Last Updated on December 8, 2021 by Ana P.
English Bulldogs are a very popular breed and they’re always an option for future owners, but many wonders do English Bulldogs shed a lot. Shedding is completely inescapable, as almost all dogs shed throughout the seasons. This could pose a problem if you’re keeping your dog in your home, as hair gets everywhere. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at English Bulldogs, as well as other Bulldog breeds, and their shedding habits!
Do Bulldogs Shed A Lot?
Almost all dog breeds shed, but some dogs shed more than others. You’ll be happy to hear that Bulldogs shed less than other breeds. The reason for this is their coat.
Bulldogs have a short, smooth coat that doesn’t shed that much!
Comparing that to Rottweilers, which have a double, thick coat makes it obvious why they shed less. Clearly, if you’re wearing a white shirt and your dog has a dark coat, the hair will be more visible. However, there won’t be that much hair.
English Bulldogs, for example, shed less than some other breeds. Compare them to American Bulldogs, and you’ll see that the American Bulldog sheds more. They shed a moderate amount and don’t need any intense grooming, but their shedding is certainly more noticeable than the shedding of English Bulldogs!
To put it into context for even easier understanding – American Bulldogs are considered to be low-shedding dogs!
Why Is My English Bulldog Shedding So Much?
If you think that your pup is going through a phase of over-shedding, know that this is normal in a few instances.
For example, Bulldogs will shed more when they’re young, and their rate of shedding will only lower with age. If you just got a new puppy, it’s completely normal for it to leave hair around. Additionally, just because most Bulldogs don’t shed too much doesn’t mean that your dog won’t!
It’s entirely possible that your dog has a genetic predisposition for growing more hair quickly, and thus shed more often.
The question that needs to be asked is: how do I know when is my English Bulldog shedding too much?
Well, there can be a few signs pointing to this. Firstly, if you notice a bald spot or multiple bald spots on your dog’s body, then it’s definitely shedding too much. Bald spots aren’t normal at all and there’s most likely an underlying reason for your Bulldog shedding!
Secondly, even though there might not be a bald spot on your dog’s body, it’s possible that you notice your dog losing a lot of hair over a longer period. Let’s say that you find a lot of hair in your living room throughout the next two months – this is definitely an understandable reason for taking your dog to the vet.
Possible Causes And Other Symptoms
One of the likeliest reasons for the shedding is an allergic reaction or a skin disease. Dogs, just like humans, can be allergic to a lot of things. It’s possible you’re feeding your dog something it can’t eat. It’s also possible that its skin is getting irritated by something. Additionally, it could have contracted a parasite or some sort of skin disease.
Your vet will run a lot of tests to determine exactly what the problem is before deciding on a course of action!
Another common problem is stress. Let’s say that you just moved to a new house or an apartment. If your dog was particularly close to your previous place, it’s going to need some time to settle in. These are big stressors for dogs, just the way they are for humans. Mental and emotional problems can easily display through physical symptoms.
Another common cause is a bad diet. Veterinarians aren’t reminded about a healthy and balanced diet for dogs without reason! If you don’t provide your dog with all the necessary nutrients, it could react badly in a way that causes it to shed too much.
It would also be smart to be on the lookout for injuries and diseases. This is also a cause of stress, and it’s not uncommon for dogs to start shedding too much when they’re dealing with an injury or a disease. This doesn’t even have to be a skin disease – shedding is just another symptom of a possible disease. This is often accompanied by licking – dogs will lick their place of pain, especially if they suffered an injury!
How To Reduce Shedding
We must instantly note that completely stopping shedding is impossible. Dogs have to shed, as it’s a natural process of preparing for the next season.
However, there are a few things you can do to reduce the shedding if it’s posing a problem for you.
Firstly, we’d recommend brushing your pup regularly. Anti-hair brushes or anti-shed brushes are a great option as they’ll take care of most hair before it ever falls off! You should combine this with using a fine brush. These brushes have a lot of tiny bristles and they’re bound to catch almost every single hair on your dog.
Secondly, consider changing your dog’s diet. Check what the experts say about healthy dog diets and make sure that you’re sticking with them.
Thirdly, bathe your dog appropriately. Some breeds need regular bathing, once a week for example. Other breeds need a bath once every two months. Make sure that you’re not bathing your dog to the point where you’re causing skin irritations.
To put it all in a nutshell, Bulldogs, be it English, French or American, aren’t big shedders. These breeds shed moderately and don’t require much grooming. If you think that your dog is shedding too much, definitely think about diet and latent stressors. We recommend taking your dog to the vet and having them do a few tests to determine what’s wrong and treat it. Sometimes, however, there’s no underlying health problem – your dog is just a genetically predisposed shedder!
If this is the case, use shedding brushed to take care of all the hair and bathe your dog regularly!
