What's the correct way to groom a collie with a very long heavy coat?

Question

Our Border Collie pup is growing a really long, heavy coat. He looks great but I want to groom it properly. Should I brush against it and then go the other way? What sort of brushes shoul I use?

Answer 1

First pick a nice quiet secure area for the grooming. If you are comfortable sitting on the floor and getting your pup to lay down in front of you, then do that, however that will become backbreaking for you. If you can get yourself a grooming table I would suggest doing that. Teach your pup that being on the table is ok, when 'table training' pups I always try to sit on the table with them and allow them to lay part of their body on my lap for starters(never leave your pup unattended on the table). Make it somewhat of a game with your pup, and praise him for sitting or laying on the table, short periods of time at first, so he becomes used to being up off the ground. If where you got your pup from is a show kennel then I'm sure they would probably use what is called a 'pin brush' they are generally roundish in shape, with pins similar to what we use on our hair, generally the ends of the pins are rounded to make it easier on the dogs skin, as well as a good metal comb that has 2 different widths of teeth. Personally I like a comb that carries a nice weight to it, helps in going through the coat much better. If you want to use a 'slicker' squarish brush with thin metal wires that are bent, then go ahead, pick one up that is labeled medium, means the hardness is of a medium quality, when using a 'slicker' always always be very careful on how hard you are brushing as it will scratch the skin very quickly. Always brush with the lay of the hair, if you can get the pup to lay on his side, I would recommend starting at the belly coat and working in layers up his side. Have him stand up or sit up to brush again in layers(as much as possible) his chest. Brushing out his 'pants'(his back legs), will be lots of fun, again work from the bottom up, hock to top of hindquaters( most don't like that, and will tend to try to sit on you, and this is where you learn to move your body in wierd ways). I tend to place one hand/arm under their belly and hope that I can bring my arm around enough to lift and hold the tail off to the side I'm not working on, or recruit help and have someone stand at the pups head and gently but firmly keep one hand under their belly to keep them standing. Talking with your pup in a calm soothing voice will go along way to keeping him calm, don't get overly excited until you are done and the pup is back on the floor, then let him know how happy you are with his behaviour, and reward him. Patience and time will go along way in getting him to enjoy being brushed on a regular basis.


Dog groomer for Show and Pets for over 20 years.

Answer 2

A good quality brush with metal/wire one side,and bristles on the other.Never apply pressure.I also have a comb with teeth that revolve when combing to help with tangles. Use of a detangle spray is an advantage to help with knots. NEVER brush the coat against growth. This is very uncomfortable for the dog. Lift the coat up instead.I have Bearded Collies and usually spend an hour once week giving mine a real good brush/comb/detangle. The rest of the days is half hour.

Answer 3

what you do is brush the coat by starting from a area that does not have much coat. then take a little bit of the hair and brush down. did you get the puppy from a breeder. if you did ask her how to brush the puppy the correct way. if not then call the groomers in your area to see if they can help you. the brushes you will need are a universal bush and a comb the groomer should be ablel to help and show you what you need.

Answer 4

Double coated breeds should be brushed against the lay of the hair, towards the dogs head and down to the skin. Use a pin brush, NOT a slicker type.

Answer 5

you need to brush your dog the way that the hair grows. Get a good wire brush. It will do the trick =]

Answer 6

one of the wire brushes would be good for the job