batheing your longhairs, do you use shampoo and conditioner or just shampoo? Does conditioner make a difference in their coat? Do you recommend it when batheing them?

I use conditioner-it's made a huge difference, in my opinion. I use Summerwinds shampoo, conditioner and a coat protector, and it's made them much silkier and shinier.

Specifically what do you use?

That would be nice for my chocolates!

I mean, what Summerwinds product do you use?

I use their Shine-on shampoo, Fine-l-shine conditioner and the protect-a-coat, which is an oil based coat protectant. It does help protect the coat from sun, although it probably would work better if I applied it daily. I'm pretty bad about it. They are all concentrated, so you dilute them down. The protect a coat, you can put in a spray bottle and just spray them down every morning if you remember.

We use this: http://www.entirelypets.com/vetsoaloash1.html... my vet sent it home with me last year when one of the doxies had skin issues, and it is just an AWESOME routine shampoo. I use it with the conditioner as well. Their coat is super soft and shiny afterward, and it smells good too. I love it! The vet charged $16 for each 16 oz bottle, but I just found it for almost half the price on this website.

I'm not to particular on shampoo brands, I usually buy oatmeal shampoo from wal-mart, water it down to 3/4 water (very dilute). as for conditioner, i definitely use it, it keeps in moisture and keeps the coat from matting. I just use human conditioner (straightening is great) I also put Frizz ease on while the coat is damp and more after the coat is dry (if needed). This is for a longhair.

I use Fur Butter by Happy Tails as a conditioner - works great but it's expensive for a little tub and I use a lot

I also have a spray leave in conditioner that I use someitmes, but I forget who makes it.

Isle of Dogs have good products as well - they make one for dogs that shed a lot that's also supposed to help with hair growth. It contains royal jelly, but looking at the ingredients list there is nothing in that has been proven to help with either problem. I haven't used it yet, so I can't comment on that. I have used some of their other shampoos - I got samples at Woofstock last year and they were pretty good. If you can get their products at an event like Woofstock they're usually reduced in price.

I use Pantene shampoo, the nature kind. I'd have to look at the exact name. Nature Fusion or something. But I LOVE it. It makes their coats thick, shiny, and so soft. It also makes their skin nice. It's really worked well for me It even makes my mastiff's coat super soft and shiny and most the time it's more of a harsh coat.

You know, I had seen your post awhile back and meant to follow up on this. I had fur butter from long ago that I had bought for Winston and he was allergic to something in it (it made him scratch like mad), but your post reminded me that I had it. I've used it on Millie for her last few baths (just used up the last of it), and that girl is so soft and silky. I'm debating ordering another tub, along with my favorite of their products-Dog Smog remedy

If you go to dog shows, I would recommend visiting the 3C's, They have a lot of Chirs Christensen products, and they have all worked pretty well. The only thing i dont like is the After Bath, you have to use a lot of it to coat the whole dog.

I love their products! I just wish they were a little cheaper... I've tried to be more conservative with the fur butter but then I can't seem to use enough to cover the dog, lol. It's a little annoying that it disappears into the coat (although I suppose that means it's working, lol) because I can never remember where I've already put some.