Just about everyone who owns a Beardie has their own favourite tools for grooming, but here are some basics that most agree on: A pin brush is a good basic grooming brush similar to a human hairbrush. My personal favourite it the #1 All Systems pin brush which has extra long pins. Another choice I am very fond of is the Mason Pearson All-Nylon brush. Mason Pearson makes an exceptional line of brushes (intended for human use but they’ve become a favourite of many dog people), including the all-nylon, nylon/boar bristle combo (which I also use), and all boar bristle, in various sizes. These are quite expensive brushes however they will last forever!  

The pin brush is used for everyday grooming in a method called line brushing. Line brushing refers to lifting up sections of the coat and brushing one layer at a time, being sure to get down to the skin (look for that line of skin as the section of coat is lifted). It is easiest if the dog is trained to lie on its side while you do this. If you neglect to get right down to the skin and simply do 'surface grooming', the dog may appear groomed but under that top layer will be a mess of matted coat.

A soft slicker brush, which consists of very short, bent metal pins set in a cushioned backing, is useful for helping to remove tangles, and is also good for getting the puppy fluff out when it is being shed and the adult coat starts to come in. Not all slicker brushes are created equal, and many have pins that are too hard and are set in a rigid backing. These can very easily scratch the dog's skin and cause pain. The slicker brush I use is the Doggy Man slicker made by Miller's Forge, although there may be others equally as good. Try them on your arm - if they scratch you, then you surely don't want to use them on your dog (however they are good for picking up hair from the carpet!).

A Poodle comb - a large wooden comb with long metal teeth set wide apart in the wooden backing, is an invaluable tool for grooming a Beardie. It works well in getting tangles out, and in removing the shedding undercoat without ripping out too much coat. Because of the strong metal pins make sure to use this comb gently. Most people who try the Poodle comb find it quickly becomes one of their favourite tools.

A 'regular' comb should be used sparingly as it will pull out way too much coat. Where it is beneficial is for areas such as behind the ears where little mats tend to form, or for checking other areas for mats after brushing them with the pin or slicker brush. A medium tooth comb is best for this.

The type of nail clippers one uses depends on personal preference. The two main types are the scissors type and the guillotine type. I prefer the scissors type as I find they allow for more control of the dog when I clip nails.

Other tools such as mat combs or undercoat rakes can be useful in some situations. If you are interested in showing your Beardie, however, or just like the look of the full coat, then be very cautious with their use as they are designed to rip and cut the hair, or remove just about all the undercoat, which can leave the dog looking less than spectacular.

When brushing the Beardie it is beneficial to use a spray bottle to mist the coat lightly, thus eliminating static that can cause the hair to break. There are many different sprays available and everyone has their own preference, but plain water will work fine. If the skin seems a tad dry, some Keri-Lotion or humilac can be added to the water.

In owning a Bearded Collie (or any other breed for that matter), the coat will need brushing, nails will need clipping; ears and teeth will need cleaning. To avoid these chores because the pup or dog 'doesn't like having it done' is to neglect the responsibilities of dog ownership and leaves the dog open to developing health problems in the future.

Regular grooming is beneficial in many ways - it keeps the dog in good healthy condition, it is an opportunity to detect any health problems or concerns early, and it reinforces your position as being in control.  

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Grooming Requirements

For more detailed information on specific brands of grooming tools we recommend for Beardies, visit the Which Products Should I Buy page.