Why do Australian cattle dogs shed a lot? Find Out Here

What Is A “Blow Coat”?

Many furred animals – foxes, wolves, and domestic dogs alike – will change their seasonal coat for a more appropriate one when the weather shifts. Even though he will likely spend most of his time indoors as a pet, the Australian Cattle Dog is no stranger to this genetic tradition. Twice a year, he’ll experience “blowing his coat,” which essentially means he’ll shed a great deal in a short amount of time. For a pet parent doing their best to avoid the allergies and mess that come with fur and dog dander, this can be a challenging time. Canine grooming experts recommend the following tips for getting over this hurdle without getting covered in fur:

Brush your pup a minimum of twice a week. Not only is this bonding time important for the health and happiness of your dog, it also gives his owner a chance to spot snarls, mats, and tangles before they become unmanageable.

Use a slicker-style brush during coat blows, as well as an “undercoat rake.” These tools will help pull off dead and tangled hair, which avoids the dog depositing it on furniture or carpets later through shedding.

Always brush dogs outside, whenever possible. Even if a pet parent is diligently cleaning their brush of choice between strokes, stray hairs will fall away and settle on any indoor surface. This will, in turn, trigger allergies inside the home.

Consider a professional groomer. Using a pro will help thoroughly and completely remove shedding hair or about-to-fall-out fur, and it also usually means a much-needed bath afterward for any stubborn hairs that are still hanging on.

Trim or file/dremel nails at the same time. Just as scratching an itchy scalp will loosen dandruff onto the shoulders, a dog’s scratching will create and spread more allergy-causing dander throughout the home.

Do Australian Cattle Dogs Shed?

One of the most notable features of this popular breed is their coat: a beautiful blend of colors, the majority can best be described as a “cookies and cream” hue of black, grey, and white. The overall effect is an aesthetically pleasing one, giving him an almost airbrush-like quality to his coat appearance. While he has a gorgeous hue, potential owners with allergies are far more interested in how well that coat stays on his body.

The Australian Cattle Dog has what is called a “double coat” – the glossy, longer fur seen on the surface of his body hides a shorter, fluffier layer of fur beneath. This undercoat is used to help him regulate his body temperature as he performs the active duties he’s been bred to do. While some shedding is inevitable, most pet parents of this breed consider it manageable with regular brushing.

Do Blue Heelers shed a lot?

The Blue Heeler, whos real name is the Australian Cattle Dog, sheds A LOT, Every day of the year!

Do Australian Cattle Dogs Shed? The Answer Might Surprise You

If youve got an active lifestyle and are inclined to take your dog along for the adventure, blue heelers are up for whatever exciting activity you have in mind. Also called Australian cattle dogs, theyre working dogs who need a lot going on to keep them occupied. They arent exactly high maintenance in the grooming department, but knowing what youre in for with blue heelers and shedding will make grooming easier to deal with.

Blue heelers have a double coat. They have a dense undercoat beneath an extremely short outer coat that typically grows only to 1 1/2 inches in length. Blue heelers coats dont appear to be as thick as they are because the outer hairs rest close to the undercoat. If you like dogs of unusual color and markings youll approve of the blue heelers appearance. Coloring can range from blue to red or blue speckled, blue mottled or even a combination of these.

Theres no getting around it: any dog with fur will shed. Dogs with thicker fur tend to shed a bit more, especially in warm climates. Blue heelers, in general, will shed moderately under normal circumstances. Yes, this means hell leave hairs on your pant leg when he leans in for a pat, and if he reclines on the sofa, therell be evidence of his presence there, as well.

Aside from the usual shedding that can be expected, if you adopt a blue heeler be prepared for his twice yearly “coat blow.” For one or two weeks every spring and possibly one additional time each year, blue heelers blow their coats, shedding their undercoat in tufts and clumps. How often your heelers coat undergoes this major shed depends on the climate and whether he has been neutered or not. Altered males typically only blow their coats once a year. If you have a female heeler who isnt yet fixed, though, you can expect her to go through a major shedding after each time she goes into heat.

Routine grooming is a useful recommendation to control shedding both in and out of the shedding season. When your blue heeler is blowing his coat, daily grooming with a steel comb and a wire brush will be necessary to control the free-floating hair in your house. One or two warm baths with a quality dog shampoo will also help eliminate loose hair during this time. Outside of shedding season, combing and brushing only needs to be done a couple of times a week and baths can be limited to an as-needed basis, like if your heeler gets into something extremely dirty or smelly.

Elle Di Jensen has been a writer and editor since 1990. She began working in the fitness industry in 1987, and her experience includes editing and publishing a workout manual. She has an extended family of pets, including special needs animals. Jensen attended Idaho and Boise State Universities. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications.