Siberian Huskies are known for their striking appearance, dense double coats, and mesmerizing colors. These beautiful dogs originate from Siberia and have adapted to thrive in cold climates. While Huskies are beloved for their stunning looks, they require proper grooming to maintain the health and shine of their coats. In this guide, we'll explore the correct grooming procedures, frequency, and recommended tools so you can feel confident the next time you groom a husky. 

Quick Overview of Breed Facts & Characteristics

Before diving into the grooming process, it's essential to understand the characteristics of Siberian Huskies. 

Siberian Huskies were initially bred in Northeast Asia as sled dogs. They’re known for their willingness to work, incredible endurance, and outgoing temperament. These characteristics make them a great all-around dog, suitable for anything from therapy work to sledding. Because it originated in cold climates, Siberians have a thicker coat than most other dog breeds.

Siberian Huskies are great dogs, but there are a few things that new owners need to keep in mind. Their thick coats require weekly brushing, be prepared to provide an outlet for exercise daily, and their predatory instincts are strong. Huskies should be supervised around small animals in and around the home.

Key things to know: 

• Country of Origin: Siberia
• Height at Shoulder: 20" to 23½"
• Coat Length/Type: Double Coated/Dense
• Color: All colors, with the undercoat typically being light in color.

Why It’s Important to Groom a Husky

Husky grooming is a crucial part of Husky care. These dogs have a thick fur coat that easily becomes tangled and matted without regular grooming. Grooming your Husky also helps keep their coat healthy and shiny and helps prevent skin problems and parasites. 

The End Goal

The primary goal of grooming a Husky is maintaining a light coat that stands off the dog, bounces, and shimmers as the dog moves. You should be able to sink a wide-toothed comb to the skin and pull it freely out to the end of the hair shaft.

Never Clip Or Shave Their Coat

The husky is a dog breed with a double coat, meaning they have two layers of fur. The first layer, the one closest to the skin, is their undercoat. The undercoat is made up of short, fluffy, delicate hairs. This is the layer that sheds and is responsible for insulation by trapping air. 

The second layer is called the topcoat. It’s made up of tough, coarse guard hairs. They stick true to their name because they do just that: they guard your dog against insects and UV rays. The dogs' coat is capable of keeping them both warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer. Shaving your snow dog’s coat does much more harm than good. The only time your dog’s coat should be shaved is for medical reasons.

How Often Should You Groom Siberian Huskies? 

How often you should groom Huskies depends on a dog's individual needs. Generally, it's recommended to bathe them once a week to once every 12 weeks. However, it's important to note that frequent brushing is crucial to keep the coat in excellent condition.

The Best Husky Grooming Process

Pre-Grooming Steps

• Nail Maintenance: Trim or grind your Husky's nails at least every four to six weeks to maintain healthy foot structure.
• Ear Care: Clean the ears by swabbing with a mild ear-cleaning solution.
• High-Velocity Drying: Before bathing, use a high-velocity dryer to quickly go over the entire body. This will help lift dirt and dander away from the skin and loosen any shedding coat.

Brushing

When it comes to brushing your Husky, use the following tools: a slicker brush, rubber curry, shedding blade, de-matting tool, or an undercoat rake. Be cautious when using tools with metal teeth or bristles to avoid cuts or brush burns. Continue brushing and combing until all loose fur is removed.

Sanitary Area

If your Husky has a sanitation problem under the tail, lightly trim this area with thinning shears, removing only enough coat to maintain hygiene and a natural appearance. Trimming of the groin area is not recommended unless there is a sanitary issue.

Feet & Hocks

• Trim the pads with a close-cutting action blade, ranging from a #15 to a #40. Use a gentle touch to clean the pads of long hair.
• If there is long fur between the toes, back brush it so it stands up and away from the foot. With thinning shears, trim off the excess, creating a neat and natural-looking foot with well-arched toes.
• Tidy the outside edge of the foot with small detailing shears if needed. For dogs with longer coat on their hocks, trim them lightly with thinning shears.

Detail Finish

Removing whiskers on the muzzle is optional and depends on the client's preference. Finish the grooming session with a fine mist of coat polish on the body for added shine. You can also apply bows and mild cologne as an optional finishing touch.

Special Note

Learn to feel for differences in coat density levels. Areas that feel heavier or denser than others need special attention during bathing, brushing, and drying.

Suggested Tools & Equipment for Grooming Siberian Huskies

To groom a Husky effectively, you'll need the following tools and equipment:

• Nail trimmers
• Styptic powder
• Ear cleaning solution
• Cotton balls
• Clippers
• #40 and #15 blades for pads
• #4F blade for feet & hocks (optional)
• Slicker brush
• Greyhound comb
• Rubber curry
• Carding tool
• De-shedding tools
• Small detailing shears
• Thinning shears
• High-velocity dryer

Wrapping Up

Grooming your Siberian Husky is not only about maintaining their appearance but also ensuring their well-being. Regular grooming sessions will keep your Husky's coat healthy, shiny, and free from tangles. Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity to bond with your furry friend and monitor their overall health. So, with the right tools and a little patience, you can keep your Husky looking and feeling their best.

If you want to become a pet groomer, we offer a complete training program involving essential physiology, safety, practical skills, and business knowledge modules. Additionally, you get the added benefits of access to an online community, weekly workshops, course updates for an entire year, and a certificate of completion. 

With the proper education and certification from Groomers University, a world of opportunities opens up for you. You’ll be able to pursue career options like roles in pet grooming salons, veterinary clinics, mobile grooming services, or even the establishment of a personal grooming business.