Grooming Schedule

What a Proper Collie Groom Should Include

When your Collie comes home from a grooming appointment, here is what should have happened:

A Collie should always go straight to the tub — brushing a dirty, dry coat causes unnecessary breakage, creates static, and pulls at the coat in ways that are uncomfortable for the dog and damaging over time. During heavy shedding seasons, a professional may use a pre-blow with a high velocity dryer before the bath to loosen the coat and lift out dead undercoat before the water goes on — this is normal and appropriate. From there, a full bath with shampoo and conditioner formulated for a double coat, followed by complete blow drying with a high velocity dryer. The coat should be fully dry all the way to the skin — not just dry on the surface. A thorough line brush through on the dry coat finishes the appointment.

Trimming on a Collie should be minimal and purposeful. The feet, head, and ears should be neatened at every appointment — but be aware that Collie head and ear trimming is a specific skill that many groomers are simply not familiar with. It is not the same as trimming a Doodle or a Spaniel, and an unfamiliar groomer can easily take off too much or trim in the wrong direction. Some light body shaping is acceptable, but significant amounts of coat should never be removed — it affects coat texture long term and that texture does not always come back the way you want it to.

Our honest advice: If you are working with a groomer for the first time, tell them no trimming beyond the feet on that first visit. Ask to see photos of previous Collie work before you commit. Be specific about what you want and what you do not — a good groomer will appreciate the clarity, and it protects your dog's coat while you are still building that relationship.

For groomers who want to get it right, we have a full professional reference guide available on our site. And if you are looking for a deeper dive, our complete online grooming course library covers Collie coat care in full detail — including head and ear work, coat texture management, and everything in between.

View the Groomer Reference Guide.

Explore the Online Course Library at lisjohnston.com

How Often Should You Go

We recommend a professional grooming appointment every six weeks for both Rough and Smooth Collies. At that interval the coat stays manageable, shedding is kept well under control, and your groomer never has to tackle more than routine maintenance.

For home maintenance between appointments, always use a brushing and conditioning spray before putting a brush to the coat — never brush dry. A light mist, work through in sections, and your dog stays comfortable and the coat stays healthy. Brushing a dry coat — even between baths — causes breakage and unnecessary wear on the coat over time.

Consistency is the key. A Collie that goes to the groomer regularly from puppyhood learns that grooming is just a normal part of life — and that makes everything easier for everyone involved.