How frequently should I give a bath to my dog ?

Bathing the dog is an issue that seldom gets the importance it deserves. However, the frequency of bathing the dog is indeed an important issue and needs to be addressed appropriately for the well being of the dog. Why else would a google search on the topic throw a humongous 195,000,000 links ?

Well, as the adage goes - "different strokes for different folks", there are no sacrosanct rules on this aspect applicable uniformly to all dogs but it is good to remember and recollect a few facts.  

Dogs are different from us. Actually all dogs that we see today are descendants of the wolves. The wolves are wild animals exposed to the vagaries of nature and nature has not designed them to take baths. At least not everyday the way we do. Period.

The skin of the dog is different from ours and nature has provided them with certain glands that secrete a kind of oil that keeps the skin supple. Frequent bathing washes away the oil and compromises the skin and leads to a dry, irritated skin with a dull, hair coat besides predisposing it to a wide variety of skin ailments. 

While the individual requirements of the dogs vary (they also have a dry /oily skin) which will dictate the frequency of bathing. In general, giving the dog a bath once a month or even once in a month and a half is a good idea. Of course, if your dog has long hair and stays outdoors most of the times, frequently picking up dirt or has become extremely dirty, (some friends almost spray painted my golden retriever this Holi) one will have to give it a bath much earlier. 

Instead of bathing ones dog (daily or weekly or fortnightly), it is a wise idea to groom it (combing, brushing etc) more frequently. This will remove away the dirt and dust and thus clean the coat.  Well, most professional organizations using dogs for security operations groom their dogs twice a day - each session lasting for 30 minutes. They carry out the grooming more rigorously after the dog has come back from an outdoor exercise / operation. 

Finally, if you feel, your pooch has started to smell a wee bit, go ahead take a wet towel, put a few drops of Dettol / Savlon and give it a nice rub down. You will have a clean, nice smelling dog in  minutes and what is more you would not have stripped your dog off the natural oils of its skin.   

PS.

American Society For Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends bathing your dog at least once every 03 months. They also add that "your pet may require more frequent baths if she spends a lot of time outdoors". Here, check this link - http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/grooming-faq.aspx#bathemydog

I rest my case!