Although slightly taller than their English cousins, the American bulldog still offers the very squat stance and squished-face characteristics of the bulldog breed. This little guy sports a wash-and-go coat, although his wrinkly face needs daily cleaning to prevent infections. He sheds moderately, leaving short hair anywhere he lays.
Cozy Coat
Your American bulldog doesn't require much in the way of hair care. Bred as a watchdog, hunter and assistant herder, he has a short, single-layer coat whose oils provides the right amount of protection. The coat needs little care to keep him looking good. He doesn't need to be trimmed or styled; regular brushing with the occasional bath keeps him looking spiffy and clean.
Into Each Life, a Little Hair Must Fall
A fact of life is if it's got hair, it's going to fall out at some point. Your American bulldog won't shed as much as a breed with a double coat, but he loses hair year-round. His short, coarse hair embeds your clothing and furniture like little spears, so have plenty of sticky rollers on hand to clean these wayward strands. Brush your pup with a rubber grooming mitt twice a week to remove the worst of the loose hair before it ends up all over your home.
A Sensitive Soul With Sensitive Skin
Normal shedding will coat your home in plenty of bulldog hair, but inordinate hair loss indicates other issues, mild or severe. American bulldogs are cursed with sensitive skin, and your pooch could develop skin irritations and allergies easier than some other breeds. This can cause intense itching, scratching, chewing and licking of problem areas, resulting in irritated patches of localized hair loss. Fleas, thyroid issues and food or airborne allergies can send your dog into a scratching frenzy. Consult your vet in such a case; if you notice odd bald patches or irritated looking skin on your pup, get him the treatment necessary to help him feel better and restore his coat.
Looking Good
Unless it's falling out in great clumps and leaving red and irritated-looking skin behind, hair loss shouldn't be a great concern for your bulldog. Brush him twice a week and wash him only when he starts to smell particularly doglike or seems nasty to the touch. A brushing, followed by a bath and another brushing, will remove loose hair. Use a gentle dog shampoo so you don't irritate his sensitive skin, and rinse thoroughly at least twice -- residual shampoo will dry on his skin and cause itching. Clean his facial wrinkles every day with a wet washcloth to prevent bacteria growth and infections, and dry them thoroughly with a soft cloth.
References
Writer Bio
Jane Williams began her writing career in 2000 as the writer and editor of a nationwide marketing company. Her articles have appeared on various websites. Williams briefly attended college for a degree in administration before embarking on her writing career.