Your groomer says they have to shave it all off. Here is the secret they use to save the coat.
If you are just swiping the top, you are missing 90% of the hair. Beneath that fluff, a solid 'pelt' is forming against the skin.
If you can't see pink skin while brushing, you aren't deep enough. Line brushing means parting hair to the root every time.
From QLD to Northern NSW, humidity makes undercoats swell. Beach sand makes it worse. You need a deep-reach method.
You need a long-pin slicker brush. It reaches through the 'guard hairs' to the soft downy undercoat where mats hide.
A stainless steel comb doesn't lie. If it snags, a mat is forming. If it glides from the skin out, you have won.
Dry brushing causes static and breakage. Use a detangling spray to lubricate the hair and make knots slide apart easily.
Start at the back leg. Push hair up, brush a small layer down. Move 2cm at a time. Systematic beats random every time.
Behind ears, armpits, and under the harness are mat magnets. These spots need daily checks, not just weekly brushes.
Don't do the whole dog at once. Just do one leg or the chest today. Short 15-minute sessions keep your dog happy and calm.
If a mat is bigger than a 20c piece and tight to the skin, stop. Pulling it is cruel. It is time for a professional reset.
Line brushing isn't about looks. It is about preventing skin infections and chronic pain. A tangle-free coat is a happy dog.
Get the full step-by-step guide and the exact tool list used by Aussie groomers to save the coat.