The black and white lines and beautiful long hair of the Border Collie are one of the reasons why many dog ​​owners like it. But under these conditions, the owner must also take care of it carefully.

The Border Collie has a double-layered coat of medium length. The puppy's fur will become the adult dog's undercoat, and the outer layer of fur will grow out as the puppy grows. In the spring, when they replace their winter undercoat, Border Collies have a major shedding event. Female dogs that have not been ovariectomized may also lose hair when they are in heat and when they are weaning their puppies.

Border Collies should be groomed well, at least three times a week. This is very important for several reasons: First, it’s a great opportunity to get close to your dog and check them for ticks, fleas, lumps, ear infections, pad damage, and the like. Things to pay attention to. You should have the following equipment for examination or care: a puppy brush, a regular grooming brush, a brush with needles and bristles, a comb for long hair, a cutter or knife for knotting hair (use with caution), high quality Nail clippers, styptic powder or gel, high-quality dog ​​bath liquid or shampoo, conditioner, etc. (do not use human products), dog toothbrush and toothpaste (also do not use human products).

Starting from a puppy, you can only use a soft brush and brush gently until its hair grows out, otherwise you will hurt the puppy's skin and make them very uncomfortable, which will also cause a lot of problems in the future. When you are grooming your puppy, you want to give him lots of praise or praise, and you want him to feel that this is something he enjoys. Brush all parts of the puppy's body thoroughly, paying special attention to the hair behind the ears, the hair under the front legs, and the hair on the tail, which are prone to tangles. Trim your puppy's toes (the pink part that grows out) once a week to help your dog's claws grow compact and dense. If you let your toenails grow, your dog's claws will separate. After the puppy is one year old, depending on the length of its toenails, it may be cut once every two weeks. Puppies and older dogs alike should not be bathed more than twice a month, even when they are very dirty. If bathed too much, their fur will become very dry.

For adult dogs, first use a puppy brush to brush the hair behind the ears, the hair under the front legs and the hair inside. These are very tender parts, so the puppy brush is softer and gentler. Next, use a regular brush and brush over the entire dog, starting at the head. This will help remove broken hairs (these broken hairs can cause tangles). It is best to use a plastic bag to collect these broken hairs. Make sure you get to the hind legs (these are particularly prone to tangles) and tail (some dogs have particularly puffy and frizzy tails), then use the comb to gently comb through them again. ?

If you find a rough spot, grab the hair in that area with one hand and use the other hand to smooth it out. It is best to grab less hair at a time and comb it several times. If there is a large area of ​​knotting, you can use a hair cutter or knife to knot hair.Align the side with the knotted part and cut it off. Please be extremely careful when doing these things as you can easily injure your dog and yourself. If the knot is very painful, it is best to take him to see a professional caregiver. Finally, use a brush with needles and bristles to comb your dog. Use the bristled side to comb the Border Collie's face and body, and then use the soft side to comb the hair on the tail and butt.

Next, you should trim your dog's nails, brush his teeth and check his ears for any signs of inflammation or bad odor, which could be early warning signs for a trip to the vet. Remember to groom your dog thoroughly before bathing. Once the knot becomes wet, it will become tighter and tighter until it becomes impossible to get it open and the only choice is to cut it off. Tangled coats can be very painful for dogs, especially if they become very tight.

Use a bathtub or shower to bathe your dog (I personally prefer to use a shower. Dogs don’t like to stand in dirty water and dogs like a water massage). Dogs, like people, don't like bathing in cold water. In addition, dogs will be washed cleaner with warm water. Of course the water temperature should be about room temperature or only slightly warmer. If the dog is shivering while being washed, the water is too cold, and if the dog is panting, the water is too hot (remember, dogs can get hot easily so watch these carefully). To use special shampoo, you can first dilute it with water in a basin and then use a towel or sponge to bathe the dog. Remember to protect your dog's ears when you flush them. And use a towel dipped in water to wash the dog's face (around the eyes, nose and mouth). I always soap my dog ​​twice and rinse it twice (you’ll be surprised how much dirt comes out the second time).

Next apply conditioner (if needed) and rinse thoroughly. Otherwise, there will be a layer of mucous membrane on the dog's fur, which will easily stick to dirt. You can dry your dog with a towel or blow dry with a low-temperature air dryer. Don't let your dog outside until it's completely dry (nothing collects dust more easily than wet fur). When the dog is dry, brush it again. Remember that it is best to let your dog clean out his stomach before bathing him. Of course, bathing should also be completed before feeding the dog. Also use lots of rewards while bathing. Remember that your dog's coat health comes from within (i.e. proper nutrition), this is to ensure his coat is shiny and gorgeous from the inside out. ?

If he has malnutrition or health problems, don't give your Border Collie too many baths, as this will make his coat look shinier. If your dog's nutrition is appropriate, but his coat looks a little dull or dry, you may suspect coat bugs or a thyroid problem, and you may want to take him to the doctor.