Dog washing machine has pooches in a spin

Contraption provides hands-free, wash and dry cycles

	Meike Katzwinkel washes her dog, Snoopy, in a dog washing machine in Hamburg, Germany, on April 7.
Maurizio Gambarini / Sipa Press file

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updated 6:39 p.m. ET May 13, 2005

A washing machine for dogs is the latest canine grooming craze to hit pet spas across the country.

At the “Pet Spa” at Pet World in Lakewood, Colo., dog owners load their pooches into the contraption, which looks like an industrial washing machine.

While the dog stands in the machine, 37 nozzles spray water and natural cleaning ingredients at the sometimes-reluctant pets for about four minutes.

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Then comes a 20 minute drying cycle, usually much enjoyed by the now very clean pets.

The concept was invented in Spain in 1993, imported into the United States in 2000, and made its debut this spring.

The hands-free wash and dry costs $15 and looks set to be a winner for any pet owner who has ever struggled with a hose, some soap and a very wriggly dog.