Bathing...how often does your Newf do it?

[AmyPC]

A friend was over last night and was patting Rory, really getting his fingers into her coat. He then proceeded to tell me she needed a bath because he could feel her oils on his hands. I told him they were her natural oils and were good for her coat and skin and that we will only be bathing her a few times a year.

She will of course get wet and swim and stuff at other times but we only plan on doing the big shampoo every now and then. Her coat is very shiny, slightly oily (but not like an oil slick - you can just feel a coating on your hands if you really rub at her hair) and she smalls like a dog (not bad). He thought dogs needed to be bathed much more than this. Maybe they do. Give me advice! Or is regular grooming enough to keep them clean, with just the occasional bath?

We did bathe our old Golden often - a couple of times a moth - but she had skin conditions and would get very dirty.

 

[Jeannie]

Amy,
When to give your newf or any dog a bath is really your preference. Me? I give my girls a bath once a week. They are in my home and I don't like the "doggy" smell. If you give your dog a bath more than once a month make sure you get a VERY GOOD shampoo that will not strip the oils from the coat. Don't go to your local department store and get your shampoo, talk to a groomer or your vet. Do not use people shampoo.

A good shampoo will be more expensive then the cheaper ones. As in all things you get what you pay for. Sara's shampoo costs me $68.00 per gallon. In my grooming shop I use an oatmeal shampoo that costs me about $40 per gallon. When I tried to save money and use the cheaper ones, many of my clients dogs got skin problems.

Remember people tend to think of their skin and hair seperately, but when dealing with dogs you have to consider both.

I use a different shampoo on each of my girls. For Sam, I mix a conditioning and an oatmeal shampoo. The oatmeal is good for the skin and the conditioning shampoo makes her easier to comb and maintain. Sara tends to have red bumps and flakey skin so I use a shampoo from my vet. If you use a medicated shampoo be sure to use a conditioner or light cream rinse afterwards or the hair will tend to dry out.

Most people would say I bathe mine too much. However, neither of my girls have any type of skin problems or allergies. For example with Sara, if I wait much over a week for her bath her skin will start getting flakey. I get comments all the time on how nice my girls look and how shiney their coats are. If you go to the picture forum and look at the photo I posted on 12-26-00 titled two sleeping newfs--you can see my girls.

The mistake I see people make most often is not getting all the shampoo out of the coat. Shampoo (or conditoner) residue WILL cause itching and lot of skin problems. When you rinse your dog rinse till the water runs clear--then rinse again. Then rub your hand over the hair to see if you feel any shampoo. You can never rinse too much.

Another thing, I never use cologne on my dogs or any of my client's dog unless they request it. Colognes seem to cause lots of skin problems.

I hope this answered your questions
Jeannie

 

[Theresa]

Ours get bathed at least once a month. I've noticed the difference when I wouldn't get all the shampoo out. Bathing is something you have to definately be in the mood for in order to get them cleaned well and all that shampoo out. I've also found that all that brushing and raking in between washes help.

 

[Lynne]

OK, guys, I'll be the devil's advocate. I hardly ever bathe my Newfs. They're all housedogs and get groomed regularly. They get bathed when they're going to school or to a show, mainly. Some haven't been bathed for years! I think too much bathing dries the coat, especially if you blow them dry. People comment on how there isn't a doggy odor, and you NEVER pet them and come away with dirty hands. (Unless it's been raining and they're muddy! And that just brushes out once it's dry.)
If Rory's coat is oily, you might want to have a thyroid test run on her. That can be a symptom.

 

[CHsail]

Jeannie,
What shampoo's do you use on your dogs? For regular shampooing. Since you are a groomer you have exposure to different kinds of products. I am just curious what you use.

------------------
Chuck (Charlotte)
Calypso, Hootie, & Koko
Newf angels Shasta & Haddie
Downers Grove, IL

 

[GAD]

I'm with Lynn - our girls only get baths about twice a year, or if they have a sudden need for it.

Neither of our girls smell like "dogs" and neither have oily coats.

GAD

 

[AmyPC]

Two differnt camps once again!

Rory's coat and skin seems to be what would be considered 'combination' in humans - it is oiliest towards the base of her tail. The hair seems to be a different texture there too - sort of heavier and a little more coarse. I might wait until she has her full proper coat, give her a bit of a bath and then maybe think about thyroid testing if she still seems oily. Would there be other symptoms if she did have a thyroid problem though? What would a thyroid problem cause exactly?

 

[Jeannie]

Chuck,
I have tried many many different kinds of shampoos made by many different companies. I finally found one that I really like. You will not find their products in any pet supply catalog. Here is the info. I buy from Spectrum Laboratories out of Rathdrum, Idaho phone number is 1-800-752-3241 ask for sales rep Steve. (Tell him Jeannie from the Pooch parlor in Ohio gave you his name.) I have used their products for over 3 years now. For my newfie I use the "Amazoats". It is an oatmeal shampoo formulated for the skin. (they have another oatmeal shampoo called Coatmeal that is for the coat.) I also use their conditioning shampoo called "Groom Fresh". Both shampoos are in a concentrate form and can be diluted-if you like. (I don't dilute them any thinner than 50/50) Both shampoos rinse out very easily. If you use their cream rinse/conditioner be sure to dilute it very thin or it is very hard to rinse out of the coat.
Jeannie

 

[Lynne]

Amy, if I recall, Rory is about 6 mos old, isn't she? That coarse hair you see at the base of her tail is probably just her adult coat coming in. It starts on the tail, works up the spine, then moves down the sides. The last of the puppy fluff stays around the backskull and ears, giving them what I love to call the Baboon Look. If that hair is shiny and more coarse than her puppy fuzz, it's probably just her normal hair.
Another thing I try to remember to warn about is the black spots many Newfs have on their tongues. They don't show up until the pup is about 6 mos old. I've had a lot of folks tell me they've raced to the vet, thinking their pup has a dreaded disease!

Sometimes, they're WAY back on the tongue, almost to the tonsils.

 

[AmyPC]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lynne:
The last of the puppy fluff stays around the backskull and ears, giving them what I love to call the Baboon Look.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hahaha, the Baboon look! Yes, that's it exactly!

I've just never put that description into words though.

Yep, Rory is 7 months now and still has the fluffy pantaloons, chest, ears, etc. A stylish look that one.

As for her tongue, it is still perfectly pink, so pink in fact that I often say it looks like she has a piece of ham hanging out of her mouth.

I had read about the spots before, but thanks for the reminder!

 

[sarnewfie]

Jggrosch
i also use spectrum products shampoos, i especially like the aloe vera and the safelea, it is a wonderful deoderizing shampoo, in fact i have not found any i dont like, they are gentle do not strip the oil from the coats, and i bath my guys usually on a 3 to 4 month basis!
great to know others out there use the products, my salesman is John and he can talk your ear off *G*

 

[Jeannie]

LOL my salesman, Steve, will also talk your ear off. I know when he calls I will be awhile. Funny thing, my brother lives not too far from Spectrum in Washington State. My sister in law even knows his aunt. Small world!! Anyway I love their products. Have you tried the new conditioning shampoo. I love it. I usually mix it with the Amazoats when bathing my newfie. I use the Amazoats as an everyday shampoo in my shop. I love it and have had no complaints or reactions to it
Jeannie

 

[Theresa]

Jeanne, just curious...how much does it cost to groom/bathe a newf? My sister's Maltese's cost $30 each at the groomers, I told her I couldn't imagine the cost of a newf..especially with all that undercoat.

 

[bridge2itnf@aol.com]

I do less bathing , and alot of brushing. Unless he has been in his favorite mud hole! then thats another story!
Bridget

----------------------
Until We Newf Again

 

[Kanela]

Here in Vegas, to groom your Newf will run you around $70 bucks.

Trust me when I say I went to the library and checked out as many grooming books as possible and now own rake, pin brush, slicker brush, straight & thinning scissors and handheld shower nozzle. Amazoats is being delivered as I type this, as well!

My Bear (chow) goes to his groomer, Deb, cuz he likes her and being an owner of 4 chows herself, takes wonderful care of his coat as well as his skin problem - better than I ever could with his wool-like thickerthanthick coat. She uses the benzoyl shampoo prescribed by Doc Spence and he always comes home happy and looking spectacular. She charges me only $20 bucks and it's well worth it.

I say invest in good quality do-it-yourself grooming supplies. They pay for themselves in the long run!

Kanela



------------------
"To err is human.
To forgive, canine."

 

[sarnewfie]

Once every 3 to 4 months depending......and i agree with everything jggrosh said!
good groomers think alike!

 

[Maggiesmom]

We bath about 1 every 3 months, unless of course they've found something "good" to roll in, or Maggie's made a new mudbath for them. I'm going to be ordering from specturm after Jeannies recommendation and the other good things I've heard about them. But I've noticed that if they are starting to look icky just give them a really good brushing. They are beautiful again. And I agree with Kanela, invest in good grooming tools its worthit!! Not only do you have a spectacular looking furbaby when you're done but its one hell of a stress reliver too! Just sitting there with this nice warm, furry, half asleep newf letting you brush and pet them. that is until you get to the toothbrushing part!!

------------------
Shawn....
Maggie, JoJo, Alex, & Destiny too