Regarding bathing muddy dogs, if its any help, (I have Clumbers so there is twice the mud), when mine come back from a walk in that state, they get a good rub over with towels, and stay in the warm kitchen with lots of towels on the floor, when they are dry, a brush over and they are sparkly white again, the towels go in the machine. and the sofa is fair game again! i found bathing every time soaked their coats right through and they took hours to dry. they only get a bath before a show, and then its a full on evening of preening and pampering. I use Coatex Aloe and Oatmeal Shampoo, no nasties in it and leaves a super silky coat. (Love yr photo.)