How to Trim Your Shetland Sheepdog's Fur

Shetland sheepdogs, also called shelties, are gentle dogs who are mild-mannered and loyal to their families. In addition, shelties also have thick, beautiful coats---if they are properly groomed and maintained. Shetland sheepdogs require a good amount of grooming to keep their coats mat and tangle-free. Some sheltie owners take their pooches to a groomer for maintenance, but many find it is easy enough to do at home.

Things You'll Need

• Long pin brush
• Slicker brush
• Spray bottle filled with water
• Shaving clippers
• Fine-toothed comb
• Trimming shears

Instructions

1. Dampen your sheltie's hair with the spray bottle of water and then brush its hair with a long pin or slicker brush. Remove all mats and knots. Address the sheltie's undercoat by separating the hair down the sheltie's back and using a pin brush to brush the hair away from you to remove loose or dead hair, according to the animal information website TerrificPets.com.

2. Shave the groin, also called sanitary area, with a number 10 or 15 blade. This keeps the dog clean and prevents any urine from wetting the hair.

3. Trim the back end area of your Shetland sheepdog with thinning shears, suggests TerrificPets.com. The hair that rests in the back of the legs, underneath the anus, has a different texture than the rest of the hair on a sheltie's body. Dampen the hair with water, then brush the hair with a fine-toothed metal comb to remove any knots. Point the scissors to the floor, then start trimming the hair from top to bottom with your scissors facing that direction.

4. Use scissors to trim the belly and chest area of your sheltie. With the sheltie standing, trim the hair in a straight line.

5. Cut your sheltie's nails and remove any excess hair on the paws and in between the pads and toes. Flip your sheltie's paws so that the pads are facing you, and carefully use scissors to remove any hair that is growing out between the pads. With the paw pad-side down, trim any hair that hangs off of the paws.

6. Trim the ears, if the hair is long there. Brush the ears with a fine-toothed comb to remove any knots, then carefully use the scissors to trim any hair that is hanging off of the ears.

Tips & Warnings

• Complete the groom by spraying mink oil on your sheltie's hair and rubbing it into the skin; this acts as a conditioner.

• Do not brush your sheltie's hair when it is dry, as it can cause breakage.

• Brush your sheltie's hair at least once a day to prevent matting.

References

• Terrific Pets: Shetland Sheepdogs
• Quilting Cove: Care of the Sheltie

Resources

• Mink Oil
• Hair Clippers