Shedding is an important factor for many people who are deciding on which breed to choose as their new family member, as it can quite quickly make our homes look messy.
It’s important to know how much time and energy we are willing to put into grooming, prevention, and cleaning for the shedding to be manageable in order to know what breed would go along great with our lifestyle.
Border Collies are moderate shedders compared to other dogs. They shed throughout most of the year, with heavier shedding periods during the coat-changing seasons. Although shedding can’t be avoided, regular grooming and brushing, a high-quality diet, and avoiding parasites will help manage it and keep their coats healthy and shiny.
In this article, we will look into what exactly shedding is, why it happens, when and how much Collies shed, and what you can do to minimize it.
What is Border Collie Shedding?
Shedding is a natural-occurring process in dogs where their old and damaged fur falls out. While all dogs shed, the amount of it highly depends on various factors such as breed, type of fur, the overall health of the dog, and grooming habits.
Shedding can cause quite a headache to dog owners, especially the ones who like to keep their homes neat and clean. The good news is that although we can’t stop it from happening, we can take a few precautionary steps to effectively eliminate a significant amount of it.
Do Border Collies Shed A Lot?
Although Border Collies are not a breed that requires a high amount of grooming, they still classify as moderate shedders, which means there will be a significant amount of fur laying around your home.
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance or hypoallergenic dog, you might want to think twice about getting a Collie, but with a little bit of adaptation, you can keep both you and your Collie happy.
Why Do Border Collies Shed?
Collies are double-coated dogs, which means that they have a coarser outer coat and a soft undercoat that protects them from different weather conditions.
The purpose of shedding is for Collies to get rid of their old or damaged fur, as well as change coats during different seasons.
Their coats are thicker in winter to keep them warm and protect them from low temperatures. They get lighter in the summer so they can enjoy the hotter months without overheating.
When Do Border Collies Shed?
Collies tend to shed all year round, but you’ll see the most significant amount of shedding when their winter and summer coat is changing.
In order for Collies to enjoy both summer and winter, they change their coats twice a year in what is called a “shedding season”.
In Autumn they change into their thicker coat that protects them from the cold, and in late spring they will lose that coat and prepare for the heat in the summer with their lighter coat. That is when you’ll notice them shedding a lot more, compared to the rest of the year.
Do Border Collies Shed All Year?
Collies do shed all year, but you’ll notice the highest amount of shedding in summer when their winter coat isn’t necessary.
You will have to brush your Collie all year round, but the most critical time will be the shedding season when their summer and their winter coat starts falling out.
How To Control Collies Shedding
Let’s explore a few ways you can help your Collie keep its fur healthy and reduce shedding.
1. High-Quality Diet
Feeding Collies a high-quality diet will result in fewer possible allergies and better overall health. Healthy dogs have healthier skin and shiny coats that won’t shed as much.
2. Avoid Ticks And Fleas
Collies with irritated skin will shed more than healthy Collies. Checking your Collie for ticks and fleas regularly will prevent from their skin getting inflamed and irritated, as well as avoid possible diseases transmitted by ticks.
3. Bathe Regularly
Bathing your Collie regularly using a mild, high-quality dog shampoo will remove any dirt, help avoid tangles, remove excess fur and that way keep their skin and hair healthy.
If you’d like to get the most out of it, you can use an anti-shedding shampoo and a high-velocity dryer.
4. Brush Regularly
Brushing your Collie two to three times a week should be enough to prevent excessive shedding, as it will remove most of the dead and damaged hair. That way its hair will stay on the brush instead of your sofa.
Do Border Collies Shed More Than Other Dogs?
Collies shed moderately, which put them somewhere in the middle compared to other dogs. While there are breeds that shed extensively more, Collies shed approximately the same amount as any other double-coated, long-haired breed.
Do Border Collies Shed More Than Retrievers?
Border Collies and Retrievers both have similar long-haired, double-layered coats that change twice a year, so their shedding amount is practically the same. The only difference is the size and the color of the two, which can give us the illusion that Retrievers shed more.
Do Border Collies Shed More Than Labs?
Similar to Retrievers, Labs are bigger in size and lighter in color, which can make us mistake them for heavier shedders than Collies. The truth is that their coats are very similar so they both shed the same, moderate amount.
Do Border Collies Shed More Than German Shepherds?
German Shepherds are heavy shedders, which means that they shed more than Collies. The consistency of Collies’ fur might make it seem like they shed more, but German Shepherds shed more heavily all year long and thus require more brushing and care.
Conclusion
Collies are wonderful, intelligent pets, but they will require a certain effort in grooming in order for the shedding to be manageable as well as to keep their coats shiny and healthy.
If you decide to become a Collie owner, you just might have to get used to wearing dog hair as your new fashion accessory.
Collies do shed, but they aren’t heavy shedders.
How to control your collie’s shedding:
- Feed them a high-quality diet
- Keep them away from ticks, fleas, and other parasites
- Brush them regularly
- Bathe them when they get dirty
- Vacuum your furniture regularly
If you want to go the extra mile, you can even sneak some olive or flaxseed oil into your dog’s diet to add some Omega 3 or treat them to an occasional egg for a healthy coat.
There are many things we can do to prevent excessive amounts of shedding, but overall, it’s a known fact that dogs do shed and your Collie won’t be any different. With the amount of love a Collie can give and all the fun you’ll have together, shedding is the last thing you’ll worry about.
