Border Collies are brilliant, high-energy herding dogs. Most have a medium-length 'rough' coat, some a short 'smooth' coat, and both are double coats that shed and benefit from regular brushing.
- Coat type: Double coat
- Routine: Bathe every 6 to 8 weeks or when muddy.
- Key tools: Undercoat rake, slicker brush, wide-tooth metal comb
What kind of coat does a Border Collie have?
Rough-coated Border Collies have a medium-length outer coat with feathering on the legs, chest and tail. Smooth-coated dogs have short hair. Both have a dense undercoat and shed seasonally.
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 a Border Collie?
Bathe every 6 to 8 weeks or when muddy. Brush rough coats 2 to 3 times a week and smooth coats weekly, daily during shedding season. Trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks and check for burrs after outdoor time.
How to bathe a Border Collie 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 comb behind the ears and on the pants.
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 Border Collie shed?
- Shedding level: Moderate all year and heavy during seasonal coat changes. Rough-coated (longer) Border Collies shed more visibly than smooth-coated ones, but both have an undercoat that blows.
- Compared with other breeds: A rough-coated Border Collie sheds about as much as an Australian Shepherd; a smooth coat leaves shorter hairs that are easier to sweep up.
- 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 you'll pull handfuls of soft undercoat from the ruff, pants and tail for a few weeks. Unspayed females often have an extra shed after a heat cycle.
How to keep Border Collie shedding under control: An undercoat rake and a slicker 2 to 3 times a week, daily during a blow, plus a bath and full blow-dry at the start of each coat change keep the hair under control. Shaving doesn't reduce shedding and takes away the coat's protection from sun and heat. 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).
Border Collie grooming styles: what a good trim looks like
Border Collies 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 Border Collie 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 Border Collie 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.
- Skipping post-hike checks. Burrs and grass seeds tangle in feathering and hide between toes.
Border Collie grooming FAQ
What is the best grooming style for a Border Collie?
The natural coat, fully brushed out, with tidy feet, a sanitary trim and lightly trimmed feathering. Border Collies 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 Border Collies shed?
Yes, moderately year-round with seasonal peaks.
Can you shave a Border Collie?
Not recommended; it is a double-coated breed.
How often should I bathe a Border Collie?
Every 6 to 8 weeks or when dirty.
What brush is best for a Border Collie?
An undercoat rake plus a slicker brush and comb.
How often should I bathe a Border Collie 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 a Border Collie 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 a Border Collie?
It depends on the salon, your dog's coat and the service. Border Collies are medium-size dogs; rough-coated ones take longer to dry and brush out than smooth-coated ones, and burrs or tangles add time. Brushing at home and a bath every 6 to 8 weeks keep each professional visit quicker. 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.