Dirt or Natural Oil?

CrazyDragon · 04-18-2010, 06:33 AM

Me and my family had been looking for our first dog. Obviously we want to understand as much as we can before actually getting one. So we went to meet some breeders and dog owners. Today, we met a 5.5 years old Golden Retriever owner.

Sabre was LOVES attention and was asking for more when we stopped to talk with the owner. After a while, we noticed that our fingers are getting a little sticky and weird. It's as if there's a layer of "stuff" on them. It is easily rubbed off, but it feels a little like holding a crayon or oil pastel for too long. When we were back, I went straight to the sink to wash it off. Somehow contact with water made the "stuff" very soapy. And I didn't have to wash them off with soap.

Now me and my brother are really wondering what that was. Was it dirt? Or the dog's natural hair oil? Or combination of both? Since it was easily washed off and feels soapy, could it be soap scum? Hopefully someone understands what am I trying to tell cause it does sound a little confusing. English is my second language after all. ><

I really want to know what that "stuff" we got from Sabre was. When I asked the owner how often he grooms Sabre, he only told us that he brushed him this morning as we were coming to see him. And he sounds a little offended when I asked. So I'm guessing he rarely brushes Sabre? Will frequent brushing prevent that from happening? Or is that natural in dogs? Also, Sabre has a very strong doggy odour. lol..

Kevin

**Criosphynx** · 04-19-2010, 08:17 PM

lol I call that 'outdoor dog" slime....basically the dog you touched hadn't been bathed in a while...so a mix of oil and dirt. Bathing the dog monthy will keep the coat from doing that...I just tend to notice it on outdoor dogs that may not be getting alot of "attention" from their owners

CrazyDragon · 04-19-2010, 11:57 PM

So if a Golden Retriever is brushed regularly like.. Once or twice a week, and maybe bathed once a month, it's coat won't go like that? Cause our mom was complaining about Sabre being too disgusting and was afraid that all Goldies are like that.

**Criosphynx** · 04-19-2010, 11:59 PM

I would say, if you did those things, your golden would likely have a wonderful, clean coat

provided they haven't rolled in mud or som'thing of the like

Radar · 04-20-2010, 02:08 AM

It's really easy to say you're going to give your Golden a bath once a month, but it often turns out to be less then that when reality sets in. It's not easy to wash a large hairy dog, believe me. Not like on TV when everyone is laughing and having fun washing the dog.

That's ok though, as long as you brush them regularly they don't need a bath monthly. If you don't brush them though, you've got a problem. Dogs shed their skin cells as much as they do their hair, and I'm betting the "slime" you felt was a combination of that skin, dirt, and natural oils what was "combed" through the hair since the owner said they'd just brushed him.

If you brush your Goldie every day, that should keep all that stuff from building up, so you won't have to bath so often. Even brushing daily is a big chore, but if you want the best for your new dog, try to do just that.

Or you could look for a breed that doesn't require as much grooming as a Goldie will.

Radar · 04-20-2010, 02:13 AM

Have you considered rescuing a dog from the local Shelter? I just did that and found a forever friend who's stolen my heart. He's also given me his love, as if he never had any other owner but me. Dogs are so appreciative when you rescue them from a shelter that they immediatly become your most devoted friend.

CrazyDragon · 04-20-2010, 08:35 AM

Thanks for explaining. I had considered adopting from SPCA or the local shelter. Problem is, the whole family is against it. And since this is going to be a family dog, majority over-rules minority. Not only that, as a first time dog owner, adopting from shelters might be a bad idea. We don't know the history of the dogs, health problems that will be inherited, or how their temperament is going to be like. Getting a puppy might be a safer option as we will know the history of it's parents. We did went to the shelters to have a look. All of the dogs were pitbull x or staffy x. I might be stereotyping but I just don't think a fighting breed is suitable with my family. Provided we have quite a young member of 7 years old.

**Criosphynx** · 04-20-2010, 04:12 PM

pit bulls were once considered "nanny dogs" and were as common as family dogs as goldens and labs are today. Human aggression is not part of the breed...not trying to change your mind, but just an fyi

Radar · 04-20-2010, 04:24 PM

Crazy, I understand. Whatever breed you choose, good luck in your families decision! ;-)

**fawkese1** · 04-21-2010, 01:04 AM

lol... remember that the dogs that are in the shelters used to be puppies.

there are no guarantees with behavior, even from a puppy that came from a great breeder and has great parents... if you get a dog from a breeder, please make sure that you do your research and choose to support a responsible breeder.