All dogs, including French Bulldogs shed their fur. This is especially true of summers and winters. However, how much they shed depends on various aspects such as their genetics, age, and lifestyle.
Dog owners may be alarmed by how much their French Bulldogs shed, but in most cases, it’s perfectly normal and natural.
But do French Bulldogs shed a lot?
French Bulldogs heavily shed twice a year: during summer and winter.
“Shedding is a completely normal process for dogs in which they get rid of their old or damaged hair,” shares a WebMD vet.
It happens when a dog’s dead hairs fall, leaving behind a new coat. The process keeps a dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Pet owner David H. shares an interesting observation about the shedding pattern of his pooch tribe on French Bulldog News.
“We have three light fawns and constantly sweep up blonde hair. Our dark fawn and dark brindle don’t seem to shed that much, even when you run your hands down their backs,” he sums it up.
Other pet owners agreed that cream and light fawn French Bulldogs shed more than those with black and dark brindle coats.
French Bulldogs shed throughout the year, but the intensity of their shedding differs based on certain factors.
A case in point is pet owner Sergio Gnesin’s Frenchie. He says his Frenchie Tao sheds minimally, and agrees that shedding depends on different aspects of a French Bulldog like “his/her genetic background; his/her health; age; environment (cold, hot, humid, dry), diet.”
You’ll notice heavy shedding throughout the year but more so during certain months. Here’s when shedding can turn worse:
Shedding can increase before the summer and after winter. That’s because French Bulldogs need lighter coats when it’s warm and thicker coats when it’s cold.
Their coats protect them from extreme temperature changes.
French Bulldogs find it hard to acclimatize to warmer weather and shed excessively to keep their bodies cool.
French Bulldogs tend to shed excessively if they have an unchecked or known health concern.
Taking your Frenchie to the vet for regular health checkups is crucial. Frequent visits help spot or rule out health concerns after a vet performs a physical examination or runs tests when needed.
Feeding your dog the wrong food or low quality canned food will have an unpleasant effect on its health. Excessive shedding can be a concerning consequence of an improper diet.
While shedding is a protective mechanism that French Bulldogs experience, excessive shedding that isn’t related to seasonal changes could be a cause for concern.
You may notice your dog is shedding heavily around its sores. Crusty sores could mean a bacterial or fungal infection that leaves behind painful skin lesions.
Your vet may prescribe a topical ointment or antibiotics to ease pain and discomfort.
Another condition that causes heavy shedding is acute moist dermatitis, a common skin disease in French Bulldogs with thick undercoats. This condition can exacerbate because of mites, flea bites, or even degenerative arthritis.
When moisture accumulates around a French Bulldog’s skin folds, the constant dampness can lead to lip-fold pyoderma, an infection that can cause hair loss and skin reddening.
According to this ScienceDirect article, hair loss is also a sign of cancer.
Other conditions such as mange, parasite-induced alopecia, hormonal imbalance, treatment-induced hair loss (caused by certain medications that your dog is on), poor nutrition, allergies, and genetics can cause unexplained heavy shedding and balding in French Bulldogs.
I have a French bulldog too, It sounds like it is allergies. Mine will even eats at his paws, and scratches so bad he will have bald spots makes he will look like a leopard. So now my vet prescribes allergy pills for him. Clears it right up ! pic.twitter.com/D2bnwJuANM
— ⭐Timmy T🌰 (@Timmy_T_Jr) May 29, 2019
Skin irritation can result from an allergic reaction to harsh grooming or skincare products.
It’s best to avoid using products meant for humans and invest in skin-friendly cleaning essentials for your precious pooch.
Foods that aren’t appropriate for dogs or even certain medications can cause an allergic reaction.
Speak to your vet immediately if the signs remain persistent.
When a French Bulldog’s coat thins out, it most likely means it’s shedding old hair.
But how do you spot unusual coat thinning?
Patchy hair growth could be a telltale sign of an underlying health concern.
If your dog’s coat doesn’t even out in a few days and is accompanied by troubling symptoms such as reddening, bald spots, or itchy skin, seek help from your vet.
Dry, flaky, and itchy skin could be a sign that your dog’s pH levels are compromised.
pH levels determine if the skin is alkaline or acidic. When those levels are out of whack, the skin loses its ability to keep things together. Your dog’s coat could then appear dull, dry, and begin to shed excessively.
Compared to humans, canine skin is more alkaline, with a pH level of 5.5 to 7.2. This implies that dogs have more sensitive skin than us.
As a result, canines are highly susceptible to cutaneous infections (skin problems).
French Bulldogs with compromised skin could also be experiencing an allergic reaction to certain grooming products.
Swap your dog’s shampoo for a gentle formula with natural ingredients since some chemicals and artificial additives can disrupt pH levels.
Constant scratching could mean different things for a French Bulldog. If you notice that your dog is gnawing or scratching its coat excessively, it could lead to excessive shedding.
Excessive itching could be because of:
Like humans, dogs require nutrient-dense food to meet their daily requirements.
Investing in quality dog food that hits all the right spots is crucial for a healthy pup. A dog with nutritional gaps could experience excessive shedding.
The best way to tackle this is to ask your vet to run some tests and identify nutrition imbalances.
Once you have a clearer picture, it will be easier to feed your dog food that meets its daily requirements and lessens the severity of shedding.
There’s no reason to fret when your precious Frenchie sheds heavily. A few thoughtful lifestyle changes can significantly minimize shedding.
A FURminator or deshedder brush is quite a lifesaver!
This grooming tool effortlessly removes dander and loose hair from a French Bulldog’s coat. It glides smoothly against a dog’s coat without causing painful nips or tugs.
Brush your dog’s coat gently with the deshedder once a week. To get rid of remnant hairs, bathe your dog every other week.
Plastic or rubber curry combs are commonly used on horses to eliminate excess fur, mud, sweat, or dirt. These curry combs are perfect for French Bulldogs too. They quickly remove loose hair with every circular stroke.
Using grooming gloves will be pleasantly therapeutic for you and your dog.
Silicone grooming gloves pick up loose hair in just a few strokes and your Frenchie will love the feel of the gloves as they glide to and fro. You can even massage your dog with these gloves on.
Grooming gloves make it easy to eliminate loose hairs without creating a mess.
Using a quality coat conditioner (infused with moisturizing ingredients such as vitamin E) will go a long way in ensuring your Frenchie’s coat remains shiny, soft, and less prone to excessive shedding.
After you’re done shampooing your dog, leave the conditioner on the moist fur for the duration mentioned on the bottle.
Rinse the product thoroughly under running water to avoid product buildup.
Your Frenchie’s coat will be noticeably softer and easier to maintain.
Use a microfiber towel instead of the cotton variety to dry off your dog.
Microfiber towels soak up moisture well and don’t leave Frenchie coats dull after use.
Not feeding your Frenchie adequate nutrient-rich food could lead to health problems and excessive shedding.
You may be feeding your dog well but the quality of the food you give it is vital to not just its coat, but its overall wellbeing.
Dr. Roy Cruzen DVM shares that a lack of important nutrients in a dog’s diet can cause excessive shedding.
“Even though the dog food meets the minimum requirements, it may not have enough protein or nutrients for your pet,” adds Dr. Cruzen on the importance of wholesome nutrition.
Excessive shedding could be linked to an underactive thyroid gland or an imbalance of omega-3 fatty acids in your dog’s diet.
Speak to your vet about how to introduce omega-3-rich foods or supplements to your dog’s diet.
Hydration is key to a healthy coat of hair. But that doesn’t mean you have to go overboard to keep your Frenchie hydrated.
Your dog needs:
An ounce of water for every pound of its body weight, which is an average of 3 cups of water every day for adult Frenchies.
One-half of a cup of water every two hours is sufficient for puppies.
If you have an active Frenchie on your hands, add an extra cup of water on physically strenuous or warm days spent outdoors.
Get a travel-friendly collapsible silicone water dish to keep your Frenchie hydrated on long drives and outdoor excursions.
The best way to remember to hydrate your dog is to keep frequent reminders on your phone.
French Bulldogs shed all year round but more so during seasonal changes.
Loose hair left behind from brushing will tend to fall during a bath. Bathe your Frenchie every other week or when they get dirty or smelly to avoid excessive shedding.
You can expect to see your Frenchie shed heavily twice a year during spring and fall. The undercoat develops naturally to protect the dog from extreme weather changes.
French Bulldogs are not hypoallergenic, but no dog breed can be. Even if it sheds minimally, its saliva can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. A dog’s saliva contains a protein similar to the kind found in skin cells. The protein accumulates on dog fur and skin as allergen particles, transferring to people who come close to or in contact with the dog.
Shedding is perfectly normal, but proper diet, regular grooming, and good hydration determine how much and how frequently your dog sheds fur.
Seek professional opinion if you notice any concerning symptoms or sudden changes in your Frenchie.
A digital marketing expert by profession, Andrews is a gifted writer and animal lover at heart. A self-confessed "pawrent", Andrews is well-versed in all things dogs. He uses his years of experience of raising puppies into show-quality dogs to help guide first-time pet parents. He believes in spreading the joy that comes with being a dog dad and advocates more families to adopt pets.
