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Workin' at the Dog Wash

DW staff (win)April 7, 2005

Germans may have been a little slow in discovering the higher art of dog grooming, but after TV pet psychologists and canine spas, a dog wash has become the latest rage.

https://p.dw.com/p/6U2W
"It ain't fun, but it sure saves mommy a lot of work"Image: dpa

Lars Schütze has conveniently located Germany's first "dog wash" next to the car wash he already operates. He said he's hoping that his motorized customers will bring along their four-legged friends for a quick rub-down in the future.

At a cost of 4.90 euros ($6.30), dog owners can cover their canines with foam, shower them and dry them -- all while waiting for their car to be cleaned.

Hundewäsche
Gordon Setter Caesar's not looking too happyImage: AP

"That's not expensive, considering that you usually have to wash your dog at home and spend half an hour cleaning the bathroom afterwards," Schütze told reporters on Thursday at his car-canine-cleaning-center near Hamburg's Reeperbahn red light district.

Similar machines have already been welcomed by dog owners in Spain, Britain, Ireland and the US and dog lovers in Hamburg also seemed quite excited about the new service. On the first day, it was in constant use -- although that might have something to do with the fact that it was free of charge, of course.