Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd has a double coat. There is a weather proof outer coat and a soft layer underneath. The legs, chest and tail carry longer hair as well. Loose hair builds up in those longer parts. Most Aussies come in every eight weeks.
- Coat type
- Long Double
- Groom every
- 8 weeks
- Brushing at home
- Brush weekly, more when the coat drops
- Shedding
- Heavy at coat drop, steady the rest of the year
- Watch for
- Behind the ears, the back of the legs and under the tail
- Time in the salon
- About 95 minutes for a Tidy Groom
Where the coat comes from
The Australian Shepherd was bred to work outside in all weather. The outer coat sheds water. The short soft layer underneath holds warmth. Dogs NSW says most Aussies need grooming weekly, and more often when the coat is dropping. The longer hair on the legs, chest and tail is the part that knots. That hair is fine and soft, so it tangles faster than the body coat.
Why eight weeks
An Aussie does not need a haircut. It needs the loose hair out and the longer hair kept tidy. Eight weeks fits that. Twice a year the soft layer lets go all at once. If it stays in the coat, it packs down and the coat cannot breathe. A study of NSW dogs found deaths in hot weather rose sharply above 25 degrees. A double coat and a bodyweight over 15 kilos were among the things linked to higher risk.
Shaving is not something we do here. The coat shades the skin in summer, and it may come back thin.
Home care between grooms
- Line brush once a week. Push the coat back with one hand and work through one thin line at a time, from the skin out. Do the legs, chest and tail last, where the hair is longest.
- Brush every day or two when the coat drops. It comes out in handfuls.
- Check the ears each week. Look through the leg hair for grass seeds after walks. Dry the legs after wet walks.
Line brushing, shown by iGroomHub, our partner. This is how our groomers brush, and it is the way to do it at home.
What you need at home
- Steel comb
Run it down to the skin. If it stops, you have found a knot.
- Slicker brush
This is the brush you line brush with. Follow it with the comb.
- Shampoo and conditioner
A proper wash loosens the dead hair so the dry can lift it out. Our range is made with chemists: 100% natural, vegan and palm oil free.
What we do for Australian Shepherds at WOOOF
Most Aussies book a Tidy Groom. That is a bath, a full blow dry, ears, nails and a neaten up of the feet, back end and tail. It takes about 95 minutes. We add Deshedding when the coat is dropping. That works the soft layer out with a bath, a high velocity dry and a brush out. The body coat stays as it is.
What an Australian Shepherd groom costs
Set to a medium dog with a long double coat. That is where most Australian Shepherds sit. Add Deshedding if yours is dropping coat.
Showing the lowest prices, for a medium dog with a long double coat. Pick your dog’s weight and coat to see their price.
Add to any service
- Teeth Brush$30
- Nail Trim$25
- Nail filing$15
- DemattingFrom $34quoted on arrival
- DesheddingFrom $34quoted on arrival
Specialist grooming and programmes
Grooming that is priced after a conversation, a consultation, a coat assessment or a programme rather than a standard slot.
Happy Puppy Club
Short, positive sessions that teach a puppy the salon is a good place, so their whole grooming life is easier. Start any time from their first vaccinations.
See how the club works →
Spa treatments
Hydrospa and therapeutic treatments for coat, skin and muscular health, for itchy skin, dull coats, and older dogs who feel their walks the next day.
Browse treatments →
Hand stripping
Terriers and Spaniels whose coats are better hand stripped, or stripped and clipped. Duration and price depend on the coat.
Talk to our team →
Asian freestyle groom
Soft, sculpted, toy-like styling by an award-winning stylist: rounded faces, fuller legs, even braids. For smaller dense or curly coats groomed every 4 weeks.
Talk to our team →Cancellations and late arrivals
Please give us 24 hours if plans change. Arriving more than 15 minutes late may mean we cannot finish the groom booked.
Safe handling fee
A $30 safe handling fee applies where a dog needs two groomers or extra time to stay safe and comfortable. We always call you first.
Ready when you are
You’re 2 minutes away from happiness. Our booking portal helps you select the right services for your dog and shows you live calendar availability.
Book nowService prices are a starting point. The exact price is confirmed at drop-off, based on grooming time, coat condition, size and any extra handling. Add-on prices are exact.
Common questions
How often does a Australian Shepherd need grooming?
Every eight weeks. An Aussie needs the loose soft layer washed and blown out, and the longer hair on the legs and tail kept tidy.
Can you shave my Australian Shepherd for summer?
No. We take the loose hair out instead of shaving. A shaved double coat can grow back rough, and it stops shading the skin. Deshedding takes the loose soft layer out and leaves the coat working.
Where this comes from
Dogs NSW, Australian Shepherd. "Most Aussies only need grooming on a weekly basis, but this will most likely increase at times of seasonal shedding."
Tripovich and others, Feeling the heat, Australian Veterinary Journal, 2025. A study of NSW dogs from 1997 to 2017. Deaths rose about 0.6% for each degree above 25°C, and 9.5% on days over 32°C. A double coat and a body weight over 15 kg were listed among the things that raise the risk.
RSPCA Australia, Why and how should I groom my dog? Brush knots out before they turn into mats.
RSPCA South Australia, The complete guide to grooming your dog. Poodles, poodle crosses and wiry haired terriers need regular combing. Trapped hair can cause ear and eye infections.
WOOOF groomers are not vets. We tell you what we see on the table and send you to your vet. Nothing here is vet advice.