Do Collies Shed and What You Need to Know

Collies are known to be heavy shedders, with some breeds shedding up to 4 times a year.

Their thick double coats require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling. Regular brushing can help reduce shedding, but it's a time-consuming task.

Collies shed heavily during seasonal changes, typically in the spring and fall. This is due to the changing temperatures and humidity levels.

Their thick undercoat sheds heavily, with some owners reporting clumps of hair coming off in a single brush stroke.

Collies are a type of herding dog that originated in Scotland and Wales.

They are a medium-sized breed, typically weighing between 40-60 pounds.

Collies are known for their intelligence and loyalty, making them popular family pets.

Their thick double coat is one of their most distinctive features, consisting of a soft undercoat and a harsh outer coat.

Collies have a long history of being used as working dogs, helping shepherds herd sheep and other livestock.

They are highly trainable and thrive on mental and physical stimulation.

Their intelligence and trainability make them a popular choice for agility and obedience competitions.

Collies are generally a healthy breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues.

Their lifespan is typically between 12-14 years, but with proper care and attention, some Collies have been known to live into their late teens.

Border collies have two types of coats: rough and smooth. A rough coat has longer hair and feathering around the chest, legs, and belly.

The rough coat can come in different lengths and thicknesses, with some having a thick undercoat and long hair, while others have a thinner coat with little feathering.

Rough coat collies get their full coat by two years of age, or their third coat, and thrive in cool temperatures.

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The Smooth Collie is a specific type of Collie known for its short, smooth coat. It's one of the two main types of Collies, the other being the Rough Collie.

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The Smooth Collie's coat is shorter than the Rough Collie's, typically 1-2 inches in length. This shorter coat requires less grooming, making it a great choice for busy owners.

Smooth Collies are often described as having a "smooth" or "short" coat, which is a result of their genetic makeup. This unique coat type is due to a genetic mutation that affects the production of the Collie's coat.

The Smooth Collie's short coat also sheds less than the Rough Collie, making it a good choice for owners with allergies. However, they still require regular brushing to remove loose hair and prevent matting.

In terms of appearance, Smooth Collies have a similar body type to the Rough Collie, with a muscular build and a wedge-shaped head. They come in a variety of colors, including sable, blue merle, and tri-color.

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A smooth coated border collie has shorter hair and little or no feathering.

They can vary in texture and thickness, with some having a thick undercoat and others having less.

Smooth coat is dominant over the rough coat, so breeding two rough coated border collies together will not result in a smooth coated offspring.

A smooth coat can be easier to care for than a rough coat, as it doesn't pick up as much dirt and dries faster.

However, smooth coat border collie shedding is just as common as in rough coat collies, with an annual shed usually occurring in the spring.

Unlike rough coated border collies, smooth coated border collies will continue to shed some hair throughout the year, similar to a German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever.

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Grooming a Collie requires a large pin brush, slicker brush, greyhound comb, toenail clippers, hair scissors, and spray bottle with mixed water & conditioner.

You'll need to brush your Collie down to the skin, removing all knots and tangles, and trimming their feet, nails, hocks, and pasterns short to keep them clean.

Brushing your Collie often is essential for controlling shedding, especially during the shedding season. Brushing 2 to 3 times a week in the off-season and every day during the shedding season can make a big difference.

A smooth coat is easier to care for than a rough coat, but both types of Collies shed equally. They don't pick up as much dirt, and they dry faster, but they still require regular grooming.

Brushing daily during the shedding seasons can help remove most of the loose hair before it reaches your furniture. It's especially important to brush your Collie every day during the fall and spring when they're more likely to develop mats.

Using a pin or slicker brush is best, and an undercoat rake can be very effective at removing excess hair in the undercoat.

Border Collies shed all year round, but they have two distinct shedding seasons. These occur towards the start of summer and the beginning of fall, when they blow their coat to make way for a new one.

During the summer season, your Border Collie will shed their winter coat due to the warmer weather and increased light exposure. In the fall season, they'll shed their coat again to prepare for colder temperatures and less light.

Spring is also a heavy shedding season for Border Collies, especially for those with thicker winter coats. This is a normal process, and their coat will eventually improve as they grow in their new coat.

Border collies shed all year round, but most noticeably at two distinct times of the year.

These times of year occur towards the start of summer and the beginning of fall, when your collie will blow their coat.

Blowing a coat means they're dropping their current coat to make way for a new one.

In the summer season, your border collie will shed their winter coat because the weather will be warmer and the coat will be exposed to much more light.

You can use an undercoat rake to help manage the shedding process.

An undercoat rake is a special brush made especially for deshedding dogs with undercoats, and it looks like a miniature rake.

Be gentle and don't press too hard when using an undercoat rake, as you don't want to scrape their skin.

The Furminator brush combines brushing and coat raking, making it a great option if you want to save time and money.

Using an undercoat rake can help keep shedding under control, but unfortunately, there's no way to completely stop it.

Additional reading: When Do German Shepherds Shed

Border Collies shed at two distinct times of the year: towards the start of summer and the beginning of fall. These are the times when they blow their coat.

Border Collies shed their winter coat in the summer season because the warmer weather and increased light make it unnecessary. They shed their lighter coat in the fall to make way for a thicker, fuller winter coat.

Spring is the heaviest shedding season for Border Collies, and you can expect more shedding from rough-coated Borders. It's normal for their coat to look a little lack-luster and stringy during this time.

Desexing can change the coat quality of long-haired dogs, especially in females, and may lead to a thicker coat with slightly more shedding. However, both intact and desexed Border Collies will shed, and the benefits of desexing often outweigh the potential increase in shedding.

Causes of shedding can be quite straightforward. The most common reason for shedding is due to a change of seasons. This is a natural process where your collie's coat adjusts to the new temperature and humidity levels.

Some collies may also shed due to hormonal changes, but this is less common. If you notice your collie shedding more than usual, it's worth checking with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.

Seasonal changes can be a big trigger for shedding, so be prepared for a lot of loose hair during spring and fall.

The most common reason for shedding is due to a change of seasons. This is because our bodies naturally adjust to the changing temperatures and humidity levels, causing our hair follicles to react and shed more.

Many people experience shedding after a summer vacation, only to notice a new growth spurt when they return to their normal routine. This is a normal process, but it can be frustrating nonetheless.

A change of seasons can cause our hair to become more prone to shedding, leading to an increase in hair loss. This is especially true for people who live in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations.

It's also worth noting that some people may experience shedding due to a change in their environment, such as moving to a new home or switching to a new hair care product.

Stress can cause dogs to shed more than usual, and it's a natural reaction that can happen suddenly, especially in situations like vet visits or groomers.

Most dogs react to stress by shedding more than usual, and show dogs often shed excessively when being judged in front of a large group of people.

Common symptoms of dog anxiety include restlessness and pacing, excessive barking and whining, urination in the house, yawning, drooling, and panting.

If you notice your dog displaying these symptoms, it may be related to stress caused by changes in their life, such as moving into a new home or introduction of a new pet.

Making sure your dog has regular exercise and mental stimulation can help manage stress and release pent-up energy.

If your dog is home for long hours, a local Pet Sitter can help provide the necessary attention and care.

Here are some common stress triggers that can lead to excessive shedding:

Remember, if you're constantly stressed, your dog can sense it and become stressed too, leading to excessive shedding.