Dog Grooming & Clean Up French Bulldog
How to Manage French Bulldog Shedding
Rocky Kanaka
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Ever notice how your french bulldog goes through periods where it sheds a lot and then barely at all? Or maybe you are always covered in frenchie fur– there’s an answer for that! Your frenchie is shedding. Keep reading to learn how much french bulldogs shed, how to keep their coats healthy, and how much shedding is healthy for your frenchie.
Do French Bulldogs Shed?
Like all dogs with fur or hair, french bulldogs shed. Like humans, dogs lose strands of hair or fur throughout the day to make room for new growth: it’s how they keep their coats healthy and regulate body temperature.
How Much Do French Bulldogs Shed?
The amount of fur that your french bulldog sheds will vary depending on your dog’s size, coat length, and breed mix. As smaller dogs, french bulldogs shed far less than their larger relatives, but they also have an undercoat, meaning they’ll shed both outer and inner fur. While frenchies are smaller and will automatically shed less than a golden retriever, they go through periods of heavier shedding, making shedding season a bit hairy (pun intended).
Do Short-Haired French Bulldogs Shed?
Short-haired french bulldogs shed a moderate amount of fur; they’re the general baseline for the average amount of fur a frenchie sheds. Short-haired french bulldogs have short undercoats, which they need to shed as well.
Do Long-Haired French Bulldogs Shed?
Long-haired french bulldogs shed more than their short-haired cousins simply because there’s more hair to shed. They also have longer coats, making them more prone to matting.
Do Fluffy French Bulldogs Shed?
Fluffy french bulldogs have medium-length coats and thus shed slightly less than long-haired frenchies but more than short-haired french bulldogs. Their coats are also prone to matting.
When do French Bulldogs Shed?
French bulldogs shed year-round and lose fur from their outer coat and undercoat throughout the year. They also have a common shedding season in winter and another in the spring.
Why do French Bulldogs Shed in the Winter?
French bulldogs shed more in the winter to get rid of their current undercoat in favor of a warmer, thicker one. Their thicker winter coats help keep them warm in cold temperatures but aren’t too useful when the weather heats back up. They shed their winter coats in the spring for thinner, warm-weather fur.
Are French Bulldogs Hypoallergenic?
French bulldogs are not hypoallergenic. As moderate to heavy shedders, frenchies aren’t the best choice for someone with allergies. They also produce a lot of dander, the primary cause of pet allergies in humans. Hypoallergenic dogs produce lower amounts of dander.
Is Shedding Healthy?
Shedding is a normal, healthy part of a french bulldog’s life. Expect to see some hairs lying around on your clothes and furniture when living with a frenchie, and expect a bit of extra fur in the winter and spring. However, excessive shedding is often a sign something’s wrong. You can tell if your french bulldog is shedding excessively by looking at their coat: if they have bald patches, thinning fur, or red, itchy skin, call the veterinarian immediately.
Excess shedding is a symptom of many conditions, ranging from anxiety to allergies and even parasites. That’s why veterinary consultation is so important here– they help you treat any cause, no matter how serious!
Methods to Control French Bulldogs Shedding
So, how do you manage french bulldog shedding? Overall, there are several things you can do as a pet parent:
Healthy Diet and Exercise
A healthy diet with plenty of vitamins is essential to maintaining a healthy coat. Your french bulldog needs food that matches their lifestyle and nutrient intake. If they have allergies or aren’t getting enough vitamins, their fur will become brittle, and their skin will dry out, causing them to scratch away fur.
The three foods that are super healthy and that almost every dog loves, even the pickiest dogs, are:
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This is a fresh-frozen food that’s delivered to your home in just the right amounts for your dog. There are a number of fresh frozen dog foods available on the market and I tested them all. The Farmer’s Dog came up the winner with my picky dogs. You can see the fresh frozen food test here.
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2. Sundays Food For Dogs
This is an air-dried food. It has the convenience of kibble (just pour it in the bow) but is much much healthier. It’s like little pieces of jerky, so dogs go crazy for it. There are a number of air-dried foods on the market. My dogs tested 3 of them. You can see the results of the air-dried food test here.
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This raw food for dogs comes delivered to your home is perfectly sized portions for your pup. They primarily source their ingredients from trusted U.S. farmers, with two exceptions: venison and lamb. These ingredients are sourced from New Zealand, where some of the highest-quality and most ethically raised venison and lamb can be found. Pasture-raised and grass-fed and finished, we highly recommend trying these formulas if you’re interested in the best-quality ingredients. Save 25% on your first order.
Supplements:
I highly recommend using a supplement on your dog’s food, not matter what you feed them, to ensure the meal is balanced and they are getting all the right supplements to help them stay healthy. The supplement I use is called The One from Front of the Pack. It has 12 ingredients that have been clinically-proven to keep your dog’s joints, skin, heart, digestion, and even their breath in tip-top shape. It’s also a powder, so easy to sprinkle on your dog’s food. For a limited time, when you buy one month you get a second month free.
Regular Grooming
The best way to manage your frenchie’s shedding is by grooming them regularly. Try to keep a regular grooming regimen to ensure you don’t get covered in fur!
Brushing
Brushing is crucial to every grooming routine since it stimulates the skin, spreads natural oils, and removes loose fur from your dog’s coat. To brush your french bulldog, use two tools:
- The Deshedding Brush: this brush is best at removing undercoat fur and comes in varieties for short-haired, medium-haired, and long-haired dogs. When you start your daily brushing routine, begin with this brush to remove as many loose hairs as possible.
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- The Slicker Brush: after using the deshedder, the slicker brush makes for excellent cleanup. This brush also comes in long, medium, and short variations. Use the slicker brush to finish your brushing routine and remove any extra hairs from your dog’s coat.
Buy the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush ($15.99)
I also recommend using a Matting brush for long and medium-hair french bulldogs. Matting brushes help detangle matted fur and work best after using the deshedder but just before the slicker brush. When detangling matted fur, try to work as gently as possible to avoid pulling at your dog’s fur.
Bathtime
Regular baths are another great way to loosen dead hairs and are vital to removing dirt and oil buildup. Bathe your french bulldog about once a week using a dog-friendly shampoo. If you want to control the undercoat, a de-shedding shampoo or one containing vitamin E will help keep your dog’s skin healthy.
When you wash your french bulldog, focus on the folds in their skin– it’s easy for bacteria or fungi to build up in there!
Trips to the Groomer
Trips to the groomer during shedding season are also great ways to keep your french bulldog from covering your home in fur. For long-haired and fluffy frenchies, regular haircuts will also keep shedding to a minimum and help you avoid poopy butt syndrome.
Other Grooming Tips
Jagged nails can also cause hair loss if your dog scratches and cuts themselves. If their nails start to look ragged, give them a trim to keep their skin safe!
Visiting the Vet
Keeping up with the vet is another vital role that pet parents need to fill to ensure their dog’s health is up-to-date and that they have a baseline for any potential maladies. The vet can also provide dietary recommendations based on your dog’s lifestyle and keep them updated on vaccines to prevent parasites and infections.
How to Keep Your House Clean from French Bulldogs’ Shedding
To help keep your home fur-free, there are a few things you can also do to control your french bulldog’s shedding:
Dust Regularly
Dusting and vacuuming regularly is the best way to keep frenchie fluff out of your home and off of your furniture. A regular cleaning regimen will help you and your dog avoid infections and reduce allergens in your home.
Try Low-Spoons Cleaning Methods
To make cleaning easier, low-energy cleaning methods like robot vacuums are great for busy pet parents. If you’re also having difficulty cleaning couches, couch covers are a great machine-washable alternative to constantly vacuuming your couch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got some unanswered questions? Check out our FAQ:
Do French Bulldogs Shed A Lot?
French Bulldogs do shed, but not excessively. They have a short, fine coat that sheds minimally, so they are considered a low-shedding breed.
Why do French Bulldogs Shed so Much?
French bulldogs are heavy shedders during winter and spring because they grow in thicker/thinner coats to help regulate their body temperature.
How Long do French Bulldogs Shed for?
French Bulldogs shed year-round, but they tend to shed more during seasonal changes. They may also shed more if they are stressed or have an underlying health issue.
How Many Times a Year do French Bulldogs Shed?
French bulldogs regularly shed throughout the year but have two shedding seasons in the spring and winter.
Why do French Bulldogs Shed?
French bulldogs shed to make room for new hair growth. They also shed to swap from a winter coat to a spring coat and a spring coat to a winter coat.
Do Long-Haired French Bulldogs Shed?
Long-haired french bulldogs shed and will need extra grooming and brushing to avoid matted fur.
Do Miniature French Bulldogs Shed?
Mini french bulldogs shed.
Do French Bulldogs Shed Like Pugs?
French bulldogs shed less than pugs!
Do Blue French Bulldogs Shed?
All french bulldogs shed, including blue french bulldogs.
How often should I groom my French Bulldog to reduce shedding?
Regular grooming can help minimize shedding in French Bulldogs. Brushing your dog’s coat once or twice a week with a soft-bristled brush can help remove loose hair and distribute natural oils to keep the coat healthy and shiny.
Are there any specific tools or brushes that are best for grooming a French Bulldog?
A rubber grooming mitt or a soft-bristled brush can work well for grooming a French Bulldog. Avoid using harsh tools or brushes that can damage their delicate skin. See above for specific tools.
Can a change in diet reduce shedding in French Bulldogs?
A balanced diet can help keep your French Bulldog’s coat healthy and reduce shedding. Feeding your dog a high-quality, nutrient-rich diet that includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. Read: Top 6 Dog Foods for French Bulldog Puppies
Are there any health issues that can cause excessive shedding in French Bulldogs?
Certain health issues, such as allergies, thyroid problems, and hormonal imbalances, can cause excessive shedding in French Bulldogs. If you notice a sudden increase in shedding or other changes in your dog’s coat, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.
Related Article:
- Top 6 Dog Foods for French Bulldog Puppies
- 8 Toys French Bulldogs Go Crazy For
- How Much Do Pitbulls Shed + How To Keep The Shedding Manageable
