The PAWFECT Australian Shepherd Haircut

Australian Shepherd Breed Overview

The Australian Shepherd haircut is ideal for an Australian Shepherd since it has straight or wavy hair that covers the entire body. This also makes it a target for stylists to experiment with different looks. You can always show them your preference if you decide to take your Aussie to a professional groomer for an excellent stylish cut.

Groomers’ Land Basic Aussie Shepherd Grooming Tips

The lovely Australian Shepherd has a complicated history, having descended from long-ago herding dogs discovered near the Pyrenees Mountains. Then they transported them to Australia to herd sheep in the open land and eventually ended up in California. In California, rodeo performers adopted them into cowboy culture.

This popular breed, which is considered super intelligent and lovable, is not a good fit for a couch potato because they adore action and will likely try to herd anything they come across. However, they make excellent companions if they are socialized and trained from an early age.

And there’s that lovely mottled coat in contrasting blue or red hues. Their dazzling coif truly distinguishes them in the canine kingdom, framing kind, lovable eyes, and also includes a few special instructions for keeping them fluffy.

Here are some Australian Shepherd grooming tips that are unique to this breed:

Are you wondering about how to groom an Australian Shepherd? If you want to keep your Australian Shepherd looking adorable, take care of the tresses. They don’t require frequent trips to the groomer, but they do require general maintenance on your part to prevent mats and keep them looking tidy.
Brushing is the best thing you can do for your Australian Shepherd! This breed sheds a lot, so getting those dead hairs out of there is essential. It also helps stimulate the skin. Many people believe that a slicker brush combined with a long tooth undercoat rake is best. Make sure you get through the hair without irritating your pup’s skin.
Daily brushing also reduces the time it takes to brush your Aussie– the longer you wait to brush, the longer it takes to get through all of that fur!
Along with brushing, it is critical to maintain your Aussie’s paws and ears during the grooming process. As long as these areas are kept clean, you should have no trouble keeping your Aussie groomed properly.
You should not shave it because it disrupts the delicate balance of the coat, which insulates them from heat and cold by holding a layer of temperate air close to the body. If this breed’s coat is shaved, it may never grow back the same. Furthermore, shaving your dog will not stop them from shedding; they will shed shorter hairs.
Bathing your Australian Shepherd once a month is perfectly acceptable. You don’t want to overdo the bubbles, but a fresh-smelling pup is always appreciated. It is critical to use a high-quality shampoo and conditioner– never use a human hair conditioner or shampoo because certain fragrances and dyes can irritate, dry out, and damage your dog’s skin.
There are a few alternatives if you don’t have the time or tools to maintain your dog’s coat every week. First, you can find a self-service dog wash salon where you can bring your dog and use their equipment to bathe, dry, and groom it (though few will offer you shears or clippers, they do usually provide brushes and combs). The benefit of these is that you get to leave the mess of bathing behind, and most offer tubs at a comfortable height to bathe in rather than bending over your home tub. Hiring a professional groomer is a good option if you don’t want to do it yourself, either at home or at a self-service salon.

The Top-Rated Australian Shepherd Haircuts

Are you worried about which Australian Shepherd haircut to choose? Below is a discussion of the top-rated ones that you can choose from:

The Minimal Trim

This is an Aussie haircut that will allow your natural beauty to shine! Of course, you’ll have to do a lot of extra brushing to keep up with those flowing locks, but it’ll be worth it when you’re snuggled up on the couch next to that cozy coat.

One of the Australian Shepherd grooming tools you will need here is a nice pair of thinning shears to keep things under control. The best shears are those with 42-46 teeth, as they will provide a more natural look than other trimming scissors.

Are you willing to put in the effort every week to keep their fur free of mats? Then this mini Australian Shepherd haircut might be perfect for your Aussie.

Teddy Cut

This is a lovely haircut for Australian Shepherd that is still on the longer side but softens the appearance with a slightly rounded shape. It’s recommended that you use a size A snap-on comb for this cut and trim up the body, sides, belly, and back of the head. You can shape the paws into a cat foot and use curved shears to smooth out the back of the rear legs.

What could be cuter? Allow the backside to be a little puffy, and tidy up the hair around the face and ears for that trimmed, stuffed-animal-inspired look.

Simba Style

This style is for an Australian Shepherd with short hair. The name seems to say it all when it comes to this look. Inspired by the magnificent character from The Lion King, this hairstyle keeps the dog’s fur around the body shorter, leaving the fur around the neck fluffy and regal.

Though not as common as some other styles, the Australian Shepherd’s incredible coat complements these jungle-inspired locks perfectly.

Rounded Cut

Another Australian Shepherd haircut is the rounded cut. It is ideal for dogs with a single color tone on their body and a different color for the neck and belly area. It provides the dog with a nice and friendly appearance while keeping the entire body shape well-trimmed to a rounded figure.

However, not all colors are appropriate for this. This style is generally recommended for Australian Shepherds with a brown overcoat on the body.

What the Heck is Coatblow?

All dogs shed, but double-coated dog breeds like Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds, Akitas, and Malamutes outperform the rest! With the changing of the seasons, these pups “blow their coats.”

Unlike dogs with single-layered coats, double-coated breeds have a soft undercoat that helps provide warmth in cold climates, as well as a more extended top layer of coarse guard hairs. In addition, coat blowing differs from normal shedding in that the hair falls out in large clumps rather than individual strands.

The amount of hair can be alarming for unprepared owners, leaving your dog looking patchy and raggedy, similar to a bird molting its feathers.

Coat blow typically occurs in the spring, when double-coated breeds shed their heavy winter coats in preparation for summer. This transition helps to ensure comfort as the seasons change.

Depending on the climate and the dog’s breed, gender, and lifestyle, there may be a second blow in the fall as summer transitions to winter. Most pets live indoors in climate-controlled environments, but those who do not, such as sled dogs, frequently suffer from dramatic coat blows twice a year.

A professional groomer can also help reduce the mess in your home– as well as make your dog look and smell great– by thoroughly bathing your dog, followed by a blowout with a high-velocity dryer and brushing with a de-shedding tool.

You should note that double-coated breeds should never be shaved. Their thick coats protect them from both the cold and the sun’s rays. Seek veterinary care if your dog is shedding excessively, itching, or appears to have skin irritation in addition to hair loss.

Australian Shepherds are one example of a dog breed with a double coat. They share the following difference with these dogs:

Scottish Terrier
Golden Retriever
Parson Russell Terrier
Newfoundland
The Great Pyrenees
Bernese Mountain Dog
Shetland Sheepdog
Siberian Husky
Old English Sheepdog
Shiba Inu
Keeshond
Finnish Lapphund
Akita
Chow Chow
Samoyed
Alaskan Husky
Yorkshire Terrier
Pomeranian
Shih-Tzu
Havanese
Miniature Schnauzer

Should I Cut my Aussie’s Hair in Summer

When it’s hot outside in the summer, you might be hesitant to let your dog out for an extended period. You are also tempted to have an Australian Shepherd summer haircut or trim your Australian Shepherd’s coat, but we advise you to reconsider.

Remember that the Aussie has this covered. Their undercoat provides year-round protection in both cold and hot weather. However, your Australian Shepherd will notice the changing of the seasons. As a result, their undercoat will begin to fall off.

With some dog breeds, the dog’s loose fur can fill trash bag after trash bag. Unfortunately, the Aussie is frequently included on that list of breeds. Even when they aren’t losing their undercoat, the shepherd sheds a lot.

Brushing your Australian Shepherd’s fur can help the undercoat. Brushing the hair will also keep it from tangling and matting on its way out. This makes shedding less painful for your Aussie.

It is recommended that you brush your dog at least twice per week. If your Aussie is shedding, you may want to increase the amount. This is especially important as summer approaches.

Aussie grooming requires a wire comb or wire pin brush to help remove dead hair from your dog’s body. You need to use these tools to remove any loose undercoat hairs on their way out.

You could try using an undercoat grooming rake. These are especially useful for dealing with dog breeds with undercoats.

What about taking up the grooming scissors? For the time being, disregard that. Brushes and rakes are more than adequate for removing loose fur. Rather than piling up on your living room floor, you’ll want a trash bag nearby.

Why Should You Never Shave an Australian Shepherd?

The Australian Shepherd’s long hair doesn’t have to be shaved because the undercoat sheds. But, indeed, you can shave your Aussie. You want to give them some relief from the summer heat, and getting rid of all that heavy fur seems like the best way to do so.

No, it isn’t! To reiterate, your dog can insulate himself with his undercoat. This also keeps them cool in the summer. That’s why they’re shedding so much: their undercoat is preparing for summer.

Suppose you shave your Australian Shepherd down to their skin; this is what happens:

For the time being, your dog is practically naked. This is because they don’t have an undercoat to keep their body temperature stable.

Aussies do not have an overcoat to protect them from dirt and moisture. As a result, your Aussie will get dirty quickly. Not to mention that they may be more susceptible to skin infections until their fur regrows.

How Long Does an Aussie’s Fur Take to Regrow?

First, the undercoat will start growing. Depending on the size of your dog and the amount of fur they have, this can take weeks to grow back. Keep in mind that your Aussie has no protection from the summer sun in the meantime.

You’ll have to be extra vigilant about providing shade and keeping your Aussie out of the sun. Even if your Australian Shepherd’s undercoat grows back, you’re still not out of the woods.

You won’t be for a very long time. With the undercoat, your dog can now regulate their body temperature once more. However, because their guard hairs have long since vanished, they have no way of keeping dirt and moisture at bay.

To make matters worse, the undercoat regrows quickly, but the topcoat does not. As a result, it may take a year or two for the guard hairs to grow to the length required to keep your dog clean. Yes, you read that correctly: you could have to wait two years to undo the damage you caused by shaving your dog.

That is why shaving double-coated dogs are such a bad idea. Your Aussie does not require shaving; it should only be trimmed or brushed. This means you need to know how to trim an Australian Shepherd.

You’re not doing them a favor by shaving them; instead, you’re making their lives more difficult for at least two years. So please put down the shavers around your Aussie!

Final Thoughts

Whatever style you choose for your Australian Shepherd, they’ll look classy and stylish, and you’ll be pleased once you find the right style that fits in with your family.

Remember to always listen to your dog’s cues, and if something is causing them stress, it may be time to try a different approach/hairstyle/groomer/etc. We hope these hairstyle ideas and grooming tips helped enhance your pup’s coif. Have fun clipping!