The Pros & Cons of Clipping a Border Collie

Border collies are intelligent and loyal dogs with a strong work ethic. They make great family pets and are suited to the life of a farm dog and herding sheep or cattle. Border collies have beautiful coats that require care and attention. There are pros and cons about clipping a border collie's coat.

  1. Border Collie Coat

    • Border collies can have brown and white markings.

      Border collies' coats include different lengths and colors. The most common color is black and white with silky smooth fur, usually short to medium in length. Border collies can also have brown and white or black and tan markings, and their fur can be coarse and long.

    Pros

    • A well-groomed dog is a healthy, happy dog and border collies are no exception. Without regular grooming their coats can become a dirty, tangled and have matted clumps. A border collie with a neglected coat is also at risk from fleas, ticks and ringworm. Border collies are often allergic to fleas so their owners need to be vigilant. Some people are allergic to the dander spread by border collies and other dogs. Regular grooming and clipping helps minimize dander and fleas.

    Cons

    • Some believe a border collie's coat should not be clipped and that the best way to maintain a healthy coat is to brush the dog for 10 minutes three times a week. This will clear out all the dead fur and stop it from becoming tangled. Because of their sensitive and intelligent natures, border collies may be traumatized by having their coats clipped by someone they trust, leading to a breakdown in the dog-owner relationship. Another risk is long-term damage done to the coat if you clip too much fur. If clipping is done during the winter months, the border collie may be at risk from the elements.

    Conclusion

    • The pros outweigh the cons on whether to clip a border collie's coat. Clipping is a good opportunity for the owner to check and identify issues such as fleas and ticks. If done carefully, clipping a border collie will strengthen the relationship between the dog and owner.