Bathing

Question
We just adopted an 11 month old female lab.  Her previous owners said they have her groomed once a month.  While we realize she will need her nails trimmed often since she is an inside dog, we were under the impression that bathing so often was not good for the dog.  She has no doggy odor whatsoever.  How often is TOO often for bathing? Thanks!

Answer
I am at the fringe on bathing dogs.  I seldom if ever do.  Our Lab Aster spent the last 5 years of her life with us without a single bath.  She did swim in the river sometimes.  She was brushed regularly with a soft bristled brush.  Not only did we never notice a problem, neither did anybody else ever say anything even when we took her to dinners.  

Feed a decent chow, brush her daily, and don't give her a bath until she seems to need it.  If she isn't spayed, she will need one after being in season, but that must wait until she is completely done and the swelling gone done.