Towpath silt, park lawns and bracken.
- Local authority
- City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
- Postcode district
- BD18
- From Bradford
- In town
- Main roads
- Otley Road, Bradford Road and the A650
- Where dogs walk
- Roberts Park in Saltaire, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath and Shipley Glen
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath is the favourite route here, and it leaves a particular kind of dirt behind. After rain the surface turns to a grey, sticky silt that clings to leg feathering and belly hair, and dogs that nose along the water's edge pick up weed as well. Long coated breeds such as spaniels and Old English sheepdogs gather the worst of it, so a towel and a wide comb by the door save a lot of washing.
Roberts Park in Saltaire runs alongside the River Aire, and the grass there is cut short and kept neat. That makes it kinder to coats than the towpath, but the riverbank is a different story. Dogs that wade in come out with a smell that only a proper bath and a long, warm dry will shift, because damp fur left to sit quickly turns musty and then tangled behind the ears.
Shipley Glen is the muddy end of the district. Steep woodland paths, leaf litter and bracken climb up towards the moorland edge, and the bracken sheds sticky seed cases and small burrs that bury themselves in the feathers on tails and ears. Check under the collar and between the toes after a Glen walk, and use a comb rather than a brush to lift out anything small before it knots.
Many homes in the area are stone terraces with a front step straight onto the pavement, which is where wet paws come in. A basic bath and brush every few weeks suits short coated dogs, while poodle crosses and cockapoos do better on a full groom timetable. Keep nails short, too, because a long nail turns slippery stone steps into a hazard.
General estimates only. Prices vary by groomer, dog and area.
Bath and Brush£25 to £55 per bath and brush→Full Groom£40 to £90 per full groom→Nails and Tidy-ups£8 to £25 per visit→Three things to do first.
- Look at your dog's coat and decide whether it needs a trim, a wash or a rescue from tangles.
- Ask each groomer how they work, whether they cover Shipley and how they handle a nervous dog.
- Pick one brushing spot after your usual walk around Roberts Park in Saltaire, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath and Shipley Glen and do it every time for a fortnight.
Nearby communities. Also in this guide.
Local resources. Learn more about Shipley.
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Good questions
Before you begin.
How do I get canal silt out of a long coat?
Let it dry, then brush and comb it out before bathing. Wetting thick silt first can turn it into a paste that is harder to remove.
Is it safe to let my dog swim in the River Aire?
Rivers can carry bacteria and strong currents. Check local signs and ask your vet, and rinse and dry the coat thoroughly after any paddle.
What should I check after a Shipley Glen walk?
Look for ticks, burrs and seed heads in the ears, armpits, groin and between the toes. Remove any tick promptly and ask your vet if you are unsure.