If you are interested in a Bulldog as your family pet, finding out about their grooming needs will help you prepare for their arrival. A new puppy’s grooming needs will help you get a better idea of how much it will cost to look after it and whether the breed is suitable for allergy sufferers.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about a Bulldog’s grooming needs, from its hair and bathing to trimming nails and whether a professional groomer will be needed.
One of the great things about bulldogs is their coats are short, fine, straight, glossy, and smooth. This makes it much more straightforward for grooming.
They don’t shed as much compared to other breeds because of their shorter coats. However, they do have slightly thicker winter coats that shed more around springtime.
Because of their short hair, haircuts are not necessary, and regular brushing to remove loose or dead hair and dirt should be enough to keep them fit and healthy.
Your bulldog shouldn’t require a haircut. Only under the recommendation of your veterinarian should you consider cutting or shaving your bulldog’s hair. This would usually be because of health issues. It might be that you need to apply the medication directly to the dog’s skin, or if the dog is scratching, your vet would recommend this.
Bulldog grooming is typically straightforward because you don’t have a huge amount of choice when it comes to bulldog haircut styles. In fact, Bulldogs typically only have one hairstyle, and that is their natural short coat.
Interfering with a coat that doesn’t need to be cut can be unhealthy for the coat. Dogs coats trap minerals and oils underneath, which are needed to keep their skin hydrated and healthy. Removing this hair can cause an imbalance of oils and lead to irritation on the skin or other issues.
Bulldog grooming is straightforward, so it can be carried out at home easily.
Using a rubber or soft bristle brush is best for the dog’s coat, and brushing a minimum of three times a week is advised.
Regular brushing will help to keep the coat glossy and clean and will minimise the dog hair that is shed around your home. Removing dead or loose hair will improve your dog’s comfort and reduce scratching too.
Brushing can also be a great bonding experience for you and your dog, where you will be able to spend time together and make your dog feel loved and pampered.
Keeping your bulldog clean is also important to ensure they have healthy skin and don’t smell. On average, you should bathe your dog every two to four weeks, although you can bathe them weekly, but no less than every six weeks. Regular bathing in some dog breeds can cause issues with the natural oils in your dog’s coat, but your bulldog should be fine.
Protect the coat and skin by using high-quality dog shampoo and conditioner. It is essential that you thoroughly rinse your bulldog to ensure the shampoo has been removed. Special care should be given to the wrinkles during bath time.
Using a damp cotton ball, you can also help to keep the wrinkles in your bulldog clean in between bathtimes and gently clean around the eyes to minimise the risk of tear stains.
As well as bathing and brushing your bulldog, you should brush your dog’s teeth at least two to three times per week, with some advice saying as often as twice daily. Starting this from a young age will get your dog used to it, and experimenting with different flavoured toothpaste should make it an enjoyable experience for the dog.
Checking and cleaning your Bulldog’s ears every week should help to keep them clean and minimise the risk of infections.
Another important part of your grooming regime should be ensuring the dog’s nails are well-trimmed. Most dogs will keep the length of their toenails down through wear as they are taken for walks. Because bulldogs tend to require less exercise than many other breeds, this can cause an issue.
Getting your dog used to the tools you use to cut nails is important so they don’t associate them with a traumatic experience. You will need nail clippers and a file, and it is handy to have styptic powder or pads on hand in case you cut too far and they bleed slightly.
You should try to make this a relaxing experience and give your dog lots of positive affirmation. Having treats handy will also help.
Let your dog sniff the tools you will use, and let your dog get used to you holding their paw and gently applying pressure to make it easier to access the nails.
When you and your dog are ready, cut at a 45° angle and do a little at a time to avoid cutting too far down. It can be hard to see how far down you should go, so take it nice and slowly.
You can use a file to gently smooth down splintered or awkwardly cut nails.
If you do this regularly, your dog will be more comfortable, and nail trimming won’t seem like a stressful event for them. You don’t need to wait until overgrown nails become a problem before trimming.
Dogs’ nails will grow at different rates, and a dog’s nails walking on concrete will naturally be worn down more quickly than dogs walking on grass.
Getting Bulldog puppies used to groom from a young age will help them get used to it more quickly. The adorable wrinkles on puppies can be regularly checked, and you can even start to get them used to the other grooming tools you will use, like a nail clipper.
After around eight weeks, you will be able to start bathing your bulldog, and this can be done every few weeks. You will be able to gauge how often you should bathe your bulldog to ensure it looks and smells great.
Professional grooming is not essential for English Bulldogs, and their coats are typically easy to care for. If you find it difficult to trim your dogs’ nails, you might want to visit a professional. Some groomers will also express the anal glands of your English Bulldog, which is something most of us would want to avoid.
It would be best if you did not shave your English Bulldog for summer. Shedding should increase around springtime as the dog naturally prepares its coat for warmer weather. Shaving your dog could cause issues with its coat or skin.
Despite its tough look, the English Bulldog, or ‘Bully’ as it is affectionately known, is a gentle dog that is incredibly affectionate and cuddly. They are not big shedders typically, but regular grooming will help minimise the dog hair you find in your home or on clothes.
Good grooming habits will improve the overall health of the dog and minimise the risk of infections. If you are thinking about getting an English Bulldog puppy, finding a reputable breeder will help you minimise the risk of health issues, and they should be able to help you with a few tips about how to care for your new dog.
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