Australian Shepherd Full Groom.
Let me introduce Stoney, a very handsome 3yo Australian Shepherd.
Stoney and his owner arrived here in Cairns from South Australia in our summer months. His Dad was very concerned about his boy because he appeared not to be coping well with the heat and humidity. One of his friends suggested getting him clipped and how much it would help. So when he came to me I discussed at length, the possible consequences of clipping his coat. Personally, I would recommend regular undercoat strips (with, of course, his sanitary areas clipped, a wash, blow dry, nail trim, ear clean and a scissor tidy up) and brushing several times a week by his Dad to control hair loss, stimulate his skin and promote healthy regrowth. Double coated breeds like Stoney are insulated not only from the cold but also from the heat, although they should be groomed regularly by mum or dad (or anybody else) to help. Ultimately, though, it’s the owners decision.
Although he is called an Australian Shepherd his breed did not originate in Australia they, actually, come from the U.S.A. where they were bred to work with livestock. This makes them a very popular working dog here. The Aussie (as they are nicknamed) is a very smart and active dog. They can have long coats like a Collie( which are more suited to show dogs) or shorter coats (which is the preference for the working/herding dogs). They can have long tails or no tail at all. They come in solid colours or a merle and they, often, have different coloured eyes. Either way they are a very striking dog.
Stoney has the shorter coat and no tail and is a tri colour. His dad decided he wanted Stoney clipped. As you can see, he ended up soo handsome. I must say he is an absolute pleasure to groom. He remembers everything I need him to do and is more than happy to help, (he even gets on and off the table when asked and will roll over onto his back for me, so cool). He’s also very fortunate because every time he comes back to see me his coat regrowth is glossy and healthy. His dad says every time I see them that after his grooming session with me he seems to revert to being a playful puppy again.
It appears I’m not the only one who enjoys our sessions.
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