Is her coat done filling out?

[Ritz459]

Chloe will be a year old in March and her coat has come a LONG way from when she was only a couple of months old. Her coat is about like a Golden Retriever's right now. I'm happy because I've checked behind her ears, under her legs, and in the feathering on her hips (and everywhere else when I pet her) and she has no matts and I've only brushed her a couple of times since I've gotten her. *phew*

I really don't want her coat getting any longer than it already is. Mainly because I don't want to deal with the headache of having her groomed. If she ends up having a thick coat, having her tolorate grooming is something I'll really have to work on. She's fine for her bath, nail trim, ear cleaning, blowdry, and brushing, but put clippers next to her and she becomes a squirmy mess.

When does a Collie's coat normally fill out? If she does end up having a Collie coat, what are ways I can have her groomed to help manage it (besides shaving her)?

Here is a "then" picture of her at 4 1/2 months:


And a "now" picture, taken last month on Christmas Eve:

[Sheltiemama]

She's still young. A collie or sheltie doesn't come into their mature coat until they are between 2 and 3 years of age. Her coat will thicken and grow about another inch longer. She will also develop an undercoat. That is where the grooming comes in. The undercoat is the part that sheds out seasonally. They do lose some of the outer coat but not like the undercoat. A rake is a good tool to keep around. It's handy for removing the loose hair that gets trapped in the outer rough coat. I groom my shelties myself and used to groom my collie before I had the shelties. It's not any more difficult to do than what you are doing now. Brushing three times a week is sufficient to keep mats and loose hair under control.

[IceyBlueSibes]

Don't have a sheltie, but I know from experience of having a double coated breed. My huskies didn't fill out into their coats COMPLETELY until they were about 2-3 years old. I'd probably say about 2 was when they completely filled out. But I know it's different for each dog.

She looks so purdy!

[brandysmama]

Since our dogs look a lot alike, maybe I can help...

Looking at pictures of Brandy at a year old, I don't think her coat had come in completely yet. It's definitely longer and thicker now than it was back then. I'd say she was past 2 before she got the kind of coat she has now.

Here she was at about 18 months old:


Then again at age 6 (yeah, she needed to be brushed here):


As far as maintaining it, I'd say brush, brush, brush. I've heard good things about the Furminator, although I've never tried it. I'll admit, I'm lazy and get Brandy shaved to sort of "start over" with her coat about once a year.

[Ritz459]

Thanks all. I've looked into getting a furminator but they are so expensive! I think the size I would need is around fifty bucks. WAY to much for a brush, in my opinion. lol Anybody know where you can order one where it isn't as expensive?

[Sheltiemama]

Go to any pet store or a walmart and pick up an undercoat rake for $7.99 you won't be sorry. Just remember to mosten the coat before you rake it.

[Doglover1988]

I'm afraid Lucy's coat is going to get really long since she has chow and australian shepherd heritage. I tried a shed ender and it didn't work for me so I just have a regular brush but have only really brushed her about 3 times. Hopefully it can stay that way.

[armadycom]

you have a very cute dog, my dog's fur came in pretty fast (he is a golden retriver).

[armadycom]

p.s. these are my dogs:miles and nikki.

[Lonewolfblue]

Originally Posted by Ritz459

Thanks all. I've looked into getting a furminator but they are so expensive! I think the size I would need is around fifty bucks. WAY to much for a brush, in my opinion. lol Anybody know where you can order one where it isn't as expensive?

Try both Amazon.com and Ebay.com . You can find some really good deals. I know someone that just got one off Amazon for dirt cheap.