I know there are a number of people who do not bathe their Labradors before a show, this question is not for them. Bottom line is my dog is going to get a bath, plain water is not going to cut it.

Which shampoos have people used on their labs, with what results?

Anyone use Biogroom Extra Body? What results?

She started shedding undercoat the day after entries closed, so something that gives the remaining coat a fuller appearance wouldn't hurt, ideas?

Plan is a bath about 7-4 days before the show, or even later if there is a shampoo that will not soften or dry her coat. I'm not going to shows every weekend, just once in a while. so it isn't like the bathing will be frequent.

Thanks.

Use a non-detergent shampoo like Hylite, it uses fatty acids to clean instead of soap and won't dry the skin. They work very well and can be used as often as you like.

. Dermotology vet told us to use plain human Head and Shoulders be it before a show or for any reason. He is an excellent specialist who we used for our spayed, allergic bitch who was never bred due to his advice about how allergies can be inherited 10 years ago.

That is the dermatologist's opinion for what it's worth. When we used it on our dogs shown at Potomac that had to be bathed a week prior due to rolling in dog doo, all of those few were in the ribbons 2nd thru 4th. :-) Good luck with bathing with whatever you decide to use.

I have been using Mane and Tail shampoo and conditioner for years, on my Labs and my grooming customers. It kills odors and is great for dry skin, also. It doesn't strip the coat.

I use Murphy's Oil Soap...yep, Murphy's Oil Soap. It is 98% natural, has citronella in it and it does not dry their coat or skin out. I love it. They smell wonderful for days too. It is much cheaper than any shampoo.

"Mane 'N Tail shampoos and other hair and nail products for horses and humans has decided to support NY-CLASS, an anti-horse organization that seeks to ban all carriage horses in NYC and replace them with reproduction "vintage" electric cars."

For anyone concerned about protecting our rights to own animals and have working horses, I urge you all to join this boycott. Mane N' Tail has sided with the animal rights groups over this issue and support an ordinance that will essentially put all these people out of business. These protester scream and yell at these horses daily (who is the true abuser in the case?).

We need to send this company a clear message that they are going to hurt ALL horse and animal owners by supporting the animal rights groups. Therefore we must show them that we will stand together and boycott their products as true horsemen and animal lovers. Hurt THEM where it counts. Join the discussions on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/blue-star-equiculture/hold-mane-n-tail-accountable-for-supporting-anti-horse-group-ny-classs-ban-on-ny/451282918221283

https://www.facebook.com/NoMnT

Thank you

Thanks for the shampoo suggestions so far, keep them coming.

So weird about Mane 'N Tail, what is wrong with a horse having a job, better than sitting around in a pen all day or slaughtered. What next, ban city police horses? Frequently wish I could make trips to town on my mare, alas, we would get run over by a semi within 1/2 a mile.

Yes is strange that they would side with the AR groups. The boycott has been put on hold. I am promised some good news in the morning. Unfortunately many companies and even celbreties get caught up in thinking they are doing good and that the AR groups are only looking out for the "welfare" of the animals, when in reality these groups want to end all use of animals. They thought the carriage industry in NY would be an easy target. They will have to guess again. LOL

We use Isle of Dogs Evening Primrose shampoo .. love their products. I bath my dogs the day before and sometimes even the morning of a show ... have no problem going BOB, Select, Group placements, BISS, BOSS, AOM or winning classes - even at the Potomac - with this regime and have been doing it for years .. also use Plush Puppy Black Opal Shampoo WOW they look great.

Before the Potomac this year tried Cowboy Majic .. it worked well, but still preferred IoD or Plush Puppy ...

I am curious how shampoo for black coated dogs works on chocolate dogs ? I've used the bronzing bio brand for my chocolates which is ok if they are in coat. is there any shampoo that works for chocolates when they go through that light funky burnt orange blowing coat phase ?

This just in:

Stephen Malone, President of the Horse and Carriage Association of New York City, and I met with Devon Katzev, President of Straight Arrow, makers of Mane 'N Tail and Beth White, director of public relations for the company, at Clinton Park Stables in Manhattan.

Devon and Beth were horrified and deeply apologetic for having their product end up at NY-CLASS's fundraising event. The decision to send product was based on the celebrity guest list and a tip from a veterinarian who told them about an event for "horse welfare" going on in New York. They were, until Saturday, unaware of NY-CLASS's political agenda and their desire to ban carriages and replace them with electric cars. Devon admitted that the whole affair was an appalling lack of doing one's homework, and Mane 'N Tail is already revamping their policies for celebrity endorsements and product donations for events - especially so that there is never a conflict between Mane 'N Tail's equestrian mission - to provide good products to horse owners in all disciplines - and their marketing decisions.

Steve and I showed them the stable, with the same reaction that it always gets, as the carriage stable is wonderful and the horses beautiful and friendly (as usual). Devon and Beth are long-time horse people and so they didn't need to be convinced of the care the carriage horses receive and the importance of horses having good working homes.

We helped Mane 'N Tail write a retraction of their support of NYCLASS. They hope that their customers will accept their heartfelt apology and will continue to use their product... and frankly, we hope you all do, too. They will also be taking down the blog about writing the Mayor to support Intro 86, and instead writing a blog about their visit to the stables. They are also interested in sponsoring ClipClopNYC 2013 and in promoting Blue Star Equiculture, the various details of which will have to be worked out.

One of the things I was most impressed with was Mane 'N Tail's concern that if they were to help make amends via product, that they not take away business from the people who currently sell grooming supplies to the industry. Zimmerman's harness shop in Pennsylvania need not worry! That's the kind of equestrian-community based thinking that is wonderful to see. Devon had many great ideas about involving the public with working horses in New York City - and was interested in promoting all the work Blue Star Equiculture is already doing in western Massachusetts for bringing horses into people's lives. (He also finds the carriage industry's history fascinating... so he is a man after Blue Star's "Human history is written in hoof prints" heart.)

The overall meeting was a meeting among horse people. Yes, there is a business angle, too... but Devon is rightfully proud of his business, just as Steve is proud of his carriage business and we are proud of Blue Star's non-profit horse-welfare-and-advocacy business. I think that this is the beginning of an important and strong relationship with Mane 'N Tail as we all come together as horse people to make things right.

(And by "things" we don't just mean this one incident with the May 3rd fundraiser... we mean THINGS - everything - that is wrong with how working horses and carriage horses in NYC in particular are attacked by animal rights people, people with political agendas, and people who are ignorant about horses. Let's make the wrong right.)

Glad that worked out for all involved.

UGGGHHHHH!!!! It's not natural any more since they changed the formula AND my labs HATE citronella so that would be torture for some to wash them in it!