Do Border Collies Shed – Border Collie Shedding

The Border Collie is one of the most popular dog breeds. This is a stunningly beautiful dog that has a lot of energy and is fiercely loyal. These dogs as mesmerizing to watch when they herd sheep, and an utter joy to have as a companion.

The origin of this breed dates back to the Roman Empire in Great Britain, where they were bred to herd sheep in Wales and Scotland, their luscious coats, protecting them from the bitter cold.

The reason this is such a beautiful dog is its double coat, with the inner coat being short and rough and the outer coat being long, smooth and feathered.

The question is, do Border Collies shed? They do, but not excessively. They shed a moderate amount throughout the year.

If you want your dog to keep its looks, you need to groom him properly. In this article, we will dive deep into the grooming needs of Border Collies.

Do Border Collies Shed a Lot?

Border Collies are not the heaviest shedders. They don’t shed as much as some other breeds like the Afghan hound, but they shed more than some other herding dogs.

They do shed all year round, though, so it’s best to brush your dog’s coat a few times a week if you don’t want hair all over the floor.

How much do Border Collies shed? They don’t shed so much, but it can quickly get out of control if you don’t brush your dog’s coat fairly regularly.

Hair can land on the floor and furniture and make a place really look unkempt and dirty. Fortunately, these dogs prefer to spend time outside.

They are not happy lying around the house all day, so they will do most of their shedding outside in the garden where it shouldn’t be much of a bother.

Border Collie Shedding Frequency

Border Collies shed throughout the year. Most of the time the Border Collie shedding can be kept under control with three or four brush sessions during the week. However, twice a year these dogs shed their coats completely and that can be quite messy if not attended to.

Twice a year, during the spring and fall, shedding starts in earnest, and your dog will blow his coat completely.

The heavy shedding happens during springtime when your dog will shed his heavy winter coat in preparation for the hot summer months. The other heavy shedding happens during fall when your dog will shed his summer coat to grow his new winter coat.

During these two periods, you will need to brush your dog’s coat on a daily basis.

The Main Reasons Border Collies Shed

A dog’s coat helps to regulate its body temperature, keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter. Double-coated dogs like the Border Collie, shed their undercoats in spring and fall.

While it is normal for these dogs to shed their coats twice a year, there may be other reasons why your dog suddenly sheds his fur at other times.

Stress

Shedding extra hair is one of the ways dogs react to stress. A visit to the vet or other factors may cause a dog to shed more than usual.

Stress can be triggered by a change in the living environment. For instance, when you leave your dog at the kennels while you go on vacation. Moving to a new home can also cause stress. Another pet, or even a new baby may make your dog anxious.

Dogs that live in shelters are often under continual stress and may shed more than normal.

Skin Issues

Some skin conditions and diseases may also trigger hair loss. Dogs tend to lose a lot of hair when they

Parasites like fleas, lice, or mites that live in fur and on the skin are a common complaint among all dogs, and can lead to noticeable hair loss.

Certain diseases like some cancers and immune diseases and infections can also cause hair loss.

Allergies

Dogs can be allergic to all manner of things, including, certain foods, medications, cleaning agents, and even dog shampoos. Allergies are another cause of shedding in dogs. One of the allergic reactions to these things may be a loss of hair.

Certain foods, medications, household cleaners, and grooming supplies may trigger allergic reactions in dogs.

How to Manage Your Border Collie Shedding

Brushing

If you don’t want dog hair all over your furniture and on your carpets, it’s best to prevent your dog from shedding it by brushing his coat regularly.

Stay on top of the hair avalanche by giving him a good brush at least two or three times a week. During the shedding season, you will have to brush him every day.

Border Collies have a double coat, so you’ll need to spend at least 10 minutes to get rid of excess hair and dander.

Regular brushing will not only get rid of loose hair; it will ensure that your dog has a healthy glossy coat.

Bathing & Shampoo

Border Collies don’t need regular baths – once every three or four months is adequate.

When you bathe your dog, use lukewarm water as he will find that most comfortable. Also, look out for an anti-shed shampoo. A good anti-shedding shampoo can help to control excess shedding, which will make brushing easier as well.

If you take your dog to a dog parlor to be groomed, make sure that they use quality products.

Diet

Another factor that can affect your dog’s general health and the condition of his coat and his shedding habits, is his diet.

You can help your dog to shed less hair by feeding him dog food specifically formulated to reduce shedding. These dog foods provide the necessary nutrients for a healthy, shiny coat.

Dog food that reduces shedding is usually made of whole foods to reduce allergens that may affect their skins and cause them to shed.

Look for a product that is high in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Formulas that contain salmon are especially good as salmon contains omega fatty acids that help with a healthy coat.

Supplements

If you and your dog are bothered by excessive shedding, you might want to consider giving him some supplement that will stop him shedding so much and help him to have healthy skin and a shiny coat.

A good quality supplement will provide all the vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids your dog needs. A supplement can also make up for any deficiencies in your dog’s diet.

Do be cautious about supplements, though. Consult your vet about a good supplement and follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely to avoid vitamin poisoning.

Border Collie Coats and Coat Blowing

Border Collies’ coats have two layers, a rough outer coat with a softer inner coat. This means a thick coat that takes long to dry once it’s soaked. Also, a coat like that can house a lot of dander and loose hair.

A high-powered hairdryer is just the thing to dry your dog’s hair properly and get rid of dander and loose hair.

Switch the dryer on and first keep it away from your dog, so the sound doesn’t scare him. Once he’s used to the sound, start drying his coat, quickly move the dryer all over him so his whole coat dries simultaneously.

You can use your own hairdryer for this purpose, but one designed especially for dogs will be more effective for getting rid of loose hair.

Do Spayed & Neutered Border Collies Shed Less

For the first few months after having been spayed or neutered, Border Collies tend to shed more than usual, especially male dogs.

Hormones play a role in this change. The change in hormone levels may cause some of a dog’s hair to die and the result is more shedding. This situation changes back to normal after some time.

It’s also interesting to note that many dog owners don’t notice a change in shedding habits after their dog has been fixed.

Do Border Collies Puppies Shed More Than Adult Dogs

There is no hard and fast rule here. Some puppies don’t shed at all while other puppies shed more in their puppy years and less in their adult years and vice versa.

It stands to reason that an adult dog will shed more than a puppy since it is bigger and has more hair to shed.

However, any time between four and six months, a puppy will shed its puppy coat and during that time there will be excessive shedding.

Double-coated dogs like the Border Collie tend to shed a lot as they grow up. Their puppies, however, only have one layer of fur, so naturally they will shed less.

Are Border Collies Hypoallergenic

Hypoallergenic dogs are dogs that don’t affect people with allergies very much. Unfortunately, the Border Collie is not considered a hypoallergenic breed.

Hypoallergenic breeds tend to shed sparingly which limits the amount of hair in the air that can be breathed in and cause allergic reactions. In general, these breeds also have less dander, which also causes allergic reactions when breathed in.

Having said that, it’s important to remember that there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. The breeds that are considered hypoallergenic actually also shed, only less, which means that there are still some allergens present.

Do Border Collies Smell

As a rule, Border Collies don’t have a smell. Their natural body oils keep them clean and odor-free.

However, under certain conditions, your dog may develop an unpleasant odor. These include washing her too often, yeast infections in her paws, poor dental hygiene, dry skin, infrequent brushing, ear infections.

Don’t be tempted to bathe your collie too often. If you use shampoo on her too often, you wash away her natural oils. Her body goes in overdrive and produces excessive body oils which can irritate her skin and cause a bad smell.

Keep her coat healthy by brushing it regularly. This way, you’ll automatically get rid of any dirt hiding in her fur. Also, be sure to brush her teeth regularly.

Do Border Collies Need Haircuts?

No, please don’t give your dog a haircut. Border Collies naturally shed their hair and if you brush your dog’s coat regularly, that’s all the grooming she’s going to needs.

If you participate in dog shows with your dog, only very little trimming around his feet and the back of his legs is called for.

Also, never ever think of shaving your dog. Shaving your dog will expose his skin to the sun and cause no end of problems for him and you.

Leave nature to take care of your dog and help it along with a balanced diet and frequent brushing.

Border Collie Shedding FAQs

Do Border Collies Shed More Than Australian Shepherds

Both the breeds need regular grooming to keep their coats in top condition. Australian shepherds shed moderately to excessively.

Border Collies shed more than Aussies. Because of the roughness of their coats, they need a good brushing down at least twice a week.

Aussies, on the other hand only require their coats brushed once a week. Some people who can’t decide between the two breeds settle for the Australian Shepherd Border Collie mix.

What Time of the Year Do They Shed the Most

The Border Collie sheds most during the spring. Although they shed throughout the year, twice a year these dogs will shed more. This will be during spring and fall.

In fall they will lose their light summer coats, but in spring the real shedding will happen when they lose their heavy winter coats. During this time, you will have to step up your grooming efforts.

How Bad Is Border Collie Shedding to Deal With

Dealing with your Border Collie’s shedding is not a big deal. The secret lies in regular grooming.

During spring and fall when he is shedding more, you should brush his coat every day, but the rest of the year, two to three times a week will be sufficient. Spend at least ten minutes brushing his coat.

You can also deal with shedding by using an anti-shedding shampoo for your dog when you give him a bath.

How to Brush Your Border Collie at Home

Use the right tools. An undercoat brush will penetrate deep into your dog’s coat and loosen most of the hair. Where the brush gets stuck, lift up the top hair and brush out the bottom hair first. Keep brushing for at least ten minutes.

When you brush, do so in the direction that the hair is growing. While you are working on your dog’s coat, keep cleaning the brush. Use a high-velocity grooming blow dryer for double-coated dogs to get rid of all the hair. Don’t set it on high heat.

How to Protect Your Furniture from Dog Hair

To protect your furniture from dog hair, the first step is to teach your dog to stay off chairs, beds, and sofas. Some pet owners train their dogs to only lie down in certain places indoors.

To handle hair that floats in the air and land on furniture, you can invest in throws that you can shake out every day.

Daily vacuuming your carpets, floors, and furniture will prevent dog hair from settling down and making your place look dirty. Once dog hair has ‘’settled down’’ it’s harder to clean.

Final Words

We have said a lot about grooming in this article, and that may give you second thoughts about getting yourself a Border Collie. However, this dog is such a loving and intelligent breed that one actually wants to spend intimate time grooming it.

Really, you will go far to find a more intelligent and loyal companion. This dog will tirelessly keep you company and give you hours of pleasure. It’s true that Border Collies have grooming needs, but it’s nothing a loving pet owner won’t be happy to provide.