It’s easy to see why French Bulldogs are popular companion dogs with their big ears and adorable faces. One question we get asked a lot about the breed is “are French Bulldogs hypoallergenic?“
French Bulldogs aren’t hypoallergenic, so they aren’t a good choice if you have dog allergies. While you may love Frenchies, it’s not a good idea to have one in your home if you have allergies. Just because these dogs have a short coat doesn’t mean they are safe to be around people with allergies.
Are you interested to learn more about why French Bulldogs aren’t hypoallergenic dogs? You’re in the right spot. Today, we’re going to discuss everything people with allergies should know about being around Frenchies. Keep reading to learn more.
Are French Bulldogs Hypoallergenic?
Did you know that 10 % of people in the US are allergic to dogs? If you’re one of the unlucky 10 % but still love being around dogs, you may be interested to learn more about hypoallergenic dogs. A hypoallergenic dog is less likely to cause an allergic reaction than other breeds. Unfortunately, a French Bulldog doesn’t classify as hypoallergenic.
Some people can mistake a short-haired dog for being hypoallergenic, but this isn’t always the case. Many short-haired dogs are just as likely to cause an allergic reaction as long-haired dogs. Frenchies have been known to trigger allergic reactions in people with dog allergies, causing them to have runny eyes, sneezing, and other symptoms.
People that suffer from dog allergies, shouldn’t bring a Frenchie into their house. Even though these dogs are incredibly sweet, you should consider a dog that doesn’t cause bad allergic reactions.
Why Aren’t French Bulldogs Classified as Hypoallergenic?
The straightforward answer to why French Bulldogs aren’t considered hypoallergenic is that they can trigger allergic reactions. However, there are several different reasons why a Frenchie can cause a person with allergies to start getting a runny nose and itchy eyes.
French Bulldogs Shed
The main reason that a French Bulldog is not hypoallergenic is that they shed. Twice a year, dog owners can expect their Frenchie to shed its undercoat. This is a heavy shedding that generally happens once in the spring and once in the fall. The rest of the year they won’t be heavy shedders, but they will still shed a light amount.
During warmer seasons, the Frenchie may be prone to shedding more than in other seasons. This can be very aggravating for people that suffer from allergies.
Frenchies Have Skin Problems
Since Frenchies have such short fur, they are more prone to skin problems. These dogs have very sensitive skin and their skin folds can add to the problem if the French Bulldog isn’t groomed regularly. Many of these dogs can suffer from inflammation, which can lead to dry and flaky skin.
French Bulldogs Have Dander Build Up
Even if a French Bulldog is groomed regularly, it will still get dander build-up. This can happen because the Frenchie has very coarse fur that catches dander and dust easily. Since this is hard for the eye to see, you may not notice it’s on the dog. However, when the Frenchie lays on furniture or your lap, it will spread the dander.
French Bulldogs Slobber
There is a protein in dog saliva and urine that can trigger an allergic reaction. While you likely won’t come in contact with dog urine, sometimes saliva is unavoidable. Frenchies are known to slobber, and may even get some of their drool on you in you’re cuddling with it.
For this reason, they should be avoided by people with allergies because dog drool often triggers worse allergic reactions than shedding or dander.
What is a Hypoallergenic Dog?
If you have allergies and have come this far, you may be wondering what a hypoallergenic dog is. Before we get into what a hypoallergenic dog is, we should let you know that no dog breed is 100 % hypoallergenic.
When an animal is considered hypoallergenic, it means that it doesn’t trigger allergies. While no breed is fully hypoallergenic, there are dog breeds that are considered hypoallergenic because they are less likely to cause a reaction. This is because they rarely drool or shed and are less likely to collect dander in their fur.
While a French Bulldog isn’t the right pick for you if you have allergies, the following dogs are considered the best breed of hypoallergenic dogs.
- American Hairless Terrier
- Afghan Hound
- Bichon Frise
- Bedlington Terrier
- Coton de Tulear
- Chinese Crested
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Schnauzer
- Giant Schnauzer
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Maltese
- Poodle
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
- Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Spanish Water Dog
- Xoloitzcuintli
Which Hypoallergenic Dog is a Good French Bulldog Alternative?
If you have allergies, a French Bulldog isn’t right for you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a dog with similar qualities. Some of the reasons people are drawn to French Bulldogs are because they are small, compatible with small living spaces (like apartments), have a lively and playful personality, and are loyal to their owners.
A great hypoallergenic dog that Frenchie lovers will easily fall in love with is the Coton de Tulear. This playful little dog is an excellent companion. They have wonderful personalities and are always happy for an opportunity to romp around and play with their owners.
Another great choice is the Bichon Frise. This sweet little dog is also quiet, so you don’t have to worry about barking and disrupting your neighbors. They are gentle and friendly dogs that also have playful personalities.
Will a French Bulldog Bother My Allergies?
Dog allergies are very unpredictable and everyone has a different experience. While some people get the sniffles upon sight of a furry pooch, others can tolerate certain breeds. If you’re one of the people with dog allergies that has reactions around some dog breeds, but not others, then you may have hope.
However, there’s only one way to tell if you will be okay with a Frenchie, and that is to spend time around one. If you’re interested in spending time with a French Bulldog, reach out to someone you know that owns one. Let them know of your situation and ask if it’s okay to come over to their home and spend time with the dog.
Although this may seem like a forward request, it’s for a very specific reason. It’s important that you visit the dog in its environment so you can give your allergies the real test. Being in an area where the dog may have already shed and spread dander will give you a better idea of how your allergies handle the dog than inviting one into your home for a few hours.
How to Prevent a French Bulldog From Causing Allergies
Are you here because you have a French Bulldog, but also have a friend you want to invite over that suffers from allergies? While you can’t 100 % prevent your dog from causing an allergic reaction, there are things you can do to limit the chances of it happening.
To begin with, always maintain a regular grooming schedule for your Frenchie. This will ensure that it doesn’t have excess dander build-up and that all its wrinkles are cleaned. You should also make sure the dog doesn’t spend time on any furniture that the guest will be sitting on. If you’re having an overnight guest, make sure the bedding they use has been washed recently.
One of the great things about French Bulldogs is that they are patient. Many of these dogs will allow you to dress them up in shirts and other cute costumes. While this may be a great photo opportunity, it also has a great purpose. When you put your Frenchie in a shirt, it helps to reduce dander from catching to its fur.
Another key step to preventing allergic reactions and maintaining a healthy dog is to make sure your French Bulldog is eating a well-balanced diet. It’s important that the Frenchie eats high-quality food that meets all its nutritional requirements. When the dog has a healthy diet, it won’t be prone to shedding as often.
Final Thoughts
Are French Bulldogs hypoallergenic? French Bulldogs aren’t hypoallergenic dogs. These dogs are known to cause allergic reactions in people who suffer from dog allergies. Many people are under the impression that Frenchies might be safe for people with allergies because they have short fur. However, this isn’t the case at all because people with allergies do get watery eyes, runny noses, and sneezes from spending time around these dogs.
Don’t let that short coat fool you. The French Bulldog’s coat is coarse so it can trap a lot of dander and dust, which can be spread across the furniture and on the owner. They are also known to shed, which really bothers people with allergies. However, the worst reason a Frenchie causes allergic reactions is the drool. There is a protein in dog drool that causes allergic reactions.