Alaskan Malamute Nose Butter

These large and giant breeds are more prone to Nasal Hyperkeratosis.

You can see the Large Breeds with heavier heads, somewhat chunkier or shorter noses and more pendulous jowls are more prone to Nasal Hyperkeratosis.

In over 20 years we've had a scant few customers with many oif the larger Terriers request labels.

Bigger Bully Breeds

• American Bulldog
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Boxer
• Bulldog
• Olde English Bulldoggee
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Giant/Large/MastiffBreeds

• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Bullmastiff
• Cane Corso
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Fila Brasileiro
• Great Dane
• Great Pyrenees
• Leonberger
• Mastiff
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Newfoundland
• St. Bernard
• Tibetan Mastiff

Note from Kathy: Some on the list are not what I consider Large or Giant, but then my Tili is 170#. I included Large-ish Breeds also.

#1 Tip - For quicker absorption warm Nose Butter prior to using
• To warm; stick in your pocket, bra, or scoop some out & warm in palm (see image)
• Open the tin or tube
• Gently control your dog's face (side of face or under their chin)
• Avoid head-locks - that's a trigger for many dogs
• Tag Team - have someone hold & you apply
• (Tin) Scoop a bit out appropriate to the size of your dog’s nose
• Dab it on their nose
• Rub it in a bit, you do not have to rub it in completely as it melts quickly, especially if warm
• Distract to keep them from licking or rubbing it off
• Repeat 2-3x a day for 1-3 days or until nose is back in shape
• Then use as needed for maintenance (usually 1-2x a week)

• Apply 2-3x a day (do your best)
• After 2-3 days of 2-3x daily usage, gently rub their nose with tissue and see if the crust crumbles off easily
• If it doesn't immediately crumble off without much effort, keep applying Nose Butter 2-3x a day and testing until it crumbles off
• It will look like greasy, black dirt
• One last caveat - Do NOT Pick! It will be tempting, but don't give in
• One more - TREATS!

The crusty stuff is actually skin and hurts your dog if you pick it off or at it. Plus, it's annoying to them and you want this to be as pleasant as it can be.

• Give a cookie or treat before, during and after Nose Butter application
• Shower your dog with cuddles, pets, repeat as needed
• Feed their dinner (with extra yummies)
• Play your dog's fave game
• Throw a ball - if that's their jam
• Go for a fun walk
• Pet them, lavish praise on them for their overall good dog-ness
• You know your dog better than anyone, find their hot button (why do I suddenly crave oatmeal raisin cookies?)
• TIP! Not only does something positive (like cookies) take their mind off having something done to them, they soon equate Nose Butter with treats.

Ouch! That burn is gonna leave a mark! It's not that your dog loathes Nose Butter (we sure hope not), but they probably DO hate being controlled while being held tightly.

A Hulk Hogan (oops, aged myself) WWE style head-lock is a huge trigger for most dogs. If possible, allow them to stand freely while you apply Nose Butter and be fast, a quick dab will do it.

Additionally, flatter-faced dogs will fight and struggle to protect their already compromised breathing.

This fear trigger of being held tightly may come from when they were puppies. Puppy play involves a lot of wrestling, holding each other down and play-fighting. It's not fun for dogs (or us) to have siblings pile on, hold us down and make us feel helpless while they tickle your feet. (I'm looking at my three sisters).

Stay relaxed and positive and be very generous with treats and your dog will soon enjoy, or tolerate, Nose Butter time.

The Bad News is there is no CURE for Nasal Hyperkeratosis, it is a condition and usually life-long.

Nose Butter can heal the dry nose, it doesn't cure the condition. Yes, it's semantics, but we believe in keeping expectations real.

If you stop using Nose Butter, the dryness and crust will probably come back.

The Good News is maintenance usage of Nose Butter keeps the Nasal Hyperkeratosis under control. Experiment a bit, your dog may need Nose Butter 1-2x a week for maintenance or daily.

As our dogs get older the frequency will rise. They will probably need daily applications as they get into senior years.

When our hands are really cracked and dry we apply lotion to get them in shape, but we can't slather lotion on our hands once and be moisturized for life.

Like cutting your dog's toenails...Nose Butter is part of their health care regimen.