Breed · Double-coated shedders
Australian Shepherd grooming: coat, tools and what to avoid
AKC's Aussie coat facts: weekly brushing, an undercoat rake every two or three days in shedding season, nail care and why summer shaving is a bad idea.
Also listed as Aussie
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Short answer
The Aussie has a medium-length, weather-resistant double coat; AKC rates shedding 3 of 5. Weekly brushing keeps it in shape, and in shedding season AKC suggests an undercoat rake every two or three days, followed by a wire brush. Core tools: slicker brush, undercoat rake, nail clippers. Don't shave it: AKC's spring checklist calls shaving double-coated breeds such as Aussies a bad idea.
Key facts
- Coat type (AKC)
- Double[1]Breed standard: the amount of undercoat varies with climate.
- Coat length (AKC)
- Medium[1]
- Shedding (AKC, 1-5)
- 3 of 5[1]
- Brushing (AKC guidance)
- Weekly; in shedding season an undercoat rake every two or three days, then a wire brush[1]
- Seasonal shedding
- A shedding season, with no months given[1][2]AKC's double-coat guide: spring and fall in colder places, more often where it's warmer.
- Clipping and shaving
- Don't shave; AKC calls it a bad idea for Aussies[3][4]Some owners trim excess hair around the feet, hocks and pasterns, depending on the breed standard (AKC).
- Professional grooming
- Not called for in AKC's breed advice[1]AKC says Aussies need a bath only occasionally.
Watch out for
- Shaving for summer backfires: AKC says losing the coat's protection can make dogs hotter, and to leave at least an inch of hair.
- Rake with the direction of hair growth and gently; AKC describes pulling rakes and shedding tools that way, and FURminator says to brush out mats before using its tool.
- Aussies often come in dirty, but AKC says they need a bath only occasionally, and that frequent bathing can strip natural oils from skin and coat.
What fits
Product details below are the seller's own description unless a source is shown. Pick the variant named for each item.
Slicker brush
Self-cleaning slicker brush (PS1140)Choose the single brush; any color.
For the weekly brush-out and the cleanup after raking; AKC calls slicker brushes excellent for double-coated breeds.
Sold by Stone's Store
Paw trimmer
LED paw trimmer with nail-grinder headChoose the white trimmer, not the spare cutter head.
For excess hair around the feet, which AKC says some owners of medium double coats trim.
Sold by lazyishhouse Official Store
Nail clipper
Scissor-style pet nail clipper with LED lightChoose the gray clipper.
Scissor-style, with a light; VCA suggests staying about 2-3 mm from the visible quick on light nails.
Sold by Shop1105233629 Store
Weekly: a slicker brush-out to the skin, then a comb through the feathering on the backs of the forelegs and the britches. In shedding season: an undercoat rake every two or three days, followed by a brush to clean up (AKC).
With AKC's shedding rating at 3 of 5, a grooming vacuum is optional for an Aussie; brushing and raking do most of the work.
No catalog pick yet for an undercoat rake, a comb or a dog dryer. See undercoat rake vs deshedding tool and how to trim dog paw hair.
Questions
How often should I brush an Australian Shepherd?
AKC says weekly brushing keeps the coat looking its best. During shedding season it suggests an undercoat rake every two or three days to remove the dead hair, followed by a cleanup with a wire brush.[1]
Should I shave my Aussie in summer?
No. AKC's spring checklist says shaving double-coated breeds such as Australian Shepherds is a bad idea, because losing the coat's protection can make dogs hotter.[3]
Can I trim the hair on my Aussie's feet?
AKC's double-coat guide says some owners of medium double coats such as Aussies choose to trim excess hair around the feet, hocks and pasterns, depending on the breed standard. See how to trim dog paw hair.[4]