Rough Collie
A Rough Collie carries a standoff coat. The hair holds away from the body instead of lying flat. It is double, and it drops heavily twice a year. The ruff at the neck is the thickest part. Most Collies book a Tidy Groom with Deshedding every eight weeks.
- Coat type
- Long Double
- Groom every
- 8 weeks
- Brushing at home
- Line brush twice a week
- Shedding
- Heavy in spring and autumn
- Watch for
- Packed hair behind the ears and in the ruff
- Time in the salon
- About 110 minutes for a Tidy Groom
Why the coat stands out
A Rough Collie has a harsh top coat over a thick soft layer. The soft layer is what holds the top coat out. Dogs NSW says a good brush once or twice a week keeps a pet Collie neat. That works while the soft layer is in place. When it lets go, the coat behind the ears and around the ruff can pack down fast.
Why eight weeks
Eight weeks keeps the coat clean and the soft layer moving. A Tidy Groom is not a haircut. We bath, dry, deshed and neaten the feet, the hocks and the sanitary area. The body coat stays long. Getting the soft layer out takes most of the time. A study of NSW dogs found more deaths on hot days, and a double coat was one of the listed risks. We book long coats early on hot days.
We do not shave a Rough Collie. We take the loose hair out instead of shaving. A shaved double coat can grow back rough, and it stops shading the skin.
Home care between grooms
- Line brush twice a week. Hold the coat up with one hand and brush a thin line at a time, working out from the skin. The ruff needs the coat lifted in sections to reach the bottom.
- Behind the ears is the spot that catches people out. Check it every time.
- In spring and autumn, brush daily for a few weeks. Do it outside if you can.
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
- Undercoat rake
Pulls out the soft layer underneath. That is the hair that ends up on your floor.
- 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 Collies at WOOOF
Most Collies book a Tidy Groom with Deshedding. That is a bath, a long dry, ears, nails and a neaten of the feet and edges. It takes about 110 minutes. Deshedding is the part that changes how the coat feels. It is also what we do instead of taking the length off. Ask for it in spring and autumn.
What a Rough Collie groom costs
Set to a large dog with a long double coat. The Tidy Groom keeps the length and cleans up the edges. Deshedding is where the time goes.
Showing the lowest prices, for a large 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 Rough Collie need grooming?
Every eight weeks. The coat is not cut, but the soft layer has to come out or it packs down behind the ears and in the ruff.
Will a Tidy Groom make my Collie look shorter?
No. A Tidy Groom keeps the length and neatens the feet, hocks and edges. The change you notice is the Deshedding, which lifts the coat back off the body.
Where this comes from
Dogs NSW, Collie (Rough). "A good brush once or twice a week will keep the pet Collie looking neat and tidy."
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.