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Do French Bulldogs Shed?

One thing that all dog lovers can agree with is that they do not like finding fur on the furniture, carpet, or clothes.

And yes, French Bulldogs shed.

Despite Frenchies having a short and smooth coat, they still shed some hair.

However, is this something common, and is there anything you can do to prevent excessive shedding?

The guide below will give you some insight into the shedding of French bulldogs and what you can do about it.

How Much Do Frenchies Shed?

Frenchies do not shed that much.

The shedding is very minimal, with excessive shedding happening twice a year.

That is summer and winter.

brindle frenchie in grass
image: Ildar Sagdejev (Specious), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In summer, they shed their undercoat as a way of helping them stay cool.

Frenchies do not handle hot weather very well.

Shedding is simply a natural process to prevent overheating.

The other time is winter.

When it is cold, French bulldogs shed their coat as well.

They grow a new coat to help keep warm, which means they will shed the old coat.

But despite that shedding, the good news is that these dogs have short and fine hair.

You will not be stressed about having too much dog hair all over your home.

It also helps that they are tiny, meaning they leave less fur compared to other bigger dog breeds.

Do French Bulldogs Shed All Year?

Yes, Frechies do shed all year long.

French Bulldogs will shed throughout the year.

The difference is that in summer and winter, there is excessive shedding.

Also, certain factors will contribute to a Frenchie’s shedding, including age and diet.

Still, shedding is generally something normal you can expect.

As long as the pet does not show signs of any health-related issues, you have no reason to worry about shedding.  

Causes Of Excessive Shedding In French Bulldogs

Even though Frenchies do not shed too much, excessive shedding can be caused by several things, as seen below.

Weather

As already mentioned, there is excessive shedding during summer and winter.

During summer, the dogs shed to escape the heat, and during winter, a new coat is grown to keep them warm.

If the temperatures are mild, the shedding will be very minimal.

Age

Age is another factor that contributes to excessive shedding.

All puppies often undergo a shedding phase where they lose the puppy’s coat.

This is not just common with French bulldogs.

Shedding often occurs when a puppy is about 4 to 6 months old.

However, it can also happen to adult dogs as more surface means more shedding.

But Frenchies are smaller breeds even into adulthood, meaning they will shed less hair compared to the bigger dog breeds.

french bulldog sleeping on mat

Genes

Like many other dog traits, genes can also contribute to shedding.

The MC5R-gene is a gene found in dogs that affects how much they shed.

The gene comes in two forms, namely the G-variant and the A-variant.

If your dog has the G-variant, it will shed a lot. Fortunately, a Frenchie is not one of these.

Diet

Often, people are told they are what they eat, and this applies to pets as well.

A healthier diet equates to a healthier dog.

A good diet will provide all the right nutrients and vitamins that can help your dog maintain healthy and strong hair follicles.

The result is that the hair will not break off easily, which reduces shedding.

Meals with omega-3 fatty acids are recommended because they promote hair growth.

Fluids are also important as they will keep the dog hydrated, preventing dry skin, which leads to hair loss.

Besides the factors mentioned above, excessive shedding could also mean there is a problem.

For instance, if you have been with your French bulldog for some time and you notice that the shedding is suddenly excessive or the dog has patches, it could indicate health issues.

Here are a few health conditions that could be the problem.

  • Bacterial or fungal infection
  • Allergy
  • Fleas and lice
  • Yeast infection
  • Stress
  • Medication
  • Hormonal imbalance

How To Deal With A Frenchie’s Shedding

A Frenchie shedding does not have to feel like a nightmare.

With the right tools and care, you can prevent this.

Some of the ways to deal with shedding include:

black and white french bulldog

Provide A Balanced Diet

Seeing how a dog’s diet can affect its shedding habits, check what you feed your dog.

Foods that are rich in fatty acids and omega 3 can improve the health of your Frenchie’s coat.

You can also feed your dogs some fruits like bananas, apples, blueberries, and coconuts.

Something to note is that there are certain ways to feed your dog these fruits.

For example, for apples, you should first remove seeds, while for bananas, it should be in moderation.

Whichever fruit snack you want to give your dog, ensure you do it correctly.

Buy A Good Shampoo

While shampoo makes the dog washing process easier, you should not just pick any brand.

Most Frenchies have sensitive skin and can develop allergies.

Always check that the shampoo you are buying is hypoallergenic.

If your little friend is healthy and does not look too dirty, it probably needs four showers every year.

An extra shower or two is okay if you have gone on an outdoor adventure and the dog has dirtied itself.

Regular Brushing

Part of French Bulldog grooming involves brushing the fur once a week.

With their coat being short, avoid hard brushes as those will make them feel uncomfortable.

Instead, use a grooming glove. It is made of silicone which ensures all the hair sticks to the glove. It is also soft and therefore comfortable.

Hydration

For dogs to stay healthy, they need to consume one ounce of water for each pound they weigh every day.

Dehydrated skin contributes to hair loss, and when your dog is not getting enough water, you will find a lot of hair around your home.

If you are having some challenges getting your dog to drink enough water, here are some tips that can help.

  • Place the water bowl near an area where they relax
  • Praise them or provide a treat when they drink water
  • Add some water to their food

Shedding Supplements

Besides a good diet and enough water, you can also give your dog fish-oil supplements.

Not only do they benefit the coats and skin, but also the joints and bones.

Managing Shedding In The House

You can love your pets but still hate the mess they create when they leave hair everywhere.

Here are some helpful tips to keep your home clean, especially during winter and summer.

  • Use a slipcover on your furniture that you can regularly remove and wash
  • Get a bed for the pet: Have a designated space for the pet so that you only have to deal with hair on the pet’s bedding.
  • Use a pet hair removal broom for your carpet
  • Protect your car by buying a dog car seat

French bulldogs are not hypoallergenic.

So, if you are among the people that have pet allergies, even the little hair from Frenchies can still be problematic.

Otherwise, if you are just concerned about the shedding habits of your dog, the guide above can help you.

As long as you do not mind the hair or find the proper way to manage it, French bulldogs are great companions.

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National Canine Research Association of America