rake during heavy shedding. Book baths and professional deshedding at the start of each seasonal coat change. In hot, humid weather, keep the undercoat brushed out, offer shade and water, and walk during cooler hours rather than cutting the coat short.
Tools you'll need
- Undercoat rake for loosening the dense underlayer
- Slicker brush for the outer coat and feathering
- Wide-tooth metal comb to check for hidden tangles behind the ears and on the "pants"
- Dog shampoo and a light conditioner made for dogs
- High-velocity or cool blow dryer (or a lot of towels and patience)
- Nail clippers or a grinder
Tools from the Pawradise shop: Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush · Stainless Steel Grooming Comb (2-Pack)
Mango's guides: a happy coat between grooms
Printable PDF guides from our groomers, with Mango as your coach. Instant download after checkout, anywhere in the US. English and Spanish editions included.
- Mango's Starter Kit: Brushing Guide + Calendar · $19.99 (best value)
- Mango's Between-Visits Brushing Guide · $14.99
- Mango's Grooming Calendar & Checklists · $7.99
Common Australian Shepherd grooming mistakes
- Shaving the coat. A double coat insulates against both cold and heat and helps protect the skin from sun. Shaving can damage how the coat grows back. Trim feet, sanitary areas and feathering instead.
- Only brushing the top layer. The surface looks neat while mats form underneath. Use a rake and finish with a comb that reaches the skin.
- Letting the coat air-dry. Trapped moisture in a thick coat is a recipe for hot spots, especially in humid climates like Florida.
- Missing mats behind the ears. The soft hair there tangles quickly. Comb it every time you brush.
Australian Shepherd grooming FAQ
What is the best grooming style for an Australian Shepherd?
The natural coat, fully brushed out, with tidy feet, a sanitary trim and lightly trimmed feathering. Australian Shepherds don't need a haircut, and shaving a double coat isn't recommended unless it's badly matted or your vet asks for it.
Do Australian Shepherds shed?
Yes, moderately year-round and heavily in spring and fall.
Can I shave my Aussie?
It is not recommended; their double coat protects them from heat and sun.
How often do Aussies need grooming?
Professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks, with brushing several times a week.
What brush is best for Australian Shepherds?
An undercoat rake, a slicker brush and a metal comb.
How often should I bathe an Australian Shepherd puppy?
Puppies usually need fewer baths than adults: bathe only when dirty, with a gentle shampoo made for dogs, and keep them warm until fully dry. Use short, positive sessions to get them used to water, brushing, nail trims and the dryer. Ask your vet when your puppy is ready for a professional groom.
Can I groom an Australian Shepherd at home?
Yes, most of the routine can be done at home: brushing, baths, ear checks and nail trims. A professional deshed during coat blows removes far more undercoat than most home sessions.
How much does it cost to groom an Australian Shepherd?
It depends on the salon, your dog's coat condition and the service. Aussies are medium-size dogs with a thick double coat, so a bath and deshed takes longer than for a short-coated dog, especially during spring and fall coat blows. A bath, deshed and tidy every 6 to 8 weeks keeps the coat from matting, which avoids dematting fees. See what affects dog grooming prices. New to our Boca Raton salon? Get $10 off your first groom with code PAWFILE10 (teeth brushing is always included).
This guide offers general grooming information. For skin, ear or coat problems that don't improve, talk to your veterinarian. More Pawfile breed guides.