dirty dog smell

The only thing I can think of is what type of food are you feeding her?  Some foods (especially those of poorer quality) can give a dog an odor.  Since the anal glands and female infection have been addressed, perhaps it's the food. 

Also, you say your dog is a mixed breed, is she predominantly one breed at all?  There are some breeds who have a distinct odor (hounds, spaniels). 

I too wonder what you are feeding.  I'm betting her food is the cause of the odor.

Sophie is maybe a lab chow mix, we're not really sure. But she's not very big, 50 pounds and so we think there is some kind of smaller breed mixed in, too. She's 3 years old and we got her as a puppy from a shelter. Her food is Nutro Lamb and Rice, and she has been on this for about a year. The Nutro we have been giving her is not really the top of their line, but it seems to work for her. Coat is nice, stools are good. I have actually thought of switching her back to the Sensible Choice Lamb and Rice that she was on before or going with the Nutro Ultra, which is suppose to be rated as one of the best foods for dogs, according to Whole Dog Journal. She does have a little bit of a sensitive stomach and it seems better since she has been on the Nutro. We have always given her a good quality food. We usually stick with Milk Bone dry biscuits for treats. I had noticed that when we used to give her rawhide or pig ears, she would seem to have some problems, like "scooting". And since she hasn't had those for a long time she hasn't had any problems until I gave her those soft Milkbone treats. Which made me think they were the culprit, but the symptoms aren't going away. She evidently has some touchy inner parts.
Thanks for your quick responses. I appreciate any info!

Sophie,

When I saw that you are feeding lamb and rice I thought BINGO.  I have to feed my 6 year old toy poodle Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice kibble with some canned because he has a very sensitive stomach and this was the only food we've come across that doesn't cause an explosion.  When he came to us, he had been fed Kirkland (Costco's Brand) Lamb and Rice and he was really rank.  Also, he reacts as your dog does to any type of chewie, similarly sensitive tummies.  Are you using the Nutro or the Nutro Natrual Choice?  I don't know if there's a difference, but I do know that on the Nutro Natural Choice he doesn't smell too awful bad.  Of course, he is a cream colored poodle who is bathed every other week and groomed every 6-8 weeks. 

I think food that is predominantly Lamb is the stinkiest stuff around.  I give him some of the canned and lordy that stuff smells.  After he eats, I always wipe up his mouth and chin with a warm cloth to get any food off that he's smashed into his face.  And, I do have him chew a bit of parsley here and there to help his breath.  Now, this little dog (10 pounds) is getting 1/2 cup per day plus a bit of canned, I imagine your big guy is getting alot more than that. 

Like you, I hesitate to change anything in this dog's diet, it has taken a while to get that tummy settled and his stools normal. 

Perhaps you can wipe up his face after dinner and brush his teeth once a day, and perhaps even try a Yip Yap doggie breath mint on him.  And, maybe a bath every few weeks might help, and a good brushing daily. 

Sorry I can't be of more help. 

I fed raw lamb for a while and it is SO smelly.

Thanks for your response. Soph is on the Nutro Natural Choice kibbles, and has been on a high quality brand of lamb and rice kibble since she was about 18 mths old. I can't figure out why it has happened all of a sudden when she hasn't ever smelled before and we haven't changed anything else. She does get bathed regularly since she is a house dog, and lately she has been getting a bath weekly since she started to smell. Her breath doesn't smell any different and her skin everywhere seems fine. It's only around her tail area that stinks. I had wondered about a yeast infection but wouldn't she have other symptoms? And if it was that, the antibiotics would make it worse I would think, and it's no worse but no better either. I do hate to switch foods, but will if nothing else seems to work. I'm just at a loss as to what else to try.

Well, since he's been on the same food for a long time and didn't smell before, and now all of a sudden smells, and mostly at his back end.... it probably isn't the food. 

The only thing I can think of is Anal glands, but those have been checked out.  You have got me stumped for sure.  She did get her anal glands expressed properly, right? 

Good luck, hope someone else pops in with another idea. 

Just wanted to say we're still trying different things for Soph's dirty dog smell. We went back to the vet today and he is checking her thyroid and also gave me a antifungal shampoo to try 3 times a week. Everything else has turned up negative and there are no other signs or symptoms.