With a wonderful, sweet disposition, English bulldogs have long been considered an ideal family dog (did we mention, they’re also patient?). They’ve also been seen as the national symbol of England for decades—the country of their origin—though they’ve changed a lot since their bullbaiting days. Plus, we can almost guarantee that at least a few sports teams in your home team are rockin’ that adorable, wrinkled face as their mascot!
Very popular according to the American Kennel Club, this breed is extremely adaptable, doing well in urban and country settings, and never particularly high-maintenance.
Which doesn’t mean you should take them for granted. You are going to need to make some effort to keep them happy and healthy, and we’re here to show you how.
Here’s what you need to know about grooming an English bulldog.
Shedding
When it comes to shedding, English bulldogs really aren’t that bad, at least not compared to other breeds that tend to lose their fur in blizzard-level amounts. This breed has soft, short hair—so even if they are parting with some fur (which happens mostly around early spring when they’re shedding their winter coat), it won’t be as noticeable around your house.
Concerned your pup is shedding a bit too much? Before you freak out, try changing their diet or, better yet, embrace some of our grooming tips mentioned below—they just might save you a bundle of hair (and sanity). Also, bulldog puppies shed more than adults, so there’s always a chance the shedding will decrease with age.
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English Bulldog Grooming
Feel like you need some tips for taking care of your bulldog? We’ve got ideas on how to keep them looking their best, beginning with brushing.
A good all-over brushing (with a soft-ish brush) a few times a week should keep them looking nice and keep shedding at bay. Plus, since English bulldogs are so mellow, they generally enjoy grooming. It’s special time you get to spend together.
Another essential grooming tip? Don’t forget about those wrinkles! Yes, they are adorable, but they also can be super irritating for the dog when food or moisture gets trapped in them. You can use a cotton ball dipped in peroxide to clean them (though keep that away from their eyes, ouch).
Giving your bulldog a bath is also a great idea, though every few weeks (or even months) should be more than enough. You can clean the wrinkles in the tub as well, just make sure the shampoo you’re using is mild and dog-friendly, so you don’t irritate their skin.
Does your pup have some sad-looking tear stains on their face? These are fairly common in bulldogs. Clean your dog’s eye area with a clean, wet cloth every few weeks to combat them. If your dog seems to be dealing with these a lot, then you may want to schedule a visit to the vet.
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Beyond The Coat
Now, don’t get distracted by all of those wrinkles and forget about your bulldog’s nails and teeth!
As is true for every pup, trimming this breed’s nails is very important, although we know it can be scary to do. Overgrown nails can seriously hurt your dog, so if you’re too squeamish to do it yourself, take your pup to a professional.
And their teeth? Investing in a doggy toothbrush is never a bad idea (and there are lots on the market), and then you’ll be prepared to brush them a few times a week. This will help keep their mouths healthy and their breath a little less stinky.
Should You Give English Bulldogs a Haircut?
There’s no need! There are lots of dog breeds that simply don’t need haircuts. Not only because their hair doesn’t grow past a certain length, but because trims are unhealthy for the dog.
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The only time you should shave or trim an English bulldog is at your vet’s recommendation, usually due to a health issue. If they scratch enough to wound themselves, it may be in their best interest to shave parts or all of their hair to apply topical medication or to regrow hair from scratch.
In other words, your pup is perfect as-is.
