Grooming Ideas for Siberian Huskies

The majestic Siberian husky has a lot of hair: two coats to be more specific. The dog's undercoat is a soft, dense layer acting as an insulator. The topcoat repels water. This helps him in the cold weather of his native land. If you and your canine friend live in warmer climates, be sure to keep a working vacuum cleaner and a sense of humor regarding the hair he sheds.

Excessive bathing dries out the skin and hair of a Siberian husky. Once a month should be sufficient. This is because Siberian huskies tend to be very clean dogs. Like cats, these dogs groom themselves, according to PetWave. Use warm water and a shampoo made for dog hair when you do bathe. Human shampoos are too harsh for dogs. Don't use too much shampoo, and thoroughly rinse. Shampoo residue causes more problems than does the little bit of dirt these dogs pick up during their daily routine.

Some dog groomers call it "raking the coat," and in the case of Siberian husky, it's an accurate description regarding brushing. Use of a slicker brush is recommended by Vetstreet. The slicker brush is a specially designed grooming tool with metal tines mounted on a soft foam or rubber mat. The tines are designed to remove matted and dead hair as well as dead surface skin cells. Brush at least once a week. It's a great way to bond with your canine companion and ward off tangles as well as check for any skin lesions, scratches or bumps.

Siberian huskies shed their undercoats twice a year—once in the fall and once in the spring. The process is known as "blowing their coat" among dog groomers and veterinarians. While it is normal for the canine, it can be an annoyance for the person responsible for keeping the house neat and tidy. Vet Street describes the biannual shedding as "snowing gray and white hair."

Just as with humans, tartar buildup on a canine's teeth equals dental troubles. Doggie tartar contains tooth-decaying bacteria that can cause cavities. DogTime recommends brushing at least three times a week, but daily is preferable. The more frequently you brush your Fighto's teeth, the more likely he is to become more tolerant of the procedure.

Dogs can wear their nails down by the walking and running they do daily. But this isn't always sufficient to keep their nails in good shape. Check your canine companion's nails once a week for cracks or splinters. Listen to him walk across your home's floor: If you can hear his nails clicking, DogTime suggests it is time for a trim. Be careful not to trim too short: a dog's toenails are full of blood vessels. Cut too close to his paw and the trim session could end in bleeding.

Take a weekly peek inside your pup's ears. Look for any unusual redness indicating an infection. DogTime recommends wiping with a cotton ball dampened with a pH-balanced ear cleanser and warns against inserting anything in the dog's ear canal. Only wipe the outer ear.

Good intention; bad consequence. That describes the idea of shaving a Siberian husky dog in an attempt to help keep him cooler during hot weather. This is because dogs do not sweat through their skin as humans do. Instead they cool down by panting through their mouths, sweating through their paws and cooling their blood as it passes through their ears. Shaving does not cool your pup, but it does expose his skin with its minimal pigmentation to the sun, as well as increasing the ability of insects and parasites to attack his skin, according to South Florida Siberian Husky Rescue.