Shelties have a luxurious double coat that requires regular grooming to stay healthy and mat-free. Their coat consists of a dense, soft undercoat and a long, straight, water-resistant outercoat. Proper grooming is crucial not only for appearance but also for skin health, as it prevents painful matting, reduces shedding, and helps distribute natural oils.
After years of testing different brushes on my own Shelties, I've found that three essential tools make the process most effective: a detangling comb or rake for the undercoat, a fine-toothed comb for precision grooming, and a slicker brush for the outercoat. Let's dive into the specifics of each tool and how to use them properly on your Sheltie.
Step 1. Line Brush The Undercoat with a Detangling Comb or Dematting Rake
The detangling comb or dematting rake is designed to extract loose, fluffy undercoat hair and remove mats. Shelties are prone to undercoat shedding, which can lead to mat formation if not regularly removed. The best way to brush out the undercoat is through a method called line brushing.
Take your time and reassure your Sheltie with a calm, gentle voice. If your Sheltie squirms, you may be brushing too aggressively, so ease up and slow down. For matted areas, hold the fur at the base and carefully work out knots in small strokes to prevent painful tugging. Keep the experience calm and gentle to maintain a positive grooming routine.
Best Brushes for The Sheltie Undercoat:
Step 2. Detangle Wispy Fur with a Fine-Toothed Comb
Next, switch to a fine-toothed comb for precision combing of the delicate, wispy fur in hard-to-reach spots. Focus on areas prone to tangles, including behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, and along the belly and groin. The most notorious problem spot is behind the ears, where the longest, silkiest fur tends to twist and knot, especially after a good scratch. Use your fingertips to feel for any hidden mats and gently work them loose.
For the sensitive underbelly, encourage your Sheltie to lie down and roll onto their back, relaxing them with a soothing belly rub. If the fine fur is visibly matted, trimming may be the best option. When cutting, avoid pulling the fur taut, as this can pull the skin into the path of the scissors. Instead, hold the fur loosely and snip in small, careful increments until the mat is gone. If you prefer to brush out the knots, grip the fur close to the skin to absorb the tension and use gentle, controlled strokes to ease them free.
Best Fine-Toothed Combs for Precision:
Step 3. Brush The Outercoat with a Slicker Brush or Bristle Brush
Finally, run a slicker brush in long, smooth strokes along the outercoat, following the direction of hair growth. This step is quick and comfortable for your Sheltie now that mats are gone. The slicker brush removes loose hairs, debris, and minor tangles from the coarse guard hairs while also stimulating circulation and distributing natural oils, leaving the coat softer and shinier. If your Sheltie has particularly sensitive skin, opt for a soft-bristle brush instead of a wire slicker.
Best Brushes for The Sheltie Outercoat:
How Often Should You Groom a Sheltie?
To keep your Sheltie's coat in top condition, aim to groom them at least once a week. If your Sheltie is shedding heavily—especially during seasonal coat blows in summer—you may need to brush more frequently. It's handy to know that unspayed female Shelties go through heavier shedding every 6-8 months due to hormonal cycles. And of course, you should never shave a Sheltie.
By investing in the right brushes and maintaining a consistent grooming routine, you'll keep your Sheltie's coat beautiful, healthy, and mat-free, while strengthening your bond through gentle, stress-free grooming sessions.
What To Do with All That Sheltie Fur
If you've ever looked at the mountain of fluff after a grooming session and thought, surely this could be useful for something—you're right! Sheltie fur is incredibly soft and can be repurposed in creative ways:
Spin it into yarn. Dog fur, also called chiengora, can be spun into yarn for knitting scarves, mittens, or even cozy Sheltie-themed sweaters.
Bird nests. Scatter leftover Sheltie fur outside in spring. Birds love using it to line their nests as it provides superb insulation for their eggs and hatchlings.
Needle felting. Sheltie fur works well for needle felting crafts, allowing you to create miniature felted animals, ornaments, or tiny Sheltie figurines.
Toy stuffing. Another one for craft lovers: clean and bag your leftover Sheltie fur for stuffing handmade amigurumi and plush toys.
Composting. Dog fur is rich in nitrogen which makes it an excellent addition to your compost pile to enrich your garden soil over time.
Next time after brushing your Sheltie, instead of tossing all that fur away, turn it into something useful or beautiful. It's always a fun challenge to see how much fur you can liberate from a Sheltie and now you have more motivation than ever.
