Rough Collie grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding
A practical grooming routine for the Rough Collie: coat care, baths, nails and ears.
Set aside 20 to 30 minutes, two or three times a week, for a thorough brush right to the skin. Line brushing works best: part the coat with one hand, brush the hair below the part in small sections, then move the part up the body. The soft hair behind the ears, the frill and the 'skirts' on the back legs mat first. A pin brush, a slicker and a wide-toothed comb cover most needs.
Females usually drop most of their undercoat once or twice a year, often a couple of months after a season, and males typically once a year. During that shed, daily brushing for two or three weeks plus a warm bath and a high-velocity dryer shift astonishing amounts of fluff. Bathe otherwise every couple of months, and do not clip the coat short unless a vet advises it. Trim hair between the pads, keep nails short and check ears weekly.
Rough Collie grooming in numbers
This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.
| Task | Planning example |
|---|---|
| Brushing | 4 to 5 times a week |
| Bathing | Every 3 to 6 weeks |
| Shedding | Heavy, with seasonal blowouts |
| Nail trim | Every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Ear check | Weekly |
| Teeth | Daily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful |
Coat
A very dense double coat with a harsh, straight outer layer, a soft close undercoat and a full mane and frill, set against short smooth hair on the face.
Grooming needs
Shedding
Drooling