It's more important to brush a dog thoroughly than to give it a bath. A good brushing will get right down to the skin. Loose hair and dirt will fall out and the dog's natural insulation will work better. Brush backwards of the way the hair grows and then use a comb on a small section, starting at the bottom of the dog and combing the hair into it's natural shape.

Bella Mae is a Lab/Chow mix. I could comb her all day and still get loose hair off of her. But I seldom have to wash her. She smells like fresh air most of the time.

Mary