try not to stare at the ever mounting hair on the carpet. It's once a year. You cannot just grin and bear it, you must ooh and ahhh at your guests unwelcome pet. And don't forget to say how clever/beautiful/amazing it is too - pet owners are a different breed altogether!
Not being a pet owner, I simply don't know if this is a good idea, but can't you "vacuum" the dog ? Use a brush attachment and groom it somehow ? Or is that cruelty to animals ?