Deciding which type of shampoo to use for your Bernedoodle during bath time might seem like a small decision, but it’s actually extremely important. Bernedoodles have sensitive skin, and using the wrong shampoo can cause itching, irritation, and unwanted pet dander.
Additionally, bernedoodles are loved for their very fluffy coats with textures ranging from straight to wavy to curly. But the beautiful fluff and coat texture may disappear if you use the wrong shampoo for their needs.
If you recently purchased a Bernedoodle and have no idea which shampoo to use for them, you’ve come to the right place.
Fawn River Doodles is a leading expert in the world of Bernedoodles, and we’ll help you decide which dog shampoo is right for you. We’ll also explain the importance of giving your doodle a proper bath and give you some bathing tips and tricks!
What’s the best shampoo? Our top picks
Part of the reason that choosing the right shampoo for your Bernedoodle is so difficult is because there are hundreds of options to choose from.
While you can do the research yourself and try out different options, our personal favorite is Wahls 4-1 Shampoo and Conditioner. This is the shampoo and conditioner we use on our Bernedoodles, and we’ve had great luck with it.
Wahls 4-1 Shampoo and Conditioner is a gentle product that uses a calming formula, which is ideal for dogs with sensitive skin. In addition to being a shampoo and conditioner, this product smells great and acts as a detangler and moisturizer.
It’s also pH-balanced, paraben-free, and alcohol-free, and its main ingredients are lavender and chamomile.
While we prefer Wahls 4-1, we understand that this shampoo and conditioner may not be for everyone. If you want to try other top options on the market, here are a few worth checking out:
- Buddy Wash Shampoo and Conditioner
- MiconaHex + Triz Shampoo for Dogs and Cats
- Hartz True Coat
- Cowboy Magic Shampoo and Conditioner
Each of these products gets great reviews online and are highly recommended within the dog community. Just remember that Bernedoodles have straight/wavy to curly fur, so a shampoo that detangles is important. Otherwise, you may have to purchase a detangler separately.
Additionally, it’s always better to look for dog shampoos with as many natural and organic ingredients as possible.
While not all chemicals used in dog shampoos are harmful, some of them, such as parabens and sulfates, can damage your dogs fur and cause irritation. Therefore, it’s best to avoid harsh chemicals whenever possible.
Does length of hair affect the type of shampoo you should use?
The length of your dog’s hair is another factor to consider when choosing their shampoo. If you have a long-haired dog, such as a Bernedoodle, you’ll want a shampoo that detangles and hydrates your dog’s fur.
Short-haired dogs, on the other hand, require a gentler shampoo and conditioner. This is because strong shampoos are likely to strip away the oils on a short-haired dogs skin.
When this happens, your dog will be more prone to itching and skin irritation, and you’ll likely see pet dander all over the place. Therefore, you may not want to use the same type of shampoo for a lab as you would for a Bernedoodle.
Are there better shampoos for different breeds?
While length of hair plays a major role in the type of shampoo you should choose, dog breed does not.
What breed your dog is, whether it’s a Bernedoodle, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, or anything else, doesn’t determine which shampoo is right for you. It all comes down to length and type of hair and how sensitive their skin is.
Is organic shampoo more expensive than non-organic?
While organic shampoo is considered safer and more natural than non-organic shampoo, there’s a reason that not everyone uses it – the price.
Organic shampoo can cost two to three times as much as non-organic.
For example, a 16.9-ounce bottle of organic Nektar dog shampoo costs $44, while a non-organic while a 24-ounce bottle of Wahls 4-1 costs less than $10!
Are there benefits to using organic shampoo?
Although organic shampoo is more expensive than conventional shampoo, there are several benefits to using it. Organic shampoo is often gentler and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, which reduces the chances of your dog having an allergic reaction to it.
Telltale signs of an allergic reaction in dogs are excessive itchiness, dander, and shedding. They may also develop bare patches in their fur.
What is the safest shampoo to use?
If you don’t want to pay the high cost of organic shampoo but you want something that’s safe and won’t hurt your dog’s skin, look for shampoos with natural ingredients, such as:
- Oatmeal
- Coconut
- Aloe Vera
- Chamomile
- Lavender
Natural ingredients tend to be gentle and non-toxic, and are unlikely to cause irritation to your dog. As such, if you don’t know which type of shampoo to use, options with natural and organic ingredients are your safest bet Ingredients to avoid in your dog shampoo
Harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances, such as parabens, sulfates, and formaldehyde, have the opposite effect.
These ingredients tend to dry out your dogs skin, strip it of its natural oils, and lead to itchiness, skin irritation, dander, patchy skin, rashes, and other issues.
Harsh chemicals, such as mineral oil, also create a barrier on your dog’s skin that keep it from breathing properly. Prolonged exposure can even cause long-term problems, such as eczema and dermatitis.
Worse still, certain chemicals and fragrances increase the risk of cancer and hormonal disruptions in dogs! Therefore, if a dog shampoo contains any of these ingredients, steer clear of it.
- Parabens
- Alcohol
- Artificial fragrances
- Formaldehyde
- Propylene glycol
- Phthalates
- Any artificial colors or fragrances
- Isothiazolinone
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Benzoate
Essentially, anything that ends in ol, yl, or ate or contains sulfate or sodium in the name should be avoided. Additionally, stay away from anything with MEA or TEA in the name, such as cocamide-MEA.
Are there tools you should buy to help you wash your Bernedoodle?
Now that you know what type of shampoo to use for your Bernedoodle, let’s look at a few other items that will help you effectively wash your dog. The main things to have on hand are:
- Everyday brush or comb
- Detailer brush
- Detangler comb
- Slicker brush
These items will help you give your dog a professional-grade bath while also making your life easier. We use them every day at Fawn River Doodles when it’s bathing time for our Bernedoodles.
If you want each of these items in one convenient package, we recommend the Pup Parent Essentials kit from Pupwell.
Lastly, having a removable shower-head will also make your life easier when you’re bathing your Bernedoodle.
Some Bernies can be extremely stubborn during baths and refuse to move into the pattern of the shower water. By having a removable shower-head, you can quickly and effectively wash and rinse your pups.
Quick tips on bathing
Once you have the right shampoo and all the items you need for a high-quality bath, you’re ready to give it a try! Here are some quick tips for effectively bathing a Bernedoodle.
Parts to wash every time
Depending on how often you bath your Bernedoodle, you may not have to wash every part of their body every time. For instance, you can likely get by with washing the face, back, and shoulder areas every other bath, rather than every single time.
However, when it comes to the feet, belly, and butt areas, it’s essential to wash them thoroughly every time you bathe your dog.
The feet and belly are important because they’re usually the dirtiest parts of your dog’s body since they make the most contact with the ground.
It’s essential to wash the butt area during each bath because it’s one of the most prone areas to infection and parasites. The same is true of your dogs’ feet, but the butt is the most exposed and vulnerable area.
Give them an extra scrub
It’s important to note that dogs are tougher and stronger than humans. As such, you’re not going to hurt them if you scrub them extra hard. In fact, tough scrubbing is recommended, because it’s the only way to remove stubborn dirt and grime from their bodies.
Soak before rinsing
For best results, you should let your dog soak in warm water for at least five minutes before applying soap and rinsing them. This will give their fur time to saturate, which helps the soap do its job.
Clip nails while soaking
While your dog is soaking, you can take the opportunity to clip their nails. While you don’t have to do this during every single bath, you should clip their nails every month or two, depending on how long they get.
How often should you bathe your dog?
Although it can be tempting to bath your dog every week, this isn’t always a good idea. Bathing your dog too often can dry out their skin and cause irritation, redness, and skin damage.
Therefore, we recommend bathing your dog once a month, while cleaning the butt and feet every week or two.
What diseases can come from not washing your dog properly?
Bathing your dog regularly is important, and not just because it keeps them and your home smelling clean and fresh. Regular baths are also a good way to protect your dog from certain diseases and skin problems, including:
- Skin irritation
- Infections
- Unpleasant odors
- Matted fur
- Parasite issues
- Bacteria
- Fungi
Additionally, if you don’t give your dog regular baths, you’re unlikely to notice ticks, fleas, and other pests. Ticks and fleas can cause long-term health problems in dogs, such as Lyme Disease and skin infections.
Are there specific shampoos that help prevent these diseases?
If you’re especially worried about parasites, pests, diseases, and skin infections, certain shampoos have special ingredients that guard against these.
For instance, Davis Benzoyl Peroxide Shampoo is specifically designed for dogs with skin conditions such as dermatitis, acne, and mange.
You can also look for shampoos with chlorhexidine, which helps prevent bacteria buildup and skin infections. Chlorhexidine can also guard against yeast, ear mites, ringworms, and certain types of parasites and protozoa, including giardia and coccidia.
If your current shampoo doesn’t have chlorhexidine and you don’t want to purchase one that contains it, you can buy it separately in a spray bottle and apply it during bath time, specifically to the feet and butt areas.
You can also use chlorhexidine to keep your dog’s teeth clean and free of bacteria!
Normally, we wouldn’t recommend a dog shampoo with these types of chemicals and ingredients. However, in specific cases where your dog is struggling with bacteria, disease, parasites, and other skin problems, they can reduce itchiness and heal your dog’s skin.
Should I use chlorhexidine while my dog’s taking medication?
Not only can you use chlorhexidine in your dog’s shampoo while your dog is taking medications, you SHOULD use it! Chlorhexidine is great at preventing and even killing harmful bacteria and parasites.
If your dog has giardia or coccidia, for example, chlorhexidine shampoo baths combined with your dog’s medications can help speed up their recovery. It’s best to do this at the beginning and end of their treatment plan.
Chlorhexidine, either in a shampoo or separately, is readily available from Amazon or your local pet store. You can also purchase it at farm and feed stores, such as Tractor Supply Company.
However, if you’re not comfortable with mixing chlorhexidine into your dogs shampoo, we recommend purchasing a shampoo that already contains it.
What do people on Reddit think about best shampoo and conditioner for a Bernedoodle?
As with most things, Reddit is another solid resource if you’re looking for the best shampoo and conditioner for a Bernedoodle.
However, take whatever you see with a grain of salt and always do your own research. Not every opinion on Reddit will be helpful, as some individuals recommend using kid’s shampoo or even Dawn Dish soap.
We recommend against these options, as they’re not designed for dogs and may contain chemicals and ingredients that hurt your dog’s fur or skin.
Instead, we recommend using one of the shampoos listed in this article. They’re tried and true when it comes to Bernedoodles and other types of doodles, and have the safest ingredients.
You can also try groomer-recommended brands, such as Earthbath or Espree, which are both available on Amazon.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, your dog’s safety is the most important thing to consider when choosing a shampoo for your Bernedoodle.
If that means choosing a more expensive organic option because they have sensitive skin, then so be it. As long as your dog is clean and safe, they’ll be happy and comfortable, which means you will be too!