nightmare hair

[kelly]

I own an old english bearded collie x whose hair is a night mare to keep
it matts so easily even though i brush him everyday!!!
he is 7mths now and really good when i first got him 3mths ago i had to get him clipped down as he was totally matted. even though his hair isnt that long now it still matts real easy!!
WHAT CAN I DO????

[TheSkeptic]

Tangle free shampoo!?

[k9Karen]

You're from Northern Ireland - that's great. Welcome! Most of us are from the U.S. It's good to see you here!

I have shelties, and their coats tend to be relatively tangle-free, except the fine hair on the belly and under the ears. I think with dogs like yours, a daily brushing is the only answer. Here in the states, they do have some spray-on detanglers, but I don't know what you have available in N.Ireland, or if things like that even work.

[momPaws]

WELCOME KELLY! Would love to see pictures of your dog and cats sometime! This is a nice board- friendly ppl and pets Glad to see a new person- especially from Ireland.

[kelly]

he likes getting brushed but also likes swimming and after a lovely brushing session he goes and jumps into the nearest muck hole ha ha
i also have a wee westie he is kept clipped short with just the westie head we live in a place surrounded with fields and i walk them down it so the westie goes out white and comes home black!!

there are detangling sprays and shampoos here but timmy doesnt like sprays he goes mad
so all i can really do is wash him and brush him!! he gets brushed everyday but his coat is just soo thick !!
i took him on when his owner passed away i had knew him from a pup

[lmd]

My friends with old english sheepdogs just clip them for the summer. Not any shorter than one inch. It really helps when they want to go in the water, and with burrs from the fields - they can easily be removed.

[Guest]

He has a long tail and he looked really wierd cut down short when i first got him!!
his owner passed away and i took him he was really badly matted and had sores all over him i had to get him clipped really short then reclipped again when it started to grow to let his skin breathe!! but he was left with a head and a tail!!
he looked really strange!!!
i love him long but it is so hard to handle!!
i am lucky that he doesnt mind being brushed or i would have a lot of bother he is a big strong dog

[kelly]

sorry that last one is from me i forgot to sign in

[momPaws]

I figured it was you, Kelly... Honey hates to be brushed..her back end has very think 'withers' I guess you call them..hopefully her main shedding time is ending. She sheds in a major way 2 times a year...then starts to get winter coat as early as Aug/Sept. You dog sounds beautiful.

[kelly]

BEAUTIFUL???? more like mental ha ha
no he is sweet really he is just a big baby!!!
his best friend isnt my westie its my black and white cat oscar they sleep in the same bed with the cat lying up on top of him!!!!