Before we adopted Rosie, I genuinely thought brushing a dog meant running a brush through their fur for five minutes. Five years and countless hours later, I have learned that grooming a herding breed is a part-time job. The tools matter more than I ever expected.
This is my current grooming setup. Everything on this list has been used for at least a year. Some items I have replaced multiple times, not because they broke, but because I found something better.
The Foundation: Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
Price point: $50-65 at grooming supply stores, Amazon
Yes, this is a fifty dollar brush. I know. I resisted buying it for two years because spending that much on a brush seemed ridiculous. Then I tried one at a local groomer’s recommendation, and I understood immediately why people pay this price.
The pins are curved in a way that actually gets through the undercoat without scratching skin. Cheaper slicker brushes have straight pins that either skip over mats or dig in uncomfortably. Rosie used to flinch during grooming sessions. With this brush, she falls asleep.
The build quality is also incomparable. I have had mine for three years with daily use. The cushion has not degraded, the pins are still firmly attached, and the handle shows barely any wear. My previous slicker brushes lasted maybe six months before the pins started falling out.
Budget Alternative: Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
Price point: $12-18 at pet stores everywhere
If fifty dollars for a brush is not happening, the Safari self-cleaning slicker is legitimately good for the price. It will not last as long or perform quite as well, but it gets the job done. The self-cleaning feature, where you press a button and the pins retract to release fur, actually works and saves time during grooming sessions.
I keep one of these in the car for after hikes. It is good enough for quick touch-ups without risking my nice brush.
Undercoat Essential: GoPets Dematting Comb
Price point: $15-20 at Amazon, pet stores
The undercoat rake is where actual deshedding happens. Regular brushing maintains the outer coat, but getting that loose undercoat out requires a different tool. The GoPets dematting comb has two-sided blades, one with teeth closer together and one spaced wider. I use the wider side for general maintenance and the closer side when we are in full shedding season.
During coat blowout periods, usually spring and fall, I can fill an entire grocery bag with undercoat from Cooper in one session. Without this tool, that fur would be on my furniture, my clothes, and probably in my food. During summer months, regular undercoat removal also helps with temperature regulation.
The blades on this need to stay sharp to work properly. Ours has lasted two years, but I can tell it is getting duller. At fifteen dollars, I will just replace it rather than trying to sharpen it.
Reader Favorite: FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool
Price point: $35-45 at pet stores
Several readers swear by the FURminator for undercoat removal. I have mixed feelings. It works incredibly well, almost too well. You can accidentally remove healthy coat if you are not careful. For someone experienced with grooming, it is an excellent tool. For someone new to herding breed coat care, the GoPets comb is more forgiving.
If you do get a FURminator, stick to short sessions. Five minutes maximum. Going longer or pressing harder does not get more undercoat out, it just damages the topcoat.
Detail Work: Greyhound-Style Metal Comb
Price point: $8-15 at grooming supply stores, Amazon
Every grooming session ends with a metal comb. This is how you check your work. If the comb runs smoothly from root to tip, you are done. If it catches, you missed something with the brushes.
The Andis greyhound-style comb is what I use. There is nothing fancy about it. Metal teeth, half fine and half coarse. It has lasted five years and will probably last forever. Any similar metal comb will work. Avoid the plastic ones, they build static and break easily.
This comb also catches mats early. Running it through the feathers behind the ears and under the legs, where mats love to form, takes thirty seconds and prevents problems.
Nail Care: Safari Professional Nail Trimmer
Price point: $8-12 at pet stores
Nail trimming is my least favorite part of grooming. Both dogs act like I am attempting murder. Despite the drama, the Safari Professional clippers make it as quick as possible. The blade is sharp enough to cut cleanly in one motion, which is critical for keeping stress low.
I tried a nail grinder once. Cooper’s reaction to the noise and vibration suggested I might not survive the experience. Clippers it is.
The key with Collie nails is frequency over quantity. I trim tiny amounts weekly rather than waiting until the nails get long. This keeps the quick from extending and makes each session less stressful.
Upgrade Option: Miller’s Forge Nail Clippers
Price point: $12-18 at grooming supply stores
The Miller’s Forge clippers are what professional groomers often use. The blade quality is noticeably better than the Safari, staying sharper longer. The handles are also more comfortable for longer sessions. If you have multiple dogs or do your own grooming exclusively, the upgrade is worth it.
Mat Management: Safari Mat Splitter
Price point: $8-12 at pet stores
Despite my best efforts, mats happen. Cooper got a massive one behind his ear last winter after playing in the snow. This mat splitter saved me from having to cut it out. The blade slices through the mat horizontally, separating it into sections that can then be brushed out.
This tool requires patience and a steady hand. You are working near skin with a sharp blade. I always have Cooper lie down and stay still, which he is generally good about. If your dog is squirmy during grooming, consider having a professional handle severe mats.
What Did Not Make the Cut
Rubber curry combs: Work great for short-coated breeds, useless for double coats. The rubber just slides over the outer coat without reaching the undercoat.
Pin brushes: These are the classic oval brushes with widely spaced bristles. They feel nice to the dog but accomplish almost nothing for actual grooming on herding breeds. Good for finishing touches, bad for actual coat maintenance.
Electric dematting tools: These spinning blade devices terrify my dogs and have not worked better than manual tools in my testing. One nearly grabbed and pulled a chunk of fur in a way that could have hurt Rosie badly.
My Weekly Grooming Schedule
This is what works for maintaining two herding dogs:
Daily: Quick once-over with the slicker brush, two minutes per dog while we watch TV.
Twice weekly: Full brushing session with slicker and undercoat rake, fifteen to twenty minutes per dog.
Weekly: Metal comb check, nail inspection, ear cleaning, paw pad check.
Monthly: Bath with deshedding shampoo during high-shedding seasons, or as needed when someone rolls in something questionable.
During coat blowout periods, I increase the undercoat raking to every other day. It feels like a lot, but keeping up with the loose fur makes everything easier than letting it build up and mat.
Where to Buy
For everyday tools, Petco and PetSmart have most of what you need. For professional-grade equipment like the Chris Christensen brush, grooming supply websites like Cherrybrook or Ryan’s Pet Supplies often have better prices than Amazon.
Local pet supply stores sometimes carry better options than the big chains. Our neighborhood store stocks a few professional brands that I have not seen at chain stores. Worth checking if you have a local option.
For understanding why double coats need this level of care, the resources at The Herding Gene explain coat genetics and function. That background knowledge helped me understand why certain tools work better than others. Also check out my winter essentials for seasonal grooming tips during coat blowout periods.
For supplements that support coat health from the inside, my health and wellness products guide covers fish oil and other nutritional support. During summer, proper grooming pairs with the cooling strategies in my summer cooling gear guide. If you are specifically navigating coat blow or shopping for an undercoat rake, my deeper undercoat tool guide breaks down exactly which products protect the top coat.