Alaskan Husky Grooming

As a Spitz type, the Alaskan Husky coat is medium-length, thick, and double-layered. The coats shed a fair amount most of the year, but heavily during the spring and fall shedding seasons--so consistent brushing will be necessary to help minimize the amount of shed hairs. Otherwise, though, Alaskan Husky grooming isn't too time-consuming overall.

Brush your Husky twice a week or so with a pin brush. To brush: first wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle, then go through the coat section by section with the brush, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you run across a tangle, first try working it out with your fingers, then if needed continue working through it with the end teeth of a greyhound comb. (During shedding season, daily brushing is best; some people also like to use de-shedding tools during these periods to help the process along.)

The Alaskan Husky bath will only be needed every three months or so--unless, of course, the dog gets especially dirty or stinky and an "emergency bath" is called for. When bathing an Alaskan Husky, be sure to use canine shampoo, as the kind made for humans has a different pH and can irritate a dog's skin. Also take the time to rinse the shampoo completely from the coat; leftover soap residue will cause further skin irritation.

And Huskies' coats need no haircuts at all. See the Styling & Haircuts section below to find out why shaving these dogs' coats is never a good idea.

In addition to its coat an Alaskan Husky will need regular maintenance in other areas. Brush the dogs' teeth 2-3 times per week; clean the ears monthly with canine ear cleaning solution; and if your Husky's nails click on hard surfaces, they need trimming--which you can do with standard nail clippers.

Though owners can learn how to perform all aspects of Alaskan Husky grooming themselves, it's a good idea to take your Husky to a professional groomer at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom an Alaskan Husky at home.

Simply put, Alaskan Husky haircuts aren't necessary. Even so, some people think shaving an Alaskan Husky coat will keep the dog cool during the summer, and will help reduce shedding. As any groomer will tell you, though, both these ideas are myths.

Here's why: double coats on dogs act as their natural climate control systems, and serve to regulate their body temperatures. On hot days, cool air is trapped between the coat's layers to keep the dog from overheating; the same happens with warm air in cold temps. A shaved Alaskan Husky will be much more susceptible to heatstroke and sunburn, and the dog will get cold very easily.

Neither will a shaved Alaskan Husky shed any less; the shed hairs would only be shorter. Since it's the undercoat that sheds, unless the Husky is shaved bald--which is never a good idea!--the undercoat remains, and the dog still sheds. And when the shaved coat does grow back, it'll be uneven and softer in texture.

The only reasons to shave any part of a Husky's coat are if the dog needs a medical procedure (which you can discuss with your vet), or if the coat is impossibly matted (so make sure to consistently brush to avoid that from happening!).

So to anyone considering shaving their Alaskan Husky: do yourself a favor and put those clippers away!