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An elderly Black woman in a green cardigan and scarf brushes a tricolor Australian Shepherd on wooden back steps. 3 / 28

Mae Pulled Out the Old Wooden Brush. Bandit Knew Exactly What That Meant.

AI imageaustralian shepherdgroomingback steps

The bristles glide through a thick black coat, and Bandit is in no hurry for it to end. Mae sits on the wooden back steps in a green cardigan with a soft beige scarf around her neck, her glasses pushed up into her short silver hair, working a wooden brush gently along his shoulder. Her expression is calm and focused, the look of someone who has done this a thousand times and still enjoys it. Bandit sits tall beside her, his copper-trimmed face tilted away and his eyes half-squinted with contentment. Garden gloves, a watering can, a pair of sandals, and a basket of laundry clutter the porch behind them.

Australian Shepherds have a medium-length, weather-resistant double coat that sheds year-round, with heavier shedding seasonally. Brushing a few times a week helps remove loose undercoat, prevent mats, and keep the coat healthy. Pay special attention to the feathering behind the ears, along the legs, and on the hindquarters, where tangles tend to form. A slicker brush and an undercoat rake are common tools for this breed, though a gentle bristle brush works well for finishing. Grooming sessions are also a good time to check nails, ears, teeth, and skin, and to feel for any lumps or sore spots. Some Aussies carry a gene mutation that can make them sensitive to certain medications, including some parasite treatments, so ask your vet before using any new product on your dog.

Mae's steady hands and Bandit's patient pose make grooming look more like a ritual than a chore. Both of them seem to treasure this time.

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