How to Trim Rough Collies

Collies are double-coated canines, and the coat comes in two varieties: rough and smooth. The over coat of a rough collie is straight and rough to the touch, while the undercoat is soft and abundant. The coat of a rough collie acts as a thermal insulator and protects the dog from the heat during the hot summer and the cold winter. You don't need to clip the dog's hair or give it a puppy cut during summer. However, for hygiene reasons, you may trim the hair that covers the private parts and the hair around the hocks and feet.

Things You'll Need

  • Slicker brush
  • Bristle brush
  • Comb
  • Scissors of clippers
  • Ear powder
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mist the coat before combing and brushing to prevent breaking the collie's hair.

    • 2

      Brush the dog's coat starting at the legs. Lift the upper layers of the dog's hair and brush the undercoat. Remove the dead hair from the coat of the rough collie. Rough collies shed year-round and if you fail to remove dead hair, this may lead to matting. Brush with a slicker brush first. Run a bristle brush through the collie's hair.

    • 3

      Comb through the fur and check for smaller knots of hair. Avoid cutting out the knots, because cutting into the collie's coat results in visible holes in the coat. If you cannot untangle the matted fur, carefully cut the knots out using a pair of scissors. Pay attention not to cut the skin.

    • 4

      Trim the hair around the anal area, under the tail, where mats tend to form more often. Use scissors or clippers. Keep this area trimmed, so the feces won't get caught in the coat.

    • 5

      Trim the hair on the lower areas of the hocks. The hair should be short, so it won't gather dirt when the dog is outdoors.

    • 6

      Cut the hair from between the pads with blunt-nosed scissors. Debris, salt and ice may get caught in this hair, making it difficult for the dog to walk. Alternatively, spread ear powder over the hair and pull out the hairs with gentle, but firm movements. Pull in the direction of the hair growth. If you pull out the hair you need to remove the hair less frequently because it will grow back slower than if you cut the hair.