Odyssey Bearded Collies

Show Groom

Minimal or no trimming.

Your main tool is a pin brush. Each breeder has a preferred technique and it is best to consult them regarding the best way to groom your Beardie for conformation.

Top Knot or NOT

If you are not showing your Beardie, you can choose to tie the hair up or trim it over the eyes. Celia and Vickie have top knots. Sprite has his hair trimmed above his eyes.

Breezeway Groom

The pet Beardie appears to be in full coat but actually, he is shaved underneath in an area where mats form easily and some Beardies are sensitive to grooming. Sprite is groomed this way. It is much easier to maintain this way.

Puppy Cut

The coat is trimmed all over to a few inches. This can be done with scissors or a clipper. It is best to consult a groomer unless you have experience doing this. Note: Puppy cuts mat as much as a full coat does. It is just easier to comb through shorter coat. Regular brushing is still required.

Shave Down

If mats get out of control, it is best to start over by having a groomer shave your dog. Shaving a Beardie down can be a shock but most Beardies feel great when all the mats come off. The coat grows out nicely and you can then try to keep up with the brushing or have your dog clipped regularly to prevent mats.

I enjoy brushing my dogs but not everyone finds it relaxing the way I do. If you don't enjoy brushing, it would be best to have a groomer care for your dog once every week + / - OR choose a short haired breed. While you can clip Beardies shorter, it takes away from their natural good looks. There are many breeds with good dispositions without all the hair. If your Beardie does get matted then you may have to resort to a shavedown but I encourage you to make it part of your routine so that is not necessary.

Training: When your Beardie is a baby, start rewarding him for letting you touch his feet, ears, belly, etc. Once he is comfortable and enjoys it because you are giving him lots of praise and little treats. start doing more brushing and combing. Try clipping 1 nail followed by a treat and do the same after every nail. On another day, pull a little bit of hair from the ear canal followed by a treat. Don't try to do too much at once and in the beginning give food for small successes. Do not feed if your puppy is fighting you. Just wait until he calms down and start again. If he stays calm for a couple of seconds, feed him while he is being good. Don't wait until he acts up again. Keep sessions short but practice frequently. As your puppy beings accepting grooming, feed less frequently. Ideally, it is great if you can teach your dog to lie on his side for brushing. It will be easier for you to reach and thoroughly groom his chest and groin area.

Maintenance: If your Beardie begins to feel thick or matted in any spot, he is overdue for a thorough grooming. If you are having trouble getting your Beardie brushed out to the skin, ask for help from your breeder, a trusted groomer, or another beardie person. Don't wait until the dog has mats that cannot be removed without making your dog (and your groomer) miserable. Many groomers will not do extensive whole body dematting which is time consuming, expensive, and unfair to the dog.

Bathing and Drying: Remove mats before the bath. Mats can become tighter if they are there at the time of the bath. Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Recommendations are at the right. Make sure you avoid the eyes and ears. Rinse shampoo thoroughly. Apply conditioner. If your Beardie's coat feels dry, you can leave a little of the conditioner in the coat ... in other words don't rinse until the coat squeaks. It should feel a little bit coated but not slimy. If the coat is not dry, rinse the conditioner thoroughly. Your Beardie can dry naturally. Do not let them go out in cold weather if they are damp. You can speed up the process with a hand held dryer if you wish. You can also invest in a forced air dryer if it is something you want.

Line Brushing: With your dog lying on her side, brush the coat into sections making sure all mats are removed. Follow with a comb. If you can get a wide toothed comb through the coat all the way to the skin, your Beardie is thoroughly groomed in that area. Brush a new section and repeat. Have your breeder show you how to do this as it is difficult to describe.

Trimming: The Beardie is a natural breed so little or no trimming is preferred. Most owners like to trim the feet a little. There are options that work best for some people and their dogs. Some of these alternatives are listed at the left.

Ears, Nails, Teeth: Whether you choose to use a clipper or a Dremel, your Beardie will need her nails trimmed regularly. My dogs need theirs trimmed every 1-2 weeks. Trim the hair between the pads if it is getting long so your dog doesn't slip and slide on your floors. I check ears every week as well. I pull ear hair once a month or so and follow with a gentle ear cleaner. Weekly teeth brushings are also a good idea.

Note: Your groomer can be a big help to you but there are some things you should know. A full groom in a shop averages about $80 these days in my area if there are no mats to remove. Dematting may be priced separately at the rate of $20 - $30 per hour. These prices are fair and reasonable because of the labor involved. Many groomers will not demat beyond removing small knots and tangles. If you brush regularly and thoroughly at home, your groomer can focus on making your Beardie look great instead of the tedious and exhausting job of removing mats.

Supplies for grooming a Bearded Collie from head to tail! (Consult your groomer or breeder for assistance.)

Grooming Table: Not a necessity but many people find it easier on the back to groom a dog on the table. Arm and Noose: Always stay with your dog - don't wak away even for a few seconds. A noose can be helpful when used safely.

Portable Grooming Table

Shampoo: I like the Nature's Choice line of shampoos.

Conditioner: I think Aloe Remoisturizer is the best becuase it makes the coat feel more elastic when you brush. It smells great too.

Grooming Spray: Simply dilute your favorite conditioner 1 part conditioner to 10 parts water and place in a spray bottle.

Pin Brush: I like the Plush Puppy pin brush.

Slicker Brush: I use the Universal Slicker. I also like the Chris Christiansen small slicker for sensitive areas.

Comb: I like to use one that has a wider space between the teeth on one end and I prefer a 10" comb like #3.

Nail Clipper or Dremel: I prefer to Dremel nails over clipping because you can't cut the quick. It takes some getting used to for you and your dog. Ask a groomer to show you the technique if you want to learn how.

Thinning Shears: These are good for trimming eithout leaving sharp lines.

A small cordless clipper: Have a groomer show you how to shave foot pads and the groin area.

Ear Wash: Use a gentle formula such as Epi-Otic.

Toothbrush and Dog Toothpaste: Don't use human toothpaste which contains an ingredient which can be harmful to dogs.