Help with a shedding malamute?

Question

I have a 10 month old Malamute x Husky who is shedding ridiculous amounts. I brush him for about 5 minutes a day (which is all he'll let me do, then he wants to eat the brush instead). This grooming seems to be having no effect, and it's still coming out in clumps. Has anyone with a Mal or any type of dog with the wooly undercoat got any suggestions for more effective grooming. I can see that it's driving him mad. Also, does anyone know how long it takes for him to shed? I know he will all the time to a certain extent, but he can't possibly keep it up like this all year round or he'll be bald in a couple of months!

Answer 1

I'd take him to a groomer and have his coat blown out by a pro- very much worth the money

Answer 2

The older the dog gets the more they loose their coat all year around.  Not all brushes work on all fur types. I would borrow a furminator first and try it out; see if it works on your dogs fur. It doesn't work for example on my junior pupps.

I use a slicker brush a good rake, a comb and some other brushes I do not know the names of. I find my hands do tire with the same brush anyway, so I swap. If the fur is too dense I use a brush with wider spike things I feel for you I have 2 older dogs here that are blowing their coat like there is no tomorrow. There is no one brush that works for all the fur, some fur is looser than others, some is denser in places. You have to work out what works for your dog best. have a selection.  The more you brush every day the more the hair follicle stimulated new fur growth..  Have fun.

Answer 3

This is OK.  But you need to do more brushing each day than 5 minutes.  Tie his leash to a table or a fence or a tree, something so he can't get away from you.  Brushing is something he is going to have to get used to cause he is going to have a life time of it.

You need three tools to make it easy.  A Slicker brush, that is the one with the tiny tines that are bent.  The Slicker brush should be some what rounded to make it comfortable for you cause you may spend a good half hour a day brushing until you get his coat all brushed out.  You will also need a mat rake & a metal comb that has wide teeth.

You need to start at the butt or the bottom of a leg,  hold the fur back with left hand & brush down just some hair, not a lot & work your way forwards & up.  Just brushing the top of his coat is not going to get the loose hair.  You have to get down to skin & brush down small pieces at a time.

Dogs shed twice a year & he is just shedding, nothing more.

Answer 4

Generally those breeds tend to shed a good amount year round, and then do a coat blow twice a year.  

Invest in a Furminator.  They are the best thing out there to get a ton of hair off ina  short period of time.

And if you aren't feeding raw or a top quality food, then it's time to switch.  This can help with the shedding significantly.  

California Natural, Evo, Timberwolf, Blue Buffalo, Natural Balance, Wellness, etc. are what you want to be feeding.  GL!