Every work day groomers face making a regular decision; which shampoo and conditioner to use on each pet they? The professional knows that haircoats and skin types vary by breed, but what about all those mixed breed pets? An inspection of each pet's coat and skin type, matched with the groomer's styling objectives, leads to a final decision every time.

Making the right decision requires groomers not only to learn about the many skin and coat types of dogs, but also what shampoo and conditioners products are available, and how are they properly used?

Professional groomers do more than clean haircoats and enhance coat texture. They also have the opportunity to improve the condition of skin. There's dry skin, oily skin and irritated skin to address and every shampoo and conditioner will affect different skin types in different ways. Knowledge and experience is the key to stylists that make the right shampoo and conditioner choices.

Conditioning agents affect coat texture. Groomers may want to enhance a soft coat with more texture, or add body to thin haired coats using a conditioner containing humectants. Emollients prevent hair breakage and help repair the flexibility of hair shafts.

Professional stylists have a keen eye for adding eye-catching attraction from coat appearance. For example, whiteners brighten white coats and white patches of coat. There are conditioners to add gloss and sheen, and color additives too.

Specific breeds, and some mixed breed pets, have sensitive skin that may benefit from hypo-allergenic shampoos and all-natural ingredient products developed for sensitive pets.

Coats can also be conditioned before the bath. The advent of conditioning "brush-out sprays" reduced brush out time, increased hair coat strength and eliminated static. Now that's progress. Many of these products add protein to the coat in order to rebuild hair shafts. Protein based shampoos do the same.

Conditioning shampoos for dogs may be similar to all-in-one shampoos for humans. However, some groomers claim that all-in-one products often work better on certain coat types compared to others. Oily coats usually don't require conditioning as much as they require a deep cleansing product.

Puppies and kittens require very mild shampoos. Using shampoos and conditioners for adult pets on puppies and kittens is a potential problem. Read all product labels carefully for their appropriate use on puppies and kittens, or warnings not to use on them. Some groomers still favor mild, tearless baby shampoo on puppies, but there are puppy and kitten shampoo products available from your grooming supplier.

We suggest you collect more shampoo and conditioner information available from grooming suppliers. Professional groomers may test many product lines, and develop individual product preferences for each particular skin and coat type. Experience is the key, and more important than manufacturer promises of what each product is supposed to do. It's rare for professional groomers to limit their shampoo and conditioners to one complete line of products from the same manufacturer. Share your experience with shampoo and conditioner products with other groomers, and you may come up with a great product you didn't know about.

Grooming trade magazines are a great way to stay informed of the latest developments in shampoo and conditioners, and you can also check the Grooming Products A to Z shampoo and conditioner section.

The Choices

TEARLESS SHAMPOOS

Tearless shampoos are ideal for washing a dog's head and face, but they can be used on the entirety of the pet. Some groomers even prefer a tearless protein-based shampoo as their day-to-day shampoo for most dogs with normal coat and skin conditions.

MEDICATED SHAMPOOS

Itching and scaling is often tied to dry skin or dermatitis. However, it could be something even more serious that may require veterinary attention. There are some over-the-counter medicated shampoos for common dry skin, but you should be prepared to apply medicated shampoos prescribed by veterinarians. We always required written veterinarian instructions to accompany any prescribed treatments; don't make assumptions when applying prescribed treatments and by the way, the veterinarian will support your professional decision to require written instructions.

WHITENING SHAMPOOS

Every groomer should have a whitening shampoo that brightens white coats, removes yellow discoloration. Some groomers use these shampoos on silver and light golden coats too. Basset Hounds and other dogs with discolored white patches of fur get a real boost from using a whitener on those patches.

AROMATIC SHAMPOOS

Every shampoo hopefully leaves a fresh smell, but aromatic shampoos go further and leave a stronger scent. However, be warned. Once home some dogs treated with aromatic shampoos will find a nice patch of smelly and dirty ground and roll in it to cover the aroma in favor of what they believe is a good "doggy odor."

FLEA AND TICK SHAMPOOS

Most of today's flea and tick shampoos are oil-based. Pyrethrins and d-Limonene are natural ingredients made from plants. They are commonly found in most natural flea and tick shampoos. They are safe and non-toxic and best of all, effective. You may want to try several product lines until you find one that not only rids the dog of parasites but also leaves the coat in great condition for styling. Carefully read and follow as label instructions, and store the product in a safe place.

CONDITIONING SHAMPOOS

Not only do these shampoos clean the haircoat, but also add various conditioning qualities to both coat and skin.

CREME RINSES

Creme rinses address specific coat types only. They are not all purpose and rarely used on oily or silky coats. Their use is common on the Old English Sheepdogs and similar coats on mixed breed dogs, the Bichon Frise and sometimes Terriers, Poodles, and Pomeranians, and pets with similar coats.