About Dog Shampoos in Brief

Welcome to our Best Shampoo for German Shorthaired Pointer Review 2020, where we present all the dog shampoos we have tested in detail. We’ve put together all essential information for you, which should make your purchase decision easier and help you to find the best dog shampoo for your GSP. You can also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide and some important information on this page that you should be aware of if you want to buy a dog shampoo.

Types of Shampoo for GSP

• For Normal Use and Shiny Coat
• For Sensitive Skin
• DeShedding Shampoos
• Against Fleas and Ticks
• Waterless Spray Shampoos
• GSP Puppies Shampoos
• Medicated Shampoos for Irritated Skin

Why Do I Need Shampoo for My GSP?

Dog shampoo is necessary for every dog and German Shorthaired Pointer is not an exception. GSP does not require complicated grooming and bathing, but still you should choose a proper shampoo among plenty on the market, suitable to different breeds of dogs, different types of coat and preventing or combating various problems.

Normally German Shorthaired Pointers are very active and come back home covered in dirt. Especially if you live in an apartment you are definitely eager to get rid of this, but not to harm your dog. It is better for GSP if you wash him only with water on a daily basis. He may not have any stinky odor for a long time. But anyway, there comes the time when you have to clean your pup deeply, with a shampoo. And now we come to the choice.

Besides shampoos for frequent use and normal hair, there are many other, solving different skin and coat problems  if any, and serving different aims. Here is a list of the most common for German Shorthaired Pointer, as well as a selection of top rated and tested shampoos for them. 

7 Best Dog Shampoos for German Shorthaired Pointer

We have selected for you one best product in each category mentioned above. You can choose any of it and to be sure of high quality.

We Have Also Reviewed 

And now let us look closer at every shampoo category more in detail.

Best Dog Shampoos for Normal and Shiny Coat

If you are lucky enough to have a healthy German Shorthaired Pointer, and the only thing to do is to maintain his skin and coat in a good condition, you can choose among this list. All the shampoos below can be used on a regular basis, are suitable for short haired dogs, have no harmful components. They are proved to keep the coat of GPS clean and shiny.

Best Dog Shampoos for Sensitive Skin

It’s not quite common for a German Shorthaired Pointer to have sensitive or itchy skin. But of course there are some pups experiencing this. If you have already identified this, shampoos below are all made of natural ingredients, made specially to eliminate possible allergies, itching, etc.

Best DeShedding Dog Shampoos

This type of shampoo is very helpful for German Shorthaired Pointer during seasonal shedding. Short hairs fall out immensely during this period, and they are not easy to collect. To avoid mess around the house, car and  clothes, the best solution is to use DeShedding Shampoo on a regular basis in combination with DeShedding Brushes.

Best Waterless Spray Dog Shampoos

This is an absolutely great solution for a German Shorthaired Pointer. Sometime you go hunting with him, or just have a very intensive game, and you never know how dirty or stinky he may become at the end. Then image a way back in a car with such odor. Waterless Spray work really perfect for such cases. You just apply it on the coat, keep for a couple of minutes, wipe the dirt away, and your GSP is clean and fresh again. This does not replace normal bathing, bet very helpful in between.

Buyer’s Guide

What to Consider About German Shorthaired Pointer’s Healthy Skin and Coat

Healthy Skin is the Basis for a Healthy Coat

The basis for a beautiful, dense coat of GSP is a healthy skin. It forms the border between the dog’s body and the environment and is therefore exposed to many influences. The skin protects the dog from harmful substances such as bacteria, fungi or viruses entering the body and damaging it. Besides it functions as a natural barrier, it is also an exchange organ. Substances are absorbed through the skin. Other substances are released from it into the environment. The skin also produces sebum. It is important for a well-functioning skin environment. Coat change is also controlled through the skin. Incorrect care of the skin and coat can therefore have extremely negative effects on the animal.

GSPs Love to be Surrounded by Unpleasant Odors

Basically, dogs never have to bathe. Normally it is quite sufficient if the dog is brushed and combed regularly. In everyday life, however, the situation is different. A bath with dog shampoo is necessary at the latest when your pup has rolled in carrion or excrement. Unfortunately some animals like to do this passionately. Why dog does this, is not yet completely clarified, one assumes however that the dog looks for admiration. He rolls himself in a new smell to attract attention. Whoever observes his dog will notice that he always runs to his owner full of pride to present his new scent. 

The second important reason for an extensive dog bath with shampoo is a parasite infestation. Just like the smell of excrement or carrion, humans hardly want to know the blasphemers in their home.

The Advantages of Dog Shampoos

A dog shampoo offers numerous advantages for you and your pet, which we would like to explain in the following lines. For example, some dog shampoos improves a beautiful shine and are good for frequent use. Certain dog shampoos also protect against parasites (for example fleas and ticks) and can prevent unpleasant itching. One of the most vital issues for German Shorthaired Pointer is shedding, so deshedding shampoos should be of primary importance. In addition, a dog shampoo is very inexpensive and you benefit from a long service life thanks to its yield.

The market now offers a whole range of different shampoos, so you can find the one that perfectly fits GSP breed in general and other personal health aspects of your pet.

The handling of GSP is actually easy, provided you have found a suitable tool. Shampooing the animal hair is similar to cleaning normal human hair. Mild fragrances eliminate unpleasant odors without harming the animal.

The Disadvantages of Dog Shampoos

Although a dog shampoo offers numerous advantages, it should be dosed correctly in any case. If too much shampoo is used, certain chemicals can have a negative effect on your pet’s health, so you should clean your best friend’s coat every two weeks at most, if there is no emergency need.

Especially when a dog shampoo is used for the first time, it must be used with care. It’s important to check that your dog can tolerate the shampoo well at first, ant there is allergy reaction or irritation.

Shampoo for Humans is not Suitable for Dogs

When the time comes and a bath is inevitable, you should pay attention to a few important points when choosing a dog shampoo.

Dog skin and human skin have a completely different structure. For example, the sweat glands, which are necessary for regulating body temperature, are found on the paws. However, in combination with sebum, this serves as a barrier against bacteria.

In addition, hair growth must be stimulated depending on the season. Dog skin is much thinner than human skin. Active ingredients in shampoos therefore affect the skin in very different ways. In addition, dog skin has a different skin flora with a pH value of about 7.5. For humans, the value is 5.5. If the skin is injured or impaired, dog skin regenerates much faster than human skin.

All these facts already show it clearly – shampoo as used by humans is not suitable for dogs. They are pH-neutral and therefore adapted to human skin. As there are also differences typical of the breed, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions very carefully. If a human shampoo is used to clean the dog’s coat, the natural acid cover of the dog’s skin will be destroyed. They would severely dry out the thin skin of the dog. The coat becomes dull. Even mild baby shampoo create the same effect.

Choose High-Quality Dog Shampoos

When choosing the right shampoo, it is essential to make sure that it is skin-friendly and moisturizing. This ensures that the natural skin protective layer is preserved. The shampoo should not foam too much and should be easy to wash out. Shampoos have different consistency. Depending on their consistency, they are easy or difficult to apply to the coat. It should therefore be neither too thick nor too thin to be rubbed into the coat. Some dog shampoos contain preservatives or fragrances, which can lead to allergic reactions and skin irritations. 

Too Strong Perfume in Shampoo is Unpleasant for the Dog

If the shampoo has a light fragrance, this is usually harmless. However, strongly perfumed shampoos should be avoided. They cover up the natural smell of the animal. It should also be noted that a dog’s nose is very sensitive and the animal may perceive strong perfumes as very unpleasant. Therefore, the respective dog shampoo should have a neutral or light odor as far as possible.

Shampoos against Fleas and Ticks

If the dog has parasites, a special product must be used. In such a case, however, the dog’s surroundings must also be treated. Some dog shampoos contain natural ingredients that can be effective against fleas and ticks. This includes neem oil, for example. The ingredients prevent the larvae of parasites from shedding their skin and pupating. This makes it ideal for the prevention of parasite infestation. Neem oil cannot, however, be used to control already adult parasites.

Medicated Shampoos 

If the dog suffers from eczema or skin rashes, a medicinal shampoo may be necessary. Under no circumstances, however, should such a shampoo be used without a veterinary prescription, is you are not sure about the nature of your dog’s disease.

Shampoos for GSP Type of Coat

German Shorthaired Pointer has short coat characterized by a robust and strong texture and therefore requires far less grooming in comparison with long-haired dogs. In case of getting very dirty, we recommend using a special short-hair dog shampoo which strengthens the dog’s hair. For puppies, a special puppy shampoo should be used, which is very mild and gentle and cares for the animal hair in a gentle way.

Bathing German Shorthaired Pointer Properly

So that the bath with the right dog shampoo can then be carried out without further problems, some things should be considered.

• First of all, the excess dirt is brushed out of the coat. Remains of branches or leaves are removed.
• If the dog is bathed in the bathtub or shower tray, a non-slip mat is recommended. It is essential that the animal has a good grip.
• The water should be warm, but not much. Especially for dogs that are already older or suffer from cardiovascular diseases, too warm water can increase the problems. If it is warm enough in summer, the dog can also be bathed with the garden hose. 
• As long as the coat is wet, it should never be combed. In this case it can break easily.
• It is important to make sure that no water gets into nose, eyes or ears. Soap must be washed out well, otherwise it will cause severe itching.
• After washing, the dog usually shakes itself and thus already removes most of the water from the coat. Afterwards it should be dried well with a soft towel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

A dog shampoo protects the coat and skin of your pet if chosen properly. Depending on the type and color of the coat, the market offers different dog shampoos that meet the individual requirements of the hair. If your dog has allergies or major problems, a sensitive and hypoallergenic dog shampoo should be used. This is particularly mild and provides a lot of moisture. Special dog shampoos can also be used if parasites appear. In any case, however, you should consult your veterinarian in such a case. A dog shampoo cares for the coat, moisturises it and makes unpleasant odors, if any, disappear.

However, since dogs have their very own demands when it comes to grooming their coat, you should consider the above important aspects when buying a shampoo. This will ensure that regular washing does not become an unpleasant experience for your GSP.

And remember – we are here to help you with your choice. So do not hesitate to ask any questions. We will answer them.