Grooming Your
Pet Collie
Coat Maintenance & Shop Suggestions
A proper Collie coat is easier to maintain than you might expect, but some grooming is required. Check your dog regularly for mats behind their ears, beneath the armpits, and on their belly. Your dog is likely to mat much easier and more frequently when going through coat change from puppy to adult coat. During this time, it’s recommended to brush frequently and thoroughly and apply baby powder in those areas that are most likely to mat to prevent matting.
I’ve attached links to my favorite products, but feel free to shop around various sites to get the best deals. My favorite sites to purchase items from are:
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Ryan’s Pet Supplies | https://ryanspet.com/
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Cindra Pet Supplies | https://cindra.net/?ref=SUPERSTITIONCANINES
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Use code SUPERSTITION for 15% off at checkout​
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Cherrybrook Pet Supplies | https://www.cherrybrook.com/
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Groomers Pro | https://groomerspro.com/
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Chris Christensen | https://chrischristensen.com/
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Triumph Showdog Solutions | http://www.showdogsolutions.com/
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Groomer Supply House | https://www.groomersupplyhouse.com/
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Groomer’s Choice | https://groomerschoice.com/
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Amazon | https://www.amazon.com/
Brushes
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Slicker Brushes: used to detangle, demat, and fluff
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Tauro Pro Line Dog Brush for Shedding
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Great for dematting.
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Groomer Supply House Purple Slicker Brush
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Great for fluffing.
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Pin Brushes: used for regular brushing.
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Chris Christensen Original Series Oval Pin Brush (27mm pin size)
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Great for regular brushing and fluffing. Gentle on coat.
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Chris Christensen Fusion Oval Pin Brush (20mm or 27mm pin size)
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Brass pins eliminate static to prevent coat breakage.
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Brushing Sprays
Never brush a dry coat. Always use water or a brushing spray before brushing to prevent breakage and keep the coat healthy.
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INFUSIUM 23 Original Formula Pro-Vitamin Leave-In Hair Treatment
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Formulated for humans but safe to use on dogs. Add a small amount to a spray bottle and mix with water. Can be used as a brushing spray or sprayed on furnishings to prevent breakage.
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Great during winter to reduce static. Use as a brushing spray or when your dog feels extra staticky. Also comes in gallon size.
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Chris Christensen Ice on Ice Detangling and Finishing Spray
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Great for detangling and extra conditioning. Comes in ready-to-use and concentrated formulas.
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Best Shot UltraMax Finishing Spray
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Great for regular brushing and detangling.
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Shampoos & Conditioners
Choosing a shampoo and conditioner for your dog can be overwhelming since there are so many options, but here are a few that I enjoy using:
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Anything from Bark2Basics
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Bark2Basics is a good budget-friendly line with plenty of options to choose from.
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Anything from TropiClean
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TropiClean can be purchased at most pet supply stores, like Petco and PetSmart.
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Anything from Nature’s Specialties
Shed Control
Intact females shed their coat four months after going into heat and when the seasons change from warm to cold and vice versa. Intact males generally go through two coat blows a year that correspond with the changing of the seasons. Never use a brush with a blade to deshed. In addition to the brushes listed above, some tools that are beneficial to use are:
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Undercoat Rake
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FURminator Dog/Cat Grooming Rake (does not have blade unlike traditional FURminator brushes)
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Deshedding Shampoo & Conditioner
Miscellaneous Items
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Waterless shampoo used to clean in between baths.
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Coastal Pet Li'l Pals Stainless Steel De-Matting Comb
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Used to cut out mats that won’t come out with a brush or comb. Use carefully and sparingly. This comb has a sharp blade, so exercise caution when handling.
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A Note on Line Brushing
In addition to using the proper tools, you want to ensure you’re using the proper method to brush your dog. You should regularly line brush your dog to prevent and remove mats. Line brushing ensures that you are getting down to the skin and brushing out any tangles in the top coat and undercoat. After line brushing with a pin brush or slicker, go over the dog with a comb. If the comb snags at any point, go back over the area with your brush until the comb is able to easily glide through. Click here to learn more about line brushing your double-coated breed.