Grooming the Collie, Rough and Smooth

COAT

There are two types of Collie coat. The rough coat is abundant everywhere except the head and legs, with a well-fitting, proper-textured outer coat that's straight and harsh to the touch. The undercoat is soft, furry, and so dense that it's difficult to see the skin when the hair is parted. Coat is especially abundant on the mane and frill, with a smooth face or mask. The forelegs are smooth and well feathered to the back of the pasterns, and the hind legs are smooth below the hock joints. Hair on the tail is very profuse, and long and bushy over the hips.

The smooth variety carries a short, hard, dense, flat coat of good texture, with an abundance of undercoat despite the shorter outer hair — a lower-maintenance grooming profile than its rough-coated counterpart, though both are true double coats.

CHARACTER

The Collie is a devoted family dog with a real affinity for children, loyal, affectionate, and self-appointed as the guardian of everything it can see and hear. That watchful, people-oriented, sensitive nature generally makes for a willing grooming partner, especially when sessions start early and stay gentle.

Recommended Cindra Grooming Products

• Cindra Texturizing Shampoo
• Cindra Reconstructor
• Cindra Sculpting Gel
• Cindra Maxi Care
• Cindra Cleansing Shampoo
• Cindra Super Coat
• Cindra Texturizing Mist

Common Coat Problems & Solutions

Hands On Grooming Guide

The Collie Club of America recommends weekly brushing for both varieties, with particular attention on the rough coat to the tummy, "armpits," pants, and behind the ears — the spots most prone to matting. Mist the coat lightly with water or a grooming spray before brushing to avoid breaking hair, then line brush in sections from the skin outward using a pin or slicker brush, never just brushing over the top, since mats start at the skin and surface brushing alone won't catch them.

The fine hair directly behind the ears mats easily and needs special care: gently pull the ear forward and brush the opposite way, working out tangles slowly with a comb rather than forcing through resistance. When bathing, saturate the dense undercoat fully and work shampoo all the way to the skin, then rinse for a full 15–20 minutes beyond when it seems clean — residue left behind is a common cause of hot spots in this breed. Follow with a conditioner matched to coat condition, and dry thoroughly with a blow dryer while continuing to brush.

Smooth-coated Collies need a much simpler routine — weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush or grooming mitt keeps the short coat's natural shine intact. For indoor Collies of either variety, a full bath and blow-dry about every three months is generally sufficient between regular brushing sessions. Whichever variety, never shave a Collie except on a veterinarian's specific recommendation — shaving removes the coat's natural insulation and the coloring underneath grows back a muted, uniform shade rather than the breed's correct markings.

Shedding

Both Collie varieties are seasonal shedders, typically blowing coat in spring and fall, with the rough coat producing noticeably more loose hair given its greater volume. Spayed/neutered Collies and males tend to shed once a year in mid-to-late summer, while intact females often shed their undercoat after each heat cycle. Daily brushing during active shedding periods keeps pace and prevents matting underneath.

Puppy vs Adult Coat Care

Quick Grooming Schedule

Collie Grooming Resources

• Managing Seasonal Shedding in Dogs
• How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog