The Border Collie is the smartest dog breed in the canine world. Not only are they hardworking, agile, and athletic, but they also have a luscious coat that comes in different colors.
With that much hair, and you’re hoping to get a Border Collie puppy, one of the questions in your mind is – “Do Border Collies shed a lot”?
Keep reading because this article is for you.
Facts about the Border Collie’s hair
Border Collies have a fur that can vary from long and rough-coated to short and smooth-coated. Long-haired ones have feathering on its chest, underside, haunches, and their forelegs. Short-haired Borders have a smoother look but with less feathering.
Like any other working dogs, the Border Collie has a soft undercoat and a rough outer coat that’s simply called a double-layered fur. It’s common for these breeds as it helps them adapt to different weather. Their undercoat serves like insulation.
Border Collie puppies generally have a thick, fluffy coat that gives extra warmth within their first year. It would typically shed off when they’re transitioning to adulthood (until 2 to 3 years) and giving way to a new fur.
Are Border Collies hypoallergenic?
No, they are NOT hypoallergenic. In fact, they tend to shed a lot throughout the year. You’ll find your dog’s hair in every corner of the house, and sometimes, they’re just floating in the air.
Twice in a year, your Border Collie’s shedding or molting can go from bad to worse.
Shedding Level: How bad do Border Collies shed?
Others consider Borders to have seasonal shedding, while most owners consider their working dog to be a full-time maintenance job when it comes to how much they shed. Overall, this breed is a moderate or medium shedder.
Here’s a video of a Border Collie owner showing how much his dog sheds.
You may notice your Border Collie’s fur in your furniture and clothes, but when winter’s closing in, he’d have a thicker coat that would help him cope with the cold. More hair means more shedding.
When the season starts to warm up, your Border dog will begin to shed excessively, which is also known as blowing coat.
Why do Border Collies need to shed?
Like any other dog or living thing with hair, shedding is a normal process of removing old and damaged fur. It’s the body’s way of renewing and maintaining healthy follicles and coat – some sort of self-repairing mechanism.
One of the factors that affect a Border Collie’s shedding is hormonal changes that come with the changing seasons. The time that your dog spends outdoors is another factor, especially during summer. Your pet’s body gets rid of hair faster, which is its way of adjusting to the heat.
Other details to take into consideration are:
Allergies
Good dog owners would notice if their pooch is itching, scratching, and shedding too much.
If that’s the case and you’re suspecting it’s due to allergies, look for symptoms such as inflamed paw pads and ears, sneezing, and watery eyes. It can be due to environmental factors.
Your Border Collie may be allergic to something new that’s used on his coat, an ingredient in his food, or irritants that he gets in contact with, like paint, pollen, and grass.
Stress
Border Collies are responsive and sensitive canines. If your herding dog is experiencing abnormal hair loss, it can be because of too much stress or anxiety. Anxious pets tend to lick one area for long periods that will lead to excessive shedding.
There’s a lot of things that can contribute to a dog going through stress. Possible reasons are past trauma, like abuse or separation anxiety.
Some of the few signs of stress to watch out for are tail between his legs, pacing, pinned back ears, avoidance, aggression, destructive behavior, as well as panting and drooling.
Parasites
Since the Border Collie breed loves spending time outdoors, that means your dog may pick up external and internal parasites.
These hitchhikers come in all shapes and sizes, like intestinal tapeworms and fleas, that will usually originate from contaminated areas. Apparent signs of parasites are an increase of itching and scratching that will also cause shedding.
How to manage your Border Collie’s shedding?
There’s no need to worry and back out from your plans of owning a Border Collie. Since this breed is one of the most popular family dogs, a lot of people have figured out tricks to minimize the shedding.
Simple lifestyle changes can curb the amount of shedding that you’ll have to deal with.
Grooming: Your first line of defense against shedding Borders
Frequent washing and brushing will help when your Border Collie is blowing coat.
Grooming is not only going to make your dog feel fresh and relaxed, but it’s a form of bonding time for you and your fur baby.
Give your Border Collie a de-shedding bath
Whether you have a working Border Collie or a family pet, his coat can easily get dirty, tangled, and stinky with time. Bathing is a regular part of any dog’s life, even if it becomes a race before you get him into the tub.
For Border Collies, they only need a bath every six to ten weeks, but brushing should be done daily.
Before you put your Border in the tub, brush his hair thoroughly to remove loose fur and mats. Then, wet your dog’s outer coat and undercoat, and make sure you’re using a shampoo made for de-shedding canines.
After washing his hair, rinse your Border Collie’s coat twice to get rid of any leftover shampoo because that can also cause skin irritation. Some owners recommend using a de-shedding conditioner as well. Let it settle or soak for at least 5 minutes before rinsing.
Once thoroughly rinsed, dry your Border Collie with a towel. If you’ve brought your dog to a professional groomer before, you may have noticed that they’re using a high-velocity dryer.
A high-powered blower will help dry your Border’s coat faster, as well as remove all the loose and dead hair.
It’s a great way to reduce your dog’s shedding for a short period (about three weeks).
The best brush to use for a shedding Border Collie
A slick or pin brush is recommended for brushing your Border’s coat. They’re better at reaching deep down to the undercoat. There are some Border Collie parents who’d recommend a FURminator de-shedding brush.
The trick is brushing while going with the grain, not against the hair flow.
Brushing can also remove parasites that are irritating your pet’s skin. If grooming doesn’t work, have your dog checked by a vet to rule this out.
A nutritious diet for your Border’s healthy coat
When you were told to provide a complete and balanced nutrition for your Border Collie, its overall health would include his skin and coat.
If you’re still looking for a dog food brand that’s suitable for your canine friend, make sure to check the ingredients. Some famous brands are full of by-products and additives that can damage hair roots.
There’s a lot of dog food that’s suitable for puppies and adults with sensitivities, and some for all-life stages.
Choose one with essential fatty acids. It’s crucial for a Border Collie’s skin and coat.
Aside from dog food, there’s a lot of treats and supplements that promote healthier roots and fur, while controlling or minimizing shedding.
Let your Border Collie shed outside
The last tip that’s a necessity for Border Collies is exercise. By simply running around and rolling outdoors, your dog will be leaving his hair out there, not inside your home.
His daily workout can also contribute to a healthy coat because it maintains a healthy circulatory system.
It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry about any dog hair around your house. Invest in a vacuum that’s specifically designed for canine shedding.
A Border Collie shedding is normal
Borders may require a lot of time from you as an owner when it comes to exercise and training, but they only need regular and consistent care when it comes to grooming.
Maintaining a routine for brushing or grooming will ensure that your Border Collie stays at a medium-level of shedding, and away from excessively blowing their coat.
No matter what any paw parent or dog professional say to you, this breed should NEVER have their hair cut thoroughly or shaved. Doing so can do irreparable damage since it will destroy your dog’s natural fur. A Border Collie has a double-layered coat and sheds for a reason.
Before you close this page, watch this groomer who realized why a double-coated dog should never be shaved:
If shedding is something that you can’t deal with for the whole life your Border’s going to spend with you, then this breed is not for you. Go for dogs that don’t shed as much as a Border Collie.
What can you say about Border Collie shedding? Do you have any other tips and tricks that can offer to new owners of this breed? Share it all by commenting below!
Cess is a seasoned dog enthusiast and expert in the field of canine care. With over 5 years of experience in the Pet Industry, she is a go-to resource for dog owners seeking expert guidance.
As the Head of Content Writing at Border Collie Health, Cess shares her extensive knowledge through informative articles and practical tips. Beyond her professional role, she actively volunteers at local shelters and enjoys participating in dog-related events.