The American Eskimo dog is an inquisitive, playful dog with a sense of adventure. Grooming your American Eskimo, or Eskie, should be part of your weekly routine to keep tangles and mats in his dense coat under control. Bathe your dog every two months and brush his coat once a week or more to maintain a lustrous, healthy coat. Grooming your American Eskimo is beneficial to his coat and skin, and it can also become a bonding activity for both you and your dog.
Step 1
Brush your American Eskimo dog with a pin brush to remove mats and snarls before bathing him. Eskies have a thick double coat that consists of a dense undercoat and a stiff, wiry topcoat. Spray his coat lightly with water to keep hair breakage and static electricity at bay. Sweep the pin brush all over your Eskie in the direction of the hair growth, then brush against the direction of growth, beginning with the back of the thighs and moving forward toward his head. This method of brushing ensures that his coat is detangled enough to give him a thorough bath.
Step 2
Brush sensitive or areas that are harder to reach with a slicker brush. Behind the ears, the legs and under the tail are common places where an Eskie can get smaller knots and snarls than a pin brush can gently remove.
Step 3
Bathe your American Eskimo, wetting his coat and skin thoroughly by holding the water nozzle close to his skin. The water can then penetrate through his water-resistant outer coat and reach his undercoat. Apply shampoo designed for dogs, keeping shampoo from getting in his eyes, ears and mouth. Part his fur in several locations to ensure the shampoo has reached the skin. Rinse thoroughly with warm or lukewarm water.
Step 4
Pour 2 or 3 tablespoons of conditioner into a plastic jug and fill it with lukewarm water. Pour the jug of diluted conditioner over your entire dog to moisturize his skin and coat, working the conditioner into his coat and skin. Rinse thoroughly, and dry until damp with a clean towel.
Step 5
Brush your dog again to remove any tangles from his bath. Sweep the pin brush over his entire coat and brush hard-to-reach areas with the slicker brush.
Step 6
Trim your American Eskimo's paws, if desired. The breed standard allows trimming between the paw pads and around the top of the paw for cleanliness. Snip the hair around the paw in small amounts with thinning shears and trim any excess hair from between the paw pads. Snip his nails with a nailclipper or grind them with a rotary tool.
Step 7
Brush your Eskie's teeth at least once a week. Slide a finger toothbrush over your index finger and apply a small amount of toothpaste designed for dogs. Brush his teeth and gums gently to remove plaque buildup.
Items You Will Need
- Spray bottle with water
- Pin brush
- Slicker brush
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Empty plastic milk or juice jug
- Towel
- Thinning shears (optional)
- Finger toothbrush
- Dog toothpaste
Photo Credits
- Samoyed dog image by crzy77 from Fotolia.com