If you share your home with an Australian Shepherd, you already know three things. One, the dog needs a job or it will find one, and you will not enjoy the job it picks. Two, the coat sheds in waves that could strip the hair off a small bear. Three, the eyes are watching you, always.
Australian Shepherds look like a regular shedding dog. They are. They are also double-coated working dogs with a long list of breed-specific grooming and health concerns that show up at the grooming table. People assume that because Aussies do not need a professional haircut, they are easy to maintain. The reality is more involved.
Here is what I have learned from working on Australian Shepherds in the mobile van, and what every Aussie owner in Northwest Ohio should know.
🎨 The Aussie Coat: Double-Layered, Weather-Resistant, Built to Blow
The Australian Shepherd has a medium-length double coat. The outer coat is straight to slightly wavy, weather-resistant, and slightly coarse. The undercoat is soft, dense, and sheds twice a year in a dramatic “coat blow.”
The coat comes in four main color patterns:
- Black tri (black, white, copper)
- Red tri (red, white, copper)
- Black bi (black and white, no copper)
- Red merle (mottled red, white, and copper patches)
- Blue merle (mottled black, gray, white, and copper patches)
All colors have the same grooming needs. Merle-patterned Aussies sometimes have more sensitive skin, especially in the lighter patches where the coat is thinner. I adjust the shampoo and conditioner accordingly.
The biggest mistake Aussie owners make is shaving the coat down in summer to “keep the dog cool.” Do not shave an Australian Shepherd. The double coat is the dog’s air conditioning system. It traps cool air in summer and warm air in winter. Shaving destroys the coat’s ability to regulate temperature and exposes the skin to sunburn. The coat rarely grows back correctly.
What works instead is regular brushing, regular de-shedding during the seasonal blow, and a Full Groom on a steady schedule.
🛁 Grooming Frequency for an Australian Shepherd
The right rhythm depends on the time of year:
- Regular season: Full Groom every 6 to 8 weeks
- Spring and fall coat blow: A de-shed add-on between full grooms helps manage the avalanche
Between professional grooms, brushing at home is the single biggest favor you can do for your Aussie. The right tool for the job is an undercoat rake or a de-shedding tool. A slicker brush alone will not get through the undercoat. Brush 2 to 3 times a week during the regular season and daily during the blow.
Aussies with a thicker undercoat (working lines, dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors) shed more than Aussies with a sparser undercoat (show lines, indoor companions). Adjust your brushing frequency accordingly.
✂️ What a Full Groom Includes for Your Australian Shepherd
A Full Groom at Vroom Grooms covers everything your Aussie needs in one appointment:
- Bath with a gentle shampoo (hypoallergenic available for sensitive skin)
- Blow-dry with the high-velocity dryer at a medium-to-high speed to blow out the undercoat
- Full brush-out and de-shed
- Nail trim and grinding
- Ear cleaning
- Teeth brushing
- Anal gland care
- Sanitary trim and paw pad tidy
- Light scissor tidy on the pants, the tail, and the feathering
I do not clip or shave the body coat on a double-coated breed. The coat stays at its natural length.
No surprise charges after the bath starts. I tell you the total before we begin.
💰 Pricing for an Australian Shepherd
An Australian Shepherd falls under our Long and Fluffy tier:
- Small (70 lbs or under): $90 to $100
- Medium (+70 lbs): $115 to $135
- Large (+90 lbs): $145 to $155
A typical adult Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds, which puts them in the $90 to $100 range. Larger working-line Aussies can hit the $115 to $135 bracket.
If your Aussie is matted or pelted (less common than with curly-coated breeds but possible behind the ears, in the armpits, and in the pants), the price jumps to the next weight range bracket plus a $50 matted-dog fee.
If your Aussie is difficult or behavioral during the grooming session, an additional $50 fee applies. Most Aussies are working dogs who respond well to calm, confident handling. Some have opinions about the dryer. I have built patience into my fee structure.
Any appointment that goes over two hours incurs a $50 fee per every 20 to 30 minutes of extra time. A full Aussie groom usually lands in the 90-minute to two-hour range, mostly because of the de-shed work. During a heavy coat blow, the session can run longer.
Add-ons like teeth brushing, paw pad shaving, or specialty shampoo are each $10. Inside a Full Groom, they are included.
Humanity over Vanity. Every quote includes the full cost up front.
🩺 Australian Shepherd Problems I See in the Van
Australian Shepherds are working dogs with a long list of breed-specific concerns. Some are grooming-related. Some are not. All of them affect how I work on the dog.
MDR1 Gene Mutation
This is the big one for Aussies. MDR1 (Multi-Drug Resistance 1) is a gene mutation that affects how the dog’s body processes certain medications. Aussies are one of the breeds most commonly affected.
Dogs with the MDR1 mutation can have serious or fatal reactions to common medications, including:
- Ivermectin (used in some heartworm preventatives)
- Loperamide (Imodium, used for diarrhea)
- Certain sedatives and anesthesia drugs
- Some antibiotics
MDR1 is not a grooming problem, but it affects how I work. I do not administer medications. What I do is:
- Avoid essential oils and tea tree oil in shampoos for MDR1-positive dogs (some oils can be absorbed through the skin)
- Stick to gentle, fragrance-free products
- Coordinate with your vet on sedation if it ever becomes necessary
If your Aussie has been tested for MDR1, tell me the result on the New Client Form. If they have not been tested, the result is unknown and I treat every Aussie as potentially MDR1-positive. The genetic test is a simple cheek swab and is worth doing.
Eye Problems (MDR1-Related and Breed-Specific)
Australian Shepherds are prone to several eye conditions:
- Collie eye anomaly (CEA), a hereditary condition that affects the back of the eye
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which causes progressive blindness
- Cataracts, especially in older dogs
- Sensitivity to bright light. Many merle Aussies have photophobia
I do not diagnose eye conditions. What I do is check the eyes at every Full Groom. If I notice cloudiness, discharge, redness, or any change, I tell you.
For light-sensitive Aussies, I keep the van dim during the eye-area work. The handheld hair dryer stays on its lowest setting for the face.
Hip Dysplasia
Australian Shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia, which is a malformation of the hip joint. Severe cases may need surgery. Mild cases may be managed with weight control, joint supplements, and modified activity.
I see this at the grooming table when an older Aussie hesitates to step up onto the table, or shifts weight off one hip when standing. I never lift an Aussie by the legs. I support the body with both hands. The table height is set so the dog can step up and down without jumping.
If your Aussie has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, tell me on the New Client Form. I will adjust how I handle the dog.
Epilepsy
Australian Shepherds are one of the breeds most prone to idiopathic epilepsy, which is a seizure disorder with no identifiable cause. Seizures usually start between one and five years of age.
I am not a vet. I cannot diagnose or treat epilepsy. What I can do is:
- Recognize the signs of a seizure (paddling, loss of consciousness, urinary incontinence)
- Keep the dog safe during an episode by moving sharp objects away and timing the seizure
- Stop the grooming session immediately and contact you
If your Aussie has a seizure disorder, tell me on the New Client Form. I want to know the medication, the trigger patterns, and what to do if one happens during the groom.
The Double Coat and the Shaving Question
I am going to say this one more time because it comes up every summer:
Do not shave your Australian Shepherd.
The double coat is the dog’s air conditioning. It traps cool air in summer and warm air in winter. Shaving destroys the coat’s insulating ability, exposes the skin to sunburn, and the coat rarely grows back correctly. The guard hairs (the harsh outer coat) often grow back softer and patchier after a clip, which changes the texture permanently.
What works in summer is:
- Regular brushing to remove the loose undercoat (this is what makes the dog feel hot)
- A de-shed add-on during the spring and fall coat blow
- Cool water on the belly and paws during walks
- Shade and air conditioning on hot days
If you have already shaved your Aussie, the coat will grow back. It just may not look or feel the same. We can work with what you have.
Paw Pads and the Hair Between Them
If the hair between your Aussie’s paw pads is knotted or tangled, I shave it down to the skin to get the mats out cleanly. If the hair is clean and tidy, I give it a light trim. If you have a preference, tell me on the New Client Form, because by default I will work on whatever the foot actually needs that day.
Aussies are working dogs who spend a lot of time on their feet. I check the pads at every Full Groom for cracks, sores, cuts, and signs of yeast infection between the toes. Working Aussies sometimes pick up burrs, foxtails, or small cuts that owners do not notice.
📋 What to Tell Your Groomer About Your Australian Shepherd
A few things help me give your Aussie a better groom:
- MDR1 status (if known)
- Any history of hip dysplasia, eye conditions, or seizures
- Whether your Aussie is sensitive to bright light or loud noises
- How often you brush at home
- Any matting you have noticed
- Food or treat allergies or sensitivities
- Whether your Aussie does better with breaks during the session
- Paw pad preference
You can drop these on the New Client Form note section, or text them to me at least 48 hours before your appointment so I can adjust my schedule if needed.
🚐 Why Mobile Grooming Works for Australian Shepherds
Aussies are working dogs. They want a job, they want to know what is expected of them, and they do not enjoy sitting in a crate waiting their turn at a busy salon. The car ride, the other dogs barking, the slippery floors, the long waits. For a high-drive working dog with anxiety tendencies, a traditional salon is a stack of stressors.
Mobile solves this. I drive to your house. Your Aussie walks out the door and into the van. One-on-one. No other dogs. No waiting. When the groom is done, your Aussie walks back inside.
For a dog that wants to work, mobile lets the session be the work. No wasted time, no wasted energy, no wasted patience.
🐾 Final Thoughts
Australian Shepherds are smart, driven, loyal, opinionated working dogs who will reorganize your entire household and then herd the children into the living room for inspection. They deserve grooming that respects their coat, their health risks, and their working-dog brain.
If your Aussie needs regular grooming, the best way to get started is through the New Client Form. Use the note section for special notes. Tell me about MDR1 status, hip history, paw preferences, or anything else I should know before I pull into your driveway.
If you are already a current client and there is new information about your Aussie, you can text it to me directly. Any new information that may affect the time or the grooming session needs to be turned in as soon as possible, or at least 48 hours before your appointment, in case I need to adjust my schedule or reschedule.
New to Vroom Grooms? Fill out the New Client Form to get started. No phone calls, no confusion, no stress. Everything is handled in writing so we both know exactly what was said and what is planned.
Ask me in person during your next appointment, or pop into my live stream on Twitch.tv/DogGroomerNIcole.
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About the Author
Nicole is the owner and certified groomer behind Vroom Grooms LLC, a mobile dog grooming service serving Northwest Ohio. She specializes in double-coated breeds, working dogs, and clients who want honest, transparent grooming without the salon chaos. You can catch her live on Twitch at DogGroomerNIcole, where she streams real grooms and talks shop about the grooming world.
This post was drafted with help from Nagini 🐍, her digital assistant, who keeps the blog running, handles the tech side of the website, and makes sure Nicole spends more time with dogs and less time wrestling with WordPress.