best shampoo for doodles?

[Sandy and Douglas Jardine]

Dear Doodle Lovers:

What do you recommend as the best shampoo for Doodles?  I like to bring my own shampoo and conditioner to the groomer and I was using Best Shot.  I like it very much but I thought I would check in with the wisdom of the group and ask your opinions.  Sophie sheds, she has wavy, not curly hair.  It is much more like a Golden Retriever than Poodle.  I appreciate your help.  Thank you.

 

Sandy Jardine

Sophie's mom

 

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I like the Tropiclean and Earthbath brands - both 100% natural

[Vicki, Jeff & Nutmeg]

We had a hard time finding a good shampoo because I personally don't like the perfumy smells, and also wanted something very gentle. Decided to try regular old Johnson's Baby Shampoo, diluted a bit, and it works great. Nutmeg does not itch afterwards and I don't sneeze from the smell. And it doesn't sting her eyes :)

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

We've tried a bunch of different shampoos...all to alleviate various skin problems...dry skin, sensitive skin, etc. Everything seemed to make Lola itch , and her skin was always really dry. I started using the shampoo I use for myself (either Dove or Pantene) and it works GREAT!!! Her coat is always shiny and silky soft, and she hasn't had any skin problems!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Wow!  This post is interesting!  I use Milksheen 4 in 1 shampoo, but like Sandy says, it does have a funny smell to it.  Although after I put his conditioner on (from Chris Christensen) I can't smell it anymore.  My biggest gripe I guess with the Milksheen is that it doesn't really lather up, so I keep putting more & more on, which I probably don't need to do.

 

Sandy anybody who has used Milksheen - Do you get the Milksheen shampoo to lather up??? Is there a different shampoo that lathers better?

 

When I used to bathe my former dog, I used Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo & I loved that smell.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

the Wahl lathers brilliantly and you only need a little.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I use brands of Baby Shampoos

[Barbie]

A long time ago, I heard that baby shampoo was bad for dogs, and always wondered if that was true. Apparently your kiddoodles haven't had any issues with it, have they? Which brands do you use?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I do not bathe my dogs as often as  many people do.  Maybe 6 times a year.  I've used the basic Johnson and Suave.   I dilute these too.

Another reason is that pet shampoos seem to slide that insecticide ingredient into some of the products.  Human products are not permitted to do this in everyday shampoos.

Right now I have Suave and I've used Johnson Green Baby Shampoo.  I love to use the Shampoo/Conditioner, no more tangles types.

My Spud, HATES the smell of many of these products so I have to be careful.  He literally GROWLS with the smell of Mane and Tail

Really though, if you can afford it, there are great products out there for dogs. You can find some of these mentioned in the Grooming Group here on DK

[Camilla and Darwin]

Darwin has never had a problem with baby shampoo... and he has pretty sensitive skin.

[Camilla and Darwin]

We have used Main and Tail on Darwin, with good success. Also, we have used Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo, which also works great.

[Barbie]

I like this thread! :0) I've been looking for a good shampoo for Zeus. Hercules (my Portie) has been going to a groomer since 2001 (when he got to heavy for me to lift into the tub). But, I plan to bathe Zeus at home, with just periodic grooming visits for sanitary clips and haircuts. I want a shampoo that smells good for a long time and moisturizes the skin.

NO OATMEAL shampoos though. Years ago, I bathed Hercules and my GR (now deceased) with a really expensive oatmeal shampoo. Within 24 hours, they were both scratching like crazy with dry, itchy skin, so I quit using oatmeal-based products. Last year, Hercules' skin got that way again, so I immediately called Petsmart and asked what shampoo they used on him. Answer: "Oatmeal". I told them never to use anything with oatmeal on him again. I don't know what it is about that stuff, and even my vet said he's never heard of a dog having a bad reaction to oatmeal - he even recommends it to patients with dry skin. But, I won't ever use it again on any of my dogs.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I wash my two a lot more than is probably recommended, and Murphy is fine with just about any shampoo but Bella had a problem with shampoos with soap so we use Tropiclean on her. It's been a year and I just used a soap shampoo on her last time and she was fine. It's an Almond Dog Shampoo that is made locally here in Phoenix and sold at the Ryan's Dog supply warehouse there.

Our Vet recommends soapless shampoos as well.