With their adorably squashed faces, compact bodies, and fun-loving personalities, it’s no wonder the French bulldog is such a beloved dog breed. Pet owners across the world enjoy the Frenchie because these dogs make amusing, loving, and loyal family pets.
But if you or a member of your family is allergic to pet dander, you have to think twice before adopting a dog. You’ll want to consider how much your furry companion will shed, and how you might react to all that dog hair.
So, do French bulldogs shed? Yes, this breed is considered a moderate shedder. And the Frenchie’s shedding means they’re not a hypoallergenic breed. However, mild allergy sufferers may be able to comfortably live with a French bulldog by taking precautions.
Let’s explore the Frenchie’s coat and shedding in more detail. You’ll also learn how to maintain your dog’s healthy coat. That way, you can keep shedding to a minimum to benefit the allergy sufferers in your family and keep your home clean.
What Kind of Coat Does a Frenchie Have?
Most Frenchies have a single coat made of one layer of fur, which means they tend to shed less. Still, you’ll notice some loose hair around your home. Plus, even single-coated French bulldogs can shed enough to cause allergies, because these are a reaction to a protein in pet dander — and pet dander attaches itself to dog hair.
Other types of French bulldogs have what is known as a double coat. The double coat consists of an undercoat and a top coat, and with more layers comes more excess hair. Double-coated dogs shed seasonally, which is called “blowing the coat.” This happens twice per year, usually in the early spring and late summer months. This means you’ll see even more shedding than usual during these periods in addition to normal year-round shedding.
Single-coated French bulldogs shed at least a little, but double-coated Frenchie tend to be the heaviest shedders. Ask your vet or a professional dog groomer to identify what kind of coat your dog has. If you’re planning to adopt, ask the shelter or breeder.
How Much Do French Bulldogs Shed?
Single-coated French bulldogs shed year-round, while double-coated Frenchies shed more during seasonal shedding periods. This breed doesn’t shed quite as much as a heavy-shedding breed like a Husky or German shepherd, for example, but you can expect to see some dog hair on your clothing and furniture if you keep a Frenchie in your home.
It’s important to note that certain health issues could cause excessive shedding in French bulldogs. The possibilities include parasitic infestation from fleas, lice, or mites; bacterial infections of the skin; nutritional deficiencies; or a fungal infection like ringworm, just to name a few.
If you suspect health problems like these are causing your French bulldog to experience excessive hair loss, let your vet know right away. Watch for bald spots, skin irritation in the form of redness or rashes, or a thinning coat so you can act quickly when coat or skin problems arise. Your vet will be able to diagnose the problem and administer the appropriate treatment, allowing your dog to get back to being their happy selves as soon as possible.
How Can I Maintain My French Bulldog’s Healthy Coat?
Whether or not you have allergies to pet dander, it’s important for your dog’s health to maintain a high-quality, healthy coat of fur. Luckily, it’s not a tall order. Follow these simple steps to keep your French bulldog’s coat in good shape:
Maintain a Balanced Diet
Do French bulldogs shed more if they aren’t eating a healthy diet? Absolutely. Any dog who doesn’t get the right nutrients through a healthy, well-balanced diet will start to develop a dry, coarse coat that sheds more. So, it’s up to you to feed your dog well. Ask your vet to recommend a dog food brand that suits the nutritional needs of your dog.
Boosting your dog’s diet with supplements is also a good idea. Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, are excellent for your dog’s coat because they support healthy skin and hair follicles. Native Pet’s Omega Oil is an easy way to introduce more fatty acids to your dog, and it helps support joints and heart health, too.
Brush Your Frenchie
Even though your French bulldog has a short coat of fur, they need you to brush them. Brushing removes loose and dead hair from your pet’s coat, gets rid of any grime hiding close to the skin, and spreads the skin’s natural oils throughout the dog’s coat to keep it moisturized.
Most Frenchies do fine with weekly brushings, although double-coated French bulldogs might benefit from more frequent sessions. You can use a bristle brush or grooming gloves to remove loose hair. (If you suffer from allergies, you might want to have a family member or friend do this part for you.)
Bathe Your Frenchie
Bath time is another important part of regular grooming. Always use a dog shampoo, which is made for a pooch’s sensitive skin and won’t cause irritation. Work the lather into your dog’s skin, and pay special attention to your dog’s facial folds. It’s easy for bacteria and fungi to build there, so regular bathing is recommended.
An important note: As essential as bathing is, it’s possible to over-bathe your dog. If you give too many baths, you may dry out your pet’s skin and create more shedding instead of less. Unless your pet gets into something stinky or smelly, a bath every two months or so should be fine. And it never hurts to consult your veterinarian to determine the best dog-bath schedule for your Frenchie.
Protect Against Parasites
Do French bulldogs shed more when they‘re dealing with external parasites? Yes. A parasitic infestation — fleas, lice, mites, etc. — can quickly wreak havoc on a dog’s healthy coat. Fortunately, you can give your dog monthly flea, tick, and worm preventatives. Ask your vet about these products.
Do French Bulldogs Shed? The Hairy Truth
Yes, French bulldogs do shed. These little dogs are considered moderate shedders, with single-coated Frenchies shedding slightly less than their double-coated counterparts. But regardless of coat type, French bulldog owners should expect to see some dog fur around their homes.
Because of their shedding, French bulldogs are not hypoallergenic. If you or someone in your household is allergic to pet dander, this dog breed will probably cause a reaction. But taking steps to maintain your dog’s healthy coat and reduce shedding can go a long way toward keeping allergies to a minimum.
Maintain your dog’s well-balanced diet to promote good skin and fur health. Brush and bathe your French bulldog regularly. And remember to stay up to date with parasite preventatives to keep pests at bay. These simple steps ensure your dog’s coat stays healthy so they can look and feel their absolute best — and you can keep the loose hair to a minimum.
For more insights into your pet’s health and wellness, visit the Native Pet blog.
