7 Best Brushes for French Bulldogs With 5 Simple Brushing Tips

French bulldogs have an adorable, quirky appearance. With a cuddly, compact body and wrinkles above their short nose, these dogs have a unique combination of strength and sweet charm. Affectionately referred to as “Frenchies,” these canines are easygoing and adaptable. They don’t bark much, and they make excellent watchdogs. French bulldogs don’t even need much exercise, which makes them ideal pets for apartment living.

The French bulldog has an interesting history. In the mid-1800s, large bulldogs were used for the sport of bull-baiting in England. But when that pastime was outlawed, the dogs were out of work. Breeders began crossing bulldogs with terriers to reduce their size. That’s how toy bulldogs came about.

When the Industrial Revolution began, some people sought out work in France. They brought toy bulldogs with them. The animals became popular in France, and breeders in England sold the animals that had what were considered inferior qualities to the French. The dogs that had large, perky ears or a small stature were exported to France. This type of small bulldog became an official breed, and people sought after it highly.

These friendly animals are fairly low maintenance. They don’t need frequent haircuts or grooming. However, you should pay attention to their coats. They have smooth, shiny fur that looks best when you brush it regularly to remove dirt and dead hair. Brushing your French bulldog regularly will disperse natural oils throughout the animal’s coat, keeping it glossy and healthy.

Because the French bulldog’s fur is so short, it’s easy to irritate the skin if you’re not careful. The best brushes for French bulldogs are sturdy but gentle. You might be surprised that some of the best brushes for French bulldogs are designed for longer coats. This article highlights the features to look for in a brush and how to choose the right type for Fido.

Different Types of Popular French Bulldog Brushes

There are so many different types of pet brushes that you may be confused about which one is right for your French bulldog. You need something that will remove debris from the dog’s coat. The brush must also get through the thicker areas of the fur without damaging your dog’s sensitive skin. The following types of brushes are the most commonly used for French bulldogs.

Bristle Brushes

Bristle brushes are some of the softest available. They come with a variety of bristle types. Some are stiffer than others.

These brushes are often used to finish off a grooming session. They don’t penetrate deeply into your pooch’s coat, which means that they’re not ideal for a dog with long hair or a thick undercoat. But Frenchies’ fur is short enough to respond well to a bristle brush.

Bristle brushes are excellent at picking up loose hair. They also trap dust that may be dulling your dog’s coat. Use this brush alone or as a finishing tool to make your French bulldog’s fur shine.

Pin Brushes

Pin brushes might look harsh, but they’re designed to be gentle on a dog’s skin. Although the bristles are stiff, the tips are coated with rubber or plastic so that they’re comfortable to use. These brushes break up tangles and remove dirt and loose hair.

These brushes are intended to be used on long-haired dogs. But they work to get through dense areas of fur that may be tangled or matted. Look for a brush that looks like a hairbrush for humans.

A pin brush is similar to a slicker brush, which has a flatter base and shorter metal bristles. However, pin brushes are usually overkill for a Frenchie’s short coat. A pin brush doesn’t get down to the skin the way that a slicker brush does. However, because French bulldogs may be sensitive, you don’t always need such a far-reaching tool to groom them.

Grooming Gloves

Some dogs don’t like being brushed. If your pooch is afraid of the brush or doesn’t enjoy the grooming process, you might want to switch to a glove. Because it resembles your hand, it might help your Frenchie remain at ease during a grooming session.

Grooming gloves slip over your hand and have rubber bristles. They pick up particles on your dog’s coat, distribute oils, and smooth out the fur. They’re not ideal for detangling, but it’s not likely that your Frenchie’s short coat will develop mats or tangles.

Furminator Dual Dog Brush

Key Features :

• Removes dirt and grime
• Polishes coat
• Dual-sided
• Works well for any coat type

Best Overall

With the Furminator dual dog brush, you don’t have to choose between two types of grooming tools. This brush has pin bristles on one side and nylon bristles on the other. Use the pin brush to break through mats and tangles. The bristle brush can remove dirt and grime, polishing your dog’s coat so that it looks its best.

If you have more than one breed of dog in your household, you might benefit from this versatile tool. It works well on almost any type of coat. It is excellent for distributing oils through a short coat and offers gentle grooming for longer-haired pets.

The Furminator removes the undercoat. If you have a Frenchie with two layers of fur, you should find this brush useful, especially during shedding season. It can actually get rid of loose hairs before they shed, preventing fur from ending up on your couch, clothing, and floors.

Because this brush isn’t oversized, it works well for small dogs. You might need a beefier brush for a larger pet, but this one should do the trick for your Frenchie.

4 More Top-Rated French Bulldog Brushes

If you or your Frenchie aren’t a fan of that one, here are four more that you might like:

JW Pet Gripsoft Small Pin Brush

Key Features :

• Small brush head
• Rubber coated handle
• Comfortable for your dog
• Smooth bristles

If a large pin brush seems intimidating to use on your small dog, you might consider this miniature version. This brush is comfortable for your dog and your hand. The handle is coated in rubber, making it easy to hold onto. The round-tipped bristles are gentle on your pooch’s skin. The bristles are also smooth and won’t get caught in matted areas of your Frenchie’s fur.

The brush’s head is small and oval-shaped. It’s perfect for getting into smaller spots, such as your pooch’s tummy. Plus, this is an ideal brush for using on a skittish dog. Your pup shouldn’t balk at the sight of this brush compared to a larger one.

Pat Your Pet Five-Finger Grooming Glove

Key Features :

• Promotes bonding
• Feels more like petting
• Removes mats without tugging
• Adjustable strap

This grooming glove is essential if your dog doesn’t enjoy the feeling of a traditional brush or is afraid of it. You can purchase it as a pair, too, which means that you can wear a glove on each hand and give your pooch a great rub down. You’ll also have an extra in case you lose one.

The gloves have nubbly rubber bristles that remove dander, dirt, and dead hair without aggravating your dog’s skin. Even though this glove doesn’t have bristles like a brush, it removes mats without tugging.

Plus, these gloves do double duty and can remove fur from fabric and furniture, so the fur sticks to the glove instead of your upholstery.

The one-size-fits-all glove has an adjustable strap, which accommodates any size hand. Every member of the family can use it to brush and bond with your Frenchie.

ConairPRO Pet-It Dog Metal Pin Brush

Key Features :

• Mimics petting
• Fits in your palm
• Bristles won’t rust or corrode
• Detangles without pain

This metal pin brush has flexible bristles and unique design. Many pin brushes have a handle that extends from the head. This one has a shorter handle on top and fits into the palm of your hand. It mimics the movement that you make when you pet your dog, and it might be easier to use long strokes with this brush than one with a longer handle.

Therefore, this brush may be ideal for dogs that hate being groomed. It’s easy to pull your small dog into your lap for grooming, offering plenty of snuggles at the same time.

The stainless steel pins resist rust and corrosion. Moreover, they’re coated with comfort tips so that they feel good against your Frenchie’s skin. The smooth bristles slip through knots, detangling them without hurting your pooch.

Safari Wire Pin Brush for Dogs

Key Features :

• Rounded tip bristles
• Good for longer coats
• Has a wooden handle
• High-quality construction

Your Frenchie’s coat is usually thicker in the winter. That’s a great time to use a pin brush like this one. The tool lifts hair out from deep within the dog’s coat and reduces the amount of fur that your pet sheds.

The brush has a high-quality construction. The wooden handle is sturdy and long-lasting.

It also comes in two different sizes. If your pup is averse to being groomed, you might want to choose the smaller size, which is less obtrusive. It may also work around your dog’s shape better than the larger version. Both sizes are lightweight and shouldn’t tire out your hand while you’re using them.

The flexible pins on this brush are 0.75 inches long. The rounded tips on the bristles make grooming comfortable for your pooch.

Mr. Peanut’s Right-Handed Grooming Glove

Key Features :

• Easy to clean
• Groom while petting your dog
• Fits all hands
• Gentle on skin

Mr. Peanut’s Right-Handed Grooming Glove is another glove brush that we like for Frenchies. These are ideal for French Bulldogs who don’t like to sit still for a brushing session. All you have to do is pet them and clean the brush.

This is a right-handed brush, but there are plenty of similar options if you’re a lefty.

KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush

Key Features :

• Massage and grooming tool
• Great for bathtime
• Removes hair effectively
• Made in the USA

The KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush is a brush that we recommend for a lot of different breeds, especially those with shorter hair. The brush is unique in style, and has comfortable rubber bristles that stick to and remove hair with ease.

We suggest trying this one out after a bath for best results.

Understanding Your French Bulldog’s Coat

As we have already mentioned, a French bulldog’s coat is extremely short. The hair is fine, smooth, and shiny. It almost looks like velvet when it’s maintained well. If you want a low-maintenance dog that doesn’t shed much, a French bulldog is an excellent choice for a pet. These dogs do shed, but mostly in the spring and fall. Their fur is so short that it isn’t very noticeable. Still, you need to brush a Frenchie’s coat regularly to keep it healthy and clean.

The colors and layers of the French bulldogs’ coats vary. Most French bulldog breeds have single-layer coats. A few, including brindles, have double-layer coats. French bulldogs with a single-layer coat don’t have a lot of insulation against the cold. Therefore, it’s important to bundle them up when they’re outdoors in cold temperatures.

The pooches with a double-layer coat, on the other hand, can get overheated in the summer. In fact, all French bulldogs have a problem regulating their body temperature. These dogs have a compacted airway. Therefore, they don’t breathe efficiently and are unable to withstand high temperatures. In the summer, a cooling vest might be useful for your Frenchie. Efficient air conditioning is also crucial in hot climates.

When you’re grooming your French bulldog, you should also pay attention to its wrinkles. Some of these dogs have deep folds. Moisture and grime can get trapped in these crevices, leading to irritation and infection. After you’ve brushed your dog, wipe out the wrinkled areas with a damp cloth. Then, dry it completely so that it doesn’t become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Your dog’s coat is an excellent indicator of its general health. Good nutrition can help your dog stay healthy and maintain a good-looking coat. If you groom your dog regularly, you can look out for issues, such as flakes, hot spots, and dullness.

Overall Best Brush for a French Bulldog

French Bulldog Brush Comparison Table
Rank	Dog Brush	Price	Rating
Top Choice	Furminator Dual Dog Brush Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A+
#2	JW Pet Gripsoft Small Pin Brush Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A
#3	Pat Your Pet Five-Finger Grooming Glove Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A
#4	ConairPRO Pet-It Dog Metal Pin Brush Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A
#5	Safari Wire Pin Brush for Dogs Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A-
#6	Mr. Peanut’s Right-Handed Grooming Glove Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A-
#7	KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A-

5 Simple Tips to Properly Brush a French Bulldog

A Frenchie has a unique coat, and it’s important to keep the following tips in mind when brushing your pup.

1. Brush once a week – Experts recommend a weekly brushing. If you groom your pup more than that, you might irritate their skin. But you should brush your pet once a week to keep it clean and encourage it to get used to being groomed.
2. Don’t forget the folds – Short-nosed dogs are prone to skin fold dermatitis. French bulldogs have rolls of skin around their face, which can gather moisture, yeast, and bacteria. You don’t want to brush your Frenchie’s face, but you should clean inside of the folds and ensure that they stay dry. You might want to do this during each grooming session so that you stay on top of it.
3. Use long strokes – Your French bulldog could become overstimulated by short, aggressive brush strokes. Think about using long, gentle strokes from head to tail. Think about brushing your pup the same way that you pet them lovingly.
4. Don’t go over the same area repeatedly – Keeping the brush in one area can irritate your dog’s sensitive skin. You might be tempted to do this if a particular spot is especially dirty or matted. However, stick to the recommendation of using long strokes, and keep moving the brush to a different location on your dog’s body.
5. Brush them outside – Even though a French bulldog’s fur is short, it can get everywhere while grooming. Brushing your pooch outside prevents the fur and dander from building up in your home. This is an especially handy trick for people with allergies. You might even want to brush your dog lightly when it comes in from outdoors to remove pollen from its coat.

Remember to reward your four-legged friend with treats and lots of love after brushing sessions so that they see grooming as a positive experience.

FAQ Regarding French Bulldog Brushing/Grooming

The following FAQs should answer some of your questions regarding grooming and brushing French bulldogs.

Do French bulldogs shed?

You can expect your Frenchie to shed, especially as the weather warms up in the spring. Regular brushing can keep the excess fur off of your furniture and carpets. Brushing during the winter can remove buildup in the thick undercoat and remove loose hair that’s about to shed anyway.

How should you deal with a dirty coat?

If your Frenchie’s coat is especially dirty, wipe it down with a soft, dry cloth before brushing. You’ll remove much of the grime and allow the brush to do its work.

What is the best brush for a French bulldog?

The best brush for a Frenchie depends on your dog. Pin brushes are versatile and can remove tangles gently. You might want to use a slicker brush if your dog’s fur mats easily. But don’t tug on tangles because you might cause your pup pain. Use scissors to cut the matted hair off instead.