Dog Dad 101

Do English Bulldogs Shed?

Find out if bulldogs shed their fur and how to keep your home fur-free by learning the breed’s grooming needs.

Do English Bulldogs shed?

Are you wondering whether English Bulldogs shed their fur?

I hate to break it to you for someone who is new to the world of dogs, but yes, there is such a thing as dogs shedding their coats. It sounds insane right.

But it's oh so fur real.

In this article, we'll examine the answer to this commonly asked question and I'll share my experience too because Luna is as English Bulldog as they come.

Ready? Let's go.

So, do English Bulldogs shed?

There's no easy way to say this, but the answer is yes, Bulldogs do shed their fur. Quite a lot actually.

Now I feel like I'm able to say that with some confidence because my family dog which I grew up with is a long-haired Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and she doesn't shed her fur at all.

Whereas, Luna my English Bulldog sheds like there is no tomorrow. According to the American Kennel Club, Bulldogs are rated 3 out of 5 on the scale from 'no shedding' to 'hair everywhere', so urr you cannot argue with the science.

The coat, seen in a variety of colors and patterns, is short, smooth, and glossy. – American Kennel Club

Bulldogs have short coats but don't mistake this for less shedding. In fact, I've found Luna's hair sheds almost daily, and depending on the colour fur then this will be more noticeable on darker clothing or furniture.

Letting your dog sit on your lap while wearing said clothing will definitely show up the shedding. So if you're planning to go out and don't feel like bringing the hair along to meet your friends, I'd recommend minimising the cuddles prior to leaving the house – or having a lint roller on standby might be a terrific idea.

Why do English Bulldogs shed?

As we've discussed, there's a 3 in 5 chance that a Bulldog will shed their fur and you could say that's pretty average. I guess it's just part of their genetic make-up.

Although, according to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) studies have shown that dogs can shed excessively, let's take a look at the common reasons:

Cancer
Immunocompromised
Parasites like fleas, lice or mites
Fungal or bacterial infections
Pregnancy or lactation
Alergies or interolerants
Kidney, liver, thyroid or adrenal disease
Certain medications
Poor nutrition
Self inflictions like licking themselves too much

The good news is the majority of these can be prevented by taking good care of your Bulldog's health as well as taking a DNA test to understand the triggers for excessive shedding. The UK Kennel Club advises this for Bulldogs.

Can I minimise the shedding?

Although Bulldogs shed their fur, fortunately, there are ways to reduce the amount of shedding. Here are my best nuggets of advice based on my own personal experience with Luna.

Groom regularly
I've found after brushing Luna regularly, the amount of fur decreases, or at least is less visible. When you brush a dog you will naturally de-shed the fur yourself, so there's less to fall off on its own.

Wash your dog often
It's a good idea to wash your Bulldog at least fortnightly, not only does it remove loose hair in the process but your dog will be smooth to stroke and will smell incredible afterwards.

Feed nutritious meals
It can be helpful to feed your Bulldog raw food rather than the processed kibble you find in pet stores. I've been feeding Luna Rocketo's 74% Organic Beef - Dehydrated Raw food and seen a miraculous difference in the amount of fur she sheds.

By having a plan, you can minimise the fur an English Bulldog will shed.

Finally, although this isn't going to prevent your Bulldog from shedding its fur, investing in a pet hair vacuum, like this Shark Upright Vaccum cleaner, will declutter your home which means you'll have less loose fur lying around.

Furrimals is not a medical resource. Do not disregard advice from a professional veterinarian because of something you read here.