Everything you need!
Before I start explaining the coat care of the Border Collie, I would first like to introduce you to my favorite tools. Without the right combs, brushes, and scissors, grooming can be quite challenging.
My personal favorite brand for brushes and combs is by far Bass. Their products are made from natural bamboo, which makes them not only eco-friendly but also durable and very comfortable to use. For example, my favorite brush has been in constant use in the grooming salon for 8 years now, and it’s still going strong. Their products aren’t the cheapest, but they are absolutely worth every penny. Besides BASS, I am also very pleased with the purple/grey Le Poosh brush, which in my opinion is an essential tool for grooming both of our breeds.
Bass Alloy Pin
Bass Large & Small SLicker
Bass Double Komb
Bass Wide Komb
Le Poosh Silver/Purple
Okay, now that you know which combs and brushes I like to use, let’s move on to scissors, because there’s quite a bit of choice there as well. My personal favorites are the scissors from Tools to Groom, which are also very reasonably priced for home use. The ones I use for our dogs are the Rainbow razor 5.5' (mint) A small, handy scissors for trimming between the paw pads. The bigger Rainbow razor 8' (purple) for the hock of the dog. And i love the Rainbow Razor single efi 7' (orange) as a fine thinning scissor for a neat finish.
Then there are a few small items you don’t necessarily use every time you groom your dog, but that are handy to have, such as a proper nail clipper, a tick remover, an ear cleaner, a good-quality shampoo, and a water blower (not essential, but highly recommended).
Okay, that’s enough for now. You now know what I like to use, and next we’ll dive deeper into the coat care itself.
Coat Care For a Border Collie
Over the years, the coat and grooming needs of the Border Collie have also changed considerably. Within the breed, there are clear differences between working lines and sport or show lines, both in build and in coat type. In general, working-line Border Collies tend to have a more practical, weather-resistant coat that requires less maintenance, while many show-line Border Collies often have a fuller, longer coat that naturally requires more grooming.
Originally, the Border Collie was bred purely as a working sheepdog, living and working alongside shepherds in all weather conditions. Functionality was always more important than appearance. There was little time for extensive coat care, and the dogs needed a coat that protected them from rain, wind, and rough terrain while still being easy to maintain.
Over the years, as the breed became increasingly popular not only for herding work but also in dog sports and as a family companion, the appearance of the Border Collie evolved as well. Today, we see a wide variety of coat types within the breed. Besides the well-known medium and long-haired Border Collies, short-haired or smooth-coated Border Collies have also become increasingly common. These smooth-coated dogs are especially popular in many working lines because their coat is practical and low-maintenance.
In modern Border Collies, especially within show lines, coats are often fuller, longer, and more profuse than they used to be. While these beautiful coats certainly add to the breed’s striking appearance, they also require regular grooming to keep the coat healthy and free from tangles or matting.
With those beautiful coats comes the necessary coat care, and below we will explain step by step how to keep a Border Collie’s coat in top condition. In addition to the regular grooming you provide at home, My advice is to visit a certified grooming salon nearby at least twice a year. If you do this during the autumn and spring, just as the dogs begin to shed, you will not only keep the coat in optimal condition, but also keep your home much cleaner.
Learned as a puppy is perfect adult
"Learning young is learning for life," or in other words, a relaxed Border Collie on the grooming table starts from day one. Grooming is something that is simply part of owning the breed. Being able to properly maintain the coat starts from day one, and we say this for a reason. In the socialization process of the new family member, that aspect of general care is often forgotten.
There are a number of things that should actually be included in the routine as standard, just like the daily walks. It is important that the puppy learns step by step that you can touch him/her everywhere, between the paw pads, nails, the ears and also inside the ears, teeth,... and so on.
In addition to those small touches that your puppy needs to get used to touch he/she will also have to get used to a brush/comb being run through the coat, and don't forget to include the armpits and groin areas of the dog. By repeating these kinds of things a few times a week or perhaps even daily, your puppy learns that this care isn't actually scary or exciting at all, but rather relaxing. Grooming really needs to become a quality time moment between owner and dog, and if you build this up step by step from day one, it will eventually become a relaxing moment for both of you as long as it is taught properly.
From Puppy to Adult Coat
Between the age of approximately 5 and 12 months, the Border Collie starts developing its adult coat. Exactly when this happens differs from dog to dog and is often influenced by the season as well. During this transition period, the soft puppy coat is gradually replaced by the thicker adult coat, usually at the same time as the natural shedding periods.
This is also the stage where many owners suddenly discover how quickly tangles and mats can develop, especially in longer-coated Border Collies. The changing coat can become quite difficult to manage, and it may feel as though new knots appear the moment you have finished brushing. During this phase, more frequent grooming is often necessary to keep the coat healthy and mat-free. For some Border Collies, this may even mean brushing almost weekly for a while. Fortunately, once the adult coat is fully developed, grooming usually becomes much easier again.
At the same time, your Border Collie is often right in the middle of puberty as well. Puppies that previously stood or lay perfectly still during grooming may suddenly seem to have forgotten all about their manners, which can make coat care a little more challenging.
To help prevent severe matting during this important coat transition, it can be very helpful to seek assistance from an experienced groomer. Especially when your young Border Collie no longer cooperates as nicely during brushing sessions, an experienced pair of hands can make the process much easier and more comfortable for both dog and owner.
The Adult Coat
An adult Border Collie generally only needs a thorough grooming session once every month, although this can vary greatly depending on the coat type and lifestyle of the dog. Smooth-coated Border Collies usually require less maintenance, while longer-coated dogs especially those from show lines often need more regular brushing to keep the coat free from tangles and loose undercoat.
The best way to groom a Border Collie is by working in layers. Start low on the body or legs, gently lifting the coat upwards against the direction of hair growth, and then brush or comb it through layer by layer in the natural direction of the coat. By working systematically in lines and always brushing through the already groomed sections, you can easily reach the undercoat without pulling unnecessarily on the hair.
It is important to brush all the way down to the skin so that the loose undercoat is properly removed. If the undercoat remains trapped, it can start to compact and eventually form mats, especially during shedding seasons.
Certain areas of the Border Collie are more prone to tangles and matting than others. Pay extra attention to the feathering behind the ears, around the collar or harness area, the chest, the trousers on the hind legs, the elbows, and the tail. The paws and the hair between the toes should also be checked and groomed regularly, especially in active dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors.