French Bulldogs have been steadily rising in popularity in recent years. This is largely due to an increase of celebrity Frenchie owners, and picture-based social networks such as Instagram where these pups can be celebrities in their own right.

With their big eyes, adorable pudgy faces, and tiny legs, it’s easy to see why these little dogs are such popular pets! If you’re going to own a Frenchie, though, you need to be well-informed about proper care techniques. This breed comes with a variety of unique needs that need to be met to ensure they have the highest quality of life.

In this post, we will take a look at some of the care concerns and unique features that make the French Bulldog face so cute and lovable!

Short Noses, Cute Noises

One of the defining characteristics of the French bulldog breed is their adorable, mushed-in noses.

In addition to giving their faces a distinct wrinkly appearance, this can also lead to unique breathing patterns which can result in a variety of noises.

Frenchies are usually snorers, tend to grunt when excited and make a variety of snuffling, snorting noises when moving around. This is pretty typical for the breed and not usually indicative of a breathing problem.

If your Frenchie does seem to be a particularly heavy breather when awake you may need to take them to a vet for their airways to be evaluated. Frenchies can be prone to elongated soft pallets which might need to be surgically corrected to open up their airways.

No (Or Minimal) Snouts

Frenchies don’t have a snout in the typical sense. They have shortened muzzles that are almost non-existent when compared to other dogs.

They still have the same amount of soft tissue as dogs with longer snouts though. This is one of the reasons they have so many wrinkles and folds in their faces and around their noses. Unfortunately, this can cause some problems. In addition to the issues mentioned in the last section, the shortened muzzles can also make it difficult for Frenchies to regulate their body temperature since dogs generally do this by panting.

The surface area of the mouth and the act of exhaling hot air and inhaling air cooled by the saliva in the mouth helps keep dogs comfortable. This process is much less effective in French Bulldogs. Since they aren’t good at regulating their body temperature themselves they should be kept in cool environments and not left out in the heat or taken on long walks on hot days.

Keep the Wrinkles Clean!

If there is one feature more iconic of the French bulldog breed than their short noses and cute noises it’s their wrinkly appearance. The folds on a Frenchie’s face are certainly adorable, but many people don’t know that they need special care. Dirt and gunk can get trapped in these wrinkles if they’re not properly cared for. Bacteria can also grow in this area if too much moisture gets trapped there.

How to Clean Your Frenchie’s Face

The most popular method for cleaning face wrinkles is to use baby wipes or some other kind of anti-bacterial wipe at least once a week. Some dogs may need this more or less often depending on their unique face and how much time they spend outside.

Simply run the wipe around and under their wrinkles making sure to especially get the deep folds typically found over and around the nose. You don’t need to scrub too hard as this can cause skin irritation and is usually not necessary.

It’s also possible to wash the facial wrinkles with dog shampoo. The only problem with this approach though is that it can leave water trapped in the folds. This can lead to bacteria or infections. If you do get your dog’s face wet, be sure to make sure it’s properly dried.

How Dry is Too Dry?

Leaving moisture in your dog’s face folds may cause problems, but drying them out too much can be problematic too! Lightly using an anti-bacterial wipe – that is safe for animals – is the best way to avoid this problem.

If you are still worried about drying out your Frenchie’s face too much rub a little Vaseline or specially-made moisturizer into the folds. This will keep them safe and comfortable.

You may also want to keep an eye on their noses to make sure they stay properly moisturized as well. There are special nose-care products you can buy for this purpose. Asking your vet for recommendations is probably the best way to go. They will be able to help you get the right products to keep your Frenchie’s face clean, comfortable, and as adorable as ever.

Will Blunt

Will is the proud co-owner of Frankie, a Female Brindle French Bulldog, with his wife Michelle. We share our Frenchie experiences with the world to help health-conscious French Bulldog owners who want a happy, healthy, and long-living dog.