French Bulldog: breed guide for groomers

French Bulldog breed guide for groomers

The French Bulldog is a popular breed known for their distinctive "bat ears" and charming personality. This guide will cover everything you need to know about this adorable breed, from their history and physical appearance to their personality and health needs.

History of the French Bulldog

The Frenchies or French Bulldog originated in France in the 1800s. They were originally bred to be a smaller version of the English Bulldog and were used for bull-baiting and other forms of entertainment. However, as bull-baiting became less popular, the French Bulldog evolved into a companion animal, prized for their affectionate and playful personality.

Physical Characteristics of the French Bulldog

French Bulldog grooming guide for groomers

The French Bulldog is a small breed, typically weighing between 16-28 pounds and standing 11-13 inches tall. They have a compact, muscular build and a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, including fawn, brindle, and black.

Their most distinctive feature is their "bat ears," which are large and erect, and their wide, wrinkled forehead. Frenchies also have a short, square-shaped muzzle, and a tail that is either straight or screwed.

The personality of the French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is a friendly and affectionate breed, known for their love of attention and playfulness. They are highly social animals and thrive in households with plenty of affection and playtime.

They are also known for their intelligence and trainability and are often used in various forms of performance work, such as obedience and agility competitions.

Health Concerns of the French Bulldog

French Bulldog health concerns

Like all breeds, the French Bulldog is prone to certain health problems. Some of the most common health issues in this breed include breathing problems, skin allergies, and eye problems. It is important to work with a reputable breeder to ensure that French Bulldog is healthy and free from these conditions.

In addition, Frenchies are a brachycephalic breed, meaning they have a short snout, which can lead to breathing difficulties and overheating. It is important to monitor Frenchie's breathing and avoid exposing them to high temperatures for extended periods of time.

Do French Bulldogs Shed?

The French Bulldog is a low-maintenance breed that requires minimal grooming. Their short, smooth coat requires occasional brushing to remove loose hair, and they should be bathed as needed.

In terms of exercise, Frenchies are a moderate energy breed and do well with a daily walk and plenty of playtimes. They are also known to enjoy playing with toys and participating in interactive games.

French bulldog grooming

French bulldog's coat specifics

French Bulldogs have only one layer of coat, it is short, smooth coat that is easy to groom. French Bulldog's Shedding can be an issue pet parents ask about and complain about the little dog hair on furniture. Brushing their coats two or three times a week will help keep them free of dirt and debris. This breed sheds very little, so regular baths and grooming should be enough to maintain their coat. A rubber grooming mitt is helpful here or a silicone brush like the PRIDE+GROOM Bath Brush. They can also flake so using shampoos like PRIDE+GROOM with essential oils to maintain the natural oils.

French bulldog shedding

Thankfully to their coat type, French bulldogs shed less than other breeds. The peak of their shedding activity happens around spring time. The remaining seasons French bulldogs shed minimally.

However, mix-breed of French bulldogs may have different coat types and shedding schedules.

Professional French bulldog grooming

In case you have a Frenchie for a grooming session, you would need to do a full-fledged grooming session. Although French Bulldog's short, smooth coat is easy to take care of, there are a few things to take care of.

Brushing Frenchies

Start off with brushing with a rubber or bristle brush to distribute skin's natural oils evenly and to get rid of all debris.

Cleaning French bulldog's wrinkles

Their wrinkles should also be cleaned and moisturized during the grooming sessions to prevent skin irritation and infection. We can recommend using waterless dog shampoo that will help to clean bacteria and odor without harming the skin barrier.

Bathing French bulldogs

After you have performed initial brushing and wrinkles cleaning, it is time to move on to the main bath! As professional groomer, you should be aware of your client's skin & coat needs.

For moth French bulldogs The Non Shedder would be a perfect option since this shampoo is created for non-shedding dog's coat. But just in case you have a dog with sensitive skin, allergies or other skin conditions, opt for milder formula, e.g. The Sensitive One, created for sensitive dogs and puppies.

After you rinse off the shampoo from French bulldog, apply a small amount of dog conditioner to seal the moisture and nourish the dog's skin. The Final Coatis our best dog conditioner!

You can use our Bath brush with shampoo and conditioner, by gently stroking the dog with shampoo or conditioner you help the formulate to go deeper into skin and hair follicles. As an additional perk, you give extra massages to your client, that they are sure to love and come back for! 

Drying French bulldogs after the bath

Use a microfiber towel that may help to absorb moisture quickly. Wrap Frenchie in the microfiber towel and gently press down against the body to remove excess water.

Cleaning Frenchies' ears

Ear cleaning is also important for this breed, as folds in their ears can build up wax and debris over time. To clean Frenchie's ear you need to use wet wipe and ear-cleaning solution that is approved for use in dogs. Gently go through all folds and cavities and swipe though them with careful stories.

French Bulldogs nail trimming

French Bulldog's nails trimming is also important for their general health and well-being. Use sharp professional nail trimmers or clippers to trim the nails. Cut off only small amounts of nails at a time, be careful not to cut too deep and make sure you have a styptic powder available, just in case.

Extra steps for smelly pups

If a French bulldog is especially smelly after his bath, you can add some waterless shampoo to the mix after the bath.

Additional thing is to use deodorising pet spray, which not only emits a gorgeous aroma but also kills any remaining bacteria, that cause the odor.

Conclusion

The French Bulldog is a charming and affectionate breed that is sure to bring joy to any household. With proper care and attention, Frenchie can live a happy and healthy life, and be a loyal companion for many years to come.

WHO IS PRIDE+GROOM?

The very first clean beauty brand…for dogs!

PRIDE+GROOM is a female and minority owned all-natural pet grooming company born and bred in New York City.  We designed our coat-specific dog shampoos with a light, fresh signature scent that says goodbye to the overwhelming fragrances currently in the dog grooming market. Our packaging and branding humanizes our pet products making them attractive and user friendly.

We offer wholesale pricing for professional use or resale, discover our producthere

Our company is rooted in our love for dogs and cats, and we’ve put all our energy into creating products that let us care for them, their coats and their skin in a way that is natural, nurturing, and specific. Our formulas are a unique blend of essential oils sourced from around the world. Each ingredient has a purpose.  Like Marshmallow Root Oil, in our Non-Shedder, helps detangle and nourish those dogs, like doodles, with hair that grows and is prone to matting.  

PRIDE+GROOM is deeply committed to giving back to the community. We developed our ONE FUR ALL conditioning shampoo that we have donated to over 1000 shelters around the country. This amounts to over 50,000 needy rescue dogs getting the PRIDE+GROOM treatment before heading to their forever homes for adoption.