Salt Life??

K

Katzinjax

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I have a sheltie who LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVES the beach - (including the water, which its a constant battle to keep her from going in, much too deeply for a sheltie!! (i.e., over a tablespoon)). But she is on a leash and I'm completely in-control of her so she gets no farther than knee-deep, and loves it so I don't deny her, but only here and there and only for a few seconds.
She has a ball and this is also the only outlet for energy I can give her in the summertime, as neither of us can be out in the high temperatures here in Florida in summer, without the constant breeze we get at the beach.
My question is, do I need to rinse the saltwater out of her coat every time we go, if we go several times a week? I would love to take her, just for a walk up the beach a ways and back every day, but cannot and don't really even want to, keep her totally out of the water which she loves so much (I know - she managed to miss the "Shelties don't like water" memo, appartently) or otherwise have to do the whole rinse down with hose (which she DOESN'T like), towel, dry, and blow-dry/brush out every single day, as of course, even in the shallows, her ruff and tummy still get thoroughly soaked with all the jumping and waves - no matter how small, they still splash the tummy on a dog prancing and splashing around in them!). Is once a week enough or do I need to do it each time to keep from ruining her coat? Thanks, sorry for the probably dumb question. :(
 
Katzinjax said:
... Thanks, sorry for the probably dumb question. :(
Click to expand...

Doesn't sound like a dumb question to me, Katzinjax. I never thought of that angle before, but as I was reading your post, another question came to mind for me. For those of you that have experience with Shelties (and any other type of dog) and salt water, please weigh in on this: In addition to whether or not salt water should be rinsed of the dog's coat, what about the pads of his/her feet? Is there any concern with salt deposits dried on the foot pads, or is the normal action of walking sufficient to address any concerns?
 
I would give her a rinse of warm water every time she got into the water. I would not take a chance on drying the coat or any skin problems it may cause. Your vet may have a shampoo or rinse to help remove the salt water. Good Luck!
 
yup I rinse mine off every time they go to the beach...even if its just with the hose to get the salt off their skin/fur.
 
I think they smell "fishy" if they don't get rinsed off. And if she were to pick up any sand fleas the rinse off would probably kill them.
 
Thanks!

Thank you all for the replies! They all make a good case for rinsing every time and are very appreciated. That's what we'll be doing from now on! :yes:
 
Which beach do you go to? I know when I lived in Naples there was lovers key over in bonita and now here a bit north there is a dog beach park I am told about over in Venice. I haven't gone yet, Chauncey doesn't like water but he does like chasing birds occasionally at the dog park so seagulls might make him forget he doesn't like water.
 
I've heard the ocean water is actually good for their skin and coat. It does wonders to my hair :cool:

A quick rinse with the hose on the areas that got wet should be fine, I would think. As long as her whole body isn't wet, and it's just her legs and belly like you said, I don't think you would need to do any drying besides a really thorough towel dry. If you do all that at the beach where the people hose themselves off, and then towel dry her good, she should be pretty dry by the time you get home.
 
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