As reported by the American Kennel Club, French Bulldogs became so popular these past few years that they ranked 4th out of 197 dog breeds. Frenchies are like miniature versions of their British cousins (English bulldogs) except for their famous “bat ears.”
This dog is a brachycephalic breed seen in their shortened snouts that made them appear almost flat-faced. Even though these dogs are small and have a relatively thin coat, it doesn’t mean that they don’t shed fur.
Frenchies are playful and social in nature. This can be a problem as they can leave traces of their fur everywhere in your home. However, don’t let this discourage you from owning one! They need a little more maintenance and patience.
Fortunately for you, we can help you out as we present you with the ultimate guide for all the things you should know about French bulldog shedding and how to deal with them!
Do French Bulldogs Shed?
As mentioned before, yes, French bulldogs do shed. Sometimes it can be quite excessive, which can be unpleasant as it can stick on everything like clothes, furniture, and the whole house! Dogs shed their coat for many reasons, but the most basic one is that they need to lose dead fur so healthy ones can grow properly. It may also have something to do with the temperature, which we will discuss later in this article.
Shedding is a normal and healthy event for every dog. However, it can also be an uncomfortable one for your pup. They may need a little help from you to relieve the itching that sometimes causes skin irritations. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on your Frenchie when it’s their shedding season to avoid issues such as inflamed skin, brittle coat, or bald patches.
Why Do French Bulldogs Shed?
Weather Condition
Typically, a regular French bulldog sheds about two times a year during Summer and Winter months. As preparation for colder temperatures, French bulldogs shed their old fur to make space for newer ones. They need an extra coating to protect their bodies to withstand the cold.
When summer approaches, they will shed the old fur and extra ones they’ve obtained in winter as they prepare a way to cool down their body against the warmer weather.
Age
Age also contributes to how often your four-legged friend sheds his fur. If you’re a first-time owner of a French bulldog, buckle up because a Frenchie puppy sheds its coat more than the adult ones! It’s called a “puppy shedding phase” as they lose their puppy fur and grow their adult coats. This typically happens to French bulldogs around 4 to 6 months of age.
Poor Diet
When you think the shedding is not normal, it might have something to do with poor nutrition. It means that your dog is not getting enough vitamins and nutrients he needs. This is one reason why dogs in general, not just French bulldogs, shed their coat when it is not the season for them to do so. When this happens, they get to be more vulnerable to hair loss or skin and fur-related diseases.
Sign Of a Medical Issue
If your pet is excessively shedding than he used to, this may be a sign of more severe health conditions such as allergies, infections, or parasites. A study conducted in 2018 concluded that 72.4% of this type of breed experiences health problems. This may require them to take medications, and some certain medicines can induce side effects like hair loss.
Stress
It is not just us that experience stress, your furry friend can have it too! Things like a new home, continuous loud noises (New Year’s), or getting separated from their human can cause them stress. French bulldogs are social animals. When not given enough attention, they may shed their fur as a physiological response to stress.
A ton of belly rubs and some supplements may help with this situation.
How Much Do French Bulldogs Shed?
French bulldogs are a small breed with a thin coat, but that doesn’t stop them from shedding fur. This breed is a “moderate shedder.” It means that they lose hair but not as much as breeds like Siberian Huskies or Golden Retrievers, which are dogs famous for their rich and fluffy coats. French bulldogs don’t shed fur as much as the other ones because this kind of dog is single-coated.
A dog with a single-coated fur like French bulldogs means precisely like its name. Single-coated dogs shed less because they have less fur to begin with. However, it’s important to note here that not all Frenchies are single-coated. Brindle versions of a French bulldog are known to have double-coated fur consisting of a layer of undercoat and a topcoat.
When Do French Bulldogs Shed?
French bulldogs only shed twice a year. That’s good news for Frenchie owners out there because you won’t need to clean up after your dog much. Your dog will shed their extra fur from last winter to prepare for the upcoming warmer weather condition in summer. This is their natural way to cool themselves off for summer.
On the other hand, your furry friend will shed their old coat as they make space for newer and thicker ones for winter. However, since most French bulldogs are single-coated, this is often not enough for them. That’s why some Frenchies suffer from hypothermia during wintertime.
These occurrences are called “seasonal shedding,” which is a phenomenon caused by temperature changes. Keep close supervision of your pet, especially during these times.
Do French Bulldogs Shed Too Much?
French bulldogs don’t shed much, given that their small nature and shortened coats influences how much they shed their fur. However, some long-time Frenchie owners would beg to differ. Some reports say that when summer and fall-to-winter seasons are where the shedding starts to become bad – like, all-over-the-floor-and-carpets bad.
Although when you think your dog is shedding quite more than they do before, this may be an indication of a more serious matter such as hormonal imbalances, bacterial infections, and other health issues. It is essential to consult with an excellent veterinarian to keep track of your Frenchie’s health and well-being.
Many things may contribute to why your dog is shedding. Knowing which one of them triggers your dog will make a happy (and cleaner) home!
How To Care For Shedding French Bulldogs?
Regular Grooming
It was said earlier in this article that shedding happens when a dog discards his old fur. You can try to groom your pet with tools meant for removing their coat without hurting them. However, if you have the budget for it, you might want to consider going to a pet groomer. Regular grooming will help you, as the owner, the most in keeping your home free of fur as much as possible.
Brush Your Frenchie’s Coat Often
You can keep your canine’s fur looking healthy and smooth if you make brushing his coat a habit. You can do it once a week, especially during the shedding season. Aside from the fact that brushing can deshed your pet, it also brings benefits like removing dead skin, dirt and helping distribute healthy natural oils that will help make stronger and healthier fur.
Choose The Right Shampoo
French bulldogs have sensitive skin, that’s why it’s crucial to pick the right shampoo that will work best for your furry friend. Ensure that the shampoo you’ll use for your Frenchie is hypoallergenic and packed with all the good stuff that his coat needs to become healthy. However, you must be careful when applying shampoo so that it won’t get into their delicate eyes.
Use Deshedding Products
Deshedding tools help you to remove loose fur that will otherwise go into your clothes or furniture. An example of these products, which is used commonly by owners and groomers alike, is a metal comb. This thing has blades sharp enough to trim down your pet’s fur. As scary as it may sound, it is entirely harmless, and it cannot hurt your dog.
Provide Your Pooch With His Own Bed
Sure, it is cute to sleep beside your dog on your bed. However, it is not cute anymore when you have tons of dog fur all over your sheets. You can train your French bulldog to sleep in their bed instead of yours as early as you get them. This way, you can clean up their shedding mostly in one place, and you won’t need to clean your sheets every single day to get rid of those stubborn hairs.
5 Ways To Keep Shedding Under Control
1. Keep Your Pet Hydrated and Well Fed
Many first-time owners miss the fact that French bulldogs need more water than other dogs. Make sure that your furry companion is well-hydrated after a walk or after playing. Also, ensure that your dog is getting the proper nutrition he needs to stay healthy. Like every other dog, French bulldogs also need food high in protein and fatty acids like Omega-3 for their health and to improve their coat.
2. Consult Your Dog’s Vet
It is best to have a routine check-up now and then with your dog’s vet to determine whether their shedding is normal. A vet will provide the best medical advice on what you should do and avoid. However, when you think something is not quite right, don’t wait for the next appointment and go set up a new one right away.
3. Know Your French Bulldog’s Allergies
Sometimes, allergies induce excessive shedding. That’s why you need to figure out what makes your dog allergic so you’ll know what things to avoid. With the help of a veterinarian and process of elimination, you can figure out what triggers your dog’s allergy. A sign of this is sneezing, raw skin, and scratching more than necessary.
4. Consider A DeShedding Treatment
Help out your dog in their shedding season with a DeShedding treatment! This process removes the dead fur that kept your pet warm in the winter. This also helps their owners as it reduces the fur that can get all over the house. Groomers use different methods and tools for this, so the treatments may vary.
5. A Good Skincare Routine
Just like humans, French bulldogs also need a proper beauty routine! The first thing you should do is wipe down their faces with a damp cloth and make sure you also get in between their folds. Next is to apply snout balm (yes, they are a real thing) and paw balm because these areas are often dry and can cause skin hardening.
Conclusion
French bulldogs are sweet creatures, and they make an amazing companion. They’ll be happy to be engaged in whatever you’re doing, even if you aren’t doing anything at all. As their population has increased, people need to be aware of the issues equipped with this breed. This includes shedding, which can be pretty annoying.
The secret to enjoying a fur-free home is a proper diet, guidance from the vet, and a positive environment.
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