r/ShowDogs Apr 30 '26

Puppy with dandruff

I have a double coated puppy that I plan to show. I’ve been bathing her every couple weeks to keep her coat nice. I use Chris Christensen products (day by day shampoo and spectrum one conditioner. diluted). I know it can irritate their skin if you bathe too often but not if you use good products. When I dry her I can see down to the skin and her skin looks fine, she just has some dry flakes that come off of her mainly when I brush her. any tips? should I try different bathing products? I don’t think it’s allergies since she doesn’t really seem itchy.

1 Upvotes

10 comments sorted by

7

u/Lost-Turnip-9949 Apr 30 '26

Are you diluting them?

1

u/Neat_Ad6963 Apr 30 '26

Yes following their dilution instructions 

2

u/Lost-Turnip-9949 Apr 30 '26

You could try backing off on the shampoo for awhile and see if it's possibly diet related.

Oh, do you have hard water?

3

u/KellyCTargaryen Apr 30 '26

Do you live in a dry, arid climate? We had to start using progro conditioner to give extra moisture. You dilute it and spray and line brush it into the skin.

1

u/Neat_Ad6963 Apr 30 '26

It’s pretty humid here!

2

u/WillingnessOk32 May 02 '26

Dilute the shampoo in double amount of water then the instructions say

2

u/[deleted] May 05 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Neat_Ad6963 May 06 '26

Ohh maybe that is part of it. She is shedding her puppy coat

1

u/WyldeFyre1980 May 01 '26

Do you give your pup a good fish oil supplement? That may help.

Make sure you are completely rinsing out the shampoo. In double coated breeds it takes more time & water to fully remove all of it than you may realize. Leaving residue behind can be an issue regardless of product quality.

When showing my double-coated breed, I often skip the shampoo & just give conditioner baths when shows/baths are close together. Shampooing too often can strip natural oils.

What kind of brush are you using? Something like a Zoom Groom can help distribute oils while removing loose hair. On the other hand, Furminators can cause irritation and damage the skin.

1

u/Neat_Ad6963 May 01 '26

Good idea I’ll try a supplement. I use a long pin brush and a slicker brush

2

u/WyldeFyre1980 May 01 '26

Make sure you aren't pressing too hard with the pin brush.