Border Collie (detailed introduction)

　　The Border Collie belongs to the large dog category, with a moderately long double-layered coat. The puppy’s coat will become the undercoat of the adult dog, and the outer coat will grow as the dog ages. Each spring, when they shed their winter undercoat, Border Collies experience heavy shedding. Female dogs without ovariectomy also shed during their heat and when they are weaning puppies.
　　Border Collies should be well groomed at least three times a week. This is very important for several reasons: first, it is a good opportunity to bond with your dog and to check for the presence of ticks, fleas, lumps, ear infections, paw pad damage, and other issues requiring attention. You should have the following grooming or care tools: a puppy brush, a regular brush, a pin and bristle brush, a long-hair comb, a dematting cutter or knife (use carefully), high-quality nail clippers, styptic powder or gel, high-quality dog shampoo or bath liquid, conditioner (do not use human products), a dog toothbrush and toothpaste (do not use human products either).
　　Start with a soft brush when the dog is a puppy, brushing gently until its coat grows, otherwise you may hurt the puppy’s skin and make it uncomfortable, which can cause many problems later on. When grooming your puppy, give lots of praise to make it a pleasant experience. Thoroughly brush every part of the puppy’s body, paying special attention to the hair behind the ears, under the front legs, and the tail—these areas are prone to matting. Trim the puppy’s toenails once a week (the pink part that grows out) to help the paws grow compact and dense. If nails grow too long, the paws will splay. After the puppy turns one year old, adjust clipping frequency based on nail length, possibly every two weeks. Both puppies and adult dogs should not be bathed more than twice a month, even when very dirty. Excessive bathing will dry their skin and coat.
　　For adult dogs, start by brushing the soft areas behind the ears, under the front legs, and inside with the puppy’s brush, which is softer and gentler.
　　Next, use a regular brush to brush the entire dog repeatedly starting from the head. This helps remove loose hairs, which can cause matting. It’s best to collect loose hairs in a plastic bag. Be sure to brush the hind legs (which mat easily) and the tail (some dogs have especially fluffy and frizzy tails), then gently comb again with a comb.
　　If you find a rough area, hold the hair at that spot with one hand and use the comb to gently detangle it. It’s best to grab small amounts of hair at a time and detangle in several steps. For large matted areas, you can use a dematting cutter or knife: use the pointed edge to cut the mat. Be extra careful when doing this as you can easily hurt your dog or yourself.
　　If the matting is severe, it is best to take your dog to a professional groomer. Finally, use the pin and bristle brush to groom the dog. Use the bristle side to comb the face and body, then the pin side for the tail and rump. Then you should trim nails, brush teeth, and check ears for signs of inflammation or bad odor, which may require veterinary attention.
　　Remember to thoroughly brush the dog before bathing. Once mats get wet, they tighten and are almost impossible to remove except by cutting. Mats cause pain to dogs, especially when very tight. Bathe your dog using a tub or shower (I personally prefer the shower. Dogs dislike standing in dirty water and enjoy water massage).
　　Dogs, like humans, don’t like cold water for bathing. Use warm water for better cleaning. The water temperature should be close to room temperature or just slightly warm. If your dog shivers during the bath, the water is too cold; if it pants, the water is too hot (remember dogs can easily overheat, so watch carefully).
　　Use special dog shampoo diluted with water in a basin, then wash the dog with a towel or sponge. Be sure to protect the dog’s ears when rinsing and use a towel moistened with clean water to wash the face (around eyes, nose, and mouth). I always soap twice and rinse twice—you’ll be surprised how much dirt still comes off on the second wash.
　　Next, use conditioner if needed, then rinse thoroughly. Otherwise, a sticky layer will remain on the coat, easily attracting dirt. You can towel dry or blow dry on low heat. Don’t let the dog go outside until completely dry (nothing picks up dust more easily than wet fur).
　　After drying, brush the dog again. Remember to have your dog relieve itself outside before bathing. The bath should be done before feeding.
　　Use plenty of rewards during bathing. Remember, your dog’s coat health comes from the inside (i.e., proper nutrition), ensuring shiny and beautiful fur from inside out.
　　If your dog is malnourished or unhealthy, don’t bathe too often, as this helps the coat look better.
　　If the dog is well-nourished but the coat looks dull or dry, suspect parasites or thyroid problems and take it to a vet.
　　If your dog likes to rub its rear, it is mostly an anal gland problem. Border Collies that eat a lot of meat and do not have their anal glands expressed regularly often suffer from anal gland inflammation. The anal glands should be cleaned regularly.