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In a hurry? Call or text (669) 281-0022 and Ace will book you directly.
In a hurry? Call or text (669) 281-0022 and Ace will book you directly.
Border collies shed moderately all year and blow their undercoat each spring and fall. Rough-coated collies hold the shed in their feathering, smooth-coated ones drop it on your floor. Here is how to handle each, and what a de-shed does when the blow hits.
Rough is medium-length with feathering; smooth is shorter and flatter. Both are weather-resistant double coats built for outdoor work.
Rough coats show the blow more, because the undercoat catches in the feathering instead of falling.
Where blown undercoat and trail debris collect together and start to mat.
Our $95 medium-tier wash, where most border collies land, plus the $15 de-shedding treatment. A dog over 60 lbs is $115 for the wash, $130 with the de-shed.
Border collies were bred for ability, not looks, so the breed ended up with two coat types. Underneath, both carry the same weather-resistant undercoat that turns over through the year and releases in bulk twice. What differs is the outer coat, and that decides where the shed goes.
Medium-length outer coat with feathering on the legs, a ruff at the neck, and full pants and tail. The undercoat blows the same as a smooth coat, but the feathering catches it, so during a blow a rough collie looks fluffier before it looks thinner, and mats form behind the ears and in the pants if the brush does not get there. Tools: an undercoat rake for the body, a slicker and a metal comb for the feathering.
Short, flat outer coat, closer to a shepherd's. There is still a real undercoat and it still blows, but it falls out rather than getting caught, so you see it on the floor instead of in the dog. Tools: a rubber curry mitt weekly, and an undercoat rake during the blows. A slicker does little on a coat this short.
Bath frequency is its own question (every 6 to 8 weeks, tighter for trail dogs), answered in the border collie bathing guide. This page is about the shed.
Coat blow is set by daylight, not temperature, so a Bay Area border collie still releases its summer undercoat around September and October while the hills are dry and warm, and blows again in spring as the days lengthen. For an active dog, that timing matters. The fall blow arrives while foxtails and dry brush are still everywhere on the trails, and a rough coat full of loose undercoat is exactly the kind of fur that grabs and holds them.
So for a trail dog, brushing during the blow does two jobs at once: it pulls the dead undercoat before it mats, and it finds the seed heads before they work toward skin. Two or three sessions a week all year, stepped up to daily during a blow, and a comb check of the pants, armpits, and ears after every hike.
Where to take an energetic collie is covered in our San Jose dog trails guide; why the blow happens in the fall shedding guide; and the year-round levers in how to reduce dog shedding.
We work through the feathering, ruff, and pants first, loosening surface shed and pulling out any trail debris before water tightens it into the coat.
Worked through the weather-resistant outer coat to the skin, where trail dust sits, and left long enough to release the anchored undercoat.
Forced air blows the released undercoat out of the body and the feathering and dries the coat to the skin. On a rough coat this is where you see how much was hiding.
A finishing pass with a check behind the ears and in the pants, and a look at the skin for irritation, hot spots, or anything worth mentioning to you.
The general version is on the de-shedding treatment page, and tool choices in the deshedding tools guide.
A smooth-coated collie that gets brushed a few times a week may never need a professional de-shed. A rough-coated one mid-blow, especially one coming home from trails every weekend, is a different job: the undercoat in the feathering and the dust at the skin both need a real wash and a forced-air dry to get out.
For most border collies a de-shed visit is $110: the $95 medium wash plus the $15 de-shedding treatment. The brush-out, full blow-dry, nail trim, and ear cleaning are included in every wash, and it all happens in the van at your driveway, in about an hour.
Herding-breed cousin with a similar coat? See the australian shepherd guide.
Border collie de-shed and full forced-air dry in the van at your driveway, $110 for most dogs. Nails and ears included.
or text us at (669) 281-0022
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I run Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash myself, and I’ve brought on groomers with 12+ years of experience — so now every cut, from a tidy trim to a full breed haircut, happens in the van at your curb. Every visit is one dog at a time: warm water, a full brush-out, a proper dry, and a haircut if you want one, with no salon drive and no cage waiting. The van is open to you the whole time — stand at the door and watch every minute if you like. Big dogs, heavy shedders and nervous seniors are the reason this service exists.
What our customers say
Wonderful experience! Ace did an amazing job grooming my Siberian Husky. She can be a little difficult and anxious during grooming, but Ace was incredibly calm and patient, which really helped keep her calm and comfortable too. She looked absolutely beautiful, clean, and fluffy when he was finished. I really appreciated the care and attention Ace gave her and would definitely recommend!
Ace at Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash was absolutely wonderful with my senior dog. He was so gentle and patient with him, which meant everything to me given his age -- I could tell he genuinely cared about his comfort throughout the whole process. Beyond the excellent care, Ace was warm, loving, and clearly an animal lover at heart, while also being completely professional from start to finish. It's rare to find someone who balances that kind of tenderness with real expertise, and my dog came out looking and smelling great without a hint of stress. Highly recommend Ace and Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash. Price is great!
Ace was punctual & accommodating. He was friendly & outgoing not only me & my husband but toward the dogs as well, calling them by name on our very first booking. Dogs came home clean & unstressed which is never the case when they’re washed at the groomer’s shop, around other dogs. Highly recommend.
Wonderful experience! Ace did an amazing job grooming my Siberian Husky. She can be a little difficult and anxious during grooming, but Ace was incredibly calm and patient, which really helped keep her calm and comfortable too. She looked absolutely beautiful, clean, and fluffy when he was finished. I really appreciated the care and attention Ace gave her and would definitely recommend!
We booked Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash for our 90-lb German Shepherd, Koda, who hates the groomer. Ace parked the van right in our driveway in Willow Glen, walked her up the ramp himself — no lifting, no cage, no other dogs — and I watched the whole wash from my doorstep. Bath, nails, ears, and she came back inside dry and calm. Flat $95 exactly as the website said, no surprise charges. We've already booked next month. 😊❤️
Ace did a great job with our little old chihuahua mix. Our appointment was for the evening and he came prepared with warm water, and made our sure our dog was comfortable the entire time. Don't let the lack of reviews on yelp scare you away, his prices are good, and he takes time to ensure that good work is done.
He did such an amazing job with my dog! He came out looking so nice, clean, and well-groomed, but what stood out to me most was how happy and comfortable he seemed afterward. You can really tell he was treated with care throughout the entire process. I'm extremely pleased with how everything turned out and would definitely recommend him!
Overall, we had a very positive experience with our first mobile grooming appointment. Although he arrived a little late due to a minor scheduling miscommunication, Ace was very kind, communicative, and especially patient with our dog, who can be anxious about grooming. He took the time to help him feel comfortable, completed the grooming efficiently, and our dog seemed happy and in great spirits afterward. We really appreciated his gentle approach and care!
SUCH a great - and easy! - experience! Asa was immediately responsive (I love when businesses actually answer their phone!), worked Moose in within 24 hours, was communicative throughout, bought unscented products specifically for us, did a great job with my 12 year old doodle … all in all: amazing service!
Ace at Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash was absolutely wonderful with my senior dog. He was so gentle and patient with him, which meant everything to me given his age — I could tell he genuinely cared about his comfort throughout the whole process. Beyond the excellent care, Ace was warm, loving, and clearly an animal lover at heart, while also being completely professional from start to finish. It's rare to find someone who balances that kind of tenderness with real expertise, and my dog came out looking and smelling great without a hint of stress. Highly recommend Ace and Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash.
Ace was great with my 3 small dogs. They got washed and towel dried, their ears checked, their nails trimmed. One star off because he trimmed one nail too far and it bled for a long time, plus distressed my already anxious dog. Important to know that this service isn't van-based (yet). Ace brings a portable wash station to set up outside. He brings his own water and supplies. He doesn't do any hair cuts, just basic wash and towel dry. I'll call him again in the future!
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