Do Border Collies Shed? This is How You Deal With All That Collie Shedding!
Do border collies shed? Anyone who has ever lived with one of these gorgeous dogs will know that they certainly do. This is a working dog and has been bred to grow a coat that enables them to work outside herding sheep in low temperatures. The Border Collie breed can have a rough or smooth coat in a variety of colors. They also have a double coat. The fine undercoat protects the skin and the outer coat keeps out the water and the cold.
Dog owners are used to shedding but some people find the amount of shedding by Border Collies can be a challenge. If you have one of the Border Collie mixed breeds like the ones listed here, you may also face this issue. However, mixed
The dog hair seems to be all over their home and they spend a lot of time cleaning! Whilst you cannot prevent Border Collie shedding completely, you can do a lot to reduce it to a manageable level. Here’s everything you need to know about Border collie shedding.
Why do Border Collies Shed a Lot?
Living with shedding Border Collie’s can be hard work! This is especially true during the shedding season. You may notice a lot of loose hair in your home and on your clothes. Shedding is a natural way of the skin renewing its protective coating. It does not mean that there is anything wrong with your dog. The Border Collie dog breed has a double coat and it is a simple fact that the double coated breeds shed more because they have more fur!
The outer coat is there to provide water resistance. This coat allows the dog to run through streams and work out in the pouring rain without the moisture reaching their skin. This is a herding breed who can work for long hours in the mountains.
They also need an undercoat. The undercoat is there to insulate and protect the skin. The loose hair that you find in your home can either be from the undercoat or outer coat. Shedding is a perfectly healthy way of replacing the hairs in the coat.
When do Border Collies Shed the Most?
You may also notice that your pet tends to shed the most at certain times of the year and in a particular season. This is called seasonal shedding. They are shedding throughout the year but twice a year it will get particularly heavy.
For Border Collies, the shedding season is in the spring and fall. Your pet is simply adjusting to the temperature changes of the season and will tend to shed the most at these times. In spring, it is to get their fur ready for the warmth of summer. In the fall, it is to get their fur ready for the cold of winter. This is the time when owners can find a lot of dog hair in their homes and try to provide a means to prevent it. However, it is a perfectly healthy change in your dog’s body.
Do Collies Shed if You Groom Them?
Many owners try to keep shedding at bay with regular brushing. This will certainly help, especially if you do it several times a week. It will not prevent excessive shedding but the fur will be on the brush rather than in your home.
A working Border Collie will need grooming every day because they will pick up dirt from the environment. A house pet will not need so much grooming. A few times a week should keep the situation under control.
What Makes Border Collie Shedding Worse?
Border Collie shedding is something that you will have to learn to accept. However, there are some things that can make it worse. If you have noticed that your Border Collie has begun to shed excessively, check out if it is because of one of the following reasons. You could also ask your vet for advice if you have any concerns.
- Fleas ticks and mites
Parasites can be the cause of scratching and shedding that also causes dogs much distress. Look out for signs of infestations as you are brushing your dog. Because Border Collies spend so much time outside, they are very prone to picking up fleas and ticks. Your vet can advise you on how to prevent and treat them. This problem needs to be brought under control as it can also cause skin infections and other health issues.
- Stress
When a dog is stressed, they can start grooming themselves excessively. This in turn can cause dogs to shed excessively. Border Collies can be quite sensitive so this is something to look out for. Your Border Collie can become stressed by trauma or by separation anxiety. They can get obsessed with one particular area of skin and this is referred to as a hot spot. The area can become very sore and inflamed. It can also become infected.
- Allergies
It is not unusual for dogs to suffer from allergies. It could be down to an ingredient in their dog food. If you suspect that an allergy is the cause of the problem, speak to your vet. They may want to run some tests and try your pooch on an elimination diet. Dogs can develop allergies to a number of ingredients including soy and grains. In general, the commercial dog foods that use whole natural ingredients rather than cheap fillers are better for shedding. Also, try to avoid artificial colors and flavors.
FAQ’s:
Q: How do I get my border collie to stop shedding?
A: So, is there anything you can do about Border Collie shedding? You cannot get rid of it entirely. However, the following should help.
- Dog food for a healthy coat
By using the right dog food, you can keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy and this will prevent excessive shedding. Pick one that has plenty of fatty acids as these are essential for skin and hair health. You may also like to avoid artificial ingredients and ingredients that often cause allergies such as soy. These can cause irritation which will make shedding worse. Every dog food will have a list of ingredients on the label.
- Grooming every week
Regular grooming with a slick or pin brush will make the problem easier to cope with. These brushes reach down to the undercoat and remove dead hair before they have a chance to fall out. If you don’t know how to groom your dog, there is plenty of advice available online or you could ask your vet.
Your pet may not like the brushing much at first but they will soon get used to it. The best time to start is when they are a puppy.
- Plenty of time outdoors
The best place for your Border Collie to shed is outside! Give your dog plenty of time outside where they can rub on the grass and against trees. Remember that this breed are working dogs so they will like to spend a lot of time outside.
Q: Is it OK to cut a Border Collie’s hair?
A: A Border Collie’s coat does not need to be cut. The fur will naturally fall off when it needs to. They have a natural thick coat to protect their skin from the elements. The coat does not need to be clipped in the way that you would for a Poodle or a Cockapoo.
It can be dangerous to cut a Border Collie’s hair as you could injure your pet. However, there may be occasions when you have to. If they have got twigs or brambles stuck in their fur, you may have to cut them out. Only ever use blunt nosed scissors and proceed very carefully. Do not cut near to the skin.
Q: How often should you wash a border collie?
A: As part of your grooming routine, you will need to wash your Border Collie’s coat. However, you do not need to do this very often. Around every eight weeks or so is enough so your dog needs bathing around six times a year.
To keep their skin healthy, only use special dog shampoos when you are bathing them. Make sure that you use a de-shedding shampoo that will look after their fur. You don’t have to use much shampoo and always make sure that you wash it out thoroughly. This can take some time as they have such a thick coat! You could also use a de-shedding conditioner to make your dog’s coat shine.
Q: What is the best brush to use on a border collie?
A: Border Collies need regular grooming to control the amount of shedding. The type of brush that you use for grooming is important. You need a brush that will reach down to the lower coat to reach the hair next to the skin.
A slick brush or a pin brush is best. When you are brushing the hair, go with the grain and not against the direction that the hair is growing in. You will notice hair coming out and this is perfectly normal. Regular brushing also gives you a chance to check out the health of your dog’s skin and check for lumps and bumps.
Sources:
- Border Collie Dog, PetMD
- Border Collie, VetStreet
