Australian Shepherd Grooming Before & After — Real Transformations in Orlando

Before

After

Australian Shepherds have a weather-resistant double coat that sheds heavily year-round in Florida's mild winters and hot summers. Scout's undercoat had compacted beneath the guard coat — what appears as shedding is actually retained undercoat creating insulation that's counterproductive in Orlando's heat. We used a high-velocity dryer to break up the compaction, then worked through with an undercoat rake and slicker brush. The process removed a significant volume of coat without cutting any of the guard hairs, which protect the skin from UV exposure. Australian Shepherds should be de-shed professionally every six to eight weeks in Central Florida.

Before

After

Australian Shepherd double-coat felting differs from mat formation in single-coat breeds. The soft undercoat compresses at friction points — collar, behind ears, inner thighs — while the guard coat above it looks normal. River had clear felting at the collar zone that required careful work with a wide-tooth comb and de-matting rake, avoiding any guard coat cutting. After clearing these areas, we ran a full de-shedding session using the dryer and rake combination. The result was a dramatically lighter coat that will manage Orlando's heat more effectively. Regular de-shedding prevents this felting from forming.

Before

After

Australian Shepherd maintenance visits every six weeks prevent the undercoat accumulation that leads to the more intensive de-shedding sessions. Luna's coat at six weeks showed early undercoat regrowth — manageable with a moderate de-shedding session and bath. We used a de-shedding shampoo specifically formulated to release loose undercoat during bathing, then a high-velocity dryer and rake combination. The process removed significantly less coat than a full de-shed but will reset the cycle for another six weeks. Paw pads trimmed. Luna's owner was advised on a home brushing routine using a slicker brush twice weekly.