Grooming The Siberian Husky

    The Siberian Husky is a double-coated breed. This means that it has a woolly undercoat that serves as the dog's insulation against cold or heat, and a layer of longer, harsher outercoat that grows through the undercoat. Shedding will occur at least once a year in males, and twice a year (generally spring and fall) in females. High humidity or excessive heat often will make the shedding worse.

    The shedding process usually will take from three to six weeks, with a new coat growing in during the next three to four months. During the active shedding period, groom the dog daily. Between shedding times, regular brushing should take care of the excess loose hairs. If you maintain a weekly grooming pattern, you should not be plagued continually by hair left behind wherever the dog has been, as is common with some other breeds.

    The main aim of grooming is to remove dead hairs that are clinging to the coat. In the process, you are cleaning the skin and shafts of the living hair. The main tools for grooming the Siberian are a wide-toothed comb and a bristle brush. The tips of the comb's teeth must always be rounded, and the bristles of the brush must be long enough to reach through the coat to the skin. The Siberian's coat is not to be cut or trimmed...ever! Very minor tidying of stray hairs may occur around such areas as the feet in show dogs, but any shaping or stripping of the Siberian's coat is unwarranted!

    The comb should be used to run through the coat to break up any mats or snags and to remove the dead hairs. Knots should be worked out a little at a time, using the comb and the fingers to gently tease the hairs apart. It especially is important to comb through the undercoat during shedding. A fine-toothed comb is handy for the areas under the chin and tail and between the ears. Use the brush once the combing is complete to finish off the coat. Brush the coat forward, over the head and shoulders, before combing it back. Brush the rear areas in the direction of the lay of the cat. Extra attention should be given to the hindquarters, as guard hairs in the area often accumulate into mats.

    Bathing
    THIS is a chore in itself!!! Under normal conditions, the Siberian Husky will not need bathing more than twice a year, usually in the spring and fall, coinciding with the molting of the coat. The husky's coat remains clean year-round and should not take on a "doggy" odor. When bathing is needed, use a very mild shampoo designed especially for dogs...shampoos designed for humans is too harsh and drying for a dog's coat.

    Nails
    Siberian Huskies rarely are sedentary dogs. Quite the contrary, they thrive on time outdoors and activity. Most huskies get enough exposure to rough pavement to keep their nails naturally worn down, but owners still should inspect regularly the nails to be sure they do not need to be trimmed. Overgrown nails can impede the normal placement of the foot, and affect a dog's gait.

    If you follow these steps...you will have a very happy and beautiful Siberian Husky! *good luck on the bath part!!* :)

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