Do Bulldogs Shed?

Well, the simple answer to this question is yes.  Bulldogs do shed.  But they don’t shed as much as other breeds and when they do shed their hair is less noticeable on the ground, on furniture, and other areas.  From my own personal experience, I think bulldog shedding is most noticeable on your dark clothing.  Having him or her in your lap while you’re wearing a dark jacket or dark pants will almost positively result in visible Bulldog hair on your clothing.  Of course, if your bully has any kind of white coating, the hair is more likely to show.  All-in-all, bulldogs can be considered “average” shedders.

Bulldogs have a short, fine, smooth coat.  The good news about this is that when they do shed, it can make cleanup a relatively simple job.  The coat also matures with age, and a bulldog puppy will typically shed more than the adult version later in their life.  As their coat matures, Bulldog shedding should slow down given proper grooming (more on that later)!

What Would Cause my Bulldog to Excessively Shed?

Excessive Bulldog shedding can be due to many reasons.  Your veterinarian will be your best option when determining the exact reason that your Bully may be excessively shedding.  After all, shedding is normal, and the Vet will be able to determine if the shedding is natural or part of an underlying disorder.  According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), excessive shedding can be caused by:

    • Parasites (fleas, lice or mites)
    • Fungal or bacterial infections
    • Inhalant or food-related allergies
    • Kidney, liver, thyroid or adrenal disease (including Cushing’s)
    • Pregnancy or lactation
    • Certain medications
    • Self-induced trauma due to licking
    • Cancer
    • Immune disease
    • Sunburn
    • Contact with irritating or caustic substances
    • Improper Nutrition


Often, bulldog shedding can simply be caused by a reaction to food or a result of improper nutrition.  The remedy to this issue may be to experiment with different food brands and types, and seeing how your Bulldog reacts.  However, sometimes the excessive shedding may warrant a trip to the Vet, especially if you spot signs of skin irritation or redness, open sores, balding, dull and dry hair, persistent scratching and/or licking, and other abnormalities in your Bulldog.

Tips for Decreasing Shedding

There are many tricks and tips that you can do to manage your Bulldog’s shedding. Here are the most vital ones:

Proper Grooming: We recommend brushing your dog every single day.  Bulldogs typically love being groomed, especially if it ends with a reward!  Teach your dog at a young age to be stable on a grooming table.  We recommend using a fine tooth brush with very compact bristles to really remove the loose hair in your Bulldog. Read about the costs involved with grooming.

Bathe your Dog as Needed: Nobody like a smelly Bully!  If you see that your dog is getting dirty, or he’s been rolling around outside a bit too much, it’s a good idea (and a necessity) for you to bathe your dog.  Be sure to reward him/her after their bath.

Feed a nutritious Dog food:  Make sure you watch for signs in your Bully when using a new food or feeding him something for the first time.  If the dog has any sort of negative reactions, it may be time to switch up what he eats.

Invest in a proper collar: A poor collar can cause allergic reactions or make your Bully scratch his neck area more than usual. Check out our shop for more on that!

Invest in a Decent Vacuum:  Vacuuming your house will keep allergens from dog hair off the ground and furniture, and overall improve the health of your home.

Use A Fatty Acid Supplement: Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids have been proven to help the coat of Bulldogs and lessen shedding.  You can buy this in the form of Salmon oil or in other dietary supplements.

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