The supplies you gather to care for your Malamute’s coat may vary. Some breeders and owners use the pin brush, an oval-shaped brush with thick, metal bristles that resemble heads of pins, while others swear by the slicker, a rectangular field of fine metal bristles that can effectively remove dead hair (although some believe it also breaks the hair left behind).

Regardless of the type of brush you choose, thoroughness is everything.

Sure it’s simple just to run a brush superficially through the dog’s hair on her back and leave it at that, but in doing so you will not address the needs of the undercoat, or, even more importantly, reach the skin, which requires stimulation both for proper circulation and for the distribution of healthy coat oils.

A more effective method of brushing and removing dead hair involves first brushing against the grain of the hair, brushing against the direction in which the guard hairs tend to lie. This way you automatically brush the undercoat and the guard hairs simultaneously, while reaching the skin as well.

When this job is done, then you may brush with the growth of the hair for a polished, finished look. Brush the dog this way anywhere from three times a week to once a day, and you will find yourself with a Malamute that can’t help but command attention.

You must be careful to brush the more difficult-to-reach spots, as well, to prevent mats that must be cut out should they develop. Don’t forget that hidden region under the front leg (under the elbow), and pay close attention to the haunches, the underbelly, and that soft area behind the ears, all areas that can become riddled with mats if ignored.

The Rake

Another tool Malamute veterans recommend is the rake. This comes in handy particularly once or twice a year when the Malamute sheds its soft, fluffy undercoat, a process referred to as “blowing coat”.

The old coat, having performed its duties well, sheds out to make room for the growth of a newer, fresher growth of hair. The rake can help speed up this process, as can a weekly bath until the coat is fully shed.

Tip: Try brushing your Malamute outdoors. You will not only protect your carpets and furniture from mountains of dog hair, you may also provide neighborhood birds with material for the nests they build.