Wish me luck. It's time for that rare occasion that is bath time. Usually a towel down if wet, or a brush down once mud has dried enough will suffice. But - it's Crufts this week and both are a little more fragrant than I'd like (I suspect fox poo) so it's time to cover the bathroom in towels and brave a couple of damp GSPs. This happens like once a year (is that bad?)

I only shampoo the hounds down once a year unless they get into something really nasty. It's actually part of my spring cleaning. I will rinse the dogs off through the summer and occasionally in the winter otherwise, but I really hate getting the dogs soaked in cold weather.

Ringo's idea of a bath; climb in the horse trough after a day in the field.  Once the legs and stomach are wet, rollover with legs in the air and wet the back. Every time he does this I always wish for the camera, but I never seem to have it with me when he does it.  Halo wanted to follow suit today as she was hot, but she is much more discriminating, she just stepped in and wet her legs a bit.

Osiris loves his baths so no issues there.

For those of you that only bathe once or twice a year, how do you keep them clean? Sometimes Osiris gets so muddy from the dog park or playing outside - I can't imagine not giving him a bath. Are they outdoor dogs???

Is there any harm in bathing?? I know about dry skin, but is there any other reason? Just curious. (I am asking this as a serious question - not to pick on anyone.)

 Not to worry, there is nothing wrong with bathing, as long as you use a coat conditioner so the skin doesn't become to dry.

 I could never get away with not bathing as Ruby rolls in every dead animal she finds, YUK !!!!

 

The only problem with bathing to frequently is that it strips the natural oils out of their coat.  That oil is one of the things that protects them in the water, especially cold water.  Bathing also makes their coats softer which for a pet is not a problem, but the coarse coat is really the standard, and again the coarse coat protects them when they do field work.  I try to limit the number of times I bathe my dogs, even Halo, who I show.  I more often than not will take a wet towel and wipe her down or rinse her off with clean water only.  If she really needs a bath I bathe her at least a week before the show.  This weekend she was with me and Ringo at the hunt test and got introduced to birds and ran the course after the tests were over.  She got a little dusty and did get part way into the horse trough, but for the show this coming weekend she is only getting a wipe down as her coat is perfect right now.

For those of you that only bathe once or twice a year, how do you keep them clean? Sometimes Osiris gets so muddy from the dog park or playing outside - I can't imagine not giving him a bath. Are they outdoor dogs???

       Bean gets wet, from rain as well as mud splash back off the trails, but it always towels off. I'm in shorts, ( forcing the spring issue )...and My legs get mud back splashed as well, especially my left one, that heels next to Queen Bean....We both get a towel down session before we're allowed to run free in the house

Wolfe - The frequency of the baths may be contributing to the dandruff.  You might look at changing shampoos, or adding a coat and skin supplement to the food.  You can also by a mink oil conditioner that smells good and can be sprayed on the coat and rub in.  I use it on Halo's coat a couple of days before I show her as it makes her shine.  Maybe you wife could use something like that and only bathe once a month.