Do French Bulldogs Shed?
If yes, do they shed a lot?
I think we can all agree on one thing:
No matter how much we all love our furry companions we also believe that they would be a lot nicer to have around if they did not shed so much.
After all, Frenchies are not hypoallergenic. So if you or a loved one has allergies, then this breed may not be your best choice.
So, if you are planning to buy/adopt a Frenchie, it is a good thing that you are asking the question: do French bulldogs shed?
That is the reason for today’s post. I will discuss exactly how much shedding to expect annually from a Frenchie along with other topics like how to deal with your Frenchie’s shedding.
I also hope that this post can help you decide if a French bulldog is right for you.
Do French Bulldogs Shed?
Yes, having been a French bulldog owner for quite some time now, I can tell you that this dog breed does shed – quite a bit, as a matter of fact.
In fact, Frenchies shed all-year round. Like all dogs, they also go through the three-step process of hair growth: the growth phase, a rest phase, and the hair-loss phase.
You might find your Frenchie going through these three phases a lot faster than other dog breeds. As a result you can expect to deal with significant amount of shedding with this breed.
Read on to find out what constitutes normal and not-so-normal shedding in French bulldogs as well as what you can do about it.
How Much Do French Bulldogs Shed?
As I mentioned earlier, Frenchies shed all-year round. Naturally, there are several different factors at play when it comes to a Frenchie’s shedding.
You see, most French bulldogs have single coats. However, the brindle coated varieties of the breed have double coats.
Double coated dogs shed twice a year – during this period, they blow all of their undercoat. But the single-coated Frenchie normally sheds all-year round and not seasonally like the double coated dogs.
Also, all varieties of Frenchies have short and smooth fur. As stated, this fur comes off bit-by-bit nearly all-year round. Their hair is also light and silky and that is why it seems to fly off everywhere.
So: to answer your question: how much do French bulldogs shed? The answer is – quite a bit.
In reality, this shedding is quite normal and also the natural amount to expect. As long as your pet is eating healthy and has no other health issues, then you need not consider it as ‘abnormal or excess shedding’.
However, as a Frenchie parent, please be prepared to deal with lot of dog hair and yes, do invest in a good vacuum cleaner made especially for pet hair!
Also Read: Are French Bulldogs Hypoallergenic
Why Do Some French Bulldogs Shed So Much?
Here are some reasons why some Frenchie parents might have to deal with shedding in their pets:
1. Transitioning from puppy to adulthood
Puppy Frenchies around the age of 3-8 months will shed a lot as they transition to their adult dog coat.
So be prepared to see some shedding around the time your pet is about 3 months all the way to its first birthday.
Of course, the shedding won’t stop then, in fact, in some Frenchies, the shedding progressively worsens as they reach the age of 1.5 to 2 years.
As long as there are no visible balding areas, you need not be concerned. Just make sure that your French bulldog puppy is eating a balanced diet.
2. Seasonal shedding
Some double coated Frenchies like the brindle-colored Frenchies tend to shed annually.
This is usually around springtime when they start losing their winter coats as the weather turns warmer.
You will also notice their coat getting thicker around fall as their body prepares for the next winter.
This is completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. Continue grooming your pet regularly to remove the dead hair.
3. Coat color
There are two ways in which the coat color of your Frenchie can affect its amount of shedding.
One – the brindle-colored Frenchies tend to have double coats which they shed once or twice annually.
Two – and this is an indirect factor. If your Frenchie has a black or dark-colored coat, then you will obviously see a lot of black hairs all around, probably all year round. With lighter-colored dogs- like fawn, white, pied, or tan, colored Frenchies – the hair is also present all around you – however, it just isn’t as visible as it is with black coated Frenchies.
4. Allergies
A common cause of abnormal or excess shedding in any dog, not just in French bulldogs, is skin allergies.
A number of factors can cause skin allergies: environment, diet, etc. Skin allergies can result in excess, abnormal, and unseasonal shedding.
Frenchies happen to be very sensitive dogs. They might be allergic to grains, certain proteins, preservatives in commercial dog foods, etc.
Of course, in addition to shedding, your pet might show other signs of allergies: excess itching, stomach upset, hot spots, skin dryness, eczema, etc.
So, if you suspect that a skin allergy is causing the excess hair fall in your buddy, please see a vet or change your buddy’s diet.
Also Read: Best Dog Food for French Bulldog with Skin Allergies
5. Female Frenchie hormone cycle
As the dog owner of a female French bulldog, you might notice excess shedding around her heat cycle. Some bitches shed more as their heat cycle tapers while others start shedding at the beginning of estrus.
Spaying your pet could reduce these hormonal changes and can even prevent certain cancers.
However, don’t expect a spayed or neutered French bulldog to shed any less than intact dogs – the shedding will still take place as usual, however, you can manage it with good diet, regular grooming, and supplements etc.
6. Shedding during bath
Often, some Frenchies shed excessively during their bathing sessions.
This is nothing but the dead loose hairs coming out as you massage and scrub their coats. It is completely normal and expected – nothing to be alarmed about.
You must bathe your French bulldog once a month. Often, pet parents put off bathing just because they see a lot of dog hair in the bath. Some even blame their pet’s shampoo to be the cause of shedding!
(This is usually not the case as long as you use a good shampoo.)
However, do remember that Frenchies have a delicate skin and they are susceptible to many skin issues. So, regular grooming and bathing is very important. Just make sure to use a high-quality shampoo and also completely dry off your bulldog’s coat post-bathing.
7. Inadequate grooming
A reason why your French bulldog might shed a lot is when you do not brush its hair adequately.
Although these are short-coated dogs, they need regular weekly brushing. Brushing stimulates the natural oils in the dog’s coat to strengthen the roots and make your pet’s hair stronger.
It can also minimize the hair that flies all over the place so it can seem that your pet is shedding less than usual. It can actually reduce your house-cleaning hassles when you trap all of the shed hairs neatly in a brush.
8. Poor diet/nutritional deficiencies/inadequate water intake
Uncontrolled shedding is often a result of poor diet.
If your pet is not getting a proper balance of proteins, vitamins, and omega 3 fatty acid, then too it could suffer from excess hair loss.
Unfortunately, one can never understand this kind of hair-shedding until some other symptoms manifest. Your Frenchie might also suffer from itching, patchy hair loss, bald spots, dull coat, etc.
Some dogs that are fed low-quality diets are also often hungry. They just do not feel satisfied as their diet does not meet their nutritional needs.
Such dogs might beg for food or always appear hungry. They may be lethargic as well.
Furthermore, inadequate water intake can also cause shedding in dogs. So take all these factors into account when you evaluate your pet’s shedding.
Speak to your vet about the right diet for your pet.
Related: Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs with Gas
9. Underlying health issues
In addition to food allergies or intolerances, French bulldogs could also shed due to the following underlying health issues:
- Sun exposure
- Intestinal parasites or worms
- Fungal or bacterial infections
- Kidney disease
- Liver-related issues
- Certain medications
- Skin diseases like scabies, mites, fleas, ticks
- Immune disease
- Cancer
Your vet can determine the exact cause of this type of shedding. Thankfully, you can control it with the right medication, precuations, and treatment.
10. Stress
Dogs get stressed just like humans do.
If you have recently undergone some life changes, moved houses, have a new job or a baby or even a new pet in the house, then all these factors can change your pet’s routine.
Frenchies are sensitive dogs and they can sense our moods. Worse still, it can even upset your pet to sense that you are upset.
Also, leaving your pet home alone for prolonged periods can cause immense stress in the animals. Stress can trigger certain hormones and cause excess hair fall in dogs.
How To Deal with French Bulldog’s Shedding?
Here are some of the best ways to deal with excess shedding in your Frenchie:
1. Groom and bathe your buddy regularly
Brush your pet using a slicker brush.
This is your first line of defense against shedding. It can also reduce the amount of hair you see on your clothes and furniture by trapping the tiny hair instead of letting them fly all over the house.
Also, give your pet monthly baths. Bathing with a de-shedding shampoo can also curb excess shedding by exfoliating loose hair and strengthening the newly grown hair roots.
Also Read: Best French Bulldog Shampoo
2. Feed it a healthy diet
Look for dog food containing omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. These nourish the coat and skin and prevent dryness, itching, and other common skin conditions in Frenchies.
We recommend Royal Canin French Bulldog dry dog food as it contains essential nutrients to maintain the skin barrier and support healthy skin and coat.
Avoid low-quality foods containing preservatives, artificial flavors, etc.
3. Provide it with Omega fatty acid supplements
Speak to your vet about feeding your pet skin and coat supplements.
Natural Dog Company Store omega fatty acid supplement is a great choice thanks to its nutrient-dense formula that is known to reduce canine nutritional deficiencies and support healthier skin and coat.
4. Rule out underlying issues
Speak to your vet about specific health issues like allergies, fungal/bacterial infections, worms, fleas-ticks, etc.
Once you start treatment for these problems, the shedding will also reduce.
5. Keep your pet hydrated
Since shedding can also stem from inadequate water intake, make sure your Frenchie is drinking enough water.
Always provide plenty of fresh drinking water to your pet. Try this pet water fountain which makes it easy for dogs to get their fill of water.
6. Vacuum your house frequently
Unfortunately, we cannot stop a French bulldog from shedding completely.
Instead, vacuum your house regularly using a vacuum cleaner designed especially for removing pet-hair. This can help curb allergies in humans and make your house cleaner and hair-free.
We recommend the Bissell Bagless Vacuum which has Triple Action™ Brush Roll to remove pet hair from carpets with ease.
FAQs on Do French Bulldogs Shed
1. Which color French bulldogs shed the least?
Double-coated brindle colored Frenchies shed seasonally while Frenchies with other coat colors tend to shed annually.
Also, dark-coated dogs shed a lot – simply because the stray hairs are more visible everywhere.
No two Frenchies are the same. Some dogs shed more than others due to other factors that are linked to the pet’s diet, underlying health issues, etc.
2. Do French bulldogs stink?
Frenchies are not one of the stinky dog breeds. However, you should always take care to clean their facial wrinkles and folds.
These tend to accumulate drool, food, dirt, oils, and bacteria and can stink if not cleaned regularly.
3. At what age do Frenchies start shedding?
Like all puppies, Frenchies start shedding between 3 to 6 months of age as they start developing their adult dog coat.
Conclusion
Do French bulldogs shed?
Yes, all dogs shed – some more than others.
Frenchies shed a little by little, all-year round. The good news is that they are small dogs and their hair is short – so definitely their shedding isn’t as unbearable as it could be with some of the long-haired, double-coated dog breeds.
We hope this guide helps you easily deal with your French bulldog’s shedding.
