The thick, double-coat of the Siberian husky once kept them warm while pulling sleds in bitterly cold weather. Today, the husky is more house pet than working dog, but they still retain their distinctively plush coats. Combing that full coat is a vital part of responsible husky ownership.
Step 1
Brush the dog’s head and neck with a shedding blade. Comb in the direction of hair growth to remove loose hair, then comb against the grain to pull dead clumps from the undercoat. Huskies have wooly undercoats, and back-combing removes dead fuzz before it mats.
Step 2
Work your way from neck to tail, paying special attention to the thick hair along the neck and hindquarters. Lift the coat with one hand and brush with the other to reach all the way down to the skin. Huskies blow coat in the spring and again in the fall, so it is extremely important to remove all dead hair during periods of heavy shedding.
Step 3
Follow up with the slicker brush. Slickers have dozens of tiny metal teeth that grab dead hair and pull it from the coat, reducing the amount of loose hair scattered throughout your home. Brush with the hair growth on the first pass, and brush against the hair growth on the second pass to clean up all remaining traces of dead hair.
Step 4
Pour one part dog coat conditioner in a spray bottle, add two parts water and shake well. Spray this conditioner over the dog to add moisture and shine to the coat. Huskies are naturally clean dogs that rarely need baths, and this mixture helps keep their coat healthy and smelling fresh.
References
Tips
- Brush your dog once a week during periods of normal shedding, daily when he is blowing coat. Daily brushing prevents a host of husky dust bunnies from invading your home.
- Bathing once every three or four months is plenty for most huskies. Excessive bathing will dry out the skin and may lead to itching and hair loss.
Writer Bio
Louise Lawson has been a published author and editor for more than 10 years. Lawson specializes in pet and food-related articles, utilizing her 15 years as a sous chef and as a dog breeder, handler and trainer to produce pieces for online and print publications.