If you are a lucky owner of a short haired border collie, you know about all the advantages of such a low-maintenance dog. While long-haired breeds require daily brushing and regular hair cutting, the short coated collies need minimal attention on your part.
Regardless of the length of their hair, these dogs have thick and shiny coats. The border collies with short hair have a shinier look but some feathered hair on their haunches, forelegs, and chest, while the rest of their bodies are smooth.
Your short haired collie needs to be trimmed about once every 3 months. You need to pay attention to the excess hair on its feet and hocks.
Grooming Procedure for Short Haired Border Collies
When you go to the grooming salon with your short haired border collie, you’ll most likely get an offer to brush and bathe the dog. A slight shaping of the overall coat will be done but an onlooker will hardly notice the difference.
Since the border collie’s short hair is rather thick, some groomers prefer to thin out the coat in order to make the dog feel more comfortable. Thinning out won’t reduce the coat’s sheen. Take a look at these grooming tips to make your short haired border collie look beautiful.
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Border collies with short hair have long whiskers that don’t need any trimming. In fact, if you over trim your border collie, you might be penalized at the dog show.
If you are not prepping your pet for a dog show, then you might avoid trimming altogether for half a year or even a year. Their naturally short coats are considered to be perfect without any adjustments from the owner’s side. You have to make sure to keep the dog clean and brushed.
Buy a special wide-toothed comb for short and thick hair. Brushing is not required on a daily basis. You can do it once a week or even a month.
1. Practice smart brushing
When you just start brushing your collie, use a pin brush. Always start at the head and go down toward the tail. Even if your dog’s hair is very short, it’s still rather thick. So you need to make sure to reach toward the skin.
2. Know when to stop
Just like most of the dog breeds, short haired border collies are capriccios. When you are starting the brushing process, make sure the animal is feeling comfortable. Stop as soon as you see that the pet is not enjoying the grooming session.
3. Choose the right comb
Combs for dog hair care come in all shapes and sizes. You need to buy a wide-toothed and a fine-tooth steel comb. The wide-toothed one should be used to brush against the grain and remove large pieces of debris. Fine-toothed comb is used to comb through the delicate parts, such as ears and the head.
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4. Wield a stripping comb
Short haired border collies tend to shed their coats just like the long haired dogs. You need a stripping comb to help get rid of all the dead hair from your dog’s coat. Make sure to do some serious brushing during the shedding season.
5. Consider thinning shears
Since your collie has extremely thick hair, it might feel uncomfortable in a very warm climate. So as soon as the warm days come, consider buying trimming shears to thin out the hair and make your pet feel more comfortable. The thinning will also make the bathing much easier.
6. Start young
Start grooming procedures when your dog is still a puppy. You need to teach your pet that the grooming is going to become part of its life. Don’t force grooming on a puppy. Start with just a couple of minutes and then extend the time. Stop as soon as the dog shows signs of discomfort.
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7. Don’t bathe often
Border collies require a bath once a month. If your dog stays at home most of the time, it can go without a bath for as long as three months. Buy natural shampoos created especially for dogs. Don’t ever use your own hair care cosmetics on your pet.
8. Visit a grooming salon
Even if you are taking the best possible care of your pet, a yearly grooming salon visit shouldn’t be overlooked. You can get professional advice as well as a nice shaping trim for your pet.
9. Keep those eyes clear
When washing your pup, use dog-safe shampoo and make sure to keep the soapy water out of their eyes. You can use pet-safe wipes to clean around the face rather than using irritating, sudsy water.
10. Use lukewarm water
Whether you bathe your border collie once a month or every three months, use lukewarm water. Too cold will have your pup shivering, and too hot can be painful and dry out their natural oils.
11. Cut down on the trimming
Border collies don’t often need haircuts, so don’t go for a trim too often. If anything, check the feet for excess fur and trip it in preparation for the hot summer months.
12. Keep your products pet-safe
Specifically, choose products like conditioner and shampoo that are formulated for your dog.
13. Use your hands
Sometimes, combs don’t work for all parts of the grooming process. You can check under your pet’s fur and against their skin for any issues with your hands.
FAQs
These are some common questions about short-haired border collies.
No, Short-haired collies still shed just as much as their long hair counterparts. Their coats are just as thick, and they are prone to shedding. You might notice that shedding is worse at certain times of the year.
But, consistent brushing with the right type of brush is key to reducing the amount of hair left on your floors.
Short hair border collies should be bathed once per month. But can go for about three months without a bath if they are around your home most of the time.
Professionally speaking, a yearly professional groom will suffice. Brush them once per week to rid their coat of dead hair and mitigate shedding.
There is no way to know if a specific breed is purebred because of the long history of dogs and their breeding habits worldwide.
In the United States, the term purebred as it relates to dogs means two things. The first is that their parents are purebreds. The next is the dog meets certain criteria to be considered purebred by the American Kennel Club.
If you are curious as to the lineage of your dog, you can reach out to the AKC. Or the person you purchased the dog from for more information.
Short hair ones are also known as smooth collies. This is in contrast to a rough collie, which is another name for the long haired border collie. As the name suggests, short hair collies have a more smooth look to their coat than a long haired one.
However, they are similar in look, temperament, personality, and lifespan. Short hair and long hair collies are variations of the same breed.
Both breeds are athletic and medium-sized. They also share the disposition of a focused, agile, friendly, and intelligent dog. Their main difference is their coat composition.
Depending on where you find your short haired border collie, you could spend very little or a lot. If you find one at an animal shelter to adopt, the price varies from location to location. In general, shelter prices are under $100.
If you decide to purchase your border collie from a certified animal breeder, it can be between $600 and $1,000, depending on the breeder.
If you buy a short hair border collie that is fit for shows and comes with paperwork stating they are of premium lineage, you can expect to pay up to $1,500. In rare cases, up to $4,000 for this type of premium pup.
You can cut their hair or use thinning shears if the weather is hot. They may become uncomfortable in the high heat with a long coat. If you are unsure of doing this at home, take them to a professional groomer.
Yes, they can cause pet allergies. But the allergens could be from things that get trapped in their thick coats, like dust and pollen. If you suspect a pet allergy, schedule a doctor’s appointment to find the root of the issue.
These tips can help keep your short haired border collie looking beautiful and feeling happy all year round. Don’t hesitate to ask a professional for advice in order to hone your grooming skills.