How to Groom the Ears of a Sheltie

Shetland sheepdogs, also known as Shelties, have a very distinct appearance. Their long hair, double coat and pointy ears gives them a unique appearance, but also makes them very difficult to groom. The ears, in particular, are the most difficult part of a Sheltie to groom properly. After a few tries, however, you should be able to trim the hair surrounding your Sheltie's ears without a problem. This can cut down on grooming costs while ensuring that your dog always looks his best.

Things You'll Need

  • Thinning shears
  • Fine-toothed metal comb
  • Small, blunt-nosed scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Comb through the hair around the ears entirely to remove any knots or mats. Once the fur is tangle-free, place the comb at the base of ear. Comb upward toward the tip of the ear, pinning the fur to the ear with your thumb. It may take several swipes to gather all of the hair under your thumb. Make sure to only include hair from the ear and not from the neck or the head.

    • 2

      Trim any hair that sticks outside the shape of the ear using the thinning shears. Do this in several steps to get it right. First, trim the hair, comb it upward again and then trim it once again. Continue this process until you are satisfied with the amount of hair that has been cut.

    • 3

      Hold the tip of the ear between your thumb and forefinger. Trim closely around the edges of the ear using the blunt-nosed scissors. Take special care not to apply too much pressure or cut the dog's ear.

    • 4

      Repeat steps 1 through 3 with the other ear. Compare both ears to ensure that they are even, making any cuts necessary to make the ears as similar as possible.