Australian Shepherds have a thick double coat of fur, and they’re notorious shedders. Some owners opt to shave their coats to reduce shedding or cool them off in hot temperatures. But is it wise to shave an Australian Shepherd?
An Australian Shepherd should not be shaved. Shaving an Australian Shepherd’s fur reduces the protective capacity of the coat, removing the layer of fur that traps cool air and keeps the dog from overheating. It’s better to keep your Australian Shepherd regularly brushed and lightly trimmed.
Read on to learn more about why you’re better off not shaving your Australian Shepherd. I’ll also discuss what you can do instead to keep your dog cool and happy.
Why Shouldn’t I Shave My Australian Shepherd?
Australian Shepherds have a double coat of fur: one layer of short insulating hairs and one layer of long guard hairs. Together, these protect your dog from dirt, rain, and extreme temperatures.
You shouldn’t shave your Australian Shepherd because it will make your dog lose its coat’s protective benefits. The short undercoat often grows back faster than the guard coat, causing a fuzzy appearance and a velcro-like texture, sticking to anything the dog touches, especially burrs and plants.
Shaving can also result in permanent coat damage and bald spots.
Additionally, shaving is an ineffective way to address shedding and overheating, two of the most common reasons why people shave their Australian Shepherds in the first place.
The only exceptions to the rule against shaving are:
- When it is medically necessary to shave your dog
- When the fur has become matted and needs to be removed
Shaving Your Dog Won’t Stop Shedding
When you shave an Australian Shepherd, you’re cutting the guard hairs down to the same length as the undercoat, but you don’t eliminate the hair. The dog will still shed, but it will just shed shorter hairs.
Some sources have even observed Australian Shepherds shedding more after shaving due to the undercoat growing back faster and thicker post-shave.
A better way to stop your Australian Shepherd from shedding is to brush it regularly, take it to a groomer, and give it monthly baths. Doing so will remove the excess fur trapped under the top coat and thus reduce shedding. Check out my Grooming page to see recommended brushes. The FURminator does a great job removing the undercoat and the loose topcoat.
Shaving Your Dog Won’t Prevent Overheating
Australian Shepherds use their inner coats to trap air. In the winter, they trap warm air, and in the summer, they trap cold air. In either case, their coat acts as a buffer layer between the dog’s normal body temperature and extreme temperatures outside.
When you shave your dog’s coat, you damage this insulating layer, making your dog more prone to overheating.
If you want to help your Australian Shepherd stay cool, you should provide it with plenty of water and a place to rest in the shade. Providing your dog with an air-conditioned indoor environment to return to can also be handy. Also, make sure to avoid exercising your dog in the heat of the day, and never leave your dog unattended in a car. Always bring some water for your Aussie if going for a walk. I recommend the bottle below. Click the image to check it out on Amazon.
You can trim the fur around the paws, legs, groin, and stomach, which will keep the dog cooler. However, do it under a professional’s guidance, lest you remove too much of the wrong fur.
Grooming Guidelines for Australian Shepherds
The most important thing to do to maintain a good coat on an Australian Shepherd is to brush it at least once a week and as much as every day. Brushing makes the double coat more effective at insulating the dog. It also stimulates the skin, removes old hair, and prevents shedding.
To groom your Australian Shepherd, use a slicker brush for the top coat and a long tooth rake for the undercoat. Doing so removes tangles and dead fur as you go. Brush in the direction of the coat down to the skin. Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is a great brush for this.
When and Where To Trim Your Dog’s Coat
Australian Shepherds don’t require trimming, but it can help if your dog’s fur has a tendency to get matted or if your dog is overheating in the summertime. Dogs cool down through their feet, so keeping the fur on their feet from overgrowing the pads is an example of how trimming can keep them cool.
When you trim the feet, gently brush the fur toward the leg with a slicker brush, then trim the fur with a pair of thinning shears or clippers. Just be careful not to nick the pads of the foot.
You can also neaten the fur by trimming the tail, cutting a straight line down the end with thinning shears. The legs can usually be left alone, but if you do trim them, pull the dog’s leg up and trim one-third to one-half of the fringe.
Thinning shears can also come in handy to trim the dog’s britches. But if you use this, you should make sure to follow the natural curve of the coat.
How To Bathe an Australian Shepherd
Some people think that shaving their dogs makes grooming easier while also keeping their dogs clean. But you should not do that. Brushing or trimming your dog’s coat and bathing your canine friend is good enough to keep it always clean.
To bathe your Australian Shepherd, follow these steps:
- Get the coat, undercoat, and skin thoroughly wet with warm water.
- Apply a dog-specific, non-toxic shampoo and scrub the dog from head to toe, either with your hands or a rubber massage tool, avoiding the eyes. The best shampoo and conditioner I have found is Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe.
- Wipe the area around the eyes with a damp cloth.
- Rinse the body with lukewarm water until there are no more suds.
- Apply any conditioners according to package directions.
- Allow your dog to shake off the extra water.
- Towel dry the dog with Doggy Place Dog Towel
- Blow-dry the dog if it’s cold outside, keeping the dryer at least six inches away from the coat.
- Consider keeping the dog indoors until it’s dry, as wet dogs love to roll in grass, mud, and dirt.
Remember to bathe your Australian Shepherd regularly, about once a month.
Final Thoughts
It will help if you groom your Australian Shepherd regularly but do not shave it. Daily or weekly brushing is the key to reducing shedding and keeping your dog cool. You can also try trimming your dog’s fur slightly for tidiness and some cooling, but this is less necessary than the act of brushing.
