Shedding can be a frustrating issue no matter how much we love to scratch our furry canine friends. The mess that dog hair makes is enough to drive some dog owners mad. While the dogs of every breed shed to some extent, the amount varies from one breed to another. So before you get one of the furry breeds, like the Siberian huskies, it is better to know the answer to the question, do Siberian Huskies shed? We have discussed shedding in Siberian huskies in detail in the following section. Check it out if you are interested in this breed.
The Siberian huskies shed a lot! Among all the dog breeds, the Siberian huskies are one of the top shredders. The breed ranks above average when it comes to shedding. These dogs shed the thick silky adorable coat about twice a year in fall and spring. This phenomenon is known as the blowing of their undercoat.
Although these dogs keep on shedding moderately for the rest of the year, there are some tricks you can use to handle the shedding issues of your Siberian huskies. Proper tools and information can help you a lot during the blowing phase. Let’s check out how huskies shed and how you can deal with this issue.
How does the double coat of the Huskies work?
Being the descendants of the dogs of Arctic regions, the huskies come with thick coats. The coat helps the dogs survive the arctic region’s harsh environment. The inner coat of the dogs is constituted of wide and short hair. The thick coat layer close to the skin helps maintain the body temperature. On the other hand, the outer coat is made of longer hairs. This coat helps to repel the water and shields the dogs against the natural elements.
Why do Huskies shed?
Like our hair, the natural fibre of the huskies falls out daily throughout the year. The changes in the amount of daylight also impact the shedding. While most owners can handle the year-long slow shedding, the seasonal blowout frustrates these dog breed owners the most.
Shedding habits of Siberian huskies
While answering your question, do Siberian Huskies shed? We have already said that these dogs are moderate shedders. That means the Siberian huskies shed as much as Alaskan Malamute and Akita. However, the Siberian huskies look like a saint compared to the German Shepherds. Unlike the shepherds, which shed excessively every day, the Siberian huskies majorly lose their fur during the seasonal changes.
Never shave your husky
If you search the internet, you can probably see images of shaved Siberian huskies with fluffy heads. While it might look like a great idea to shave your husky during the summer season, it is not. Shaving your husky any time of the year can create serious health problems. The coat is critical for the Huskies. The double coat helps them to regulate their body temperature. It might not sound right, but the huskies require the coat for insulation even during summer. If you shave your dog in the summer months, it can suffer a heat stroke.
The huskies’ skin never evolved enough to deal with the sunlight. Without the coat, it will become impossible to maintain body temperature, leading to heatstroke. Even a mild sunny day can be fatal for a shaved husky.
So, the bottom line is that you should never shave the coat of your huskies. So, if a ‘professional’ groomer suggests you do that, grab your dog and run away as fast as possible. It will do a lot of harm to your dog instead of doing good.
Why do Huskies shed so much?
As you have already known the answer to the question, do Siberian Huskies shed, you must be wondering how much the huskies shed. If the dog’s double coat is of any indication, you can well imagine that the huskies shed more than the dogs that do not have a double furry coat.
While dogs of all breeds shed, the amount depends on the coat type and breed. The huskies shed more than other dogs because they have a double coat and a shorter hair cycle. The Huskies have a long-haired coat, which is more noticeable than dogs with a short and single coat.
Other factors can also affect the shedding of huskies. Take feeding, for example. What you feed your dog directly impacts the coats of the Huskies. It can, in turn, affect the shedding of your dog. Things can escalate quickly if the dog is allergic to the food you are giving.
In some cases, excessive shedding can occur due to underlying health issues. So, if you think that your dog is shedding more than it usually does, don’t hesitate to go to the veterinarian right away.
How to stop the Siberian Huskies from excessive shedding?
No one can stop the Huskies from shedding completely. However, the owners can learn to manage the shedding so that the hair does not end up floating around their home.
Managing the shedding comes down to regular brushing, diet, and bathing. Take a closer look at each of the methods and learn the tricks. If you get these things right, you can be on the winning side of this furry battle.
Brushing
It is perhaps the most effective way to control the shedding of your huskies. While this might sound too simple of a method to work, the reality is that it does.
How often should you brush: Brushing your huskies once or twice weekly is enough throughout the year. However, it would help if you brushed your dog daily to keep things under control during the shedding seasons.
What type of brush Is right: the kind of brush depends on the time of the year. While the pin brush is perfect for managing the shedding throughout the year, you should use an undercoat rake or de-shedding tool for handling the heavy shedding.
Bathing
Bathing is yet another practical way to manage the shedding of your huskies. While you do not need to bathe your dog often, an occasional bath can work wonders. If you choose bathing as a weapon for battling shedding problems, you should wash your dog before brushing it.
That being said, there are a few tricks for bathing your dogs. The first one is that you should never over-bath your dog. The Huskies need a bath only a few times a year. Overbathing may dry the skin and your dog’s hair, leading to extra shedding.
The second trick is to find a good quality dog shampoo for the dogs, as human shampoos can dry out their skin. Cheap dog shampoos can also cause the same problem.
The third trick is to allow your dog’s coat to dry before brushing after bathing your dog. Use a dryer before you brush your dog. The dryer will help you to dry the coat of your dog faster. Using the hairdryer while brushing would also help you remove many dead undercoats.
Diet
Feeding your Siberian husky with high-quality dog food can impact its fur and improve its quality of life. It also affects the amount of shedding. However, providing good food will not stop your dog from shedding completely. It can only improve the condition of hair and skin, lowering the amount of shedding. You can also feed your dog some supplements to reduce shedding.
Is Husky fur hypoallergenic?
The Huskies do not have the strong doggy smell that most other breeds possess. That is what makes people assume that their hair is hypoallergenic. The truth is, Siberian Huskies are not hypoallergenic. While their hair does not cause allergies, the dander of the huskies works as an allergen. Even though the huskies only shed heavily once or twice per year, they continuously shed enough hair throughout the year to create a problem for people suffering from allergies.
When do Huskies shed their puppy coats?
The Huskies start their journey with a soft short-haired coat. However, the dogs begin shedding this coat once they reach six months. Between six and twelve months, the huskies shed their puppy coat completely and start getting their adult double coat. The time of their puppy coat shedding and acquiring the adult coat largely depends on the climate and the season of their living pace.
Conclusion
Once you understand that dogs of all breeds shed to some extent, it would be easier for you to accept the question, do Siberian Huskies shed? The best way to deal with this issue and come victorious is to get the right tool and follow the proper care tips. Life will be much easier for you and your husky once you manage the issue.
