Grooming your Australian Kelpie is fairly simple as their coats are relatively short and need little maintenance. However, there are a few things you can do to keep your Kelpie in tip top condition!
Daily - You should feed your Kelpie a balanced diet and give him fresh water each day. This helps to promote a nice and shiny coat with a muscular appearance. Your Kelpie will also need some exercise. This can be in the form of a long walk, or just plenty of games to keep his mind and body stimulated. The Kelpie loves activity and will thrive if given plenty of exercise and attention each day. We want our dog to look his best each and every day!
Weekly - An Australian Kelpie should be brushed at least two times a week. Although the Kelpie has a short coat, it is a double coat with a thick and dense undercoat. This dog is an average shedder, but it will molt two times a year. It will need additional combing or brushing at this time. You should take care at this time to make sure that your Kelpie is free of any critters. The Kelpie is such an active dog that it is wise to keep an eye out for ticks and the like.
The Kelpie is a working dog, so you should take care to check them for any injuries they may have sustained while on the job. Check them carefully for any cuts, barbed wire cuts, scrapes, or bruises. Pay diligent attention to their paws and make sure there are not any small rocks or glass embedded.
Monthly - Your Kelpie will need his ears cleaned at least once a month. You should also check his nails and trim them if it is needed. The Kelpie is an active dog, but it is still a good idea to make sure his nails are trimmed. He will work much better and be much happier when his feet are in good shape. You will also want to check his teeth to make sure there are no chipped, cracked, loose, or even missing teeth due to injury.
After working so hard, you might think it is a good idea to bathe your Kelpie and that he would enjoy being clean. But frequent bathing of the Kelpie is not a good idea. You should bathe the Kelpie only when necessary. Bathing too often will remove the natural oils in his coat and dry out his skin. Be forewarned that your Kelpie will not be as comfortable in all types of weather if this happens. Instead of frequent bathing, you should occasionally massage your Kelpie with a towel. This will promote stimulation of the oil glands and help his coat keep him comfortable.
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