Dog shampoo

[Bob]

Having two king charles spaniels who enjoy a run through mud and puddles they do get dirty quite often.

Can anybody recommend a good dog shampoo or what kind would be best?

Also how often should you bath a dog as I've heard so many different stories?

[Kaz]

I use a shampoo called 'Crazy Dog' on my Cavie.

http://www.pets2home.co.uk/item--Crazy- ... 96890.html

It's very gentle and smells lovely. I asked my groomer how often I should be bathing Maggie and her response was whenever she was smelly or had got really wet & dirty (she enjoys paddling through dirty streams). If you bathe them too much it strips the oils from their coat & can irritate their skin. Never use human shampoo or Fairy Liquid (I have heard someone say they use it!!) as it's too strong.

[Rebecca]

I tend to use a kiddies shampoo for my yorkies, but that's because they have hair rather than fur. I rather think a lot of the doggy shampoos are well over priced, so have been known to use equine shampoo! Having said that, I have purchased a doggy scent for some of my house dogs at times

[susie]

Ive just used a "self-serve" bath for my dog. Its excellent! Its in Enfield, Middlesex, called MetroDogs. You just put your money in a machine and it supplies you with all of the warm water, shampoo, conditioner and a flea rinse, theres even a hairdryer! My dog loved it and he smells lovely now. I usually bath my lab about once a month

[Rebecca]

That sounds like an enterprising invention!

I'd like to find a dog groomer that just doesn't chop all my Yorkies hair off, I want it sylised!

[underdog84]

just a little word of advise i would also go and get a conditioner for your dogs as if you don't use it your dogs fur will dry out and waste the coat.

[Rebecca]

I've been using the kiddies 2 in 1 shampoo and a detangler. I'm somewhat loathed to use a grooming 'oil' as suggested in the Yorkie books I have. I have considered using the show sheen I put on my horses though, as that is superb.

[susie]

You should be careful about what shampoo u use as it strips the oils from the coat. dog shampoos tend to have the same ph level as the dogs so it is best to use these

[jimbo]

I've recently had a go with the new '4 Dogs Only' stuff - it's from a company called IV Horse who apparently have just started with dog stuff (and cat stuff it seems on looking at their web site http://www.4horse.co.uk but maybe I shouldn't be mentioning that around here...!). They advertised in the last issue of DM so I thought I'd give them a go - pleasantly surprised!

They've got a range of shampoos and conditioners for different coat types - I've just tried the Bright White Shampoo and Silky Coat Conditioner so far and they were excellent - I might give the others ago if my little 'un will let me!

Anyone else tried the 4 Dogs stuff?

[chilover]

I really like the quistel shampoos they are free from any nasties and smell lovely, they also parlize fleas so they just wash off and go down the drain.

[HandsOnPaws]

You should never use human shampoo on dogs, the PH is all wrong, hence why they get skin/coat problems. I have a labrador so i don't bath her often, i prefer to take her to the river to keep her coat in excellent condition. If i HAVE to shampoo her (rolling in dead things ) i use Wilkinsons sensitive puppy shampoo, its very mild but nice smelling and leaves the coat very soft

[petcare]

It depends on your dog's skin nature, I dont know which shampoo you are using at present. you can try many good quality shampoos, see itsresponse and select the best one.