Question for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds

• 06-20-2008 12:36 PM

  Indy05 Joined on 06-19-2007 Texas Posts 254 Points 0

  Question for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds Reply Contact The thread about dog "facts" reminded me of a question I have for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds.  I used to have some co-workers who raised and showed these two breeds.  They said they never bathed their dogs because it ruins their coats for showing.  I never heard of that.  Their dogs' coats were greasy and had an unpleasant doggy odor.  If my dog smelled like theirs did I would not be able to stand it.  Maybe it was what they fed them.  By the way their dogs seldom won anything.  So, is it true or not?  Tell why.

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• 06-20-2008 12:59 PM

  In reply to Indy05

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 6,720 Points 850

  Re: Question for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds Reply Contact Indy05: The thread about dog "facts" reminded me of a question I have for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds.  I used to have some co-workers who raised and showed these two breeds.  They said they never bathed their dogs because it ruins their coats for showing.  I never heard of that.  Their dogs' coats were greasy and had an unpleasant doggy odor.  If my dog smelled like theirs did I would not be able to stand it.  Maybe it was what they fed them.  By the way their dogs seldom won anything.  So, is it true or not?  Tell why.   I'm only familiar with showing GSDs in UKC, but they are not really groomed like other dogs are.  Maybe bathed, definitely brushed, probably blown with air (helps blow out the undercoat).  Greasy and smelly is NOT the norm, I would suspect diet.  The only time I bathe my GSD is if she is covered in mud or something nasty.  The last time I bathed her was b/c she had a rash on her belly and I was using a special shampoo. My Blog - http://24ft.dutchbingo.net My Site - http://liesrosema.com

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• 06-20-2008 12:59 PM

  In reply to Indy05

  Maxs Mom Joined on 09-26-2006 Livonia, MI Posts 1,499 Points 100

  Re: Question for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds Reply Contact  I can't answer but this past weekend I was holding a friend's GSD at the UKC Premier and it stunk to high heaven!!!! My dogs are water dogs so they are wet all the time. We thought they stunk so we gave them a bath when we got home. They did not smell as bad as this dog!   Ann & Art Maxine CGC, UADNJIII, DDNJ-r (11 yr old Golden) Belle NJP, NAJ, OJP, CGC, UAGI, UADSJ, UADJJ (5 Black Lab) Teddi UADJJ, UJJ, CGC (1 1/2 yr old Golden) Pete 14 yr old TB

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• 06-20-2008 1:01 PM

  In reply to Indy05

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 14,531 Points 2,025

  Re: Question for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds Reply Contact I will say this...there is a "kennel smell" dogs get when kept in numbers. I can't really describe it but if you've smelled it...you know what I mean LOL. Ours get it when they board at the vets on the odd occasion... Gina H. dog.community Moderator "But my dreams...they aren't as empty, as my conscience seems to be."-The Who

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• 06-20-2008 1:06 PM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  Indy05 Joined on 06-19-2007 Texas Posts 254 Points 0	Re: Question for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds Reply Contact I am familiar with the "kennel smell" as I have boarded my dogs numerous times.  This was a nasty dog odor.  Basic doggy smell is no problem; these dogs reeked.  I really think what they fed them was a big part of it.  Thanks for the responses and I hope to see more.
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• 06-20-2008 1:07 PM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 6,720 Points 850

  Re: Question for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds Reply Contact rwbeagles: I will say this...there is a "kennel smell" dogs get when kept in numbers. I can't really describe it but if you've smelled it...you know what I mean LOL. Ours get it when they board at the vets on the odd occasion...   Yeah Coke had a funky niff when we got him, even though he had been groomed recently.  He lived in a foster home with other large dogs. The only bad smell my GSD has had is when she gets a bad ear infection, you can smell it if you are leaning into kiss her or something.  Other than that, she is not greasy and doesn't really have a good or bad smell.  The smelliest dogs I've smelled were an old Golden retriever and a Basset hound.  My Blog - http://24ft.dutchbingo.net My Site - http://liesrosema.com

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• 06-20-2008 4:15 PM

  In reply to Liesje

  RidgebackGermansShep Joined on 03-24-2006 Lexington, KY Posts 2,712 Points 405	Re: Question for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds Reply Contact I definitely don't show, but i have a GSD. He honestly hasn't had a bath since like last august. He has a nice shiny coat, with no odor (but he's strictly indoor). When i give him a bath he gets flaky and dry. Eat, drink, and be merry...for tomorrow we die..." - Dave Matthews Band Megan
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• 06-20-2008 4:42 PM

  In reply to RidgebackGermansShep

  kle1986 Joined on 10-22-2007 KY Posts 1,419 Points 735

  Re: Question for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds Reply Contact I have an Irish Setter  Lillie. I dont show so I dont know the bathing grooming requirements for show dogs. But I bathe Lillie when her hair gets stringy and dry looking. As a matter of fact I just gave her a bath yesterday. She is now soft and silky feeling. I wash her with my shampoo also. That'll last about a month. Now since it's summer I have been spraying her down with the hose after a walk or bike ride/run. But just spraying her that's all. She is only outside when I go outside. She has no stinky odor either. Kimberly

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• 06-21-2008 12:28 PM

  In reply to Indy05

  dstull Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 84 Points 0

  Re: Question for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds Reply Contact In the '80s I showed Gordon Setters and often helped groom show Irish Setters for friends. They were always bathed! Some handlers even wet down the furnishings and blow them dry before every show. Most judges don't care to touch dirty, smelly exhibits!  It's rude to not present a clean dog to the judges in this country.

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• 06-21-2008 12:35 PM

  In reply to dstull

  mudpuppy Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 5,355 Points 100	Re: Question for those who show Irish Setters or German Shepherds Reply Contact not one of my dogs has been bathed since last august, and some haven't been bathed in years. Not one is dirty or has any trace of an odor. I find their coats look so much better without bathing. Lots of brushing works far better.
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