How to Keep a Bearded Collie's Coat Looking Good

The Bearded Collie is a charming, lively dog known for its beautiful long coat and energetic personality. Keeping their coat looking its best requires a consistent grooming routine that balances brushing, bathing, and occasional trimming to promote skin health and prevent mats.

Why Regular Grooming Matters

Bearded Collies are busy characters who enjoy outdoor adventures, so their coats easily pick up debris like twigs and leaves. Regular grooming helps remove these while preventing tangles and mats, ensuring their skin remains healthy and comfortable. Daily or frequent brushing also builds a strong bond with your dog when done gently and positively.

Step-by-Step Coat Care Routine

Step 1: Preparation

Gather the right grooming tools for the job: a slicker brush, pin brush, wide-tooth comb, and a spray bottle for lightly misting the coat with water to ease detangling.

Step 2: Initial Brushing

Start brushing your Bearded Collie using a good quality slicker brush, brushing away from the body. Lightly spray water on the coat—not soaking—to loosen mats without discomfort.

Step 3: Back Brushing

Gently back brush the coat from the feet upwards. This means brushing against the grain to lift the hair and remove stubborn tangles. Be patient and gentle to avoid pulling or hurting your dog.

Step 4: Smooth the Coat

Repeat the initial brushing to smooth down the coat after back brushing. Some groomers prefer working section by section to ensure thorough coverage.

Step 5: Target Trouble Spots

• Use a soft bristle brush on back legs brushing against the natural hair lay, then a pin brush from top to bottom, reaching down to the skin carefully with water aid.
• Finish by combing with a Poodle comb to detect and remove remaining tangles and dead hair. Use your fingers to gently detangle mats before brushing and combing.
• Pay close attention to the flanks and under the belly where mats are common, using a line brushing technique either vertically or horizontally.
• Don’t forget the chest and beard area, as hair there tends to be thicker and requires extra brushing.

Keeping Key Areas Tidy

Rear End

Carefully comb and brush your dog's tail and thighs, removing mats and tangles using gentle strokes to avoid discomfort. This sensitive area requires patience and care.

Face and Ears

Brush the face in small sections, starting from the wide-tooth comb away from the eyes to the ears. Hair thickens around the ears so handle delicately. Clean inside and outside the ears as needed, and if you notice any unpleasant smells or signs of infection, consult your vet for appropriate ear drops.

Feet

Carefully comb between the toes with a medium-tooth comb, trimming excess hair if it grows too long to prevent mudballs or snow clumping. Regularly tidying the feet is especially important in older dogs.

Bathing and Professional Grooming

Bathe your Bearded Collie about every two weeks or as needed with a gentle, dog-specific shampoo. Always brush out mats before bathing to prevent worsening them. Thoroughly rinse and dry using a high-velocity dryer or towels to avoid dampness that can cause mats.

Professional grooming sessions every 6 to 8 weeks help maintain coat health with proper clipping or stripping, particularly in spring to keep your dog comfortable in warmer weather.

Additional Grooming Tips

• Use leave-in conditioners or moisturizing sprays daily to keep the coat hydrated and easier to manage.
• Consider a summer trim if maintaining a full coat becomes challenging, but many owners prefer to keep the natural look.
• Use special teasing combs or edge brushes gently to tackle stubborn mats without causing pain.
• Always approach grooming with patience and kindness to build your dog’s trust and enjoyment of the process.

Conclusion

With a dedicated grooming routine combining regular brushing, bathing, and professional trims, your Bearded Collie's coat will remain healthy, shiny, and free from tangles. Remember that grooming is also an excellent way to bond with your pet and keep them comfortable while showcasing their stunning, signature coat.