I want to know what is the best and I mean the best shampoo to give my blue pitbull a bathe in because I just simply don't know

I get mine from the Vet. A pet store is also a good starting place IF they are knowledgeable. Read the ingredients.

Earth bath is a good brand. Get the shampoo for a coat brightened.

There's a coat brightener shampoo? Is that for all dogs?

Good info. Is this pet shop stuff or would you buy it from the Vet?

I have a GSD and a Rott.

The coat brightener works best on light colored or white dogs. If your dog has white on it anywhere, it'll probably enhance it.

For dark colored dogs, there are shampoos out for dark coated dogs. Not sure if they work.

If the dog has skin problems, I really don't see a need to purchase shampoo through the vet. Oatmeal shampoos, although advertised differently, is very drying and causes more dandruff (my opinion).

The shampoo I loved and can't seem to find anymore, was the Milk Bath. My dogs shined like no other :)

Dawn dishsoap works great too. Nice shiney coat that doesn't strip the natural oils of the hair.

Of course with everything, all shampoos can be over done and flakey dandruff can appear. I usually wash my dogs once every month. Short haired dogs can be brushed with a terry cloth which will distribute the natural oils produced and you get a shiney coat. And I'm sure you can use it on long haired dogs as well.

Lucky what shampoo would you recommend for a dog with allergies.. We are using the vet medicated shampoo once a week. Owen is a short haired reverse brindle (not sure if that helps or not). He is over 2 years old.

Is it a food allergy? Or environmental?

If the shampoo you are using is working, than continue using it unless you want to change shampoos... And that could be a trial and error.

Environmental. I was just curious if there was a less expensive option out there after your comment about vet shampoos.

I use Allergroom, it's been the best for my bullies. They have allergies and this stuff smells great and makes their coat super shiny.

Enviromental. I was just curious if there was a less expensive option out there after your comment about vet shampoos.

Hah.. well... you caught me on a typo. I meant to say that if the dog doesn't have skin problems, there is no need to get shampoos sold at a vet clinic.

However, since your dog has environment allergies, I would think that meds would be your friend. Is he on any medicines for his allergies?

Just a Reactine a day during spring and summer.. I can tell he is my dog (I have allergies as well and am on Reactine during the same time).

That's similar to Benedryl?

Does it work for him? Or do you still see symptoms?

From what I understand Reactine is preventative. He does not seem to scratch as much and his chin is not as red.

Shampoos oh gosh there are so many different types.
There really is no "best" shampoo, it's what works best for you dog.

You can get color enchancing shampoos that make the coat appear a brighter, healthier color. Don't go to a pet shop, they charge an arm and a leg, go to a specialty horse shop. You can get twice as much shampoo for half the price.

You can get medicated shampoos if your dog has skin problems (dandruff etc.) Triocil and Malaseb are good ones. You can also get ones aimed to soothe itchy skin that contain oatmeal.

Really though, unless you have a show dog who needs to be highly groomed you really shouldn't be bathing unless the dog really needs it.
Bathing removes essential oils from the skin and can actually cause more skin problems than it prevents. If the dog is muddy/sandy from a fun day out it's better to just rinse with fresh, warm water.

Brushing is the BEST thing you can do for a dogs skin to keep it healthy. For a short coated breed like a Pitbull I would use a grooming mit. They are also available at horse shops and pet stores. They are made from rubber and have tiny little nubs all over them, they massage the skin and feel great as well as removing dead hair and dirt.

I have Miniature Poodles and they get a bath about every 6-8 weeks when they have their clip. And that is only out of necessity because clippers won't go through an oily coat.

From what I understand Reactine is preventative. He does not seem to scratch as much and his chin is not as red.

"Not as" and "As much" is telling me his itchies aren't completley gone. Have you gone to a vet for this? Did they say you can use this drug?

Yes the vet was the one that put him on the Reactine for his allergies. He gets worse in the spring and summer and she thinks it is from stuff that comes in contact with him (grass etc). He gets a weekly bath with the vet shampoo as that helps as well, at least that is what she told us.

If he gets worse spring and summer, that means that he still is itching during the winter and fall months. What is he eating?

He is on the salmon only food. Forget the name and hubby is not here to ask. He has been on this food since his allergy diagnosis when he was younger.