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Dogs are wonderful companions, but they can also have some unpleasant odors. One of the most common sources of dog smell is their beard, especially if they have long or curly hair. The beard can trap food, dirt, saliva, and bacteria, which can cause a foul smell over time.

How to keep a dog’s beard from smelling? In this article, we will share some tips and tricks on how to clean and maintain your dog’s beard, as well as some products that can help you keep it fresh and healthy.

Follow these simple steps and your fur-faced companion can continue bringing you years of mess-free cuddles and kisses!

How to Keep a Dog’s Beard from Smelling: Tips to Reduce Smells

• Brush daily with a short-bristle grooming comb to remove debris and distribute oils
• Use moistened washcloths after meals to spot clean crumbs immediately
• Periodically wipe face folds with cleansing facial wipes to prevent buildup
• Rinse beard after drinking to remove lingering moisture that breeds bacteria
• Apply beard conditioner balms 2-3 times per week to keep hair soft and untangled
• Mist with freshening doggie colognes in fruity scents you find appealing
• Invest in a professional de-shedding tool to thoroughly remove shedding undercoat around the mouth

Establish easy facial grooming rituals to stay ahead of any rankness. Next, let’s look at some helpful products.

Helpful Products for Keeping Dog Beards Clean

Conditioners – All-natural oil blends with vitamin E nourish skin and hair under beards.

Wipes – Tear-free cleansing wipes formulated for dog faces make cleaning convenient.

Detangling sprays – Light hydrating formulas keep long beard hair from matting and trapping debris.

Foaming waterless shampoos – Lather beard hair without requiring a full bath. Rinseless application avoids excess moisture buildup.

Dental rinses – Oral hygiene products applied after meals combat bad breath from food particles.

Freshening spritzes – Quick sprays eliminate odors between full grooming sessions. Look for natural ingredients.

Shedding tools – Rotating shedding blades specifically designed to remove coat around facial contours.

Sample different specialty beard products to find your dog’s favorites that align with your grooming regimen.

Dietary Adjustments to Reduce Beard Smells

• Feed wet food rather than dry kibble – Fewer residue clings to beard hair
• Choose a grain-free diet if allergies cause excessive licking and chewing
• Wipe face immediately after meals before odors set in
• Provide dental chews to scrape plaque and tartar that cause bad breath
• Add Omega fatty acid supplements to improve coat and skin health
• Discourage rolling in smelly stuff like feces or dead animals outside
• Ensure fresh clean water at all times – residue encourages bacterial growth

Optimizing nutrition bolsters skin and coat health to minimize odor-causing bacteria and yeast. Now let’s look at scheduling tips.

Beard Grooming Schedules

• Daily brushing – Quick once-over with a short bristle comb
• Post-meal wipe down – Clean crumbs after eating
• Weekly wash – Deep cleanse face folds using wipes
• Biweekly conditioner – Nourish beard hair using leave-in balms
• Monthly de-shedding – Thorough shedding blade grooming
• Quarterly trims – Professional trim of overgrown hair
• As needed – Spot clean slobber, use freshening sprays after playtime

Customize schedules based on your breed’s facial hair length and how quickly odors accumulate. Short daily cleanups prevent overwhelming buildup.

How Often Should You Bathe a Bearded Dog?

Unless truly dirty or smelly, bearded breeds only need full baths every 4-8 weeks. Bathing too frequently strips healthy oils and dries sensitive facial skin. Spot clean between baths.

Shampoo beard hair thoroughly when bathing using a hydrating face wash. Rinse the beard completely after removing the shampoo residue. Air dry beards or gently pat dry with a towel. Never scrub wet facial hair vigorously.

Why Do Some Bearded Dogs Get Smelly Faster Than Others?

Certain factors influence how rapidly beard odors accumulate:

• Light vs. dark-colored beards – Light hair shows dirt faster
• Long vs. short fur – Longer hair traps more debris
• Allergies or skin issues – Cause increased licking and yeast
• Saggy faces – Excess skin folds harbor gunk
• Active outdoors – More exposure to environmental smells

Know what’s “normal aroma stamina” for your individual dog based on these traits so you can adjust grooming frequency accordingly.

What Health Problems Can Cause Excessively Smelly Dog Beards?

If an unpleasant beard smell persists despite diligent grooming, underlying medical conditions may be contributing to amplified odors. Potential issues include:

• Skin infections – Bacterial or fungal infections create strong, persistent smells.
• Allergies – Chronic licking, chewing, and increased yeast lead to mustiness.
• Dental disease – Accumulated plaque and tooth decay cause foul breath.
• Lip folds – Excess skin folds and moisture trap smelly secretions.
• Tumors – Rarely, oral masses ulcerate and become infected.
• Abscesses – Swollen wounds or punctures leak pus with a putrid smell.

See your veterinarian to diagnose and treat any medical issue causing amplified beard odors.

When to See the Groomer for a Sanitary Beard Trim

Some scenarios where visiting the groomer for a beard hygiene trim is advisable:

• Matting is too severe to comb out
• Overgrown hair collects food constantly
• Draining infection needs hair shaved around it
• Persistent licking and matting from allergies or anxiety
• Dental cleaning scheduled requiring beard access
• Elderly or obese dog struggles with grooming contortions

Seeking professional help trimming overgrown facial hair can provide temporary relief until the underlying cause is resolved through veterinary treatment.

Other Tips for Keeping Dog Beards Clean

• Wash fabric beds frequently to prevent smell transfer onto facial hair
• Apply a breathable snood headpiece after grooming to protect hair
• Use elevated food and water bowls to prevent beard contact
• Keep plastic food bowls clean – they hold smells
• Teach the “wipe your face” cue to facilitate cleaning
• Trim beard hair around lips shorter to minimize food collecting
• Avoid beard braiding or accessories that trap moisture against the skin

Remaining proactive and consistent with easy daily grooming keeps most dogs’ beards smelling fresh. But if pungent odors still persist or seem painful, don’t hesitate to involve your veterinarian to diagnose and treat any underlying health issues. Your bearded buddy will be cozy and sweet-smelling again in no time!

Conclusion

Keeping a dog’s facial fur neat and odor-free takes some work, but it’s worthwhile to preserve the special joy of snuggling a fuzz-faced companion. Comprehensive grooming regimens, optimal skin health and swiftly addressing medical issues when they arise are the keys to maintaining clean-smelling beards. Your furry friend depends on you to keep their fabulous facial fluff at its best. With a little diligence, that wispy beard stays workable – and sniffable!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my dog’s beard smell like fish? How do I get rid of this?

A fishy odor usually indicates anal gland issues or severe skin infections. Have your vet rule out medical problems first. Also, wipe the beard after eliminations. Using unscented gentle shampoo, wash the beard frequently with an emulsifying soak followed by thorough rinsing to remove all traces of the fish smell each time.

My dog’s beard smell seems to get worse whenever he drinks water – what causes this?

Residue, minerals, and moisture left behind after drinking provide an ideal environment for odor-causing bacterial growth in beard hair. Be sure to gently pat dry your dog’s beard after water consumption. Maintaining a consistent daily grooming routine prevents any unpleasant smells from accumulating over time.

No matter how often I clean my dog’s beard, it still smells bad. What could be the reason?

Persistent bad beard odors despite a thorough grooming regimen may indicate underlying skin infections, dental disease, lip fold dermatitis, or other medical problems. Schedule an exam with your veterinarian to rule out issues like yeast, dental decay, or facial fold infections contributing to the intractable smell. Most clean beards shouldn’t have a strong, lingering odor.

Why does my dog’s beard smell like urine? How do I get rid of this?

A urine smell in facial hair likely indicates incontinence issues or urine-soaked bedding transferring smells onto the beard. Identify and resolve any potty problems. Disinfect soiled bedding. Bathe the beard frequently with deodorizing shampoo, working the lather thoroughly into the skin beneath to remove urine odor traces. An underlying urinary tract infection is possible if the urine smell persists despite your best grooming efforts.

How often should you wash a bearded dog’s face?

For most bearded breeds, wipe the face clean daily but limit full face washes to only every 3-6 weeks. Frequent shampooing strips essential oils leading to dry, itchy skin. Spot clean debris between full washes. Use a moisturizing non-irritating face wash when bathing. Thoroughly rinse out all products to avoid residue. Proper regular brushing of the beard also helps distribute oils and remove dirt buildup between washes.

Why does my dog’s beard stink worse after it gets wet or rains?

Moisture softens the beard hair, allowing odor particles to cling and more easily get trapped within the facial hair. Gently towel dry your dog’s beard after wet weather play to remove excess moisture and prevent musty smells from setting in. Using a waterless shampoo allows freshening up without risking over-wetting the beard. Keeping facial hair trimmed shorter in breeds prone to water retention also helps.

What’s the best way to dry a bearded dog’s face after bathing to avoid smells?

Gently pat their beard with an absorbent towel. Avoid vigorous rubbing which can irritate facial skin. Apply a small amount of moisturizing leave-in conditioner to serve as a protective barrier. Use a cool setting blow dryer briefly to disperse residual dampness, holding it a few inches away to avoid burning sensitive areas. Air drying naturally is ideal if your dog will allow a relaxed drying time. Always supervise to prevent paw-rubbing wet beard hair onto furnishings!

My dog’s beard stinks when it’s time to trim the hair – what am I doing wrong?

Inspect how frequently you are bathing before trims. Overwashing too close together can create irritation and smelly microbial overgrowth. Allow 4-6 weeks between baths. Look for conditioners and spritzes to use in lieu of washing in interim weeks. Ensure you fully dry the beard after trimming showered hair. Leaving damp hair ungroomed encourages musty smells. Time grooming sessions appropriately based on your dog’s usual odor accumulation patterns.