Vote for the UK’s cutest bath time pooch

• Sanctuary Bathrooms ask the general public to vote for the nation’s cutest dog ahead of International Dog Day on 26th August
• The shortlist includes dog breeds such as French Bulldog, Springer Doodle and Beagle

To celebrate International Dog Day on Friday 26th August, bathroom specialist, Sanctuary Bathrooms want to shine a light on the UK’s cutest pooches – in the bathroom!

With an estimated 13 million dogs kept as pets in the UK¹ and over 283 million hashtags² for #dogsofinstagram on Instagram, it’s clear – dog owners love sharing pictures of their cute canines.

After receiving all submissions, the top ten cutest pooches have been shortlisted and it’s now up to the nation to decide which canine friend should be crowned the UK’s cutest bath time pooch.

The shortlist includes puppies celebrating their first bath, a therapy dog for children with SEN who enjoys muddy walks in Cornwall, and a French Bulldog wearing a shower cap.

Brits can vote for the nation’s cutest bath time pooch by visiting Sanctuary Bathroom’s competition page and casting their vote for their favourite before 23:59 on 15/08/2022. Sanctuary Bathrooms will announce the winner of the competition on 22^nd August.

With Google searches for ‘how to wash a dog step by step’ up +120% over the past 12 months,³ the experts at Sanctuary Bathrooms have also teamed up with Companion Animal Veterinarian, Dr Heather Venkat, to share top tips on how to wash your dog, as well as how to protect your bathroom during messy bath times:

Dr. Heather Venkat’s expert tips on how to wash your dog:

• How often to wash your dog

Once every three months – dependent on your dog’s coat type and their level of activity. For example, a long-haired dog such as a collie may need bathing every month to keep their coats detangled and free of grime. If possible, try to simply rinse your dog with warm water if they are dirty to avoid the need to strip their natural oils with shampoo.

• What to do if your dog is anxious about bathtime or water

Bathe your dog indoors using warm water. If using the bathtub, place a comfortable mat down to stop their paws from slipping and ease the sensory experience. You can also create positive associations with bathtime to ease any anxiety – try spreading peanut butter on one end of the bath for them to lick while you clean them.

• What to use if you don’t have dog shampoo

While dog shampoo is recommended for use, you can use baby shampoo, or shampoo made for sensitive skin. It will be both gentle and cleansing and will ensure your pooch has a soft and shiny coat.

• To dry or not to dry?

The best thing to do is to dry them as soon as you’re done. If you leave a dog wet for too long, you leave them vulnerable to fungal infections in their paws and you could also end up with a long-lasting wet dog smell in your home. Towel dry them first with a microfibre towel as they’re more absorbent and then focus on gently squeezing water out of their hair. You can also use a hairdryer and blow-dry your pet’s hair in the direction it’s growing but do so with caution and don’t blow air into your dog’s ears or face. You should also brush with ease.

• What to do if your dog has skin issues, such as eczema

Start by brushing the hair gently, avoiding the use of any brushes with sharp bristles. Wet your dog’s fur using tepid water, and leave it to sit for five minutes – this will loosen any scaly skin and make it easier to wash away. When shampooing, it’s best to use prescription products to maximise the chances of an easy, irritation-free cleanse. Gently massage the product in, and rinse thoroughly when done – leaving any soapy residue will be even more irritating on the skin. Towel dry and avoid blow-drying as this could be too harsh on sensitive skin.

Mark Fullilove, Digital Marketing Manager at Sanctuary Bathrooms, shares advice on the ideal bathroom space for dogs and how to protect it during bath times:

• A bathtub is an ideal asset to have in a pet-friendly bathroom, particularly for dogs. Firstly, it provides a big enough space to wash your dog for comfort, as well as ensuring water is kept in one location, and that everything you need can be kept within easy reach.
• Dog fur can be nightmare for drains and plugholes so make sure you regularly groom your dog before washing to remove stray hair. There are also plenty of waste and plug covers, or home hacks you can do, to help restrict fur going down the drain.
• Invest in a bath-mounted shower handset or a shower riser rail kit, where you can easily remove it and move it around to rinse, wash and clean your dog.
• Add storage and hooks for doggy bath-toys to reduce any nervousness and anxiety, for bottles & shampoos required, and also to keep a towel to rub them down with close by.
• Make sure to have a closed bathroom door to avoid any water, grime or dirt being spread around the rest of the house.
• Cover the floor in towels to protect it from any dripping water from your dog you may have missed, while also laying a towel over your dog between shampooing and rinsing to capture any water that it may decide to try and shake off.
• Clean the bathroom and shower immediately after washing to avoid stains, dirt build up and to make it human-friendly again!

Full competition details can be found at: https://www.sanctuary-bathrooms.co.uk/blog/cutest-bath-time-pooches-competition/.The dog which receives the most votes will be crowned the UK’s cutest bath time pooch and will also receive a doggy bath time hamper and a £500 Sanctuary Bathrooms voucher.