Border collies have beautiful coats that need to be maintained if they are to retain their looks. Because they’re so fluffy, shedding can become a serious problem for owners!
Border Collies do shed A LOT, and you should be prepared for that before taking on this breed as your pet!
Border Collies are beautiful working dogs that have been popular for decades because of their high intelligence, versatility, and athleticism. But many people don’t realize that these shaggy herding dogs come with a lot of upkeep!
If you’re not prepared to deal with the amount of shedding this breed does throughout springtime, it’s best to choose another breed with a less woolly coat. If you can handle it, however, the Border Collie could be your perfect pet!
How Much Do Border Collies Shed?
Border collies have a high shedding level. They will shed all year round, but they’ll especially rev up their shedding during the fall and spring equinoxes.
During these two seasons, you’ll start to notice your Border Collie’s fur becoming very thin. Don’t worry! This is part of an annual molt that will replenish their coats over the next four months or so.
Either smooth coat or rough coat Border Collies will shed a significant amount during this time.
But Border Collies are still considered heavy shedders throughout their lives, so you’ll have to brush them frequently to keep up with all that shedding!
When Do Border Collies Shed?
Border collies typically shed all year round, but it happens more heavily in the springtime as they shake out their winter coats. This can be frustrating to those who live with them because there will always be a thick layer of fur on the floor.
But, Border Collies can shed due to other factors as well, such as:
Puppy Coat
Border Collies lose their puppy coats when they hit about six months of age. Puppy coats can be thin but also dense and wooly.
When your Border Collie starts to shed this coat, their new one will be much sleeker and easier to maintain.
You can help speed up the process by brushing them often!
Shedding Seasons
As I told you before, BCs shed a lot during the fall and spring seasons. This is when they are changing to their winter or summer coats.
But they will still shed during the summer and winter seasons, although less than in the fall and spring.
When Neutered or Spayed
When neutered or spayed, a Border Collie usually sheds more heavily. This is because these types of surgeries initiate a hormonal change that can affect the amount of fur coming in during the seasonal molt.
In addition to this, some Border Collies will start to develop baldness after being spayed or neutered, particularly if they are not kept well-nourished.
Stress
Border Collies who feel stressed might also start to lose their fur sooner than usual or shed more frequently.
If your Border Collie is shedding excessively, you might want to take them to a professional groomer and see if they can help!
Allergies
Allergies, especially food allergies, can also cause Border Collies to shed more than usual.
If you think your dog might be allergic to something, try switching out their food or give them an allergy pill like Benadryl. Although Benadryl is safe for dogs, you still should contact your vet.
Bad Diet
A bad diet can cause the Border Collie to shed more. If your dog doesn’t have a proper amount of protein, its fur might start coming in lighter and thinner than it should be.
A high-quality protein diet can help keep your Border Collie’s fur thick and healthy, which means it will stop shedding so much.
Over Washing
Giving too many baths or overwashing will cause a dog to lose their fur.
You should only need to wash your Border Collie once a month with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and Ticks can cause a Border Collie to lose their fur, usually around the ears and tail.
If you know your dog has been infested with fleas, call your vet immediately and try to get rid of them as soon as possible.
For ticks, use a product like Frontline or Advantix that will help repel harmful insects from your dog’s body.
The Importance of Grooming your Border Collie
Grooming your Border Collie properly will help keep them healthier and happier! Grooming your BC regularly is essential because it helps them maintain healthy skin and coat.
Suppose you brush or comb their fur regularly. In that case, it will help distribute the oils throughout their undercoat and keep everything looking bright and healthy.
But grooming doesn’t just include brushing; it also includes bathing, nail clipping, ear cleaning, and other things like that.
How to Groom a Border Collie
Grooming a BC is not hard. All you have to do is brush, comb, and inspect them regularly.
Regular grooming of a Border Collie helps to remove tangles from their fur that can cause the dog pain or discomfort.
In addition to removing painful tangles from your BC’s hair, groomers can also check for fleas and ticks as well as mites!
You should also cut your Border Collie’s nails. This will help their feet stay strong and healthy, plus it’ll be less painful for them.
A good time to trim nails is every couple of weeks or before bathing your dog. You can ask a groomer or your vet if you aren’t sure how to do it yourself!
How to manage the Border Collie Shedding?
Managing a BC shedding may sound like a daunting task, but it is very simple.
Despite how frustrating it can be for some of us owners, shedding is natural for all dogs.
However, there are steps you can take to reduce the amount of shedding your Border Collie does on its own. This includes:
Bathing
When bathing your Border Collie, you can use a deshedding shampoo, which can help reduce their shedding by up to 90%.
These shampoos are available from most pet stores and should only need to be used no more than 1 time a month.
Brushing
Border Collies should be brushed at least once per day during this time to prevent the constant buildup of shed fur on your carpets, floors, furniture, clothing, etc.
This will help remove any dead hair from their coat and reduce shedding by up to 90%.
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is very important for your BC fur. If you feel your Border Collie is shedding a lot, try switching their food to a high-quality brand.
This will make their fur stronger and more resistant to all types of damage or pressure that might cause them to shed excessively.
Vitamin Supplements
Some BC owners choose to give their dogs supplements containing vitamins such as Biotin.
These supplements are made from natural ingredients and help strengthen fur and increase skin and coat health.
Vitamins can only be given under the guidance of a veterinarian, but once you have been advised by a professional on what supplement is best for your dog, it will aid in helping with excess shedding.
Fleas & Ticks
Keep control of these pests as they can lead to severe skin irritation and infections if left untreated.
This may cause your dog to become stressed or uncomfortable, which will then initiate excessive shedding.
Blow their coat
With a high-speed hairdryer, blow their coat so that it “blows” all the dead undercoat away.
This will leave the top coat looking glossy and healthy, as well as removing any excess fur.
Other Deshedding Products
Deshedding products are available for purchase online or in your local pet store.
Some popular deshedding products include:
Undercoat Deshedding Tools
- FURminator
- Furblaster dog brush by DakPets
- Magic pro deshedding tool
- Dual-sided stainless steel shedding blade
- Deshedding Glove
- King Komb deshedding brush
Deshedding Shampoos
- FURminator deShedding shampoo
- Earthbath puppy shampoo
- Espree Simple Shed shampoo
- Top performance – shed patrol shampoo
- Burt’s Bees Shed Control Shampoo
In conclusion
Border Collies do shed, even more so during the spring. This breed requires a lot of upkeep to look as good as it should, and owners need to be prepared for this before going ahead with adoption or purchase. For those who can handle the amount of fur this breed sheds, the Border Collie makes a great pet!
