Every dog has different grooming requirements, and some breeds are more high maintenance. Baths are essential to keep your dog happy, healthy, and clean. So what about bathing a Brittany spaniel—how often should you do it?
You can bathe a Brittany spaniel as often as every week. Some owners prefer to bathe their Brittany spaniel bi-weekly. Brittany spaniels are an active dog breed, so the important part is to clean them whenever they get visibly dirty.
Keep reading as I discuss how you should bathe and groom a Brittany spaniel correctly.
Bathing Your Brittany Spaniel
Let’s get into the steps required for the bathing process of your Brittany spaniel. This will help your dog’s bath be a smooth, rewarding experience.
Gathering Bathing Supplies
It’s best to gather all of your supplies before calling your dog to the bathtub. This way, the dog doesn’t get restless while waiting for you. Doing this also helps to have everything on hand instead of scrambling around looking for something only to find out you don’t know where it is.
The essential supplies to have when bathing your Brittany are as follows:
- Water
- Towels – I use the My Doggy Place Dog Towel for my pups.
- Your choice of shampoo
- A bucket, showerhead, or hose to rinse
Here are supplies that may be useful to have:
- A blow dryer
- Pins
- A slicker brush – I recommend the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
- Conditioner
Running the Water
You can use either a regular bathtub or a portable tub for bathing your Brittany spaniel. If you want to wash your Brittany outside, you can buy plastic tubs to stand your dog in. Make sure the water is not too deep or too shallow to wash the dog effectively.
The other essential factor when running the water is temperature. You don’t want the water to be too hot and burn your Brittany spaniel. Ensure the water is lukewarm, not too hot to cause burns, and not too cold to shock your dog.
Shampooing Your Brittany
Dog shampoo types are expansive and varied. The type you use will depend on the needs of the dog. For example, a dog with an oily coat will need a different shampoo than a dog with dry skin. The thickness of their coat plays a role as well.
The coat can vary between different Brittany spaniels, so there’s no one hard and fast rule to which shampoo you should use. Just keep in mind any particular circumstances your dog may have, such as itching or strong odors. Oatmeal is an excellent ingredient for soothing skin, and there are many deodorizing shampoos on the market. My vet recommended Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo for our dogs. I researched several different brands and this was hands down the best choice.
When shampooing your Brittany spaniel, start around the neck and work your way down the body. This will help keep any insects or fleas from hiding on your dog’s ears or face. Make sure to get around the armpits and belly.
You want to be careful to avoid getting shampoo in your dog’s ears or eyes. This is not only unpleasant for the pet but can also cause long-term damage. If you must wash their face, use a wet washcloth and gently wipe their face down.
Rinsing Well
You can use a showerhead, hose, or bucket of water to rinse your Brittany spaniel. Make sure to avoid splashing water into the ears or the eyes.
You want to be absolutely sure to get all the soap residue off of your dog, as it can leave sticky spots on your dog’s fur if not rinsed properly. Leftover soap can also cause skin irritation. Double-check all the nooks and crannies where soap might get left behind, such as the armpits and between the toes.
Applying Conditioner
While not essential, conditioner can aid significantly in keeping your Brittany spaniel’s coat shiny and smooth. It also helps avoid tangles when brushing your dog’s coat. Much like shampoo, the dog conditioner you use will depend on your dog’s specific needs. Sticking with the Earthbath brand my vet recommended for shampoo, Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Conditioner is available on Amazon.
You should apply conditioner all over the dog’s body, avoiding the face. It should be applied similarly to shampoo, just without the lathering motion. You should then rinse it thoroughly.
Drying with a Towel or Force Dryer
There are a few ways you can dry your Brittany spaniel:
- Towel dry the dog and then let them air dry. This method is easy, but the dog may rub themself on the carpet or furniture in order to try to dry faster.
- Wrap a towel around the dog and use pins to secure it. This is preferable if your dog has a thick or wavy coat. It helps keep the fur smooth and shiny and prevents it from becoming frizzy.
- Use a force dryer. These are commonly used by professional pet groomers. If you don’t have one handy, you can also use a hairdryer on a cool setting. You’ll want to comb the dog’s fur as you dry it to keep it from becoming unruly.
Brushing Your Brittany’s Coat
The last step in the bathing process is brushing your Brittany spaniel. This keeps the coat nice and smooth and prevents tangles. It’s also an excellent bonding experience between pet and owner.
- Start with a pin brush to gently remove any tangles. Work in the direction of growth and don’t pull too hard. Once all the knots are gone, and you can brush easily all the way down the body, you can move to the next brush.
- Follow up on the detangling part with a thorough slicker brushing. A slicker brush penetrates deep into the coat and is used to prevent matting. These brushes gently remove loose fur to leave the coat smooth and shiny.
- Finish off with a bristle brush to really bring out the shine in your dog’s coat. This step is not required but is a great way to bring out your Brittany spaniel’s beauty.
All different dog brushes for grooming can be found here on Amazon.
Final Thoughts
Grooming is important, no matter whether your dog is a show dog or just a furry friend. It’s important to bathe your Brittany spaniel whenever it’s dirty and up to as often as weekly. Bathing can be a wonderful bonding experience for you and your pet, and it will bring out your dog’s natural beauty.
