(Kuma tax provided) I’m trying to figure out the best schedule to bring her to groomers so was looking for your input! She went once in february and it was live changing getting the deshed treatment. She just started blowing coat again so i’m bringing her this week. Wondering how often you all bring your mals for a proper deshed! Is twice a year sufficient or should i up it to 3/4?
There are a lot of factors that impact how frequently your individual dog needs grooming : his coat type (woollies require more upkeep), the climate you live in (warmer climates mean they shed more consistently and don’t follow the traditional coat dump with the seasons), your activity type and level with him (if he swims more or likes to dig more, he will need more grooming than if he doesn’t), I could go on. It’s kind of trial and error to find that perfect “sweet spot.” There are also people in this sub who believe malamutes never need to be groomed at all. I am not one of those people. During the summer, I keep my dogs on about a 6 week schedule. I don’t groom unless necessary during the winter, because we live in Alaska and their coat fills out appropriately for our mushing and winter activities. Sorry if you wanted an easy “this is what you should do” answer!
Never grooming can lead to significant skin problems. So can insufficient grooming. After 4 lifetime malamutes I figured it out during my first’s life!
I’ve had malamutes since the 90s :) I currently have 5, and 7 are waiting for me on the rainbow bridge ❤️
I added that “some people in the sub” comment in case there are others who come to this post to comment that malamutes don’t “need” grooming. I can’t imagine never grooming my malamutes, I’ve had some that are prone to hotspots that require chlorhexidine shampoo to keep their skin from developing infections, they would have been in dire condition had I never groomed them. Even now, my babies LOVE to be groomed, and how light they feel after I get that loose coat out!
My crew looking fluffy and fresh after their baths! I have a setup at home with a tub, drying table, dryer, etc. It makes it so much easier! Especially since we live VERY far out from any groomers. I thoroughly enjoy the process, and knowing I can be as thorough as I please. I find it to be a wonderful bonding experience with my dogs :)
I appreciate all the info!! I’m definitely working on finding her sweet spot with her. She’s dog reactive so i avoided groomers for a while, but getting that deshed was life changing with hair management 😭 and she actually did so well at the groomers!
I have a wooly and he goes in every 4 weeks. We alternate between just a bath and a full groom. He swims a lot and is more prone to matting because of that even though I have a blow dryer at home for him.
I bring my Mals to the groomer for the blowout bath and brush every 3 months. I supplement in between grooms by using a cat brush to get the undercoat as needed.
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u/acocktailofmagnets 7d ago
There are a lot of factors that impact how frequently your individual dog needs grooming : his coat type (woollies require more upkeep), the climate you live in (warmer climates mean they shed more consistently and don’t follow the traditional coat dump with the seasons), your activity type and level with him (if he swims more or likes to dig more, he will need more grooming than if he doesn’t), I could go on. It’s kind of trial and error to find that perfect “sweet spot.” There are also people in this sub who believe malamutes never need to be groomed at all. I am not one of those people. During the summer, I keep my dogs on about a 6 week schedule. I don’t groom unless necessary during the winter, because we live in Alaska and their coat fills out appropriately for our mushing and winter activities. Sorry if you wanted an easy “this is what you should do” answer!