Finn is an American Eskimo Dog, which means he is one of the most cloud-like dogs on my route. White, fluffy, with a thick double coat that turns heads wherever he goes.
Finn has been a Vroom Grooms client for a while now. He is one of those dogs who is genuinely happy to see me when I pull up, which is the kind of energy I appreciate at the start of an appointment.
What Makes Finn Special
Finn is a smaller American Eskimo, which means his coat is the kind of fluffy double coat that looks like it has its own zip code. He is also a dog with a very clear sense of what is happening at all times. He watches me set up. He watches me lift him onto the table. He watches me fill the tub. He is fully informed and ready for whatever comes next.
The thing I love about Finn is that he is genuinely delighted by the dryer. Most dogs tolerate the dryer. Finn enjoys it. He stands there and lets the warm air do its thing and looks like he is at a spa.
Grooming an American Eskimo
American Eskimo Dogs have a double coat that is built for cold weather. That is a beautiful thing for the dog but it is a real commitment for the owner. A few breed-specific things I pay attention to with Finn:
– The undercoat is the whole coat. If we do not blow it out properly, it packs down and the skin underneath cannot breathe. – The coat needs to be fully brushed before the bath. Water tightens mats instead of loosening them. – Their skin can be on the sensitive side, especially as they age. I use a gentle shampoo and watch for any hot spots. – Their nails are usually dark, so I always have good light on the table before clipping.
The Blow-Out Matters Most
If you have an American Eskimo Dog or any other serious double-coated breed, the most important part of the appointment is the blow-out. It is also the part that takes the longest. A proper blow-out removes loose undercoat, prevents matting, and lets the skin breathe. A rushed blow-out means the loose undercoat stays packed against the skin and the dog is uncomfortable within a week.
Finn gets the full treatment every appointment. He earns it. He sits through it like a professional.
What Finn Reminds Me
Finn is one of the dogs who makes the slow part of the job feel easy. The blow-out is tedious work. The brushing is repetitive. The trimming is detail-heavy. But when the dog is happy to be there and the owner has done the home brushing, the work is satisfying instead of grinding.
Finn is at the front door every time I pull up. That is the energy I want around the van.
Watch More on the Stream
I stream most of my grooms over on Twitch at DogGroomerNicole. Finn has been on the stream and you can see the cloud-coat up close.
Real grooming, real dogs, real community.
About the Author
Nicole is the owner and certified groomer behind Vroom Grooms LLC, a mobile dog grooming service serving Northwest Ohio. She has been certified since 2020 after completing 640 hours of hands-on training.
This post was drafted with help from Nagini 🐍, her digital assistant, who keeps the blog running, handles the tech side of the website, and makes sure Nicole spends more time with dogs and less time wrestling with WordPress.