Aussies are cotton ball fluffy when they're tiny and then they loose all that fluff and have this thin, soft, wispy chicken feather coat for a while during their adolescent phase. As they get closer to being 1 year old they finally get a long, slightly more dense and coarse adult coat (see pics below).
Dogs that have double or water-repellant coats, like Australian Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Akitas, Labrador Retrievers, and Newfoundlands, may only need baths every few months. Bathing them more often than necessary can cause dry skin.
The coat is of medium texture, straight to slightly wavy, weather resistant, of moderate length with an undercoat. The quantity of undercoat varies with climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head, outside of the ears, front of the forelegs and below the hocks.
Brushing is the best thing you can do for your Aussie! This breeds sheds quite a bit, so it's important to get those dead hairs out of there—plus it helps stimulate the skin. Many say a slicker brush paired with a long tooth undercoat rake is the best combination.
Aussies have a lush, medium-length coat that is straight or slightly wavy. They have feathering on the back of the legs and a generous mane around the neck. Coat colors vary and might be blue or red merle or red or black tricolor, all with white and/or tan markings.
Australian shepherd colors and patterns can vary greatly, but the United States Australian Shepherd Association recognizes these four major categories: black, red, red merle, and blue merle (merle being the genetic pattern that occurs in a dog's coat, often appearing as speckled patches of color).
Australian Shepherd History
Their Pyrenean Shepherds crossbred with other working dogs, including Collies and Border Collies, creating the modern version of the Australian Shepherd.
Groomers do more than just wash the dog. After a great wash using a shampoo that is fit for the dog's fur type, groomers pamper the dog's fur with additional products such as crème rinses, conditioners and finishers to make the fur soft and beautiful.
As they get closer to being 1 year old they finally get a long, slightly more dense and coarse adult coat (see pics below). Right now at 1 year old Indie's coat is long, but not very thick. I hear it takes two to three years for the coat to really get to full thickness.
Color change is rarer in adults, but it does occur more frequently than previously supposed. In at least one bloodline of Aussie there is a progressive silvering of the muzzle and face that is not due to geriatric effects. Several distinct types of color change are known to occur in the breed.
Solid Red Coat
This Australian shepherd coat color, which ranges from deep reddish to lighter shades of red, is the rarest color. To create a solid red coat, breeders must strategically pair dogs with the ee recessive form of the E gene.
While intelligent and hardworking, the Australian Shepherd can still be a goofy and loving family pet. If you are considering adding this handsome breed to your family, it is always important to know what illnesses are prevalent among the breed.
Should you ever cut the fur off this breed? No, there's generally no need to give your Australian Shepherd a haircut. The only exception is trimming the hair around the feet, legs, and ears, which can get long.
It is enough to bathe your Australian Shepherd once a month or as needed. The right care product is important when washing your dog! If the fur feels very greasy or dull after several uses with a product, this product should be replaced. Buy shampoo and conditioner individually - and not 2-in-1 products.
A dull, dry coat can often be due to micronutrient deficiencies. It is well established that conventional dog foods are lacking in skin-nourishing omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids aid skin and coat health by improving the framework upon which skin cells are built and organised.
Unhealthy coat's appearance: A dog with an unhealthy coat will have dry and brittle hair with lots of loose hair in the coat. The coat itself may also be greasy or have a dusty appearance and include bald spots and an unpleasant oily smell.
Besides protein, eggs also contain fatty acids and vitamins that make a dog's coat shinier and support their health from within. You can also boil or scramble an egg and serve it as a dietary supplement for your dog to your dog.
Groomers blow your dog's coat dry to achieve that ultra-fluffy look that's full of body. They use special dryers built for treating pets. Groomers also use particular products that help with the drying process but also leave the coat in wonderful condition, and now you can use them, too!
While most dogs will still be soft once they've grown into their adult bodies, their coat will go through a startling transformation. Your lovable fluffball will always be soft to the touch, but he won't retain that almost excessive softness that he had when he was little.
Breeds like the Samoyed, Chow Chow, Pekingese, and Old English Sheepdog all have coats that are soft, downy, and nothing short of beautiful. Fluffy dogs come in different sizes and coat colors.
The Australian Shepherd, or Aussie for short, is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Their boundless energy and high intelligence make them fun, entertaining, and hardworking pets and assistance dogs.
What is a double merle? A dog that inherits two dominant versions of M is a double merle. In Australian Shepherds these dogs usually will have excessive amounts of white, be deaf in one or both ears, and have serious and generally blinding eye defects. In a few severe cases the eyes have been missing altogether.
Is Australian Shepherd a good family dog? Australian Shepherds are very good with children and tend to get along well with other pets. They have a very easy-going temperament, making them great family pets as well as herding animals.