Having a furry friend to accompany you, play with you, and help you through tricky times has been a top consideration for people around the globe. To bring this thought to life, French Bulldogs are becoming a popular choice among pet lovers. This witty, attentive, and active dog breed can instantly capture one’s eye and easily become anyone’s favourite.
However, it’s all fun, games, and puppuccinos from Starbucks until you notice something lingering behind your furry friend: a bunch of hair!
Sitting right there on your favourite shirt is hair shed by your little Frenchie.
This can be pretty irritating, especially if you prefer going out in those clothes. This leads to many people questioning themselves ‘do French bulldogs shed?’
French Bulldog Shedding
Regardless of their breed and size, dogs all around the world are prone to shedding. Some more than the other, but they definitely leave some hair behind. When it comes to Frenchies, they definitely have the reputation of shedding some hair.
Shedding Time of French Bulldogs
A Frenchie is known to regularly shed a small amount of hair despite being a short-haired breed.
In addition to this, you should expect heavy shedding every 6 months. The primary shedding season is during late spring, just touching the summer and late fall when you enter the winters.
Reasons for Shedding
There are several different reasons why your French Bulldog might shed:
Get Rid of Unwanted Coat
Although they have a smooth and short coat, the most common reason they lose hair is to get rid of that undercoat. In summers, French bulldogs shed to keep cool and prevent their skin from overheating and suffocation. As winters approach, these cuties lose hair again to grow a thicker coat that helps them stay warm and snug during frosty winter nights.
Lack of Nutrition
Since these innocent creatures cannot look after themselves, it is our job to take care of their dietary requirements. Unfortunately, some people do not care much. French bulldogs can also shed because of a lack of vitamins and minerals in their everyday diet. Vitamin C, E, beta carotene, and selenium are the most essential nutrients they need in everyday life to function properly. Learn here how to offer your French Bulldog the best diet to make sure it remains healthy and happy.
Poor Living Conditions
Just like humans, dogs also need a healthy lifestyle to thrive. French bulldogs do not require a lot of space. They are perfectly capable of adjusting even in something as small as a studio apartment. However, you need to ensure that their surroundings are comfortable and clean.
Vacuuming every day from every 2-3 days helps you eliminate dander, excess fur, and other particles that might cause breathing issues for you and your canine fellows.
Skin Inflammation
Frenchies are known for their extra-sensitive skin because of their folds. If the lifestyle requirements we discussed are not met, there is a huge possibility that they may get skin inflammation. This might result in rashes and discomfort, promoting the shedding of your French Bulldog’s coat. To protect your little one from skin inflammation, it is mandatory to give them the lifestyle they deserve.
Excessive Shedding
While natural and seasonal shedding is normal, French Bulldogs may shed a heavy coat at times. Excessive shedding might be a cause of disease or serious medical issues. Look for different signs such as dry skin, bald spots, consistent irritation, face rubbing, reduced activity, and open sores. They are an indicator that your French bulldog is going through a rough patch in life.
Grooming Your French Bulldog
Regardless of the breed, you are going to have dog hair around the house. This is why it is mandatory to properly groom them, so they do not end up coating everything around the house with fur. Enlisted below are the top things you can do to groom your French bulldog beautifully.
Regular Brushing
One just cannot underestimate the wonders of brushing their pet. While it helps get rid of excess fur, brushing also leaves the coat looking smooth and clean. It also helps spread natural oils from the skin to the coat, leaving it shinier than before. French bulldogs have a shorter coat which means you must use a slicker bristle brush and a de-shedding tool, as well.
Occasional Bathing
Bathing a tiny French bulldog isn’t actually much of a problem. You can give them a bath once a week during summers with a mild dog-friendly shampoo that helps keep their fur intact. Additionally, bathing also protects their skin from drying out, resulting in a rejuvenating experience that leaves your Frenchie feeling happy and satisfied. While it’s perfectly normal to brush and bathe your bulldog at home, if by any reason you feel uncomfortable, do not hesitate to take them to a vet.
Better Lifestyle
Keep the house clean and provide them with a comfortable spot to hang out with you. French bulldogs can get exhausted during summers and do require air conditioning to thrive.
Furthermore, daily activity is also vital to maintain their regular health. This is why a 15 to 30-minute walk every day can help your Frenchie stay happy, active, and thriving.
Healthy Diet
Often neglected, the type of diet you pick for your French bulldog also plays a key factor in establishing the extent of their hair fall. Although there are no special dietary needs, a Frenchie needs vitamin C, E, beta carotene, and selenium to function correctly.
You can get all these in high-quality dog food or vet-recommended supplements. However, more natural protein sources such as chicken, red meat, and fish also help them in meeting their daily nutrition goals. In case of any deficiencies, you can also add the relevant supplements to their diet as suggested by the vet. Having a healthy dog with a nutrient-rich diet not just maintains their fur but keeps them happy and active with no frustrations.
Are French Bulldogs Hypoallergenic?
We don’t know what your breeder told you when you were picking a dog, but no canine in this world is entirely hypoallergenic. It’s either their hair or saliva that can cause some kind of reaction on your body. French bulldogs can be great companions and easy-to-maintain pets, but they do shed to some extent. Their shedding can be quite a surprise for some people who did not do well-rounded research before getting their hands on this cute fellow.
Protecting Yourself from French Bulldog Allergies
In addition to well-rounded cleaning and grooming, there are some precautions that skin-sensitive people might take to protect themselves and survive the existence of these gorgeous canines.
- Restrict your Frenchie to only one or two rooms of the house. This excludes your bedroom as they might leave traces of hair and dander on your bed.
- Frenchies demand love, and they love to show their love for you. However, if you are allergic, do not pet, hug or kiss them as it may leave you itchy. In case you do, wash your hands immediately with a bar of mild soap and cold water.
- Air purifiers can be a great addition as they reduce the level of allergens left by your dog. You can get one depending on the size of your room.
Healthline has beautifully explained all related issues from causes to symptoms, and then to fixes for dog allergies that pet owners may face here.
In A Nutshell
French bulldogs are a gorgeous pet breed that has the ability to survive and thrive even in small houses.
For those wondering “do French Bulldogs shed”: although a short-haired breed, they do shed hair seasonally to get rid of their undercoat.
Maintaining a Frenchie might sound easy, but you must brush and bathe them on a regular basis. Additionally, it is mandatory to take care of their diet to promote a healthy coat.
French bulldogs are not hypoallergenic, but if you avoid touching them unnecessarily, restrict them to one or two rooms and establish regular cleaning habits, it is very much possible to live with them in harmony and enjoy their witty yet innocent personality.
