April 14, 2021
The French Bulldog, or Frenchie, is one of the most popular dog breeds you will find. Their cute ears and short legs make them simply adorable, and their small size makes them an excellent choice for people living in small spaces.
Their coats are another "pro" of owning this lovely breed of dog. The coat comes in many colors that potential adoptees will have a hard time choosing, and said coat is also quite easy to care for.
In this article, we will take a close look at the shedding activity of the French Bulldog, how to keep shedding to a minimum with this breed, and factors that can affect shedding.
Keep reading to discover all there is to know about shedding and French bulldogs.
Factors That Can Affect Your French Bulldog's Shedding
Seasons
Sunlight, temperatures, and the overall season play a part in the shedding activity of your dog. It is common knowledge that in winter, we have less daylight to work with, and the temperatures get lower no matter where you live.
It will cause your Frenchie to adapt by growing in a new coat and shedding the older one as a way of getting ready for these changes in season. The same thing happens in summer- the old coat is shed in favor of a lighter undercoat that helps the Frenchie feel more comfortable in the heat.
However, many dogs spend their time indoors now. If your Frenchie is always surrounded by artificial light and constant regulated temperatures, they are more apt to shed constantly instead of two times per year.
Type of Coat
French bulldogs may have a single layer coat, or a double layer, depending on the specific breed. Most of the time, it will be a single- layer coat, but the brindled breeds can have a double layer coat.
Thus, your Frenchie may be a dog with either a smooth coat type or a double coat.
- Smooth-coated Frenchies shed moderately but still require regular grooming to keep their coat looking glossy.
- Double coated French Bulldogs require more grooming than those with a smooth coat because the loose hair in the undercoat should be removed by regular brushing.
Losing the Puppy Hair
A French Bulldog puppy's fur is much different from an adult's. The fur of a Frenchie puppy is designed to keep the animal warm and keep him protected against the elements. This fur is usually very soft to the touch, but as the puppy grows into being an adult dog, we find that the fur begins to feel a bit more rough and thick.
The way the fur looks changes as a result of the pup growing in his adult hair. Shedding of the puppy coat will happen around age 6 to 12 months, and your French Bulldog may look a bit unkempt at this stage, but it is not to worry. It's all a part of the puppy becoming an adult dog.
Age
Do you have a senior Frenchie? If so, you should understand that age can play a role in how much your pet sheds. Dogs that are considered senior citizens are more prone to developing ailments that can affect how they shed their hair.
For example, Cushing's disease, which is a result of the failure of the adrenal glands or even tumors on said glands, is one reason dogs can lose hair without it actually growing back.
Hypothyroidism is another reason senior dogs may lose their hair. Skin infections and abnormalities occur with this affliction, and so does anemia and, in some cases, obesity. Dogs tend to lose hair on their tail or necks.
Nutrition
All dogs need proper nutrition if they are to maintain healthy fur. Healthy skin leads to healthy hair follicles, which ensure your Frenchie has a beautiful coat. If the skin does not get the nutrients needs, it cannot produce oil and, in turn, produces hair that is brittle and dull in color.
Your Frenchie needs the correct amount of calories and nutrients in order to have a glossy coat, so be sure to feed your pet with high-quality dog food. Look for foods that are packed with nutrients, especially Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and whole grains. It is a winning combination that will provide your dog all he needs and more to have a healthy body and coat.
Health
When we discussed senior citizen Frenchies, we discussed how their health plays a role in coat quality. As you may have guessed, this is true for pups and adult French bulldogs, too.
Here are some ailments that can affect your dog's tendency to shed:
Dermatitis- this is the development of moisture in the skin folds. Frenchies are more prone to it thanks to their sometimes "wrinkly" nature. It affects all dogs, however.
Allergens and irritants can be found in food, so keep watch over what you feed your French Bulldog as it could be causing him to have an allergic reaction. Environmental irritants like pollen could also cause your Frenchie to itch, scratch, and shed.
Dry skin is another factor; this comes about as a result of excessive bathing. Lastly, mites and dandruff can also affect the shedding of a French bulldog.
If you suspect your Frenchie is suffering from any of these ailments, be sure to speak to a vet and get your dog on a treatment plan.
Baths
Bathing your Frenchie more than once per month is not required. Bathing him more often than necessary dries out his skin and may lead to dandruff and dry, flaky skin. When baths take place, the oils of your dog's skin are washed away, and he is left open to more shedding.
Bathing should take place only when necessary- such as a muddy day outside- or once per month. Other than that, skip the bath!
Hormonal Cycles
Hormones play a significant role in how much your Frenchie sheds. For instance, consider thyroid hormones. These stimulate the hair follicles, so they spend more time growing, and less time resting. This is why Frenchies affected by hypothyroidism have less than stellar looking coats.
Other hormones that will affect your dog's shedding activity are cortisol, growth hormone, estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone.
How to Reduce a French Bulldog's Shedding?
1. Brushing
For French Bulldogs, a good bristle brush will help you keep shedding at bay. The bristle brush works well as most Frenchies have that short coat. However, you may wish to have on hand a pin brush, which can help you remove dirt that gets embedded into your dog's hair.
A grooming glove is another option- you get the great sensation of petting your dog while providing a gentle grooming experience to your pet. And yes, excess hair is removed, leaving your dog looking great.
2. Deshedding
A de-shedding tool works to remove hair that is getting ready to fall out anyway- the act of de-shedding gets it out of your way before it falls on the floor and creates those "tumbleweeds" we see floating around the house. Deshedding once per week will keep fur at bay for a French Bulldog.
3. Bathing
Allowing your Frenchie a bath once a month is a great way to keep shedding to the minimum.
A bath each month combined with de-shedding and grooming will keep loose dog hair to a minimum in your home.
Deshedding shampoos are available, and they have nutrients, moisturizers, and vitamins that will keep skin hydrated and hair follicles healthful. A bath each month combined with de-shedding and grooming will keep loose dog hair to a minimum in your home.
4. Grooming
Regular grooming can take place at home or at a professional groomer's. For a Frenchie, not much is needed compared to other dogs.
A brush regularly and a de-shedding once per week is really all the dog needs, plus that monthly bath. Some owners may wish to have their dog professionally groomed.
5. Healthy Nutrition
French bulldogs need a healthy, balanced diet that is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients so they can have beautiful and healthy coats, great bodily functions, and good quality of life.
Getting the right nutrients means your dog's fur will resist breakage. The key nutrient to look for is Omega-3 fatty acids. If your French Bulldog needs an Omega-3 supplement, ask your vet to help you choose a supplement that works for you.
6. Clean Water
Clean, fresh water should always be available for your dog. Water is the vehicle in which nutrients are moved into and out of the cells of the dog's body.
Thanks to water, food is digested more easily, and the body takes in nutrients a lot easier. Water keeps your French bulldog cool during warm temperatures and helps them maintain normal body temperature.
Water also helps keep joints lubricated. One rule of thumb is that one ounce of water should be provided to your dog per one pound of body weight.
So, if you have a French bulldog weighing in at 14 lbs., then you should offer 14 oz of water each day at a minimum. Of course, this amount will increase and decrease based on various factors such as temperature- so offer an unlimited supply.
7. Prevent and Treat Skin Diseases
Make sure you take your dog to the vet regularly. Ailments like alopecia, infections, parasites, or allergies can lead to hair loss in your dog. Hair can be lost thanks to scratching excessively, or because hair follicles are not healthy any longer.
If you notice your dog is losing hair at a rapid rate, or you notice missing patches of fur on your dog's body, make sure to get them to their vet as soon as you can.
