How to Groom Long Coated Dogs

Although long-haired dogs such as the Rough Collie look absolutely beautiful and elegant, they do need constant grooming to keep matting at bay, and the coat looking good and in great condition. Let's take a look at how to groom long-haired dogs and what to do if they just have too many knots and mats. 

How Often Should You Groom Long-Haired Dogs?

A long-haired dog is a big commitment. Even more than any other kind of dog. If you plan to add a long-haired dog to your family, you should be prepared to brush and groom them at least every couple of days, possibly more. 

If your dog is active and likes to explore wet, muddy, or wild places, you will need to plan a quick grooming session every time you come back so that you can prevent their hair from knotting or matting. 

Ordinary Grooming for Long-Haired Dogs

Your grooming equipment should include a slicker brush, a pin brush, a metal comb, and a pair of sharp scissors.

1. Very gently untangle any knots and matted hair on your dog’s coat using the slicker brush. This should be done carefully and not too vigorously so as to not pull the hair out and cause your dog any pain. You can also use a de-matting tool to cut through knots if you can't comb them out. 
2. Once the knots are gone, use the pin brush and brush through the coat again. The coat should be free of matted hair and tangles.
3. Using a wide-tooth metal comb, comb through the fur on the entire body to separate the hairs, including the feathers on your dog’s legs.
4. Dirt and debris can become lodged on the feet, especially in between the toes, and cause irritation and pain to your dog. Using a sharp pair of scissors, trim the long hair neatly around the feet and in between the toes.
5. The long hair around the hocks can also become tangled and untidy with dirt and debris, so neaten and trim this area carefully as well, with a sharp pair of scissors.

Grooming your long-haired dog is time-consuming and requires a bit of extra effort, but if you take the time to groom him on a regular basis, the job will become easier the more experienced you become, and your dog will look absolutely beautiful all the time.

Grooming Long-Haired Dogs With Very Matted Coats

Sometimes, if a long-haired dog has not been groomed in a long time, their hair might become little more than large mats and knots. Sometimes, this happens when you adopt a long-coated dog that has been neglected, or you might have been away or otherwise unable to care for their coat properly. 

When a dog has got to this point, the kindest and gentlest solution is often not to try to brush or comb them out. 

In this case, the best solution may be to use a dog-safe set of clippers and simply shave all the mats off and start again. 

Sometimes, you will need to cut the hair fairly close, and you do need to be careful not to cut or hurt your dog while you do this, but once all those hard, unpleasant knots and mats are gone, your dog will feel a lot better, and you will be able to keep  up a good grooming routine.