Is your pup posh enough for canine cologne?
Is your pup posh enough for canine cologne? We test the best dog de-stinkers
- Hannah Betts explores the fragrance industry’s ‘hot new genre:’ canine cologne
- UK-based beauty columnist tests a selection of the best doggy deodorants
- 10/10 rating to B.O.S. Naturals Baby Powder And Aloe Vera Scented Dog Cologne
Donna Karan once concocted a fragrance that recreated the scent of her husband’s neck. My own beloved’s smell is warm, powdery, mineral, velvet plush.
If the aroma were reproduced by a perfume house nose, it would be earthy and flintily elemental. And I would bury my nose in it constantly.
In my capacity as a middle-aged woman, said beloved is obviously a dog: Pimlico, my beautiful blue whippet. Besotted, I am constantly kissing Pim while imbibing her silken scent. And, yet, as Britain’s 3.2million new lockdown dog owners will attest, there are times when our four-legged friends do not smell so sublime after rolling in duck poop.
Hannah says Kiehl’s Cuddly-Coat Cleansing Spritz is a convenient, no-rinse cleansing spray with a barely-there aroma
So, how to mitigate the issue? I give you the fragrance industry’s hot new genre: canine cologne. Britain’s 11 million-plus hounds now come not merely pampered, but perfumed.
‘Can this be wise?’ I ask south London’s hound whisperer, Adam Tinsley of the Goddard Veterinary Group, who has saved Pim’s life on numerous occasions. Won’t these artificial scents upset her nose and skin? ‘
Owners use them in conjunction with bathing, or as a spruce between washes,’ he says, ‘They’re designed for dogs, so are not an issue for their skin. And it’s a lot better than smelling like fox urine.’
I did invest in a canine cologne before Pim arrived, paranoid about having one of those homes where the reek of damp dog is obvious to all but its owner.
The spritz I opted for was B.O.S. Naturals Baby Powder & Aloe Vera Scented Dog Cologne, which I bought on Amazon enticed by its being natural, British-made and subtly unobtrusive. But how does B.O.S. stack up against its rival dog de-stinkers? Pim and I sniffed out the best of the bunch…
FOR BATH-PHOBICS
Kiehl’s Cuddly-Coat Cleansing Spritz (£15, for 250ml, kiehls.co.uk)
They say: ‘Formulated with chamomile flower extract and glycerin, this freshly-scented formula helps spot clean and deodorise pups on the go. Spray for a healthylooking shine.’
What that means: A convenient, no-rinse cleansing spray with a barely-there aroma. The smell: Minimal freshness.
Best for: Bath-phobic hounds.
Paw points: 8/10
HEADACHE-INDUCING
Peach Bum Natural Parfum For Lady Dogs (£12 for 250ml, dogslovehownd.com)
Peach Bum Natural Parfum For Lady Dogs gives you a headache, according to Hannah
They say: ‘A feminine fragrance with heart notes of sweet orange, jasmine and peach.’
What that means: A sickly affront to all creatures great and small.
The smell: Cloyingly saccharine bargain-basement pot pourri.
Best for: Giving you a headache.
Paw points: 0/10
GROOMER’S CHOICE
B.O.S. Naturals Baby Powder And Aloe Vera Scented Dog Cologne (£13.59 for 250ml, amazon.co.uk)
B.O.S. Naturals Baby Powder And Aloe Vera Scented Dog Cologne is Hannah’s dog, Pimlico’s, favourite and so is awarded 10/10 paw points
They say: ‘The most popular scent with professional groomers. It contains aloe vera which helps with the nourishing of the coat and skin. We offer a 100 per cent money back guarantee.’
What that means: Pimlico gets drenched in it when she rolls in fox pee.
The smell: Powdered baby skin.
Best for: Silken whippets.
Paw points: 10/10
AFTERSHAVE STYLE
Barbour Dog Cologne (£14.95 for 100ml, johnlewis.com)
Barbour Dog Cologne keeps dogs smelling fresh with its traditional aftershave scent
They say: ‘A dog cologne to refresh and soothe skin to keep them smelling fresh.’
What it means: A cologne in the most ballsy sense.
The smell: Traditional aftershave.
Best for: The four-legged pals of golfers and country-pubbers?
Paw points: 5/10
SEASIDE SCENT
Men’s Society Good Dog Cologne in Coastal (£9.50 for 200ml, johnlewis.com)
Hand-crafted on the Norfolk coast, Men’s Society Good Dog Cologne in Coastal, smells of ‘flinty rocks and sea air’
They say: ‘Hand-crafted on the Norfolk coast, this natural scent is the perfect finishing touch to a bathing routine.’
What it means: A minimal approach with a luxury feel.
The smell: Flinty rocks and sea air.
Best for: Subtle scent for the poshest pets.
Paw points: 9/10
DOGGY DE-STINKER
Bramley Digby Dog Deodorising Spray (£14, bramleyproducts.co.uk)
Bramley Digby Dog Deodorising Spray is naturally antifungal, antiseptic and antibacterial
They say: ‘This cedarwood and peppermint spray has a higher pH so it’s suitable for your dog’s sensitive skin. It is naturally antifungal, antiseptic and antibacterial.’
What it means: A dog de-stinker with health benefits.
The smell: Juicy Fruit chewing gum.
Best for: Hippy hounds whose long locks call for a groom.
Paw points: 7/10
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