Question:

Hi There, I have a spitz breed called an Akita. This is a big dog and I need to do something about her coat. How often should I be grooming her? She is hard to bathe, being so big and we live on a farm so she always seems such a mess. I didn’t think she would need so much work. Is there an easy way to do this? She is often really doggie smelling too,

Patricia

ANSWER:

Akitas like all Spitz breeds have a thick double coat that is supposed to be easy to maintain but often is the exact opposite.

The first thing that jumps out at me, Patricia is your last sentence “she is often really doggie smelling too”. Although the Spitz breeds have a thick coat, they are known for their lack of doggy smell as their skin does not tend to release as much oil as a shorter or thinner haired dog. If she has a strong doggie odor, there may be some underlying condition that needs to be addressed such as food allergies that is causing her to produce more oil then is normal for her breed. Have a look between her toes and around her pads as well as in her ears. If they seem hot, red, itchy or have a discharge, I would take her to the vet and have them go over her. A thick coat can hide many conditions that are evident on other breeds.

As for grooming her, I would plan on taking her to a groomer every six months for a thorough bath and blow dry. Her double coat is not only difficult to clean, but also to rinse thoroughly which groomers are used to handling. Grooming shops also have forced cool air dryers that blow the dead coat out and dry her thoroughly without damaging the fur or drying out their delicate skin.

Once she is a clean slate, a daily brushing should keep her in good shape until her next grooming session. Invest in a comb or brush that is comfortable for you to use for an extended period and use treats as a way of making it enjoyable for her. Soon you will find she is an easier dog to live with and that you both enjoy the grooming session!