How to Keep a Samoyed White

Maintaining a Samoyed's white coat takes effort.

Buying that gorgeous pure white Samoyed was easy. Keeping him pure white is the challenge. It's not as hard as it may seem. With proper grooming and a quality diet the dog's coat will stay as pristine as the day he came into your life. Here are some grooming tips for keeping a Samoyed white.

Things You'll Need

• Pin brush
• Slicker brush
• Shedding comb
• Whitening shampoo
• Mild laundry detergent (infant formula)
• Grooming scissors
• Salon formula peroxide

Instructions

Grooming a Samoyed's White Coat

1. Brush the Samoyed daily to remove new dirt while it's fresh. Samoyeds have a stand-up coat. Brush the dog's coat in the direction of tail to head in small section. Use a detangler or conditioner for stubborn areas. Use the shedding comb to remove loose hair that collects dirt.

2. Trim the fur between the pads of the feet to keep down spatter on the rest of the coat. Use grooming shears to carefully trim the fur even with the pads.

3. Rinse the dog's feet and pads after playing or exercising outside. Spray water on the dog's paws if exposed to winter chemicals, and dry completely.

4. Spot treat sudden stains. Make a paste of salon formula peroxide and gentle laundry soap flakes (for use on infant clothing). Apply the paste to the stain and let dry. Rinse and bathe the dog completely.

5. Bathe the Samoyed in whitening shampoo. Leave the shampoo on the dog for the recommended amount of time for best results. Be sure to rinse shampoo completely from the dog's coat. Apply a dog conditioner for a finishing shine.

6. Use a mixture of 50 percent talcum powder and 50 percent corn starch between baths to whiten the Samoyed's coat. Brush the powder completely out of the coat.

A Good Diet for Samoyeds and White-Coated Dogs

1. Talk to your veterinarian about stains that return. The Samoyed may have allergies to food or airborne particles. Note the areas of the stains and how quickly they return.

2. Try a grain-free diet for a better quality coat. Food allergies cause hair loss, itching and licking. Reduce as many of the chemicals in the Samoyed's diet, and increase the natural nutrients.

3. Buy dog food with no artificial coloring to avoid staining from licking after eating. Dog foods with gravy type mixes will leave a red or brown stain on the dog's feet and snout when he cleans his muzzle after eating.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to remove all powder from the coat, if used, for show dogs. Powdered coats are not allowed in the show ring.

References

• "Samoyeds"; Joyce Reynaud; 1990

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish