How to Groom a Smooth Collie

The collie was originally trained as a herding dog in Scotland and England. Collies are double-coated and come in a variety of colors, ranging from the most common sable-and-white to tricolor, and the less common blue merle and white. The coat of collies can be rough or smooth, with a thick coat of short hair that resembles the hair of a dalmatian or a Labrador. Although smooth Collies are easier to groom, both varieties need consistent grooming on a weekly basis.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog conditioner spray
  • Slicker brush
  • Metal comb
  • Undercoat rake
  • Pin brush
  • Scissors
  • Shampoo
  • Towel
  • Toenail trimmer
  • Canine ear cleaner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spray the dog's hair generously with water or conditioner before you start brushing, to facilitate the process. Use a slicker brush and comb at first to disentangle knots without causing pain to your dog. Check behind the ears, underneath the front legs and on the belly, since the hair is likely to be more tangled in these areas. Brush patiently and without pulling the hair to avoid breaking the dog's skin. A slicker brush should suffice to remove the dead hairs from the undercoat and the outer coat of a short-haired collie, but you can also use an undercoat rake.

    • 2

      Switch to the pin brush once the coat is free of mats and give your collie a thorough brush. Use the scissors to remove knots that cannot be disentangled. Use a small metal comb to trim the face hair.

    • 3

      Trim the hair on the feet and between the paw pads using good quality scissors. Weekly overall trimming is not a requirement for a smooth collie, but the feet can gather dirt.

    • 4

      Bathe your dog in lukewarm water. Wet its head and continue with the rest of the body. Apply some shampoo and use a brush to work the shampoo into the coat. Rinse well and pat dry.

    • 5

      Use a nail trimmer to cut short the toenails on each foot. The nail has a lot of nerve endings, so you need to cut carefully, paying attention to the quick, the most sensitive area of the nail. In light-colored collies, the quick is slightly pink. Trim the nails weekly, or at least once every two weeks.

    • 6

      Clean your collie's ears on a weekly basis to prevent wax buildup. Use canine ear cleaner solution. Pour a few drops into the dog's ear, then gently massage at the base of the ear to allow the ear cleaner solution to enter the ear canal. Your dog is likely to shake its head to remove the solution from its ears. Use a towel to wipe off the excess solution.