How to Groom a Siberian Husky

An easily recognizable breed, the Siberian Husky is a powerful, medium-sized dog. They are double coated with a medium-length outer coat, which is smooth, straight and thick, and a soft, wooly undercoat. Clean freaks by nature and generally free of dog odor, Siberian Huskies are a moderately easy dog to groom.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Slicker brush
• Steel comb, coarse or medium
• Matting rake
• De-tangling solution
• Scissors
• Dog shampoo
• Blow dryer
• Large pin brush
• Protein coat conditioner

1. Brush your Siberian Husky twice a week with a slicker brush, followed by combing with a coarse or medium steel comb. Huskies' coats are extremely dense, so it's important to remove any shed hair from the undercoat and topcoat.

2. Remove mats with a matting rake. Since your dog's coat is so dense, a detangling solution should help ease the process. When brushing and dematting is finished, his coat should have a beautiful sheen.

3. Brush your Siberian Husky more often during her shedding phases. Twice a year, Huskies completely shed their undercoat. The process lasts three or more weeks with hair shedding in large clumps.

4. Clip hair around your dog's pads and feet with scissors as needed. Keep hair evened out with her pads.

5. Bathe your Husky rarely, once a year is usually enough. Huskies clean themselves like cats and when dirty are quick to clean up their coats, paws, faces and tails. When bathing use a regular dog shampoo. Have your vet, breeder or pet store recommend a shampoo.

6. Blow dry using a slicker or large pin brush to hand fluff while drying. Comb again once dry to remove additional shed hair. Spray a mist of protein coat conditioner on his coat to add sheen.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a protein coat conditioner or detangling solution if you're having difficulty brushing and combing through your dog's dense coat.
• Don't leave your Husky wet or damp after bathing. In humid weather, they build up mildew, causing dog odor and skin infections.
• If you live in an area that gets hot in the summer, never shave your Husky, particularly when she's shed her undercoat. The top coat helps keep her cool. If shaved, she's at high risk of heatstroke.

[BobbiK]

on 8/22/2008 Great article on the beautiful Siberian Husky! You know, I thought Arlo cleaned himself like that because he grew up with a cat! Too funny.
***Great advice about not shaving. My groomer let me know this, too. Said the fur would never grow back right if it was done, and his coat is so pretty.

[FoxtailsLaundry]

on 10/5/2007 Thanks for a great article! I didn't know not to shave my Husky, and we get 100 degree weather where we live. I didn't do it yet, but you just saved my beloved dog from some misery. I'm sure I'll get her looking her best in no time.