In this article, we will explore the best brush for French Bulldogs, how to best groom them as well as hints on tips on the various brushing and grooming styles.
French bulldogs have a unique charm with their affectionate nature and playful yet laid-back demeanour. But it’s not just their personality that wins them so many fans; their distinctive appearance with the natural “bat” ears, muscular build and cute squishy face are almost impossible to resist.
However, although Frenchies don’t have long and flowing coats, it’s still essential to establish a proper grooming routine. Of course, this helps them to stay looking beautiful – but it’s much more than that.
Grooming your French Bulldog not only keeps their skin and hair looking healthy, but it also removes dirt and dead hair. Not all brushes do the same job, though, so it’s essential to invest in the right brush for their type of coat.
When looking for a brush for a French Bulldog, you should consider their specific requirements and how their fur grows.
To give you a helping hand, this guide will run through the best brush for a French bulldog as well as providing some top grooming tips when getting down to some doggie maintenance.
Contents
Best Brushes for French Bulldogs – Our Top 8
1. 🏆 Thunderpaws Professional De-shedding Tool and Pet Grooming Brush
Preview | Product | Rating | |
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![]() | Best Professional Deshedding Tool and Pet Grooming Brush – D-Shedz by Thunderpaws for Small,... | Buy on Amazon |
On the surface, this hugely popular brush may look like it’s designed for long-haired breeds, but it’s a common choice for French Bulldog owners.
Used by many vets and professional groomers, this brush is built with a 4-inch stainless steel comb, which although may look harsh, is gentle on the dog’s skin.
It’s a well-made brush and indeed built to last. This includes a protective cover so it should last you for years.
The handle is designed with non-slip rubber, these giving a comfortable grip as well as a steady hand for safe grooming and cleaning.
With these types of brushes, always follow the instructions provided.
That way, you can have a smooth and clean French Bulldog skin without worrying about damaging or hurting their skin.
In addition to removing over 95% of your Frenchies shedding coat, the brush will also smooth and soften your dog’s fur if they have a naturally “coarse, smooth” coat.
If you’re looking for something well made, robust and diligent that will get right into the undercoat and save all that loose hair on that furniture – the ThunderPaws is a product worth checking out.
2. FURminator De-Shedding Tool for Dogs
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![]() | FURminator deShedding Tool For Dogs – Short, Medium or Long Hair - 101003 | Buy on Amazon |
FURminator offers a range of popular dog grooming tools for owners. Like the ThunderPaws, this is a de-shedding tool; this one is explicitly for small breed dogs like the Frenchie with short hair.
The edge is made from stainless steel to reach through the topcoat easily without hurting your dog.
Brushing with this tool will remove almost all the shedding hair as well as brush the undercoat.
If your Frenchie has sensitive skin, this is a gentle and safe way to groom them without worrying about being excessive.
The FUReector button on the top releases any hair caught by the tool.
The handle is comfortable and ergonomic, designed not to slip – mainly if your dog’s coat is overly coarse or matted.
If your Frenchie is slightly larger than the norm or malts more than usual – you may consider getting the somewhat larger medium-sized brush.
Overall, a great de-shedder which will do the job and last for ages.
3. Thunderpaws Self Cleaning Pet Slicker Brush [UK]
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![]() | Thunderpaws Self Cleaning Pet Slicker Brush - Gently Remove Knots, Tangles and Loose Undercoat From... | Buy on Amazon |
Perhaps you’re looking for something a little more traditional and more therapeutic.
An alternative to the de-shedding tool is the Thunderpaws slicker brush.
This slicker brush has stainless steel fine bent wire bristles for removing shedding hair, dirt and matted hair.
The bristles are flexible enough to give your Frenchie an excellent clean without worrying about hurting their skin.
After use, your dog should be left with a clean, soft and shiny coat – as well as a big smile.
Handles at the top of this brush are non-slip rubber and easy to grip.
One final great feature is the one-click self-cleaning which helps remove loose hair from the brush, making it clean and ready for the next puppy pampering session.
4. Chirpy Pets Dog & Cat Brush for Shedding [USA]
Preview | Product | Rating | |
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![]() | Chirpy Pets Dog & Cat Brush For Shedding, Best Long & Short Hair Pet Grooming Tool, Reduces Dogs and... | Buy on Amazon |
One of the best selling dog brushes in the USA, the Chirpy is a beautifully designed and colourful tool which is made to last.
Created to remove over 90% of shedding hair (from a regular brush to a season of excess shedding) – this brush even gives a bulletproof guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
The brush end is made from 4-inch stainless steel teeth and includes a protector for storage.
The handle is ergonomic and nice to hold. As mentioned, these sell very well in the USA – so check it out.
5. Miracle Care Pet Slicker Brush [USA]
Preview | Product | Rating | |
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![]() | Miracle Coat Slicker Dog Brush, Small | Buy on Amazon |
This simple looking brush is one of the most affordable on our list. Its simple design is similar to a human hairbrush. The brush end has a soft pad and angled flexible pins. The handle is cushioned and made not to slip while you brush.
6. KONG Zoom Groom Dog Grooming Brush
Preview | Product | Rating | |
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![]() | KONG - ZoomGroom - Dog Brush for Grooming and Shampooing - For Large Dogs (Blue) | Buy on Amazon |
The Kong ZoomGroom is unusual compared to the others on this list – but it’s a great choice from a company who make great dog products.
This product is more designed for general cleaning of your Frenchies coat, particularly when bathing.
When shampooing and bathing your French Bulldog, rub the ZoomGroom over their coat and massage the skin.
This will not only clean your dog, but it will also stimulate capillaries and promote natural oil production for a healthier and shinier coat.
The ZoomGroom is made from rubber, and the brush end has soft 3/4 inch rubber fingers for massaging.
This not only feels great but also does a great job at making your dog look their best. This isn’t suited for shedding, however – more for weekly bathing and general grooming.
7. FURminator Curry Comb
Preview | Product | Rating | |
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![]() | FURminator Curry Comb for Cats and Dogs | Buy on Amazon |
Another FURminator on the list is the Curry Comb. Like the Kong, the end is made from moulded rubber teeth for gentler grooming which will reduce both dirt and produce more natural oils from your Frenchies skin.
The curry comb uses a hand strap which you slide over your hand and grip the base. This stops slippage of the comb, even when your hands or your dog is wet.
It’s simple, but effective and could be a good choice if your dog particularly dislikes having their coat brushed.
8. BYETOO Pet Grooming Glove
Preview | Product | Rating | |
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![]() | [Upgrade] Pet Dog Cat Grooming Glove,Gentle Deshedding Brush Glove,Efficient Pet Hair Remover... | Buy on Amazon |
I’m not much of a fan of grooming gloves, but as many owners use them, I have included it within the list as a brush alternative.
You may have seen these used on horses or other dog breeds – they can also be a good choice for your French Bulldog.
The gloves are made of an eco-friendly silicon material with breathable mesh fabric at the back.
The glove has 180 rubber tips and can be used for shedding hair as well as massaging while your dog is bathing.
This is certainly softer and more intimate than our previous items.
You may want to use this if your Frenchie has particularly sensitive skin or hates being brushed in general.
Understanding the French Bulldog’s Coat
One of the first things you’ll have probably noticed about your Frenchie’s coat is just how gorgeous and shiny it is. The satin-smooth coat, with its silky appearance, is one of the stand-out features of every healthy French bulldog.
The fur is short and smooth, but the skin is very loose in parts. This is what creates their trademark wrinkles. You’ll, therefore, find the skin around the head and shoulders is very lax and hangs very loose.
That’s fine, but do French Bulldog’s shed? Yes indeed. This coat only has a single layer which not only means that your Bulldog will shed less than the average dog – approximately twice a year, but grooming is also much more relaxed.
You won’t have thick layers to try and navigate, and with the right brush, it’s easy to keep that coat looking like pure spun silk – providing you can keep your Frenchie out of the park puddles and mud!
A weekly brush is usually sufficient to remove the dead skin cells as well as any debris or dirt that’s gotten trapped.
As well as cleaning the coat, brushing it regularly also allows the natural oils to be evenly distributed, eliminating any irritating dry patches. Your Frenchie will undoubtedly thank you for showing them TLC, even if not in the moment.
The only question that remains then: what sort of dog brush should you buy?
Types of Dog Brush for A French Bulldog
There are lots of different kinds of brushes for different breeds of dog, and they all do a very different job.
Brushes such as grooming rakes and wide-toothed combs are used for un-matting hair and brushing undercoats in dogs with long fur. With just the single layer and short coat, French bulldogs don’t have this problem.
Here’s an overview of the different types of dog brushes available, and how suitable they are for the delicate and elegant French bulldog coat.
- Slicker brush
The slicker brush works wonders on tangles and is ideal for getting rid of debris and loose hairs. Typically rectangular, the slicker brush is made up of wire pins which are packed densely together. A slight angle on each bristle protects the skin while still allowing maximum effectiveness.
A slicker brush may sometimes be useful for the coat of a French bulldog, helping to get rid of dirt. However, they are designed for dogs with thicker coats like German Shepherd‘s and should be reserved for occasional use. It’s crucial to pick a slicker brush that’s the right size. They come in many dimensions, and so you’ll need the smaller ones for a Frenchie.
Don’t be tempted to overuse the slicker as you could end up scratching your dog, especially if you press too hard. The fragile skin which is close to the surface of your French bulldog’s coat can also become sore and over-sensitive.
- Pin and bristle brush
These are two distinct types of brushes, but frequently they’re found together on opposite sides of the same brush. It’s possible to buy them separately though if you’re not a fan of the double-sided design.
On the pin side, there are wires, usually topped with rubber to prevent a rough finish. These aren’t designed to be used on matted coats, but they do work very well to eliminate dirt and excess hair. They can be useful to have just in case they’re needed, but similar to the slicker brush, probably won’t be required all of the time.
The bristle side of the brush is often used merely as a finished brush for longer coats, to add a bit of shine. However, for very short coats like a Frenchie, a bristle brush can often be used for the whole job unless there’s a lot of hair being shed, or your four-legged friend is very grimy.
- Grooming glove
One of the advantages of having a dog with such a short coat is that you have many options, including the grooming glove. This doesn’t work very well for longer coats, but it’s ideal for French bulldogs. In fact, due to the playful nature, it can be one of the best brushes for a French bulldog.
Made from rubber bristles, the grooming glove slips over the hand. To your dog, it will feel less like he’s being brushed and more like a stroke or a massage. For dogs not so keen on the brush, this makes an excellent alternative and still delivers a top-quality finish.
Rubber bristles get the best results on many Frenchies. If you don’t like the glove, try a rubber-bristled brush instead. This delivers the same effective yet gentle brushing – but in a more conventional style.
Top French Bulldog Grooming Tips
Now you know which type of brush to invest in, here are a few top tips to make the grooming session go without a hitch:
- Be careful not to over-brush your pooch. Vets recommend no more than once per week for a French bulldog. During each session, don’t brush over any area more than three times; this will avoid sore spots from developing.
- Brush from head to toe in one sweeping motion. This helps to distribute the oils all over the coat as well as being more comfortable for your pet.
- If your dog is filthy and you’re not planning on bathing him, try giving his coat the once-over with a dry wipe first. This removes the excess debris and loosens any residual grime that’s clinging on.
- Consider brushing your dog outdoors. He will shed more hairs than you imagine and being outside will save your decor!
French Bulldog Brushes: Summary Table
Listing | Brush | Online Rating | Available Online |
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1 | Thunderpaws Professional De-shedding Tool and Pet Grooming Brush | Buy on Amazon | |
2 | FURminator De-Shedding Tool for Dogs | Buy on Amazon | |
3 | Thunderpaws Self Cleaning Pet Slicker Brush | Buy on Amazon | |
4 | Chirpy Pets Dog & Cat Brush for Shedding | Buy on Amazon | |
5 | Miracle Care Pet Slicker Brush | Buy on Amazon | |
6 | KONG Zoom Groom Dog Grooming Brush | Buy on Amazon | |
7 | FURminator Curry Comb | Buy on Amazon | |
8 | BYETOO Pet Grooming Glove | Buy on Amazon |
Ready to Buy
Hopefully, this guide has given you all the information you need to buy a brush for your French bulldog with confidence.
Grooming is a time for you and your dog to bond, and with the right brush, it should be a fun time that you can both enjoy.
Whether your French Bulldog is a heavy shedder or needs a clean (or massage) now and again – there’s plenty of options to choose from.
Always read the instructions before use and do your research, particularly if your dog has sensitive skin.
Not only does frequent grooming do your Frenchies coat wonders, but it also creates a relaxing experience for both dog and owner, which can help relieve stress.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the best French Bulldog brushes. Don’t forget to comment below or reach out on our Facebook page to have a conversation. You can check more health and grooming tips, reviews, ideas and products in our dedicated section. Until next time, keep it clean!
This information was just what I was looking for, thank you. I am using a Zoom Groom on my newly rescued Frenchie which we both absolutely love. It is astonishing how much loose hair it pulls out but I feel we need something a little more serious to tackle the constant shedding – dark dog and white floors are not a good combination! Am going to invest in one of your recommendations, either a Thunderpaw or Furminator, excited to try them out and yes I probably do need to get a hobby! Thanks for the advice.