Best Brush for Australian Shepherds [Shedding and Grooming]

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Aussie's are an interesting case when it comes to brushing: their long coat is prone to matting, but they're also heavy shedders. Problem is we can't deshed them properly until we deal with all the tangles first (some of which are deep in their coat).

As far as the best brush for Australian Shepherds goes, we ideally need two seperate brushes to handle both shedding and tangles.

Here's the gist of it:

1. We want to remove all the mats & tangles first with a long-pin slicker brush.
2. Once they're clear of tangles all you need is a soft pin brush (used twice weekly) to maintain their coat and remove loose hair.
3. If you're still having trouble with stubborn tangles or the crazy amounts of shedding, we have a few extra tricks for that below.
   

Aussie's unlimited energy and drive tends to get them in trouble with their thick coat. Before long all that long fur is a mop of tangles and debris, not to mention all the shedding hair around your house.

If you've ever wondered how a professional groomer deals with your dog (and how they make them look so nice) I'll reveal exactly how I groom each one in my shop.

Why Australian Shepherds Shed

First a quick lesson on why dog's shed in the first place.  

Dog hair is similar to human hair in that old and damaged hairs are released to make room for new incoming hairs, dogs just have a lot more hair to lose. Therefore, shedding is a completely healthy and normal response that you can expect year round.

In some cases extreme hair loss can be attributed to conditions such as stress, physical pain, or nutritional deficiencies. Also, hormonal changes such as pregnancy, or being spayed or neutered, can cause temporary fluctuations in shedding. 

Itchiness can lead to more scratching, which can lead to a lot of extra shedding. Check your dog for fleas, tickets, or parasites, or if they may have developed allergies.

In each case you must consult with a vet to better understand the root of the problem, so that you may resolve it. 

Shedding Season

This hurricane of shedding typically lasts for 4 - 6 weeks, during which owners have to weather the storm until it's over. Thankfully, there are ways to control this shedding period with a few quick tools. 

This is great and all, but how do we control all that shedding and tangles?

Australian Shepherd Grooming

Australian Shepherds are a double-coated breed, meaning there is a top layer (often called the guard coat), and a hidden layer underneath (called the under coat). And it's the undercoat which is responsible for the hair all over your home, car, and clothes. 

So how do we control shedding, remove tangles, and keep our Aussies looking their best? With proper brushing, bathing, nutrition, and a few other little tricks...

Brushing Like a Pro

The tried and true method of brushing is still the best way to control a shedding dog. 

Why Do We Need A Slicker AND A Pin Brush?

You may be asking why we don't just buy a slicker brush and call it a day (or vice versa). It's because they're tools each designed for a specific purpose.

A slicker is made up of hundreds of tiny sharp pins that separate twisted hairs as it combs through their coat. But excessive use leads to brush burn, irritating your dog's skin, so we only use this as necessary.

A long pinned-brush has dulled pins and is comfortable for daily or weekly use of removing loose hair. But a pin brush isn't strong enough to work through tough tangles on a thick coated dog.

But together, these tools make up the ultimate team to keeping your Aussie looking and feeling great.

Don't Use This!

We do not recommend using Furminators or other similar deshedding tools on your Aussie. While they do indeed get a lot of hair out, deshedding tools actually cut the cut hairs instead of brushing them out. This results in a very choppy and rough looking coat over time.

Bathing to Maximize Deshedding & Remove Tangles

Brushing is a great start, but to remove an absolute ton of hair, or to help loosen up stubborn tangles, we recommend bathing with a good deshedding shampoo. 

These are full of extra conditioners and omega oils that slick the hair down and allows for easier removal. And it works!

Simply bathe your dog like you normally would, while applying a generous amount of deshedding shampoo to scrub into their coat. Let the shampoo works it's magic for 10 to 15 minutes before thoroughly rinsing and drying.

While they're still a bit damp, gently brush them out with your long-pinned brush or comb, and just see how much extra hair comes off, it's actually quite amazing.

Groomers Ultimate Weapon: The High Velocity Dryer

Many professional groomers have a high-velocity dryer which blows all the loose hair off your dog in a short amount of time. Think of a leaf-blower with a hose, designed specifically to dry and remove dog hair. It's extremely effective, and reduces shedding for 2 or 3 weeks afterwards.

Another option is to buy your own high velocity dryer, which can save you many trips to the groomer, and be a huge life saver in terms of shedding. Check out this video I found to see just how effective it is.

Healthy Diet = Healthy Coat

Food can make all the difference. Up to 30% of your dog's daily protein requirement is used to grow and maintain hair follicles, meaning that a poor diet can lead to an unhealthy (and excessively shedding) coat.

Understanding the nutritional requirements of your Aussie, and ensuring they receive a balanced diet of proteins and fats will help improve skin elasticity, and hair follicle strength. And not to mention an Aussie's active lifestyle requires a strong diet to keep them healthy and happy. 

What Is The Best Brush for Australian Shepherds?

When it comes to Aussie's we have a 2 pronged approach in my grooming shop. We start with a slicker brush to remove any thick tangles or mats, and then a pin brush to remove loose hair. Using this combo also "fluffs" their coat out, and gives them a nice finish. 

Finally, we'll often reach for a greyhound comb (a long pinned steel comb) to work out any deep tangles near the skin (which the slicker or pin brush can't reach). 

1. Slicker Brush

2. Pin Comb

3. Greyhound Comb

Other Useful Tools

Here's a few other very useful tools we use for deshedding in my grooming shop, they are completely optional but great for living in a shed free home. 

4. High Velocity Dryer

5. Deshedding Treatment