With its stocky build, adorable skin folds, and comical personality, the English Bulldog is among the most popular dog breeds in the US according to The American Kennel Club. It is also one of the most recognizable dogs out there. Originally, their name is Bulldog, but they got the name English to differentiate them from the American Bulldog and French Bulldog.
Today, however, we will talk about an important issue regarding any pet dog. Do English Bulldogs shed? If you are considering getting one, shedding and grooming is among the factors that might sway you.
The short answer is yes. For the longer answer, you will need to read on.
Do They Have A Single Or Double Coat?
When you look at the English Bulldog appearance, you might notice that these dogs have a double coat. That means there are two layers of hair, a topcoat, and an undercoat. Dogs with a double coat shed considerably more than dogs with a single coat.
One of the misconceptions is that puppies with smooth and short coat have a single coat. But that is not true.
How Much Do They Dhed?
English Bulldogs shed relatively lightly, but they do it consistently. They shed for most of the year, and they also have two shedding seasons, one in the spring and one in the fall.
Because of genetics, sometimes, Bulldogs might shed more than others. Now, what does this mean for your household?
Well, it means you will probably notice some dog hair on your furniture and carpets. Or on your clothes after a play session or a cuddle session with your furry friend.
As we said before, two times per year, your English Bulldog might shed more than usual. That is in the late winter or early spring months and in autumn. In spring, they are shedding their winter coat. And then in the fall, they shed their summer coat.
Why Your English Bulldog Might Shed More?
Do English Bulldogs shed? Yes, but they do it lightly. Yet, in some cases, they might shed more than usual. That is due to health issues and underlying health problems.
Improper Nutrition
Proper nutrition is essential for your dog’s health, including skin health. When your dog doesn’t get proper nutrition, one of the first things that suffer is the coat. And then shedding increases because your dog is not getting the nutrients it needs for healthy skin. It is the same for humans. Minerals deficiency often results in hair loss, right?
What does quality dog food contain? Well, balanced dog food should contain meat, veggies, grains, and fruits. Look for the words complete and balanced on the label, and check the label. If most meat ingredients are by-products, it is not a high-quality food.
Parasitic Infestation
Intestinal worms and heartworms will not cause shedding. Yet, parasites like fleas, mites, lice, and ticks can increase the shedding frequency and volume. Other symptoms include skin irritation, excessive scratching, biting, licking, and similar.
If you notice any of these symptoms, take your pet to the vet for a checkup.
Fungal Or Bacterial Infection
Another health problem that can also cause excessive shedding is an infection from bacteria. Your dog can sometimes come into contact with bacteria in their environment or by contacting another infected animal.
A common example is ringworm, with symptoms like dry skin, skin inflammation, and more.
Allergy
There are plenty of allergens like pollen, dirt, dust, and mold that can cause your English Bulldog puppy to have an allergic reaction.
These puppies are even more at risk because their thick skin folds can trap allergens on the skin.
When Is Excessive Shedding Normal?
As we said before, there are two periods when your English Bulldog puppy might shed more than usual. That happens in the late winter or early spring when your dog is changing its winter coat. And the second time is in autumn when your puppy is changing its summer coat.
How To Manage Shedding?
Now that we talked about factors that might increase shedding in your pet, let’s talk about how you can easily manage and reduce dog hair.
Change The Diet
Bulldogs have sensitive skin, and they are prone to skin infections. Make sure to feed your puppy high-quality food with at least 25% protein. Ideally, the food should have no grains, byproducts, artificial colors, and sweeteners.
Proper Grooming
Brushing your English Bulldog once per week is more than enough. The good news is that these puppies enjoy spending time with their owners, even if that means brushing. They enjoy being groomed. Start when your pet is young, and he will get used to the treatment.
If you like, you can brush them twice per week.
Bathe Them Regularly
What does that mean? Well, once every three months is more than enough. Now, if your dog is dirty or has been rolling outside a lot, it might be time to increase the frequency of bath time.
In any case, you do not want to overdo it. As we said, Bulldogs have sensitive skin, and bathing them too often can cause skin irritation.
Here is a tip, an oatmeal bath is the best thing you can do for your Bulldog. Oatmeal baths soothe the skin and can help with shedding.
Omega-3 Supplements
I have to stress this. Omega-3 supplements do not de-shed your furry friend. Yet, they cut down on the shedding of your pooch. The fatty acids improve the health of your skin and hair.
Best Brush For Your English Bulldog
The Furminator curry comb is easily the best brush for English Bulldogs and any other smooth-coated breed. The affordable price and the quality of work can help owners who have puppies with short or medium coats.
The Furminator brush has a unique ergonomic design that allows your hand to rest comfortably over the body of the comb. Think of it like petting your dog.
Bristles on the brush are molded rubber teeth that will grab hold of loose hair while removing dust. And most importantly, the plastic is anti-microbial and keeps bacteria at bay.
