Although most dogs don’t like bathing, you still need to wash them on a regular basis so they remain clean and healthy.  The majority of dogs require bathing only once a month, but there are a few exceptions.  For instance, dogs with oily coats, like Basset Hounds, should be washed more frequently.

Also, short-haired breeds with smooth coats, such as Beagles, and Northern breeds with thick, double coats don’t need to be washed often.  Breeds with water-repellent coats, such as Golden Retrievers, shouldn’t be bathed frequently so as to preserve their natural oils.

Naturally, if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors or if you live in the countryside you may want to bathe them more frequently than you would a dog who lives in an apartment in the city.

The most important thing is not to wash your dog more often than they need it.  If you bathe them more than necessary you may strip their coat of its natural oils.

Once you’ve decided to bathe your dog, there are a few steps you should follow.  Firstly, brush your pooch before the bath and put a cotton ball in each ear to prevent ear irritation and infections.  Always use lukewarm water, especially if you have a large dog because they can easily overheat. Use dog shampoo, be careful not to get soap in their eyes and rinse really, really well.  After air-drying your pooch, reward them for all they had to endure during bath time.