Dirty dogs crawl in and strut out pampered pets

Max the rottweiler was the first canine into the new 24-hour dog wash at Wanganui Veterinary Services on Somme Pde. Machine owner Craig McKenzie shows how it's done. Photo/Stuart Munro

Any self-respecting pooch will want a bit of the action at Wanganui Veterinary Services clinic in Somme Pde.

That's because a coin-operated dog wash machine has been installed and for $10 a pet will be pampered with shampoos, conditioners and blow-dried - and all in about 10 minutes.

The K9000 Dogwash has been set up by New Plymouth operator Craig McKenzie and will be permanently based at the clinic, operating 24-hours a day, seven days a week, with security cameras keeping an eye on everything.

"You can do every size of dog. We've had everything from Great Danes to chihuahuas through our washer in New Plymouth," Mr McKenzie said.

And it doesn't matter if your dog is a bit stand-offish when it comes to "washies". There is a clip that you can tether the animal to before they get into a lather.

There's a non-slip mat on the bottom of the bath area to keep the pet safe - and upright.

Mr McKenzie said the machine usually takes about 10 minutes to give a dog the full Dirty dogs emerge from

wash as pampered pets

treatment from shampoo to blow dry. The pet owner simply inserts notes or gold coins to start the wash.

There's a normal warm water shampoo available or even a flea shampoo if there's an itch the dog can't scratch.

"The next step is applying a conditioner. That makes your dog smell like apples for five days," Mr McKenzie said.

That's followed by a plain water rinse before your turn on the blow-dryer - a low speed for smaller dogs and a stronger warm air blast for larger animals.

Yesterday Max, the Hoskin family's rottweiler, was the test pooch and handled the wash like a seasoned pro.

"This dog wash is a partnership between me and the vet clinic. I simply lease the space off them," Mr McKenzie said.

He had been operating a similar unit in New Plymouth for six months and said it had generated huge interest.