Why Your Husky Isn’t Fluffy (6 Common Reasons)

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This article has been fact-checked by Dr. Dilber Hussain, DVM, to ensure we're providing the most up-to-date guidance. READ MORE

Huskies are well known for their luxurious fluffy coat. However, not all huskies have this signature coat. If your husky’s coat isn’t fluffy, you may wonder why.

There are a few reasons your husky’s coat isn’t fluffy. The most common reason huskies don’t have a fluffy coat is because of their bloodline or genetics. However, your husky’s diet, grooming, health issues, and age can also keep their coat from being fluffy. 

Should All Huskies Be Fluffy?

To meet the breed standard, a husky must have a fluffy coat. However, this doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong if your pooch doesn’t have a fluffy coat.

In fact, there are three types of coat a husky can inherit. These are plush, wooly, and short.

Double Coat

All huskies have a double coat. The undercoat is soft and dense. This is what keeps your pooch warm, and how they can withstand incredibly cold arctic temperatures.

The topcoat, also known as guard hairs, is where most variation occurs. To meet the breed standard, the topcoat should be medium length. It’s not too coarse or too soft. It shouldn’t stand out straight from the body, but lie somewhat smoothly.

Plush Coat 

The plush coat is what we associate with huskies, and it meets the AKC breed standard. The plush coat is medium length and fluffy. The topcoat should not be coarse or silky. The coat should not be too short, or long enough to obscure the lines of the dog.

If your husky has the standard plush coat, the coat will be somewhat fluffy. However, the plush coat can still vary greatly in how fluffy it is.

Wooly Coat 

Huskies with a wooly coat will be extremely fluffy. Their guard hairs are longer than normal. The undercoat can also be longer, which also contributes to their fluffiness.

A red husky looking into camera

Wooly coats can be beautiful, but they are considered undesirable. This is because the coat can collect snow, water, and dirt, which can cause skin irritation and increase the risk of frostbite or hypothermia when exposed to freezing temperatures. Their shaggy coat also conceals their graceful body.

The AKC disqualifies wooly-coated huskies from confirmation shows, because of their coat.

Short Coat 

Some huskies have short coats. They can be purebred huskies, or a mixed breed. In fact, the Alaskan husky has a shorter coat than a husky, and is specifically bred for sledding and racing.

The AKC doesn’t specifically mention short coats in the breed standard. However, they don’t possess the signature plush coat, so they are likely to be excluded from confirmation shows.

6 Reasons Why Your Husky Isn’t Fluffy

Now that we know about the different husky coats, let’s take a look at why your husky’s coat isn’t fluffy.

1. Genetics and Bloodline

This is the most common reason why your husky doesn’t have a fluffy coat. It really comes down to breeding, and the purpose of the husky.

Huskies from show lines are bred with a focus on the breed standard. Their purpose is to adhere as closely as possible to the ideal that is described in the breed standard.

This means that only husky who adhere to the standard are bred, which helps ensure that their puppies also meet the standard. In addition to the term show husky, you may also hear them referred to as quality huskies or quality Siberians.

Huskies from racing or sledding lines have different purposes. Their breeders are not overly concerned with their appearance. Instead, they focus on performance. They breed huskies who perform well when it comes to work. These huskies are skilled at pulling sleds and have a high level of energy and endurance.

While huskies from both racing and show lines are both Siberian huskies, breeding over time has created some differences between them, including differences in their coat.

Huskies from show lines typically carry the genetics for a plush coat. Huskies from a racing line are typically less fluffy, because the coat is less important. They may have a plush coat, but it may not be as fluffy as the coat of a show husky. Both a plush and slightly shorter coat provide the protection the husky needs in snowy conditions, so racing breeders don’t favor one over the other.

On the other hand, wooly huskies are unlikely to come from racing lines, because their coat poses a performance issue. Because it holds snow and water, it makes these pooches more susceptible to harsh weather conditions.

2. Diet

Your husky’s diet also plays a role in how fluffy their coat is. To better understand this, think about your own hair. If you have a poor diet, your hair will look dull, limp, and lifeless. When you eat well, your hair will be thicker, healthier, and more manageable.

This is also true for your huskies. In fact, according to VCA Animal Hospital, your husky’s diet has the biggest effect on their coat, after genetics.

A brown wooly husky on a leash

There are some signs that your husky’s diet is affecting their coat. Signs of poor nutrition include a coat that is dull, dry, rough, and thinner than normal. The hairs may break easily and grow slower than is normal as well. It’s also possible for your pooch to have patches of hair loss due to nutrition issues.

It’s important to note that nutrition is about more than quantity. It’s also about the quality of their food. If your husky is getting a nutritious diet, food allergies can also cause poor coat health.

3. Grooming

Huskies require regular grooming. However, they are easier to groom than most double-coated breeds. Regular brushing removes shed hair, prevents mats, and stimulates hair growth. It will also distribute the natural oils present in your husky’s coat, which helps keep their coat fluffy and healthy.

Some husky owners make the mistake of bathing them too often. Frequent bathing, or using the wrong products, can dry your husky’s coat, taking away their adorable fluffiness.

4. Health Concerns

There are many health conditions that can affect your husky’s coat.  The most common are hormonal imbalances. Other issues include thyroid disease, Cushing disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Food or skin allergies can also affect your pooch’s coat.

Health issues can cause your husky’s coat to be dry, dull, or thin, in addition to losing its fluff. You may notice areas of hair loss or an overall thinning of their coat due to excessive shedding.

If a health issue is affecting your husky’s coat, there will likely be other symptoms as well.

5. Age

Husky puppies have very soft and fluffy fur. As they reach 10 to 14 months old, they lose their puppy coat and get their adult coat. If your husky is reaching their first birthday, you can expect their coat to change. Their adult coat will be different, and potentially not as fluffy, as their puppy coat.

A husky’s coat will also change as they reach their senior years. Health issues are more likely in senior pooches. However, their coat may become thinner as they get older, without any underlying health issues. If your ageing husky is losing their fluffy coat, this may be the cause.

6. Shedding

Shedding can also make your husky’s coat less fluffy. Huskies shed most in the spring and fall when they blow coat. In the spring, they shed their winter undercoat, and grow a lighter summer coat. In the fall, they lose their summer coat, and grow a thicker, denser, winter undercoat.

You can expect your husky to be fluffier in the winter months, because their coat will be denser. You can also expect them to lose some fluffiness when they are shedding. As long as you are grooming your husky properly, the change in fluffiness shouldn’t be dramatic due to shedding.

Can You Make Their Coat Fluffy?

The short answer is, it depends on the reason their coat isn’t fluffy. If your husky was born with a short coat, you can’t make their coat fluffy.

If they have a plush coat, and the problem lies in their diet or grooming, then you can make their coat fluffier. If they have a wooly coat, they are naturally extremely fluffy. If your wooly husky’s coat isn’t fluffy, you can certainly improve it with the proper care.

A wooly husky in a sunflower field

In most cases, you can improve the fluffiness of your dog’s coat. There is a ceiling effect, however. You won’t be able to make your husky’s coat extremely fluffy if their genetics give them a coat that isn’t fluffy. However, you can often improve the fluffiness of their coat to some degree.

To learn how to make their coat more fluffy, take a look at the next section.

Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Husky Coat

The first step to keeping your husky as fluffy as possible is to identify any issues that are affecting their coat.

If their coat is affected by their diet, health issues, or grooming, then you can improve their coat. Let’s take a look at how to do so.

Grooming 

To groom them properly, you’ll need an undercoat rake and a slicker brush. You’ll begin by using the undercoat rake. You can also use a wide toothcomb in a pinch. The rake brush is designed to get under the topcoat and remove shed hairs from their dense undercoat.

Next, you’ll use the slicker brush. This will remove dirt and shed hair from your husky’s topcoat. This also removes any tangles and helps keep their coat fluffy.

Huskies produce little oil, which means they don’t have a doggie odor. They are also very clean pooches and do quite a bit of grooming for themselves. They typically only need a bath every 3-6 months. If they happen to get very dirty, don’t hesitate to give them a bath. Otherwise, stick to infrequent baths.

When you do bathe them, use a shampoo that is designed for dogs. Shampoos designed for humans can upset your dog’s ph balance. You may also want to use a conditioner, or a combination product.

After a bath, it’s best to dry their coat. You can start this process with towels. Use the towels to remove as much water as possible from their coat.

Then, you can use a hair dryer. If you are using a human hairdryer, use the lowest setting and keep the dryer moving to avoid burning their skin.

Feed Them A Healthy Diet

To improve your husky’s coat through diet, there are a few nutrients and minerals that they need.

Huskies have evolved to digest foods that are high in fat. While a high-fat diet isn’t recommended for them, it’s possible that fat is more important for them than most breeds. When it comes to their coat, healthy fats are essential.

The most commonly mentioned is Omega 3’s. These fatty acids are essential for skin, coat, and even brain health. It’s found in fish, and some plant sources, like flaxseed.

Omega 6’s, or lineolic acid, is also important. You’ll find Omega 6’s in nuts and flax seed. If your husky has dry, flaky skin, they may be deficient in Omega 6’s. Other signs your husky needs Omega 6’s are discolored or thin hair and increased shedding.

Low zinc levels can lead to hair loss and a dull coat. Biotin and B vitamins are also good to include in your husky’s diet.

How can you be sure that your husky is getting enough of these nutrients? Be sure that you are feeding them high-quality dog food formulated for active medium to large-sized dogs. Many husky owners feed their pooches a supplement designed to support skin and coat health. These supplements typically include most, if not all, of the nutrients we just discussed.

Consult Your Vet

If you notice significant changes in your husky’s coat, it’s a great idea to give your vet a call. Coat issues can be a sign of many health issues that require treatment. Your vet may also make recommendations for grooming and diet based on your husky’s needs.

Final Thoughts 

Your husky’s fluffiness is determined by genetics to a large extent. However, you can help their coat live up to it’s full potential. To keep your husky’s coat as fluffy as possible, groom them properly and feed them a healthy diet. If you notice coat issues, it’s a good idea to visit your vet.

FAQs

How Do Groomers Get My Husky’s Coat So Fluffy?

Groomers typically use a hair dryer designed for dogs to get your husky’s coat extra fluffy. This is known as a blowout. You can purchase these hair dryers for home use, but remember not to bathe your husky too often.

Should I Brush My Husky Before Or After Bathing?

You shouldn’t brush your husky when their hair is wet. Brush them before a bath. Once their hair is dry, you can give them a quick brush.

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About The Author

Hi, I’m Carrie! I’ve always had a special connection with nature, and animals of all shapes and sizes in particular. I’ve been a writer for nearly a decade and recently joined the Malamute Mom team. I love providing information to other dog lovers.

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