Do Bulldogs Shed Much Hair?

There’s no mistaking a Bulldog. They’re short, muscular, and courageous, yet make great family companions given their calm temperament and loving nature. They’re also low maintenance and great around kids, which makes them well suited to indoor living.

Do they shed much hair?

Bulldogs shed a moderate amount of hair and typically more during spring and fall. But with a regular brushing regime, it’s nothing to be concerned about. Especially since they have short, smooth coats, which are very easy to brush.

Let’s take a closer look at the Bulldog to see how he sheds and what he’s like to groom, so you have a better idea of what to expect if you do decide to adopt one!

About Bulldogs

According to a book entitled Researches into the history of the British Dog, the first mention of a Bulldog was by an English man named Preswick Eaton in the 1630s.

As placid and adorable as Bulldogs are now, they were actually larger and more ferocious back in those days. They got their name because they were used in the sport of bull baiting.

This was when bulls were set against bulldogs for recreation in a kind of “spectator sport.” And as a way to improve the quality and tenderness of the meat of the bull when consumed.

Crazy, right?

Thankfully, this nonsense was made illegal in 1835. And breeders began carefully breeding out the more aggressive characteristics of the Bulldog while keeping the more admirable traits. 

By the late 1800s, they arrived in America and have gone on to become one of the more popular breeds in the country. They are still very courageous (and sometimes stubborn!), but they’re not as aggressive and agile as they once were. 

Playful English bulldog outdoor

These days, they’re smaller (typically weighing about 18kg to 23kg), more docile, and are great around other animals and children. They’re also quiet and don’t require lots of exercise, which makes them well suited to apartment living.

With that being said, it does depend on which type of Bulldog you get. The Bulldog we’re writing about on this page is sometimes referred to as the English (or British) Bulldog and is the original and probably the most common breed.

But there are a number of different variations, each with different characteristics. For example, here are some popular Bulldog variants:

  • French Bulldog
  • American Bulldog
  • Australian Bulldog
  • Miniature English Bulldog
  • Victorian Bulldog

What about his coat?

The Bulldogs coat is short, smooth and glossy, and the color varies quite a bit. He can be pure white, red, brindle, pale yellow or red, creamy colored, or patches of multiple colors. You’ll also recognise a Bulldog by the loose skin around their head, shoulders and neck area.

Bulldog Coat Card

English Bulldog lying on the grass.
Coat type:Single coat
Texture:Smooth, glossy coat
Length:Short hair
Color:Multiple variations
Shedding:Moderate shedding
Grooming:Low-maintenance

Bulldog Shedding

Bulldogs are a moderate shedding breed.

Some people think dogs with short coats don’t shed much, but this is a misconception. And one many short-haired dog owners will attest to! 

The reason is that the shorter the hair, the shorter the hair growth cycle, which means more dead hairs floating around.

But fear not, shedding is perfectly natural and something virtually every dog does to some extent. It’s just that some shed worse than others. Especially during seasonal changes like spring and fall.

So if you notice a spike in shedding during this time, don’t freak out. This is a natural occurrence as his coat adapts to changes in weather.

Either way, he’s not a heavy shedder.

I probably wouldn’t recommend this breed to someone who can’t stand any hair at all, but he’s not as high shedding as breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier or German Shepherd, for example.

He’s probably more in line with a German Shorthaired Pointer. But since he’s a smaller breed, there’s less surface area for hair to grow and, therefore, less hair to clean up.

Grooming Your Bulldog

Grooming your Bulldog is relatively simple, a quick brush with a bristle brush once or twice per week should do the job. Or if you really want to get the shedding under control, a de-shedding brush can be a worthwhile investment.

Whatever brush you use, brushing is one of the best ways to keep shedding under control in most dogs, and there are a couple of main reasons for this.

The first reason is that when you brush your dog, you are removing all the dead hairs from his coat. Pretty simple stuff. You brush once or twice per week, or gently each day if you like, and in doing so, you will remove most of the loose hair from his coat.

The second reason is that when you brush your dog regularly, you will help to spread the natural oils of his coat all over his skin. Which helps to alleviate dry, irritated skin, a common cause of excessive shedding.

There are other things you need to keep in mind when grooming your Bulldog. Such as bathing, dental, and nail care. But regular brushing is the simplest and best way to keep shedding under control. Just make sure you get the brush under his loose, wrinkly skin!

Are Bulldogs Hypoallergenic?

No, Bulldogs are not hypoallergenic.

In fact, no dog is ever truly hypoallergenic, even those without hair.

This is because the allergens that cause reactions like sneezing are actually from saliva and dander (dead skin), which floats into the air with the aid of dead hair. So typically, the more hair there is floating around, the worse it is for allergy sufferers.

As mentioned, the Bulldog isn’t a high-shedding breed. And his hair typically falls off onto the ground more so than getting airborne, but there are other breeds that are more hypoallergenic. Such as the Bichon Frise or Italian Greyhound, for example.

So if you’re super concerned about allergies or want the lowest shedding dog possible, the Bulldog may not be ideal.

Reducing Shedding

The simplest and most effective way to reduce shedding is to brush regularly.

In this case, a simple bristle brush is all that’s required. And as long as you stick to a regular routine of brushing a couple of times per week, or more if required, you should be fine.

There are also de-shedding tools out there like that are purpose-built to remove dead hairs from the coat. So instead of brushing the surface with a bristle brush, these dig down deeper to pull out virtually all the loose hair. This isn’t always necessary and probably overkill for a Bulldog to use every day, but can help you get maximum results in a shorter time.

Other things you can do include regular bathing (just don’t over bathe or use human shampoos as this can cause shedding), ensuring a well-balanced diet, and shedding supplements.

If you want to know more about reducing shedding, see our complete guide.

Bottom Line

Bulldogs make fantastic companions that are ideally suited to indoor living because they don’t require large amounts of daily exercise and prefer the cooler weather. So whether you live in a large home or apartment, with a large family, or on your own, these guys will fit right in!

And thankfully, they’re not heavy shedders and are super easy to groom. 

That said, they’re probably not ideal for someone who wants the lowest shedding breed possible, but if you just love Bulldogs (who wouldn’t, given how adorable they are) and don’t mind contending with moderate hair loss, this could be the perfect breed for you, especially since brushing them is super easy given their short coat.

Do Bulldogs Shed Much Hair?

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