Dog bathing

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Over-bathing a dog can remove natural oils which are essential to the health of his coat. It is difficult to lay down specific guidelines on bathing since this varies widely among dogs with different coat types. In general, dogs with undercoats, such as the German Shephers and Great Pyrenees, huskies, are best bathed in spring and fall, and at other times may be kept clean with a dry shampoo and brushing. Dogs with long silky coats, such as the Afgan, should be bathed about once a year; spanls, on the other hand, are bathed as often as every 6 weeks. The addition of one teaspoon per quart of water of Alpha-Keri to the rinse is oten effective in adding luser to the coat. Curly and woolly coated breeds, such as the poodle and bedlington, may have to ne bathed as often as every 4 to 6 weeks and should be brushed every day. Smoth coated breeds, such as the beagle and doberman, should be bathed only when necessary. The coat should be maintained by brushing to a shiny slickness with a hand towel or hound glove. Wire coated breeds, including the welsh terrier and airedale, are usually bathed every 8 weeks. I is not neceessary and may even be undesirable to bathe before every dog show. There are certain risks to bathing. If, for example, your dog is about to shed, the bath will hasten the shedding and loss of the coat. However, when the coat is badly stained or has a strong odor, when it appears lumpy in spite of a thorough brushing, the only solution is a complete bath. Special bath problems: Skunk oil: Skunk odor may be removed from your dog's coat by soaking it in tomato juice and then giving him a bath. An alternative is to make up a dilute solution of ammonia in water. Use it as a rinse and follow it with a complete bath. Tar: Trim away excess coat containing tar when feasible. Soak the tarry parts of the coat in vegetable oil overnight. Then give you dog a complete bath. Do NOT use petroleum solvents, such as gasoline, kerosene, orturpentine; they are extremely harmful to the skin.