By [Your Name]
Last updated
Yes, Australian Shepherds shed a lot, with two heavy coat blows a year. Here's how much to expect, why it happens, and the grooming routine that helps.
The short answer
Yes. Australian Shepherds shed moderately all year and heavily twice a year, when they "blow" their undercoat in spring and fall. You can't stop it, but brushing once or twice a week (daily during a blow) keeps most of the hair on the brush instead of your couch.
Table of contents
Why Australian Shepherds shed so much
How much do Australian Shepherds shed, really?
Blowing coat: the two heavy seasons
Are Australian Shepherds hypoallergenic?
From our house: life with three Aussies
The weekly brushing routine that works
Grooming tools worth owning
Should you shave an Australian Shepherd?
When shedding is a health problem
FAQ
Why Australian Shepherds shed so much
Australian Shepherds have a double coat. The American Kennel Club groups them with Border Collies as a "medium double coat," which is common in herding breeds.
Topcoat (guard hairs): longer, coarser hair that repels water, dirt and sun. It sheds slowly.
Undercoat: short, dense, soft fluff that insulates against cold and heat. This is the part that sheds in clumps and drifts across your floor like tumbleweeds.
That coat was built for working livestock outdoors in every kind of weather. The same design that kept ranch dogs comfortable is why your vacuum works overtime. The Australian Shepherd Club of America puts it plainly: Aussies are "moderate to heavy shedders."
Factors that change how much an Aussie sheds:
Season and daylight. Shedding ramps up as days lengthen and shorten.
Coat type. Some Aussies have a heavier, plusher undercoat than others, even in the same litter.
Indoor vs. outdoor time. Dogs who live mostly indoors with steady temperatures often shed a little all year instead of in two big bursts.
Spay/neuter and hormones. Many owners notice females drop coat after a heat cycle or after having puppies.
Diet and health. A dull coat or patchy shedding can point to nutrition or medical issues (see the health section below).
How much do Australian Shepherds shed, really?
On a scale where a Poodle is a 1 and a Husky is a 10, most owners would put an Aussie at about a 7.
Here's what that means day to day:
Normal weeks: a light layer of hair on dark furniture, some tufts in corners, and a decent handful of fur from each brushing.
Blowing-coat weeks: clumps you can pull out by hand, hair in your coffee, and enough undercoat from one session to stuff a pillow.
✍️ OPTIONAL: one real-life line, e.g., "In our house a coat blow fills a grocery bag in a week."
📸 PHOTO SPOT 2 — Side-by-side: normal-week brushing vs. blowing-coat brushing. Alt: "Undercoat brushed from an Australian Shepherd in a normal week compared with a coat blow"
Blowing coat: the two heavy seasons
"Blowing coat" is when an Australian Shepherd sheds most of its undercoat over a few weeks. It usually happens:
Spring: dropping the thick winter undercoat to get ready for heat.
Fall: shedding the lighter summer coat so a denser winter coat can grow in.
A blow typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks. It often starts on the rear ("britches") and flanks, where the undercoat is thickest, and you'll see loose tufts sticking out that come away with a light pull.
How to get through a coat blow faster:
Brush every day, or at least every other day, with an undercoat rake.
Do one thorough bath with a good conditioner, then dry fully. Warm water loosens the dead undercoat.
Use a high-velocity dryer (or an outdoor session with a blower) to push loose coat out. This is the single biggest time-saver.
Finish with a slicker brush to catch what's left.
Are Australian Shepherds hypoallergenic?
No. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, and Australian Shepherds are a poor pick if someone in the home has significant dog allergies. Allergens come mainly from dander, saliva and urine, and a heavy-shedding coat spreads dander around the house.
If you're set on the breed and have mild allergies, regular brushing (done outside), a HEPA air purifier, and keeping dogs out of bedrooms can help. Talk to an allergist before bringing a puppy home. Miniature American Shepherds and "mini Aussies" shed just as much; smaller dogs simply carry less coat.
From our house: life with three Aussies
✍️ OPTIONAL ASIDE (3 to 5 sentences): shedding in your house, e.g., which of your three sheds the most, when their coats blow, the trick that made the biggest difference. Use your dogs' names.
📸 PHOTO SPOT 3 — Your Aussies, or a real pile of brushed-out undercoat. Alt: "Undercoat brushed from an Australian Shepherd during spring shedding"
The weekly brushing routine that works
ASCA says keeping your dog brushed out is the single most important thing you can do for skin and coat. Here's a routine that takes 10 to 15 minutes per dog:
Normal weeks (1 to 2 times):
Undercoat rake through the thick areas: neck ruff, chest, britches and tail. Work in the direction the hair grows.
Slicker brush over the whole body to lift loose hair and smooth the topcoat.
Comb check behind the ears, in the armpits and on the britches. These are mat hotspots.
Quick trim of the hair between paw pads if it's long (optional).
Blowing-coat weeks (daily):
Same steps, but spend extra time with the rake.
One bath with conditioner, then a full blow-dry.
Line-brush stubborn areas: part the coat and brush from the skin out, section by section.
Tips that save the most time and frustration:
Brush outside when you can.
Start puppies early with short, treat-filled sessions.
Never brush a dirty, matted coat dry. Mist with water or a detangling spray first.
Always dry fully after a bath. A damp undercoat can mat and cause hot spots.
🎥 OPTIONAL VIDEO SPOT — 60-second brushing demo. Embed from YouTube (lite embed) to keep the page fast.
Get the free Aussie Owner’s Energy & Chewing Cheat Sheet
One printable page: daily exercise targets by age, chew toys that hold up to Aussie jaws, and a coat-blow checklist. Plus one useful email a week.
Grooming tools worth owning
You don't need a closet full of brushes. A double coat really comes down to four tools: one to pull dead undercoat, one to finish, one for heavy weeks, and one to dry. Here's what each does and what to look for.
Fill in the specific product you recommend for each and paste your affiliate link.
1. Undercoat rake: the essential, [PRODUCT NAME]
📸 PHOTO SPOT 5 — Undercoat rake in use (optional).
Pros
Reaches through the topcoat to pull dead undercoat
Best tool during a coat blow
Cons
Takes a light hand on thin-coated areas
Not great for finishing or smoothing
Best for: weekly maintenance and coat blows.
Check price on Amazon → (AFFILIATE LINK 1: replace with your tagged link)
2. Slicker brush: for finishing, [PRODUCT NAME]
📸 PHOTO SPOT 6 (optional)
Pros
Lifts loose hair and leaves the coat smooth
Good for feathering, ears and tail
Cons
Can scratch skin if you press hard
Won't reach deep undercoat alone
Best for: finishing after the rake and quick touch-ups.
Check price on Amazon → (AFFILIATE LINK 2: replace with your tagged link)
3. Deshedding tool: for coat-blow weeks, [PRODUCT NAME]
Pros
Pulls out a lot of loose undercoat fast
Makes coat-blow weeks far more manageable
Cons
Overuse can thin or break guard hairs; limit to blowing-coat weeks
Not for daily use
Best for: spring and fall coat blows.
Check price on Amazon → (AFFILIATE LINK 3: replace with your tagged link)
4. High-velocity dryer: the time-saver, [PRODUCT NAME]
Pros
Blasts out loose undercoat in minutes
Dries a thick coat fully, which helps prevent hot spots
Cons
Loud; most dogs need gradual introduction
Higher upfront cost
Best for: bath days and coat blows.
Check price on Amazon → (AFFILIATE LINK 4: replace with your tagged link)
At a glance
Undercoat rake: 1 to 2× a week, daily in a blow
Slicker brush: every session, to finish
Deshedding tool: blowing-coat weeks only
High-velocity dryer: bath days
Should you shave an Australian Shepherd?
No, unless a vet or groomer says it's needed. Shaving a double-coated breed does not reduce shedding; ASCA notes the dog simply sheds shorter hairs. It also:
Removes the coat's ability to insulate against heat and cold
Raises the risk of sunburn on light-skinned or merle dogs
May cause the coat to grow back patchy or uneven
AKC notes there are generally only two reasons to shave a dog: surgery, or as a last resort when severe matting can't be safely brushed out. If summer heat is the worry, a thorough brush-out and a sanitary trim (belly, paws and rear) are better options.
When shedding is a health problem
Normal shedding is even across the body and the skin underneath looks healthy. Call your vet if you see:
Bald patches or thinning in one spot
Red, flaky, scabby or smelly skin
Constant scratching, licking or chewing
A dull, brittle coat along with weight change or low energy
Hot spots (moist, red, painful patches)
Possible causes include allergies, fleas, thyroid problems, infections and diet. This article isn't veterinary advice; your vet can rule these out.
Sources: ASCA Grooming · AKC: Double-Coated Dog Breeds
Frequently asked questions
When do Australian Shepherds shed the most?
Twice a year, in spring and fall, when they blow their undercoat. Each blow usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Dogs who live mostly indoors may shed more evenly year-round.
How often should I brush my Australian Shepherd?
At least once a week, ideally twice. During a coat blow, brush daily with an undercoat rake to stay ahead of the hair.
Do Australian Shepherd puppies shed?
Yes, but less at first. Puppies have a soft, fluffy coat that is replaced by the adult double coat between about 6 and 12 months, and shedding increases as the adult coat comes in.
Do mini Australian Shepherds shed less?
No. Miniature American Shepherds and mini Aussies have the same double coat and shed the same way. There's simply less dog, so there's less total hair.
Will shaving my Australian Shepherd stop the shedding?
No. A shaved double-coated dog still sheds, just shorter hairs. Shaving also strips the coat's insulation and can cause it to grow back unevenly.
Are Australian Shepherds good for people with allergies?
Usually not. They're heavy shedders and spread dander. No breed is truly hypoallergenic, so talk to an allergist before getting an Aussie.
What is the best brush for an Australian Shepherd?
An undercoat rake paired with a slicker brush covers most needs. The rake removes dead undercoat and the slicker finishes and smooths. Add a deshedding tool for coat blows only.
Can diet reduce Australian Shepherd shedding?
A complete, balanced diet supports a healthy coat, and some vets recommend omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health. Diet won't stop normal shedding, though. Ask your vet before adding supplements.
Join The Aussie Circle
Get the free Energy & Chewing Cheat Sheet plus one useful email a week about life with Australian Shepherds: care tips, training ideas and gear that's worth it.