French Bulldogs shed year-round. During winter and summer, they may shed more. This can be a problem if you suffer from allergies since it can get out of hand.
But if you’re willing to look past this, you’ll get a charming and lovable companion that’ll make your life more lively.
Does a French Bulldog Have Hair or Fur?
While hair and fur are essentially the same, French Bulldogs have fur. But these two terms can be used interchangeably. The difference between the two lies in the usage and the purpose.
We mainly use hair when referring to humans, while we use fur for non-human mammals. To understand this better, you should know how hair and fur differ in purpose.
Fur is an animal’s insulation. It is shorter and coarser compared to hair. It’ll maintain its length and is shed during hotter seasons. This is why fur is thicker and denser compared to hair.
While hair can also provide insulation, it doesn’t do a better job than fur. This is because it’s more sparse, but it’s also longer and softer. Hair will continue to grow its length unless you cut it.
Although we use the term “hair” for humans, there are some exceptions. Long-haired dog breeds like the Shih Tzu, for example, have hair.
What Type of Fur Do French Bulldogs Have?
French Bulldogs have fur that is short and fine. It’s typical for dogs with short coats to have soft and smooth fur too.
Frenchies also come in a variety of color variations including:
- Cream: A dull, off-white shade
- Fawn: Easily confused with cream, a fawn color is a light yellowish-tan color.
- Brindle: Coats with various streaks of lighter and darker fur.
- White: A solid white Frenchie. White Frenchies can be deaf at birth.
- Chocolate: A brown color that is darker than other similar color variants.
- Blue: A diluted gray fur color with a bluish tint.
The first four are the most common color variations of French Bulldogs. While the latter two, chocolate and blue, are rarer. Because they are rare, Frenchies with these colors are more expensive.
Frenchies can also have a coat pattern. One is Piebald or Pied. Pied Frenchies are predominantly white with darker patches throughout their body.
Another one is Brindle. Frenchies with this pattern have a color as their dominant base coat, with some black fur. The most common brindled Frenchies have a dominant black color. But the colors can vary.
Brindle French Bulldogs can be any of the following:
- Reverse Brindle: A white or cream-colored fur with darker patterns.
- Blue Brindle: A gray coat with a bluish tint that has a light brindle pattern.
- Pied Brindle: Frenchies with a dominant white coat that have dark patches around their eyes.
- Chocolate Brindle: Frenchies with a milk chocolate color with noses and nails that are brown.
- Tiger Brindle: This type mimics the pattern of a tiger.
- Seal Brindle: Often mistaken for solid color Frenchies, seal brindles have a dark coat with some light streaks.
How Long Will My French Bulldog Fur Grow?
Your Frenchie’s fur will grow back within one to two weeks. Don’t worry if your Frenchie sheds often, this is normal for them.
But if you notice significant hair loss and bald patches, you may need to check with a vet. Fur in these bald patches may or may not grow back. Your vet will be able to treat your Frenchie’s patches depending on the cause.
What Kind of Coats Do French Bulldogs Have?
Most French Bulldogs have a single coat, which can be both good and bad. The good thing is, their coat is easier to maintain and they don’t shed as much. The bad thing is, they easily get cold.
Frenchies are indoor dogs that don’t do well in the heat or cold. After all, they are companion dogs and are even great as apartment dogs.
Do French Bulldogs Have a Double Coat?
Although most French Bulldogs have a single coat, brindle ones can have a double coat. These two layers of fur are an undercoat and a top coat, which is usually seen in working dogs.
The purpose of an undercoat is for insulation. It keeps your Frenchie warm during the cold season. Undercoats are denser and are like wool.
The top coat is to protect your Frenchie from the environment. This longer hair protects them from water, dirt, grass, and more. And this is the reason why topcoats are also called “guard hairs.”
Because of this, brindled Frenchies will also shed more than single-coated ones. Especially in the summer or winter season, when they normally shed.
But this shedding is more manageable compared to other breeds with long fur. French Bulldogs have short fur that will not grow past a certain length.
Do French Bulldogs Have an Undercoat?
The majority of French Bulldogs do not have an undercoat because they have a single coat. But for brindled Frenchies with a double coat, they do have an undercoat.
Since undercoats are for keeping them warm, brindled Frenchies will find it hard to stay cool during summer. To help brindled Frenchies stay cool, you need to brush them regularly.
Regular brushing helps by removing or preventing matted hair. This matted hair makes it hard for air to reach your Frenchie’s skin to cool them down. Also, that hair can be painful for dogs.
Another problem that comes with undercoats is that it traps dead skin flakes. If there is an excessive accumulation of this, this can mix with your Frenchie’s fur. A solution for this is to bathe your Frenchie with a gentle shampoo. This can also help if they have skin problems, which is a bonus.
When Do French Bulldogs Lose Their Puppy Coat?
As puppies, French Bulldogs will go through a puppy shedding phase anywhere between 4 to 6 months of age. In this phase, they lose all their soft puppy fur to make way for stronger ones.
Are French Bulldogs Hypoallergenic?
No, French Bulldogs are not a hypoallergenic breed. They can cause allergies because of a protein present in their saliva and dander, which are flecks of skin cells. These allergens will cling onto their hair and this can be a problem when they shed.
Although Frenchies have short fur, they do shed quite often. So if you suffer from allergies, this can be a problem.
If you want to get a French Bulldog, here are some things to consider:
- Shedding: They are not the worst shedders, but they still shed a fair amount of hair that can trigger allergies.
- Short Fur: It will be easy for dander to accumulate in their hair.
- Cuddle Time: As an affectionate breed, they will want to cuddle with you a lot. You will get exposed to allergens a lot this way.
- Drooling: It’s common for Frenchies to drool. Especially after eating, drinking, or playing.
But what if you still want a French Bulldog despite all this? There are a few ways that you can keep your allergies in control:
- Regular Brushing: You may need to do this every other day. When brushing your Frenchie’s coat, make sure to use gloves and a face mask.
- Grooming: Frenchies have facial folds that can accumulate allergens. Wipe them off regularly and make sure to include trimmings nails in your routine too.
- Nutritious Diet: Quality food should have the vitamins and nutrients your Frenchie needs. This will make their fur healthy and strong, avoiding breakage and excess shedding. Consider feeding them food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy hair.
- Frequent Cleaning: Vaccum your house as much as you can. Especially furniture, rugs, or your dog’s bedding. Or wherever your Frenchie likes to hang out, since hair accumulates in those areas.
- Sleep Hygiene: If you’re an allergy sufferer, it’s best to give your Frenchie their place to sleep. But if you allow them to sleep with you, make sure to wash your sheets and pillowcases regularly.
- Frenchie Pajamas: Consider getting your Frenchie hypoallergenic clothes. This will help in cutting down the spread of their shedding.
How Much Do French Bulldogs Shed?
French Bulldogs shed a considerable amount and can vary from moderate shedding to low shedding. But compared to long-haired breeds, they shed less since most of them have a single coat.
Your Frenchie might shed more or less with certain factors. These include:
- Age: French Bulldog puppies will shed a lot at 4 to 6 months old. This is a natural shedding phase to replace their puppy fur with stronger adult fur.
- Season: During summertime, they will shed their to keep themselves cool. And in the winter, they will replace their summer coat with thicker winter coats to keep them warm.
- Food: Diet plays a big part in achieving healthy hair. Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants will make your Frenchie’s hair follicles stronger. This can reduce the amount of shedding.
- Genetics: There is a gene called MC5R-gene that affects how much hair a dog sheds. The variant that Frenchies have makes them less likely to shed.
A French Bulldog’s color variation may also affect how much they shed. A lot of Frenchie owners seem to agree that cream and fawn-colored Frenchies shed more. While darker-colored Frenchies shed the least. This may be because darker-colored Frenchies tend to have silkier and smoother coats. While lighter-colored Frenchies have coarser coats that are more brittle.
But you must take these anecdotes with a grain of salt. This is only from the observations of French Bulldog owners. There is no scientific data to back this up yet.
Do French Bulldog Puppies Shed a Lot?
Because of the puppy shedding process, French Bulldog puppies shed a lot. This is because they will lose all their soft puppy fur. What will grow back are stronger and harder adult fur.
This is usually the “awkward phase” for long-haired breeds. But you may not notice it since Frenchies have short fur.
Your Frenchie’s adult hair will completely grow at around 10 to 14 months old. At this age, they are already into adulthood.
When Do French Bulldogs Shed?
Although they shed all year round, French Bulldogs will shed more depending on the season.
During the summer or spring is when they shed most because it gets warmer. They need to get rid of extra hair during this time so that they stay cool.
But they also shed during winter, but it may not be to the same extent. During this time, they need to replace their fur with thicker fur to keep them warm. Especially since most Frenchies have a single coat and tend to get cold easily.
Another time Frenchies shed is when they transition into adulthood. This is when they get rid of their baby fur to make way for adult fur.
How Often Do French Bulldogs Shed?
They typically shed twice or thrice a year as the seasons change. Once during summer and another during winter.
The climate of your location will also play a part in this. For milder climates, the shedding may be less. But for climates with an extreme temperature change, you can expect more shedding.
Do French Bulldogs Get a Winter Coat?
Yes, French Bulldogs get winter coats. During the winter season, they will grow thicker undercoats. They need this since they have shorter hairs and smaller bodies. This makes them prone to getting cold.
Because of this, they may need more than a winter coat during cold seasons. If it’s getting chilly, it’s best to let your Frenchie wear boots, coats, and even a headband.
Why Is My French Bulldog Shedding So Much?
If your Frenchie is experiencing excessive shedding, this may be due to an unhealthy diet or medical problems.
It’s normal for French Bulldogs to shed. But when is it too much? First of all, you need to know the signs of excessive shedding:
- Dull or Dry Hair
- Thinning Coat
- Skin Irritation
- Relentless Scratching
- Constant Licking
- Bald Spots
- Open Sores
The challenge here is to figure out what is causing your Frenchie to shed so much. If you’ve eliminated weather changes, it’s best to see your vet.
Here are some factors that can cause extreme shedding:
- Poor Diet: A diet that lacks Omega-3 fatty acids, water, and antioxidants leads to unhealthy hair.
- Allergies: Frenchies are prone to allergies. These allergens can be anywhere. It includes cleaning agents, pollen, and mold spores to name a few. Shedding is a reaction to these.
- Infection: Your Frenchie may either have a bacterial or fungal infection. Ringworms, for example, make them shed a lot and is itchy for them.
- Sunburn: Heat and French Bulldogs do not work well together. Because of their short and thin coat, they are prone to sunburn. This can cause their skin to be dry and they will shed more as a result.
- Stress: Certain situations can be stressful for Frenchies too. This causes a physiological reaction and makes them shed. Extra love and nutrients can help them a lot. You may also want to get a calming jacket for your stressed Frenchie.
How Do I Stop My French Bulldog From Shedding
The good news is that your Frenchie’s shedding is manageable with proper care and diet.
You can decrease your Frenchie’s shedding with these tips:
- Use a Gentle Shampoo: Some shampoos can be irritating and will make the shedding worse. Make sure to use an organic shampoo without harsh chemicals like sulfates and resmethrin.
- Regular Brushing: This gets rid of loose fur that is ready to shed. You will also distribute your Frenchie’s essential oils and get rid of dander.
- Less Bath Times: It’s important to give regular baths, but not too often, as it can cause skin irritation. Baths make the hair follicles loose and will shed hair off. So it’s best not to overdo this.
- Vitamin E Conditioner: You’re stripping off your Frenchie’s natural oils during bath time. A conditioner with vitamin E should help with this.
- Dry Their Fur: Wet fur is brittle, so it may break off easily. Use microfiber towels instead of cotton towels. Microfiber ones are better at picking up dead hair and dirt.
- Get Rid of Allergies: Allergy attacks in Frenchies will show in their skin. They will pick on their skin to the point of losing hair or even hurting themselves. Avoid shampoos with oatmeal since Frenchies are allergic to grains.
- Proper Diet: Not all dog food has the nutrition your Frenchie needs. Make sure to check the ingredients list before buying dog food.
- Increase Water Intake: Water plays an important role in maintaining a healthy coat. A dehydrated Frenchie will lose a considerable amount of hair.
- Give Them Supplements: Some supplements promote hair growth and healthy hair. This includes fish oil, flax oil, and brewer’s yeast.
- Decrease Stress: Frenchies are prone to stress brought by separation anxiety. When this happens, they may shed more than usual.
