How often should I groom my Australian Shepherd?

Australian Shepherds should be groomed every 6-8 weeks, plus regular brushing. Consistent grooming keeps their medium-long, double coat with feathering healthy and prevents painful matting.

How difficult is Australian Shepherd grooming?

Australian Shepherd grooming is rated "Hard". While experienced owners can manage at home, professional grooming assistance is beneficial for Australian Shepherds.

What type of coat does a Australian Shepherd have?

The Australian Shepherd has a medium-long, double coat with feathering coat. Brush an Australian Shepherd at least twice a week focusing on the feathering behind the ears, in the armpits, and on the breeches where mats form first — these areas can mat within 3-4 days without attention.

What are the most popular grooming styles for Australian Shepherds?

Popular Australian Shepherd grooming styles include: Natural Working Dog, Neaten & Tidy, Summer Trim, Show Coat, Puppy Cut. Each style has different maintenance requirements.

All Breeds

Hard

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, high-energy herding breed known for its striking merle coat patterns and tireless work ethic. Their medium to long double coat has a coarser outer layer and a soft undercoat, with feathering on the legs, chest, and breeches that requires regular brushing to prevent matting. Despite their demanding coat, Aussies are one of the most rewarding breeds to groom due to their cooperative temperament.

Coat Type

Medium-Long, Double Coat with Feathering

Groom Every

Every 6-8 weeks, plus regular brushing

Styles Available

5 cuts

Cuts & Styles

Grooming Styles

Natural Working Dog

The coat is kept in its natural full length with only tidying of the feet, hocks, and sanitary area; the classic presentation for working Aussies and show dogs.

Neaten & Tidy

A full groom with scissoring to tidy the ear fringes, leg feathering, chest, belly, and tail for a clean, maintained appearance without shortening the overall coat length.

Summer Trim

The body coat is thinned with thinning shears and the leg feathering shortened to reduce heat load during hot weather, while still maintaining a recognizable Aussie silhouette.

Show Coat

Precise scissoring of the ear leathers, feet, hocks, and tail tip to meet breed standard; the undercoat is de-shed but the overall coat length and feathering are preserved for the show ring.

Puppy Cut

The coat is shortened uniformly across the body to approximately 1-2 inches for easy maintenance; popular for pet owners who love the breed but want a less intensive grooming schedule.

Expert Advice

Care Tips

Brush an Australian Shepherd at least twice a week focusing on the feathering behind the ears, in the armpits, and on the breeches where mats form first — these areas can mat within 3-4 days without attention.
Always brush before bathing — wet mats tighten and become significantly harder to remove, so getting the coat as tangle-free as possible before getting the dog wet saves considerable time and discomfort.
Aussies can carry the MDR1 (ABCB1) gene mutation making them sensitive to certain drugs used in grooming-adjacent veterinary procedures; inform your veterinarian, but note this does not affect standard grooming products.
The merle coat patterns in Australian Shepherds vary widely, and heavily merled or piebald areas have less pigmentation in the skin underneath — these areas can be more sensitive to sunburn and may require UV-protective products for dogs kept outdoors.
Use thinning shears rather than straight scissors to blend the feathering on legs and chest for a natural, seamless look — blunt scissor lines on an Aussie's coat look unnatural and are difficult to grow out evenly.

Recommended Tools

What you'll need

Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper

Nail Care

Used by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.

$10 - $15

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Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

Brush

An excellent entry-level brush that's easy to clean. Great for removing loose fur and detangling shorter coats.

$15 - $25

Buy on Amazon →

Mars Coat King Undercoat Rake

Brush

The ultimate tool for double-coated breeds. Strips dead undercoat without damaging the guard hairs.

$40 - $60

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