I've been getting complaints...

Elia · 09-11-2009, 10:13 AM

That Remy, my basset hound, smells badly. He eats TOTW, gets bathed weekly, and I've started brushing his teeth thinking his own saliva was causing the problem. No dice - he still smells. It's getting to the point that people don't want to be near him when they come over and one non-dog loving friend doesn't like him simply because of this

Any product or other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

SMoore · 09-11-2009, 06:20 PM

Have you had a vet look him over or perhaps have them check his anal glands? Bassets do tend to be one of the breeds I find to be "smelly" often but weekly bathing should definitely be helping.

Are you bathing him or does he go to a grooming shop? You could look at different quality of shampoos.

Also check his ears, the smell could be coming from there as well a vet would be able to tell you if he has an ear or yeast infection.

Elia · 09-11-2009, 07:01 PM

Ears and anal glands are ok - I really think that it is just his natural smell. The current shampoo was just a quick petsmart grab. When it runs out (soon, at this rate) I'll try some higher quality products. Maybe having a nice professional groom would help as well?

Inga · 09-11-2009, 07:55 PM

So he has been to the vet for a good "going over?" What kind of dog is he? That is abnormal for a dog to be so smelly. Is it just gas? You might want to add a couple tablespoons of low fat, plain yogurt to each of his meals. That will help with any digestive issues. It is safe and good for your dog.
I use a shampoo called "Miracle Coat" and it works great. Leaves their hair soft and smelling nice. If they are in crates you might find that washing their kennel mats/blankets once a week will help. It seems dogs get a little more stinky if they are in crates. Mine did anyway. Not an issue as long as their kennel blankets are kept super clean.

DJsMom · 09-11-2009, 08:00 PM

How's his teeth? I know you've said you've started brushing them, but if they're already bad, rotting teeth can smell terribly.

Binkalette · 09-11-2009, 08:03 PM

Hmm.. you might give Eqyss Micro-Tek Pet Shampoo a try.. I haven't used it specifically for odor, but i use it all the time for the itchies, and it really works great for that

I have noticed they smell better for longer with this shampoo as well.. so it may be worth a try.

Here's a thread with some DF's opinions on it: http://www.dogforums.com/4-dog-groom...poo-spray.html (Eqyss Microtek shampoo or spray)

GroovyGroomer777 · 09-11-2009, 09:02 PM

Awww, poor guy.

I would love on your dog no matter how stinky he is.

A pro grooming may help, if it isnt a health issue. A pro groom can use a high quality shampoo and conditioner, and some nice doggy perfume. If you like the scent you can buy some for home and give him a good spray when company is coming by.

Kathyy · 09-12-2009, 02:10 AM

Sassy used to be stinky. I just thought that was that but she doesn't stink any more and she is 16 years old and has kidney disease. She now eats specially designed home cooked food and gets a very powerful probiotic for her kidney disease. Her anal sacs, ears, mouth and coat are all much better than before home cooking. Definitely try the yogurt or something even more powerful. Could try feeding a simpler food in case it is a slight food intolerance causing some of the smell. Come to think of it I use the MicroTek shampoo on her as well. Good stuff! Try a bath every couple of weeks and wipe out the wrinkly bits daily with a damp cloth just in case of irritation or something smelly stuck in there.

I didn't do any of this to reduce stink. I had lived with a stinky Sassy for 13 years, just a nice bonus she isn't stinky now.

Elia · 09-12-2009, 07:06 AM

He is a 4 year old basset hound. I adopted him just a few months ago. The smell is most definitely coming from his fur, he rarely is gassy. His teeth aren't the best but aren't to the point of rotting - the vet and I discussed a dental and I wanted to try a good food and regular brushing before putting him under. If that doesn't improve in the next month or so, we'll be going back for that dental.
I think I'm going to go with a professional groom and purchasing the Eqyss and some dog cologne - then following up with the dental.
The thing that really gets to me is that I don't think he smells badly. He just smells like "dog" (if you know what I mean) and I LIKE that smell. However, my friends and family have all complained, so I guess I'm just a weirdo

meghf · 09-12-2009, 09:07 AM

I met my first bloodhound recently and was talking to my Dad after. I told him the dog was sweet and cute but she sure did stink to high heaven! He told me that hounds are known for being smelly, it's just part of their charm. Might just be part of his charm and hopefully you can manage as best possible and your friends can learn to deal with (that's of course if there's no medical reason for his stink).

Good luck!

Inga · 09-12-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meghf

I met my first bloodhound recently and was talking to my Dad after. I told him the dog was sweet and cute but she sure did stink to high heaven! He told me that hounds are known for being smelly, it's just part of their charm. Might just be part of his charm and hopefully you can manage as best possible and your friends can learn to deal with (that's of course if there's no medical reason for his stink).

Good luck!

I hope you worded it to this doggy owner a little nicer then "cute but she sure did stink to high heaven!" lol I think I would feel very sad if anyone said something like that to me about my dog. Maybe because I am so fussy about my dogs being clean though.

Elia · 09-12-2009, 12:51 PM

It makes me sad when people make comments about my dog's smell, especially when I'm trying so hard to remedy the situation. I have heard that about hounds as well, but I'm hoping to minimize that characteristic.

meghf · 09-12-2009, 03:23 PM

I definitely didn't say anything about her smell to her owner, just went on about how cute she was. And the owner mentioned she had just been bathed in the last week. You have to understand though that for the last 8 years I've really only been around standard poodles and they tend to have less of a dog smell than most dogs.

Anyway, wasn't trying to offend anyone, just pointing out to the OP that hounds might just naturally smell a little more than other dogs and despite her best efforts he might just have that doggie smell.

Elia · 09-12-2009, 04:23 PM

I'm not offended at all - just frustrated, especially with my boyfriend who knows how hard I'm trying and still complains about it daily.
So, what DO standard poodles smell like?

meghf · 09-12-2009, 05:10 PM

Haha, standard poodles smell like heaven to me. But seriously, can't explain the smell, since they have hair not fur they just don't have a very doggie smell unless they get really dirty outside (like when my dog rolls in goose poop, yuck, speaking of smelly). To me they just smell warm and cuddly. :-)

Glad I didn't offend you, certainly wasn't trying to, the bloodhound I met was so sweet and cute, she just smelled like a dog x 100. Good luck finding something that works for you guys.

Inga · 09-12-2009, 05:28 PM

It is very true that hounds tend to have more odor. Hunting dogs and the sort also tend to have more aroma. They have more oils in their coats to protect them from the elements. It is those odors that put some folks off from these breeds. As cute as I think most of them are, I would avoid owning one for that reason. I tend to be more of a fan of less aromatic breeds myself. Rotties tend to not carry a lot of odors though I will admit, Carsten is my smelliest boy. He just gets bathed a little more frequently and his blankets are washed weekly. No smells in my house, I just can't deal with that.

HuggaPug · 09-12-2009, 07:10 PM

Standard Poos DO smell like the angels they are :0) Bassetts and those other hound-type breeds tend to always have a doggy smell as others have pointed out. One shampoo you could try is Fresh N Clean- Petsmart should have it. I don't like it but alot of our clients do. The shampoo scent seems to last awhile. It is way too perfumy for me but I guess that's what makes the scent last.

Purplex15 · 09-12-2009, 09:31 PM

Have you checked his ears?

bassets are very prone to ear infections, and very frequently, it causes a very bad odor when not treated. check the ears, infection will be reddish/brownish gunk, and have a yeasty/bacterial smell. the ear can sometimes be red and inflamed as well. if there is an infection, the vet can give you some drops and maybe antibiotic to clear it up. after that, frequent washing and checking of the ear can keep infections at bay. some dogs live with ear infections their whole lives.

If the ears are not the problem, then i have found that drool on this breed is a real problem. it almost becomes a solid material that gets caught in the fur along their front legs and chest. frequent bathing, and waering bibs have made this problem a lot better.

let me know if those arent the problem and maybe i can think of some other

Elia · 09-14-2009, 08:01 AM

The only time he drools is when he gets overheated on walks (and not very much then) - guess I lucked out and got a "dry-mouth" Basset! Thanks for all of the suggestions guys.

BooLette · 09-14-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elia

The only time he drools is when he gets overheated on walks (and not very much then) - guess I lucked out and got a "dry-mouth" Basset! Thanks for all of the suggestions guys.

My basset doesn't drool either. I haven't ever met one that drooled excessively.
The only time my Penelope drools is when you have a really yummy treat you won't give her.

I just wanted to add my input and say that my basset also has this 'houndy' smell that you are talking about. I hardly ever notice it, and she too gets bathed more frequently than my corgi mix. She gets her ears cleaned once a week and bathed every other. I think that if you over bathe though he might produce more oils to compensate for being stripped so often and might actually end up smelling more. I also wash her crate bedding EVERY DAY without fail. I don't let her steep in her stench, so to speak.

Really, I don't think there is much that you can do other than what you already are doing. Bassets just have a certain smell to them. I have learned to like it because I associate it with warm snuggles I guess.

Good luck though!