Blowdryin your sheltie?

[Ann]

I use my regular hair dryer set on low, and only blow dry them in the winter when it's cold just enough so they're not dripping but still damp. I brush them as I blow dry. Then I keep them inside until they're dry. Our have such thick undercoats that if I let them dry naturally in the winter months they wouldn't get outside all day.

I've been told that blow drying damages their hair, so I avoid it when I can. But I think a little damaged hair is a better choice than a sick dog when it's really cold. In the warmer weather, they just get towel dried, brushed, and dry naturally.

 

[Fergusmom]

I also use just a regular human blow dryer and brush as I dry. I always blow dry them. I've found if I let them air dry they run around like crazy and roll and rub themselves on everything. Their hair ends up sticking out every which way and they look like wild men, not to mention everything in the house ends up a little damp.They only get three or four baths a year so I don't think it should be too hard on their coat.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

There are great suggestions! I would suggest, though, that if you towel-dry her enough and then keep brushing, you really don't need to use the hairdryer.

We have a big forced-air dryer (made for dogs) that is great for when it's cold out and you don't want them to get a chill (ditto for using the human hairdryer for elderly dogs and small puppies), but if the weather's nice, she should be able to air-dry quite well. Just make sure to give her a good brushing as she dries to keep the hair from clumping.

(Here in NJ, I don't even own a hairdryer - they're murder on my hair - so when I have a dog visiting from my mom's who needs a bath, I just towel and brush and all ends well. )

During the summer I let them air dry but in the winter a drier is a must.

No matter how nice I try to make it for them, my three HATE being blow dried. Sadie and Ginny are more tolerant but Milo constantly tries to walk away.

I bought a Metro dog drier, which works much better than a human hair drier. Because it blows so much harder it takes less time to get them dry and I don't have to worry about the dogs getting over heated. Its louder and Milo especially hates the noise it makes, but he deals with it better when I cover his head.

I usually sit on the floor of the bathroom to blow dry them. I plug the dryer in, in the hallway, bring the hose in the bathroom with me and shut the door so that only the hose is in the bathroom and the drier itself is in the hallway, so that the noise isn't so loud. This helps the dogs deal with it, but I have to be careful not to pinch the hose.

 

[amfule]

I just had my Sheltie (Yuko) for a week and bathe her yesterday. Since it's hard to find a portable dog dryer where I live, I use a small leaf blower and it works fine. The air does not get hot too!