Bathing too much?

[TY-Max]

I haven't had a dog in years, let alone a Boxer before. How much is too much bathing and what is concidered "right"?
I've noticed a few, small, bare spots on Max's back today. They are not noticable unless you really look. We called the Vet and they thought we may be bathing him too much. I'm hoping that's all it is.
And, while I'm at....what's good all around shampoo to use when bathing?
(Hope this is a good thread for this section)
Thanks

 

[Ronin1]

I only bathe Ronin about three or four times a year He's really not much of a dirty dog, so other than wiping off his feet on rainy days, that's about it (or he get's really stinky!) I use a doggie shampoo that is oatmeal based. It's easy on his skin and makes his coat look nice a shiny

 

[Bruno-L]

We bathe Bruno once a month, this is our 1st. boxer also, so we might be doing it to often though. We use Earth Bath Mango Tango, but the Oat Meal smells realy good too. You can get it at any pet store i believe.

 

[CoopersKeepR]

When I first became a boxer parent I did some research and learned that they are like cats in that they groom themselves often and I have found that this is true! I have two and they are similar to cats. They groom themselves and each other, a lot. I only have them bathed about once every three months, if that. My experience is that they like to be clean and they are fully capable of taking care of this on their own. I feel it is better to let nature take its course than to give a bath too many times. That can dry out the skin and cause coat issues. Of course I am very careful when applying any protecton such as frontline or advantix.

On rainy or snow days, I do have them wait by the door so I can clean their feet when they come in from being out doors and they want that because, as I said before, they don’t like to be dirty. I really do think it is a trait!!! They want to be clean and if mom or dad doesn’t do it, they will on their own. How does every one else feel about this??

 

[missysmama]

I know with my girl she starts smelling bad within a month of getting a bath.. Of course we have 2 other dogs in the house too. But yea she cant go 1 month without getting something. I wish she didnt have to get a bath so much. But she loves to play around in the yard, sun bathing, rolling around in the dirt. You name it.

 

[TY-Max]

Thanks so much to everyone. I have definitely been washing Max too much.
I'm hoping that is what the patches are.

 

[Mom0624]

Joey is crazy as a cat about keeping clean and loves to get in the shower. He gets his feet cleaned about every few days(and cant wait for the shower door to open and get in) and gets bathed every couple of weeks or whenever he needs it. Sometimes he sneaks in the shower and gets a rinse-off! We use the oatmeal pet wash also and it smells good and his coat shines. When he was about 6 months old the stress of puberty caused mange to develope so depending on your dogs age this could be something to consider. With treatment, it disappeared and he is a hunk now!

 

[msjosi]

Joey sounds just like my Josi b/c she loves to be clean and at times she will barge right into the shower when im in there. On average I would say I bath her once a month, unless she has gotten into something and that calls for an emergency bath. We also dry her feet off on a rainy day so they don't stay moist and get stinky. She definitely licks herself clean like a cat and it is very interesting to read the other posts that this is a common trait of boxers since I did not know this. THANKS!

 

[ScamperButt]

Try those Pet Wipes. Got mine at PetSmart, I think. I use them on Molly when she comes inside after playing and she loves to be wiped down. If I forget, she will stay by the front door like "Um... excuse me! You are forgetting something..."

Plus, they have vitamin E and aloe, so its good for their coats. It's an easy way to keep the dog smell down without having to bathe them everyday.