French Bulldogs are small-sized canines who are endearing, well-behaved, loyal, and friendly. They are a true definition of small dogs with big personalities. They make the best companions and are calm in nature, making them even more suitable for people who live in apartments.
French Bulldogs were originally bred as companion dogs, so they are very fond of people and create an attachment to their owners.But before you can adopt the French Bulldog, you must know about their shedding habits. This is very important, especially for allergy sufferers.
You don’t want to end up with a pet who will aggravate your allergies and make life a living hell. So, stay with me as I take you through everything you need to know about the French Bulldog shedding.
Do French Bulldogs shed? Yes, they do; all canines with hair shed. The French Bulldog shed a fair amount of fur year-round but more during spring and fall. You have to maintain a proper grooming routine and diet to keep their shedding under control and enjoy a fur-free home. Their shedding can also be affected by other underlying health issues, which I will be discussing later in the article.
Dog lovers indeed love the company of a dog but finding hair on carpets, clothes, and furniture is not thrilling at all. Shedding can be annoying, but the joy these furry friends bring into our homes is worth it. The French Bulldogs are among the most popular small-canine breeds. And as long as you take good care of their fur, you can enjoy these little pups.
Let’s take a closer look at how much French Bulldogs shed and what you can do to reduce and manage their shedding. Hopefully, by the end of this text you’ll have a better idea and info on what to expect in terms of shedding. This will help you decide whether or not this is the right breed for you and your family. Without further ado, let’s get started:
How Much Do French Bulldogs Shed
French bulldogs are moderate shedders all year round. So, while you can expect some shedding, it’s not as much as heavy shedders like the Golden Retriever and Siberian Husky produce. Another reason you will not find too much hair on your carpet or floors is because of the French Bulldog’s small size. A small surface area on the Frenchie equals less fur to shed.
That being said, the exact amount your Frenchie sheds will depend on their age, genes, nutrition, weather, and grooming. They will even experience increased shedding during certain times of the year to prepare for weather changes. The good news is their fur doesn’t require high maintenance, and you can easily minimize their shedding. Read through to find ways to reduce and manage your French Bulldog‘s shedding.
Why Do French Bulldogs Shed?
All canines shed as long as they have hair. The only difference is some will shed more while others less. Shedding is a normal process that involves losing old fur and regrowing new ones. So, your French Bulldog will shed because they are their fur is in a continuous growth cycle that begins with new growth and ends with old fur falling out.
Another reason your Frenchie is shedding is in preparing for weather changes. Most dogs shed during the spring and fall seasons to grow coats that are better suited to keep them comfortable during upcoming seasons.
As much as shedding is normal, there are certain times when it’s caused by an underlying health issue. It’s important to understand your Frenchie’s shedding patterns so you know when something is amiss. Keep reading to learn more about this form of unhealthy shedding.
Shedding Seasons and Frequency
Weather changes play a vital role in the shedding frequency of your French Bulldog. Despite their single coats, they experience the blowing of coat season. They will shed more during spring and fall in preparation for the weather changes. During winter, your French Bulldog will shed their light summer coat and develop thick, dense fur to keep them warm. They will then shed their thick, dense winter coat and develop a light one to keep them cooler in summer.
Another shedding season for the French bulldogs is when they release their puppyhood hairs and develop more robust permanent adult fur. During this time, you will notice an increase in the amount of fur in your home.
Unhealthy Shedding
Unhealthy shedding is always bad news, and if you notice your French Bulldog is shedding excessively, you should visit your vet immediately. Your vet should be able to determine what is causing your pup to shed excessively and provide solutions too. Some of the most common causes of unhealthy shedding include allergies, stress, hormonal imbalances, infections, poor diet, or an underlying health problem.
Additionally, if your dog is experiencing signs and symptoms like thinning of their fur, open sores, scratching, constant face scrubbing and foot licking, skin irritation (rashes, redness, scrabs, and bumps), his shedding is abnormal.
On the bright side, unhealthy shedding can easily be resolved by treating the underlying problem.
What Type of Coat Does French Bulldogs Have?
The French Bulldog has a short, shiny, and smooth coat, which is easier to maintain. They are single-coated canines but still experience the blowing of coat season. Unlike other dogs with double coats, the French Bulldogs will not shed much. The single layer of fur means they do not have much hair to shed. Their single coats don’t do very well in extreme cold weather conditions, so you are advised to buy them coats during winter to help keep them warm. The French Bulldog’s fur comes in various colors like fawn, brindle, cream, or white with bridle patches.
How to Manage and Reduce French Bulldog Shedding
It is natural for old fur to fall off and new ones to grow and replace them. This means you can never stop your French Bulldog from shedding. But after learning how much do French Bulldogs shed, it’s only natural to learn to manage and reduce their shedding. This is necessary for a clean home and healthy fur.
Reducing and managing your French Bulldog’s shedding comes down to proper diet and grooming routine. Bathing them and providing supplements are additional ways to reduce and manage shedding.
French Bulldog Grooming
A grooming routine is essential for every pet parent. Brushing is the most effective way of minimizing shedding. It works by removing all the loose hairs before they fall inside your house. Brushing also helps distribute the natural oils found on the dog’s skin, thus promoting healthy fur. Despite their single coats, French Bulldogs experience seasonal shedding.
So, while weekly brushing is enough to manage everyday shedding, you may need to brush daily during seasonal shedding to keep up with the increased shedding. Many owners say the Furminator works wonders in minimizing shedding during the blowing of coat season. You must be very careful while using any grooming tool to avoid scratching your dog’s skin. Do not brush the same area continuously.
French Bulldog Diet
Your French Bulldog’s diet could also be why he is shedding excessively, mainly because he isn’t getting all the necessary nutrients. You should never sleep on your pup’s diet if you want to reduce their shedding. Your French Bulldog needs high-quality canine food to maintain a healthier fur that sheds healthily. So, ensure you feed your pup a diet rich in Omega fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals to promote a healthy fur. If you’re not sure what to feed your Frenchie, you can consult your vet on the best canine food for them
Baths, Supplements…
Bathing your French Bulldog can also help to reduce and manage their shedding. Like brushing, bathing also helps wash away all the loose hair, thus reducing the amount of fur that ends up in your house. For most Frenchies, it’s enough to have a bath once a month. But if yours spends a lot of time outdoors, he may need regular baths. But you have to be careful not to over bathe them. Offering frequent baths can wash off all the natural oils found on the dog’s skin, thus leaving it dry, irritated, and prone to more shedding.
Supplements are another great way to promote healthy fur growth. But talk to your vet before introducing any to your dog’s diet. Your vet should be able to recommend the best dietary supplements for your French Bulldog.
Are French Bulldogs Hypoallergenic
It is usually heartbreaking when your love a specific canine breed, but you can’t have it because of your allergies. The truth is that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic because all dogs produce the protein responsible for triggering allergies. The protein is found mainly in dogs’ saliva, urine, and dander. It is never about the dog’s hair that makes someone experience allergic symptoms like coughing, constant sneezing, a running nose, irritated eyes, skin rashes, or difficulty breathing. Hypoallergenic dogs are mainly characterized by the ability to shed less, drool less, and produce less dander.
So, do French Bulldogs shed enough to cause allergies? Unfortunately, yes. French Bulldogs are not hypoallergenic because they are moderate shedders and shed even more during the seasonal shedding. This means they release too much dander and allergens in the air, which can cause someone’s allergies to flare up. But if you still have your heart set on the French Bulldog, here are a few ways you can minimize your allergies:
- Keep your dog off your bed and furniture
- Keep your pup well-groomed to reduce shedding and be sure to brush them outside
- Use a HEPA air filter to collect the allergens present in the environment
- Wash your hands thoroughly after petting your French Bulldog to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Do not allow your dog to lick you
- Vacuum your house daily to reduce the number of allergens
- Wash your dog’s bedding and his room thoroughly to reduce the amount of dander
- Take some allergy medication to contain your allergies
That being said, I wouldn’t recommend this breed to people with severe allergies. There are many allergy-friendly breeds out there that won’t threaten your life, such as the Maltese, Poodle, Bichon Frise, Coton de Tulear, Schnauzer, Irish Water Spaniel, etc.