Are you the proud new owner of a French bulldog? If so, welcome to the club!
One of the most stately yet affectionate breeds around, your new companion will soon reveal how well-behaved and alert he can be.
While your main interest right now might be indulging in all the snuggles you can sneak, it’s important to know how to properly groom and take care of your new best friend.
Especially in the beginning, even the smallest steps can feel daunting. In fact, you might be asking something as simple as “How often should I bathe my dog?”
That’s why we’re here. Today, we’re sharing a quick guide to Frenchie grooming, sharing the steps to take to keep your pampered pooch feeling squeaky clean.
Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in!
Will Grooming Be Difficult?
For the most part, French bulldogs are a clean breed. This means they simply aren’t disposed to rolling around in the dirt on their morning walks. Rather, they prefer to keep their short, shiny coat as smooth and clean as possible.
That’s good news for you!
Yet, although he’s low-maintenance, your pup will still require critical hygiene care to make sure he stays healthy and alert. Let’s take a look at other frequently asked questions around this topic.
How Often Should I Bathe My Dog?
As Frenchie’s fur doesn’t shed too much, a weekly brush down is normally all it takes to keep it in top condition.
In terms of bathing frequencies, you can give your Frenchie a bath as necessary. Use your judgment to determine when he’s ready for a dip.
If he’s been spending frequent time outdoors or is uncharacteristically grimy, you can bath him as often as once a week. A good rule of thumb to follow? Try not to let him go more than six weeks without a bath!
Is There a Pre-Bath Regimen?
Yes! Before you place your Frenchie in the bath, there are a few important steps to take.
First, loosen any dirt, debris or dander from his coat using a low-velocity dryer. This is also an ideal way to shake loose any loose coat that’s still hanging around. In addition, you can also perform light carding to remove his undercoat and to facilitate the shedding process.
Then, gather your supplies! To keep your Frenchie comfortable, stick with shampoo products that are natural, organic and hypoallergenic. This way, he’ll get clean and smell great without aggravating any skin allergies or drying out his coat too much!
What Is the Proper Bathing Technique?
Keep in mind that while French bulldogs have short, fine coats, their skin is loose and wrinkly! That means while you’re bathing, you’ll need to pay special attention to the areas around, between and underneath those folds.
It’s easy for extra dirt to accumulate in those places, so prioritize them as you’re sudsing up. You’ll especially notice the buildup in his facial folds!
How Do I Care for His Ears?
Your Frenchie has trademark “bat ears”, which give him a distinct appearance and a regal air. As such, you’ll want to keep them healthy!
Use a warm, damp cloth to clean gently outside around his ears on a regular basis. This simple step alone can help remove excess wax and buildup, which could lead to an ear infection if left untreated.
To clean inside of his ears, lightly dampen a cotton ball with mineral oil and wipe it along the inner part of his ear. Make sure to never use a cotton swab on this step, as you could damage your pup’s eardrum.
Think your Frenchie’s ears are bothering him? A few of the tell-tale signs of a doggy earache include:
- Consistent head shaking
- Scratching around the head or ear
- Smelly ears with leaky discharge
- Sore, red, or swollen ears
- Hair loss around ears
- Ear rubbing
If you notice any of these signs, take your Frenchie to the veterinarian immediately before attending to any more grooming steps.
How Do I Care for His Teeth?
First, invest in a doggie toothbrush and special toothpaste.
Then, to ward off any halitosis and keep his teeth and gums healthy, give your pup’s mouth a quick brush at least a few times a week.
This will help him keep his teeth for as long as possible!
How Do I Care for His Feet?
Some dog breeds will naturally wear down their toenails, requiring professional nail care on a less-consistent basis.
On the other hand, Frenchies don’t fall into this category.
Your pup won’t wear down his nails on his own, so you’ll need to trim his nails once every month. In between official nail-cutting, you can keep his paws looking great with regular trims!
What About Daily Hygiene?
You won’t want to give your Frenchie a full bath every day! Instead, you can keep him looking and smelling fresh by devoting a few minutes to daily grooming.
Keep a pack of doggie wet wipes on hand and use these to keep your pup’s eye area clean. It’s no secret that this breed has especially sensitive eyes with lots of adjacent folds and wrinkles, so it helps to wipe this area down once every two days.
In addition to his eyes, keep a close eye on your Frenchie’s snout, as well as his adorable sagging cheeks. Inspect these areas for excess grime and wipe them clean with a doggie wipe if you notice any.
As you do, you’ll likely find remnants of the meal he just ate! French bulldogs have a short snout paired with a defined underbite, so although they’re refined in most areas, they tend to be fairly sloppy eaters!
Can I Groom My Pup at Home?
While there are some services that only a professional groomer can provide, you can keep your Frenchie up-to-date on his quick trims at home.
In addition, a quick brush over his coat once a week is all it takes to keep it shiny!
Pamper Your Frenchie the Right Way
Deciding to add a French bulldog to your family is a wise investment. And, like all investments, it requires care and attention.
Hopefully, this article answered most of your critical questions, including “How often should I bathe my dog?” and specific inquiries surrounding hair, tooth and nail care.
Now, use this newfound knowledge to spoil your new pup and keep him healthy!
Looking for a French bulldog of your own? We’d love to help.
In addition to our selection of French bulldogs for sale in Florida, we also have in-depth, comprehensive documentation around what it means to add one into your pack.
Contact us today and let’s take this next step together!
