The Shetland Sheepdog is commonly known as the "Sheltie" and closely resembles the Collie. Originating from the Shetland Islands, the Sheltie is highly intelligent with a gentle nature. Their coat is long and flowing which protects them from the elements. The coat will repel rain, block the dog from the wind and insulate their body from cold weather. In order to keep this luxurious coat in beautiful condition, regular grooming will be required.
Because the Sheltie enjoys the great outdoors, their long coat tends to pick up matter that can become tangled in the fur. Daily brushings are usually needed for this breed. Tools that will be needed for a regular grooming session should be gathered before the grooming process which includes:
-Brush and/or Combs
-Shampoo
-Sponge
-Heavy Towel
-Dryer
-Scissors (only needed if trimming excess hair from the face, hocks or the bottom of the paws)
-Nail Trimmers
-Cotton Balls
A universal brush is normally the only brush a groomer will need but for the Sheltie, a slicker and pin brush and wide metal combs will be needed. These grooming tools can be used on tangled or matted coats. A mat comb can be utilized if the coat is badly matted. A spray-on conditioner can be used to help detangle any mats.
For extreme matting, the coat may need to be fully shaven before bathing. If grooming a Sheltie that has a neglected coat, a groomer will need clippers with several sized blades. A number 7F blade will work for the overall coat, a number 15 can be used for the pads and a number 10 works well on the stomach area. If you are having to fully shave the Sheltie due to neglect, be very cautious for other signs of neglect during clipping such as sores and wounds. After the coat is thoroughly tamed, the Sheltie is ready for a professional bath.
The ideal water temperature for bathing a dog is approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit. A spray hose connected to a faucet will make the bathing process much simpler. Start with the hindquarters and completely wet the Sheltie. The excess water should not be left in the tub and should flow down the drain. The Sheltie is actually getting a "shower" rather than a bath. In case the dog decides to do the "shake", wearing a plastic apron will be very handy in keeping the groomer from being soaked during bathing.
After the Sheltie is soaked, place shampoo on the sponge and on the dog, from rear to front. Keep shampoo clear of the eyes even if the shampoo claims to be tearless. Work the shampoo into the coat not forgetting any areas including the bottoms of the feet. Because of the thickness of the Sheltie's coat, you may need to use your fingers to work the shampoo into the long hairs. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly, letting the water rinse until it runs clear from the coat. If the Sheltie was heavily soiled, the dog may need two washings.
Squeeze excess water from the coat and use a heavy towel to remove as much water as possible. If you have a cage dryer, this can be used to help the coat dry off what the towel didn't. A cage dryer will get the coat damp-dry and a hand blow-dryer will be utilized to fully dry the coat. Working from the rear to the head, allow the blow-dryer to separate the hairs. Dry one area at a time and using a brush will help keep the hairs from tangles.
To make the coat stand away from the body, brush against the grain while the coat is still damp. Using the dryer and carefully brushing until the coat is fluffed and then ending by brushing the coat back down around the body. Excess hair on the feet and hocks can be trimmed with shears.
Once the coat is cleaned and dried, the Sheltie is ready for the ear cleaning. This is a simple process of using a cotton ball and water. Some groomers will use mineral oil and/or ear powder. The only concern when cleaning the ears is to be gentle, do not go into the ear canal and do not use Q-tips. If the ears are overgrown with long hairs, these can be easily trimmed away with short scissors. Hemostat scissors are the most common type utilized for this area because of their bent shape at the ends.
Nail trimming can be intimidating and should be approached with caution. Inside the toenail is a "quick" that can hurt if cut and even bleed. If you are doing this for the first time, trim a little at a time until you reach the quick without cutting into it. Today's technology has made other tools available for nail trimming that are much safer than clippers and can be purchased for the novice groomer. Nail trimming and ear cleaning can be done before bathing but I prefer to do it after the dog is clean and the coat is manageable.
The overall appearance of the Sheltie is unique because of their double coat. The outer coat should be long and straight hair while the undercoat is short and dense. The undercoat should be fluffy enough to give the outer coat a stand-off appearance. The coat on the tail should be profuse and the hair on the face, tips of the ears and feet should be smooth. Giving the Sheltie daily brushings will make the bathing and grooming process much simpler and less stressful on the dog.