How to Reduce Sheltie Shedding

Shelties, or Shetland sheepdogs, are smaller versions of the type of dog made famous on the TV show "Lassie." These dogs can grow to be 2 to 2 1/2 feet tall and generally have friendly, intelligent personalities. Their long silky coats come in a variety of color combinations that can range from white to brown, black and even red. Their coats are prone to shedding, or losing hair, though, and can be difficult to keep neat. To keep your sheltie clean, and reduce shedding as much as possible, groom the dog regularly.

Things You'll Need

• Shedding brush
• High-quality dog food
• Shampoo
• Water

Instructions

1. Brush your sheltie regularly to get rid of dead or damaged hair that would otherwise shed out. Use a specialized shedding brush to pull off all loose hair in a controlled way. Run the brush from the sheltie's head down its body, stopping to remove hair as necessary. Brush your sheltie at least once a week to reduce its natural shedding.

2. Buy and feed specialized dog food. Many foods target a dog's coat and advertise coat health as one of their assets. Foods with good digestible protein improve the health of a dog's coat and reduce the presence of loose or damaged hair, thereby reducing shedding. Always follow the recommendations on the package when feeding your dog.

3. Bathe your sheltie once a month during warm weather. A clean coat is healthier than a dry one, and shedding will be less likely.

Tips & Warnings

• Shelties grow heavier coats in the winter and shed them in spring.

• If grooming your sheltie becomes too much for you, consider going to a professional groomer once every six weeks.

References

• Doctors Foster and Smith: Shed Control: 10 Tips
• Your Purebred Puppy: Shelties