Bathing Dogs: Long vs. Short Hair

In this great big world, animals come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and forms. One of the greatest examples of this diversity comes in the form of hair. Anyone knows that people have different types of hair. Some have long, others short, others curly, others thick, and others thin. Dog species also have this hair diversity. It is important to look at the different types of dog hair in order to figure out the best dog bathing routine for your pet.

Short hair is much lower maintenance than long hair on a dog. Often times, it will need bathed less than long hair. When you do bathe it, it is easier to get it wet, shampoo it thoroughly, and rinse completely. Usually short haired dogs need a quick toweling before they can be released to air dry. For better or worse, life is not so simple for the owners of long haired dogs.

It is really best to brush your long haired dog before even attempting to bathe him. While it takes a bit of extra time, it is very worthwhile in the long run. Brushing will remove excess debris, and make your dog’s hair neat and untangled to make bathing simpler. You will need to pay extra attention to wetting your long haired dog completely. Additionally, you will need a touch more shampoo, and extra time working the soap into a lather. Perhaps most importantly, you will need to spend extra time rinsing your dog. Do not leave any traces of the shampoo, unless you want your dog to suffer from uncomfortable skin conditions in the future. Towel your dog as much as possible after the bath to remove as much excess water as possible. In cold weather conditions, it is important to dry your dog with a drier, but never use a heated setting or you will burn your dog’s skin.

Have fun with your dog’s bath time, and keep it efficient yet light hearted. Bath time does not have to be a traumatic experience for either of you, but it is always best to be prepared for bath time.