Just lately my large long haired dog has been having a whale of a time walloing in the mud in our local park. I try to get as much mud off as i can but sometimes the smell is just awful. Does owing a dog need to be such hard work! Is there some sort of dry shampoo that can be used? I've heard of using a chamois cloth on the short smoothcoated dogs but apart from shaving my dog what is th alternative of getting him all spruced up before his next mudlogged walk! Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.     

I proper bath in the bath with a dog shampoo!

If they get into stagnant water or worse then there is no option but a proper bath to ahve them smelling good again.

If it is just mud leave them to dry really well and then thoroughly brush out the coat.  Most coats will self clean with a good brushing.

My dog is also a large, long haired type and when she comes home muddy I take her into the garden and hose her down (she doesn't seem to mind whatever the weather).  That way, you can dry her off and any water that does remain is relatively clean (although the smell may still be a problem as 'wet dog' is not the popular choice for a fragrance!).  If the smell is that bad, then you can buy sprays, but the smell usually disappears when the coat is dry anyway.

Fiona

Make sure you keep brushing the dog after it is wet or it will get all knotted up.