Why do dogs smell?
Like you and me, every dog has its own traditional smell. It is usually produced by sebum, an oily secretion produced by the sebaceous glands.
Under normal conditions, this odorous substance creates a protective barrier on the animal's skin, gives shine to the coat and maintains its waterproofness. However, if you don’t take care of your dog’s skin, particles of fat begin to accumulate, then break down and, as a result, smell bad. And the “dog smell” can be aggravated by bacteria, yeast and fungi that live on the animal’s skin and fur.
The severity of the odor is also influenced by:
- Floor, Males by nature smell stronger than females. However, during the period of heat (or immediately after it), the female may exude an unpleasant “fishy” odor in order to attract a partner.
- Age. in the first month of life , puppies smell like their mother’s milk (they are even called suckling), but during puberty - from 4 months to 1.5–2 years - the smell changes to “adult” and even intensifies for a while. It may also become brighter in older pets.
- Season. In hot weather , all tailed animals tend to smell more intensely. Especially if you bathe often and don’t have time to dry properly.
- Weather. The “aroma” can naturally intensify in the rain, since in a humid environment dirt is retained better and bacteria multiply more actively.
- Nutrition. Naturally fed dogs can smell very unpleasant. This is due to the fact that such food does not always maintain the balance of nutrients, which subsequently leads to gastrointestinal disorders.
- Condition of skin and coat. Dried dirt, stuck feces and urine are quite smelly in themselves. In addition, the smell may appear due to dandruff (seborrhea). By the way, even your pet’s lack of fur will not save you from its scent.
- General health. Sometimes the disgusting smell from a dog is not even associated with sebaceous secretions. Its cause may lie in gastrointestinal diseases, ear infections, poor oral hygiene, blockage of the anal glands, and skin diseases themselves.
Another important factor is the characteristics of the breed .
However, there are also breeds that emit almost no odor. They will be discussed below.
Dog breeds without odor
Basenji
Bolonki
Bichon Frize, Havanese, Maltese
Gentle and affectionate lapdogs are dogs that you can’t help but fall in love with. These are great companions with whom you can go on adventures and lie on the couch. Bichon Frize, Havanese, and Maltese do not smell because they have no undercoat and hardly shed. However, this does not mean that their curly coat does not require any care. Quite the contrary.To keep your lapdog's fluffy coat looking clean and tidy, it needs to be brushed every day. It is important to pay special attention to “fur pants” - without care, the fur in this area rolls into tangles.
But you should wash your lapdog as it gets dirty and only (!) with dog shampoo. Products for humans are not suitable for pets: they dry and irritate the skin of animals, not to mention the fact that they can cause an allergic reaction.
Chihuahua
This popular breed has a reputation for being noisy and stupid dogs. But is it fair?They, like other small breeds, of course, have their own ' quirks'- increased excitability and a tendency to bark excessively. At the same time, this is an intelligent and endlessly loyal dog that is faithful to its owner, no matter who he is.An additional advantage of the Chihuahua is its ease of care. If the long-haired version of the breed still needs to be brushed regularly to avoid the same tangles, then the short-haired version does not need this.
Dachshund
Doberman
While seemingly menacing and ferocious, the Doberman is actually a gentle and sensitive creature. In loving hands, he will make an excellent house dog, although he will remain essentially a vigilant and cautious guard.The Doberman's short coat is easy to keep clean. You can wipe it once a week with a damp cloth or glove, but during the molting period you will have to do this every other day.
The coat of this breed is hard and dense, but with proper care it has virtually no odor.
Terriers
Jack Russell Terrier
An overly independent and energetic dog. An ideal hunter of foxes and badgers, he is accustomed to relying only on his intelligence and speed.This breed requires mental stimulation and intense exercise. Without proper stress, she will quickly begin to get bored . And there is nothing more destructive than a bored Jack Russell Terrier.The smooth coat of this dog is easy to care for. After an active walk, she may need a refreshing shower, but the rest of the time, periodic brushing will be enough.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies are mischievous and cheerful little ones who love to be in the center of events. Moderately daring and courageous, they do not think about their size and communicate on equal terms even with their larger relatives.Silky coat is the main advantage of this breed. It shines, does not fade, and feels like hair. You won't smell the usual dog smell from her.
The Yorkshire Terrier needs special care: constant brushing (once a day or every other day), washing (once a week) and regular haircuts. A Yorkie's coat grows quickly and can become tangled without grooming.
Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier is another dog on the mind. Intellectually developed and independent, she lives by her own rules and is not easy to train. But at the same time, she becomes strongly attached to her owners and loves their family dearly.During walks, the long “coat” of the Scottish Terrier can get dirty and smelly, but thanks to the wire structure of the coat, dust and dirt fall off quite well on their own.
A dog of this breed should be trimmed monthly or cut every two to three months. And bathing is only possible after contamination.
Pomeranian Spitz
Curious and cheerful, the Spitz is an incredibly artistic dog that enjoys being the center of attention. He loves fun, games and is always excited for new adventures.Pomeranians love to be treated like royalty. This also applies to fur care. Fine hairs and undercoat should be carefully combed two to three times a week (both in line with hair growth and against it). But it is recommended to wash your Spitz no more than twice a year: he, like the Basenji, is used to looking after himself.
Poodle
A universal companion that will fit into any family. Amazingly smart, nimble and playful, he will become an excellent friend to his owner and fill his life with happiness.It's hard to call a standard poodle a dog that doesn't smell at all. After all, this breed was bred to hunt waterfowl - that’s why its skin secretes more odorous oil. However, miniature and dwarf representatives of the breed have almost no smell.A poodle's coat does not shed on its own; it needs to be brushed every day. And the curls need to be trimmed regularly to make the dog look well-groomed.
Not by leaving alone
Of course, proper hygiene - washing, cutting, brushing teeth and ears - is the first thing you should think about when you notice a smell from your dog.If grooming does not solve the problem, you should pay attention to your pet’s diet. Poor quality feed and table food can disrupt the gastrointestinal tract and, as a result, lead to a foul odor. In this case, switching the dog to a balanced super premium diet will help .
Veterinarian-formulated dry and wet foods contain high-quality ingredients to help keep dogs healthy throughout their lives.If you experience any alarming symptoms, do not try to treat your pet yourself—consult a doctor immediately. The smell may appear due to a disease that only an expert can determine.
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