Grooming A Sheltie/collie Mane

[CP*]

Could anyone give me some advice? How do I tame an out of control mane on my Sheltie

My boy is looks like a lion (pic attached). Unfortunately I need to brush/comb his mane most days because he keeps his nose to the ground on walks and ends up with burrs in it. I spray it with amoveen mixed in water when I brush it. I use a pin brush or bristle brush for the burrs and a comb for any knots and avoid the slicker. The rest of his coat is fine - just really, really thick. I am thinking of getting his mane thinned at the groomers.

[BC]

I love a massive main

You can get it thinned at the groomers, but please be careful to get a good groomer and one that is not going to hack into it and take too much off. It should still look like it belongs to the dog if you get what I mean. It will also need to be continued and I could not tell you what the ends will grow back like.

The coat is one of the breed characteristics and what I love about Shelties, BC's, Aussie etc. I personally would not trim it and would get right in there and layer brush inch by inch with a slicker brush, and then again with a metail comb

You might find it is so thick as there is some hair to be removed underneath, and daily or every second day grooming is a good thing, it should be done anyway

Edited March 29, 2008 by BC

[oakway]

Why would you get it thinned.

Owners burst a gut trying to get one to grow.

It's one thing owners pride themselves on.

Just groom it.

Starting behind the head bring some of the coat forward and start to groom from the skin up.

Use a wide tooth comb to start with ending with a normal width metal comb or slicker.

Keep repeating all through the mane and bib.

[Guest Tess32]

It's all in how you brush that bit. You really need to brush in layers otherwise you do end up with a messy looking mane.

[InspectorRex]

Yep layer groom is the way to go.It can take awhile to get the knack of how to do it but whatever you do , do it slowly and hold the hair near the skin so that you won't hurt the dog when combing. A teflon coated rake is a good way to start.

You Sheltie is probably blowing the coat and there will be a lot of dead hair in there that needs to come out. If you are not confident in doing it yourself ask a groomer to hyrdobath and turbo-dry the hair as that will blow most of the dead coat out for you.

Do you have any Sheltie/Collie breeders near where you live that could assist you?

[CP*]

I hadnt heard of a teflon comb, I'll order one.

He had a hydrobath bath before easter, although he is still shedding so I have booked him in again for next week. Just after xmas I took him to a groomer for a brush out when he blew his coat and they cut out chunks of his collar rather than untangle it - i was so annoyed because it wasnt that matted, they were just lazy. So I am a bit hesitant about getting a different groomer to thin the mane.

The shelties in Canberra are like my female with a thinner, softer coat and the technique used by Cbr breeders (bristle brush and comb) doesnt work on my boys thicker coarser coat. I will speak to the local sheltie breeder and see if she knows any Collie breeders in Canberra who could help.

Do you do the layering under the neck and have the dog lie down? They must be very sensitive under the neck because mine always squirms and tries to run off when I comb there.

Thanks

[Guest Tess32]

My Reilly hates having his rough brushed as well, but neither Ebony or Noah mind so maybe it is a ticklish thing for some. I always do it with him standing up.

Reilly used to be a pain to brush but since he matured and we bought the all important grooming table, he is now excellent.

[InspectorRex]

Caro, I like to have mine either sitting or standing to do the mane/ruff. I stand over the top of the dog and place them between my front legs and start from the lowest part of the ruff and work upwards.

With a Sheltie you can probably do this on a table but to do the Collies it is easier for me to do it with them on the floor

[CP*]

Thanks. He hates being groomed and is good at escaping my grasp. I have been thinking about getting just an ordinary table to put him on so he can't get away - he weighs about 12kg so I can lift him. I'm going to give the mess under his neck another go tonight, I'll try it between my legs - a leg lock might work! He's only a year old so hopefully he will settle down (and his adult coat won't get any thicker than it is)

Edited September 2, 2008 by *caro