This time of the year is the shedding or “molting” season.  It’s that time all Husky owners are either familiar with, or will be soon enough.  It also starts the age old argument about what is the best way to get rid of the fur or what is the most effective tool.  Do you brush it out?  Comb it out?  Blow it out?  Let nature take its course? 

Well, in my opinion, yes, yes, yes, and yes.

Is it best to use specific tools such as the “Furminator”, the shedding rake, a regular hair brush, or just use my hands?

In my opinion, whatever works best for you!

The answer is simple, but probably not what people want to hear.  You see, the answer lies within the operator, not so much the tool.  Many companies claim to have the “wonder tool”.  This magical device that is the best out there for all.

However, there are simply too many variables.  The biggest:

  • Some Huskies have thicker fur than others.  Here, two examples would be Denali, the puff ball, and Holly, who has longer and coarser hair.
  • Some Huskies shed differently than others, or lose their fur more quickly.  And that varies from season to season.  They may lose a lot one year, and not much the next. 
  • Probably the biggest…Human intervention.  Some are simply too aggressive, and then it doesn’t matter the tool.  You can hurt the dog.

Here at FMF, we’ve tried several, including the furminator, and also a few knock off brands.  My favorite?  My own two God-given hands!

They are very inexpensive, and easy to use!  The others all worked, to one degree or another, but they were all more cumbersome than my hands.  I know one thing…The dogs like it better than the tools! 

See, here is the thing…During this time of year when we let the dogs out, we all take it a step further.  One by one, they all go through the machine called “our hands”.  Little by little, the fur comes off.  Not overnight mind you, but over the course of a few weeks. 

The following pictures illustrate what I call the 5 phases.  Hopefully you can see the differences:

Here is Kallen during phase 1…Fur splotches are just starting to form.  Time for his daily rub down:

 

Here is Demon during phase 2…Splotches becoming much more numerous, and is now in need of a more vigorous rubdown.

 

Here is Aleu during phase 3…After many rub downs, it is falling out nicely.  She looks a little sickly in this photo, but it’s a normal phase.

 

Here is Holly in phase 4…Mostly, it’s gone.  A little remains, but she will soon be done.

 

Here is Rose in the final phase, completion.   She is soft and sleek, and ready for summer!

 

Here are a few tips, based on my own experiences:

  •  Be gentle.  Whether you use tools or simply your hands, be as gentle as you can.  Especially with tools.  It is easy to overdo it, and you can do more harm than good.
  • I’ve noticed over the years that certain areas don’t lose nearly as much.  Around the head and face, and also around the tail and rear end.  Many want to remove this as well.  By and large, this is where damage can be done using tools.  I recommend simply staying away.  Anything that wants to fall out naturally, will fall out.
  • Be patient.  Huskies are a high maintenance dog.  There is no way around this.  They are the best dog around (in my opinion), but they require work.  There will be a need to sweep up fur, especially this time of year. 
  • Shampoos and conditioners are like other tools.  Use them if you want, and if it works for you, keep using them.  The only caution is that Huskies are not in need of a regular bath.  Only a few a year is sufficient. 
  • If you can afford the relatively low cost, use a groomer.  But find a good one.  I know of several people that use them, and the fur problem is greatly reduced or eliminated.