Hard
Rough Collie
The Rough Collie, made famous by Lassie, is an elegant herding dog with a dramatic long outer coat and a dense, soft undercoat that creates the breed's hallmark mane and frill. The coat is harsh to the touch and highly weather-resistant. Without regular brushing the undercoat mats close to the skin, particularly in the areas behind the ears and under the forelegs.
Coat Type
Long, Harsh Outer Coat with Dense Soft Undercoat, Double Coat
Groom Every
Every 4-6 weeks
Styles Available
4 cuts
Cuts & Styles
Grooming Styles
1
Natural Show Coat
The full, uncut coat brushed and blown dry to maximize the mane, frill, and feathering. Minor neatening of the ears, paws, and hocks only. The correct presentation for the breed standard.
2
Neatened Pet Trim
The natural coat maintained at full length but with thinning of the mane and frill to reduce volume and home maintenance. Paws and hocks are tidied for a clean appearance.
3
Summer Tidy
Thorough de-shedding and thinning of the undercoat to reduce heat retention, without cutting the outer guard hairs. Keeps the dog more comfortable in warm weather.
4
De-Shedding Treatment
An intensive undercoat removal session using specialized shampoo and conditioner, force drying, and extended raking and brushing to fully evacuate the loose undercoat.
Expert Advice
Care Tips
- Line brush the mane and frill by parting the coat into horizontal sections and working from the bottom upward — brushing only the surface will leave dense mats forming right against the skin.
- The area behind the ears and under the armpits are the first to mat; inspect and brush these spots at every session, even between professional grooms.
- Use a wide-tooth comb as your final quality check — if the comb does not pass through the coat from skin to tip without catching, you have not yet reached the undercoat.
- Rough Collies blow their undercoat twice yearly; during these periods, brush every day and schedule a professional de-shed as soon as the coat begins to loosen.
- Bathing a Rough Collie without fully blow-drying the dense undercoat can leave moisture trapped at the skin for days, creating the perfect environment for hot spots and skin infections.
- Never scissor the long outer guard hairs to shorten the coat; the guard hairs protect the skin and undercoat from UV radiation and help regulate body temperature.
Recommended Tools
What you'll need
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
BrushThe gold standard for poodles and doodles. Features long pins that penetrate deep into dense coats to remove tangles and fluff the hair.
$60 - $75
Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper
Nail CareUsed by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.
$10 - $15
Mars Coat King Undercoat Rake
BrushThe ultimate tool for double-coated breeds. Strips dead undercoat without damaging the guard hairs.
$40 - $60
*As an Amazon Associate, Groomas earns from qualifying purchases.
Deep Dives
Rough Collie Grooming Guides
Summer Grooming
Heat management, coat care, and seasonal tips.
Read guide
Winter Coat Care
Cold-weather protection and moisture balance.
Read guide
Shedding Season
Survive the seasonal blowout without losing your mind.
Read guide
Prevent Matting
Detangle, prevent, and protect their coat year-round.
Read guide
Best Brushes
The right tools for this specific coat type.
Read guide
Nail Trimming
Safe nail care frequency and technique.
Read guide
Ear Cleaning
Prevent infections with proper ear care.
Read guide
Bathing Guide
How often to bathe and which products to use.
Read guide
Grooming Cost
What professional grooming should cost for this breed.
Read guide
Hypoallergenic
Shedding, dander, and allergy-friendly coat care.
Read guide
First-Time Owner
Grooming basics for new owners of this breed.
Read guide
Skin & Allergies
Itchy skin, hot spots, and coat-sensitive care.
Read guide
Dental Care
Oral hygiene tied to coat and skin health.
Read guide
Flea & Tick
Parasite prevention without damaging the coat.
Read guide
Pro vs DIY
When to groom at home and when to hire a pro.
Read guide
Free Newsletter
Grooming tips in your inbox
Monthly breed spotlights, grooming hacks, and product picks. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Free monthly grooming tips — join anytime