Can You Shave a French Bulldog?


Wondering “Can you shave a French Bulldog?” As the coat of French Bulldogs is incredibly short and fine, shaving them is more detrimental to a French Bulldog’s health, except if a veterinarian specifically asks for it.

This article will look at why you may or may not want to shave a French Bulldog’s hair, what proper French Bulldog maintenance is, and what to do if your French Bulldog has a skin condition that necessitates shaving.

can you shave a french bulldog

Certain dog breeds, such as the French Bulldog, do not require shaving. This is because not only does a French Bulldog’s hair not grow beyond a certain length, but cutting it shorter can be unhealthy for a French Bulldog.

A French Bulldog’s hair is fine and short, keeps their skin protected, and helps to regulate their temperature. To remove even a little bit of it without a veterinarian’s recommendation may not be ideal for a French Bulldog.

In most cases, brushing and shampooing your dog weekly is more than enough to keep their coat manageable, shiny, and healthy.

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Should a French Bulldog be Given a Haircut?

As French Bulldogs do not have naturally long hair, there isn’t a lot of hair material for a groomer to work with in the first place, making an actual haircut not necessary. Instead, French Bulldogs will prefer other grooming methods to keep them and their coat healthy, such as:

  • Brushing their coats regularly.
  • Bathing them occasionally.
  • Give them nail trimming when necessary.
  • Checking the folds of their skin and cleaning the wrinkles.
  • Giving their tail careful cleaning.
  • Consistent teeth brushing.

How Often Should a French Bulldog be Groomed?

Although French Bulldogs need less grooming than long-haired breeds, they still require other essential maintenance, such as when their seasonal coats come and go.

A French Bulldog’s coat will be shed twice a year to allow for new hair to grow, and is also known as ‘blowing their coats’. It is not as messy or noticeable as other long-haired breeds, but dog owners can still find stray hair from their French Bulldog during the week a dog sheds.

The best way to tackle a shedding coat, and to minimize your home being covered in hair, is to use a de-shedding brush on your French Bulldog.

Even without an undercoat being shed, a French Bulldog should still consistently be brushed. This will help their coat stay glossy, healthy, and clean and keep it fresh-smelling longer. Brushing should happen at least once a week.

What Supplies Are Necessary to Groom a French Bulldog?

Here is a list of supplies needed to properly care for your French Bulldog, especially if you are planning on doing most of the work yourself instead of with a groomer:

  • Dog shampoo and conditioner that is allergy-free.
  • Either a nail clipper or grinder, depending on their preference.
  • Doggie wipes.
  • A toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs.
  • A hairdryer.
  • Disinfectant facial cleansing wipes.
  • A dog-specified ear cleaner.
  • A curry brush.
  • And a soft bristle brush.

These items are part of a healthy French Bulldog, especially the toothbrush and nail clippers.

A French Bulldog’s teeth depend on proper oral hygiene and can remain white and clean for a long time with consistent brushing. This maintenance should be started when your pup is at a young age so they are used to it.

Teeth brushing, due to its importance for dental health, should be completed at least once a day with specified canine toothpaste.

If you French Bulldog is the type that’s fussy with toothbrushes, you can consider ruthless oral products, as proper oral care will help eliminate poor dog breath and prevent teeth damage.

Nail clippers are also essential to ensure your French Bulldog can’t walk properly without having their nails too long. This should be done consistently, as only a tiny part of the nail can be removed at a time.

How Often Should a French Bulldog be Bathed?

Before bathing, a French Bulldog should have a dedicated schedule to ensure that you are not bathing your French Bulldog too much, so as to avoid drying out the natural skin oils that are necessary for dogs to have a healthy coat and skin.

The frequency of dog bathing greatly varies on several factors, and some dog owners bathe their French Bulldogs between once a month to once or twice a year.

If your French Bulldog spends a lot of time outside where they can become dirty quickly, they will need baths more frequently. Dogs who stay indoors, however, stay cleaner longer and will not require as frequent bathing. In fact, they may only require small wipe downs infrequently with wet wipes.

How Much Does it Cost to Have a French Bulldog Professionally Groomed?

Typically speaking, dog grooming services go by breed, weight, and number of services that are requested. Many groomers charge between $30 to $100 for bathing and brushing a French Bulldog, but these prices do fluctuate.

What Are Some Ways to Make Your French Bulldog More Relaxed at the Groomers?

One of the best ways to ensure your French Bulldog is relaxed and happy at the groomers is to begin grooming them at a young age. Otherwise, you can consider using treats for good behavior or leave the room during the grooming process as dogs tend to behave better when their owners are not watching.

What are Common Skin Problems that French Bulldogs Experience That May Require Shaving?

Here is a list of some of the most common skin conditions that affect short-haired breeds like the French Bulldog:

  • Hot Spots – This skin condition, also known as acute moist dermatitis, affects a lot of dog breeds, especially those who are short-haired.
  • Chronic Dry Skin – This skin condition is more common for dogs who live in colder, dryer climates or French Bulldogs that are bathed too often.
  • Regular Dandruff – This is typically treated easily with veterinarian-recommended shampoo and lotion.
  • Allergic Dermatitis – This is caused by allergies present in the house, which can affect French Bulldogs who are on the more sensitive side of the scale.
  • Impetigo – This skin condition is more common in younger puppies, which causes blisters on the skin.
  • Superficial Bacterial Folliculitis – This skin condition is a type of infection that is easily seen due to a French Bulldog’s short hair.

How Do You Treat French Bulldog Skin Conditions?

First, you will want to take your French Bulldog to the veterinarian, especially if they are developing crusted or scabbed sores. If they have multiple lesions, they will need to see the veterinarian even sooner, as they can be very painful to bear.

Your veterinarian will determine what the cause of the skin condition is. These causes can range depending on the nature of the skin.

Typically speaking, most skin problems that French Bulldogs face are due to a type of bacteria or organism growing on the skin’s surface that shouldn’t be there, such as fleas.

To take care of most skin conditions, veterinarians will typically use topical steroids and antibiotics. They may also use medicines such as Domeboro powder to relieve itching and help dry out the infected area.

To determine which type of bacteria affects your French Bulldog’s skin, a veterinarian may take a sample of the infected area by scraping off a small portion. The test to determine which bacteria is the trouble-maker is relatively straightforward and quick.

After this stage, the veterinarian may also shave a part of your French Bulldog’s coat so they can scrape the infected area more efficiently and so the medicine can reach the skin better.

Conclusion

So Can you shave a French Bulldog? A veterinarian can. They use a specialized trimmer made for short fur, so it is not recommended to try shaving your French Bulldog at home by yourself. Or in any case, don’t shave your french bulldog. Your french bulldog needs their coat it helps them to cool down, protects them from sun damage and bug bites.

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Last update on 2024-03-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Dan James

Dan James is the founder and editor of FrenchBulldogio, a canine enthusiast who writes about what he's learned on the way of being a French Bulldog owner and sharing his advice, tips, and research.

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