One of the most distinctive things about Frenchies is their cute, big ears (especially as puppies). Unfortunately, they also have other, less charming quirks, including their tendency for skin issues. Their wrinkles can also be a little problematic, trapping moisture and allowing yeasts and bacteria to cause trouble. 

Luckily, their coat doesn’t require much brushing and some basic care will help keep it in top condition. All in all, keeping a few things in mind will help prevent skin issues and keep their ears, skin and coat healthy and shiny.

This vet-written guide covers the essentials of bathing and ear care, providing practical advice to help you establish a safe and stress-free routine from the start.

Why is grooming important for French Bulldog puppies?

Puppies are still developing their skin barrier, which protects the skin from infections but also prevents the immune system from overreacting to the environment. Frenchies seem to be prone to developing skin allergies, so it’s important to support this barrier. Grooming helps by:

• Removing dirt, allergens, and other debris

• Reducing unpleasant odours

• Preventing skin infections

• Helping you spot early signs of health issues

Getting your Frenchie used to calm grooming habits early can also make it an opportunity for bonding, rather than a stressful chore!

With their short coat, most Frenchies do well with a gentle but thorough brushing once per week. This can be increased to 3-4 times per week during shedding periods (usually Spring and Autumn).

The thing to really keep an eye on with Frenchies is the skin folds. These are usually most pronounced on their face, but they can also have them around their little tail (and other areas if they’re overweight!). These should be monitored daily and kept dry and clean. 

Bathing your puppy

How often to bathe your French Bulldog

Bathing needs depend on individual skin characteristics and skin health. It’s important to avoid overbathing in French Bulldogs, as this is very damaging to the skin barrier. Overbathing strips away natural oils (sebum), disrupts the pH balance and the skin microbiome. This can make the skin more reactive or prone to infection. Having said that, hygiene is also extremely important, so it’s all about finding the right balance and adjusting to what your puppy has been up to. 

Something to consider is what to do if your Frenchie is a bit smelly, especially if it’s a cheesy-type smell:

• If their coat looks or feels greasy, and they haven’t had a bath for a few weeks, they may need a bath to remove excess oils. 

• If the coat is clean and supple, we may have a totally different issue, and bathing may have the opposite effect to what we want! 

  • The first thing to do is look for a specific area where the smell may be coming from. Common culprits include the ears, skin folds, under the tail or the armpit/groin areas. If the ears are waxy or the skin looks abnormal in a specific area, that’s where we need to focus.

  • If you can’t spot anything abnormal and the smell comes back within days of bathing, speak to a vet for further advice. It may be that you need to use a special type of shampoo to improve their skin health, or there might be an issue affecting their skin (a hormonal imbalance, early signs of skin disease).

As a general rule, Frenchie's should be bathed every 4-6 weeks, unless your puppy gets particularly dirty or has a medical condition requiring more frequent bathing. 

How to safely bathe your Frenchie

• Choose a warm, quiet and secure space

• Gather everything you need: shampoo, towels, and grooming tools

• Use lukewarm water

• Speak calmly and move slowly

• Make the experience positive with praise and rewards

• Use appropriate rubber mats in and around the bath to prevent slipping and injury

Step-by-Step 

1. Gently soak your puppy’s body with lukewarm water. Avoid the eyes and ears. 

2. Use a puppy-specific shampoo. Massage the shampoo gently.

3. Rinse carefully and towel-dry thoroughly to prevent skin issues, especially within the facial and tail folds.

Choosing the right shampoo for your French Bulldog puppy

Always use dog-specific products. The oil content, pH and types of bacteria on healthy dog skin are very different from human skin. Human shampoos can disrupt your dog’s skin microbiome and may worsen irritation. 

Puppies have sensitive skin; choose a safe product that is mildly/unscented, pH-adjusted and gentle on the skin. Consider products that nourish the skin and help restore the skin barrier after bathing.

If there is an ongoing skin issue, targeted products are useful, such as:

• Antibacterial/antifungal shampoos for infections

• Oil-regulating shampoos for greasy or dandruffy skin

Once the issue settles, the goal shifts to supporting the skin barrier with a safe maintenance shampoo. For Frenchies without skin issues, there are many options, but going with a product designed for sensitive skin is a good idea. 

How bathing can help with skin issues in Frenchies

In Frenchies with skin disease, the protective skin barrier is weakened. Common symptoms include scratching, chewing their paws, redness or irritation, white-headed spots or flaky skin. Appropriate bathing can reduce irritation and improve symptoms.

Common skin issues that improve with targeted bathing:

• Allergies (Frenchies tend to develop allergies at a very young age)

• Bacterial or yeast infections

• Dandruff or flaky skin

• Mild seborrhoea (greasy skin conditions)

Ear care for French Bulldog puppies

Ear care is often overlooked until there’s a problem. Puppies with allergies are more prone to ear problems, so it’s especially important to monitor the ears regularly in these dogs. 

Most healthy Frenchies do not need routine ear cleaning. Just like overbathing, overcleaning can irritate the ear canal. Instead:

• Check their ears 1-2 times per week.

• Clean only if there is visible debris or if your vet recommends this due to previous issues or underlying allergies.

How to safely clean your French Bulldog's ears

If your pup is prone to wax or ear infections, a little regular "ear maintenance" goes a long way in keeping them comfortable. 

1. Use a vet-approved ear cleaner

2. Gently hold the ear flap

3. Apply cleaner into the canal (as directed)

4. Massage the base of the ear for 20–30 seconds

5. Allow your puppy to shake

6. Wipe away loosened debris with soft cotton wool or swabs (never put cotton buds into the canal!)

Common ear problems in Frenchie puppies

Ear problems can escalate quickly. Common signs include frequent head shaking, redness or discharge in the ear canal, being overly reactive when touched around the head, and an unpleasant smell.

Common causes of ear problems include:

• Bacterial or yeast infections

• Ear mites (more common in young dogs)

• Allergies

If you notice signs of an ear problem, seek veterinary advice as soon as you can. Untreated ear infections can worsen in just 24-48 hours.

When to contact your vet for skin or ear problems

It’s often difficult knowing when a "little itch" has become a "big problem." Skin and ear issues are notoriously stubborn, and if they get a head start, they can quickly turn into a much longer (and more expensive) recovery for your pup.

What’s normal?

Occasional scratching or head shaking, a small amount of wax in the ears, and the odd pimple that clears within a few days are all normal during puppyhood.

We recommend checking in with your vet if you notice:

• Persistent or severe itching (where they struggle to settle)

• Patches of hair loss

• Open sores or scabs

• Brown, yellow, or green discharge from the ears

• A strong smell that you can’t explain and doesn’t go away with cleaning or bathing

FAQs: Grooming and ear care for French Bulldog puppies

Q: Can I use baby shampoo on my puppy?
A: No. Even mild human shampoos are not pH-balanced for dogs and may irritate their skin.

Q: My Frenchie puppy smells — does that mean they need a bath?
A: Not always. Mild doggy odour may be normal. Strong, yeasty, or persistent smells may indicate skin or ear issues.

Q: How do I know if I’m bathing too often?
A: Signs of overbathing include dry, flaky skin, increased itching, or a dull coat. Speak to a vet to determine the best course of action. 

Q: Should I clean my French Bulldog puppy’s ears every week?
A: In most cases, weekly cleaning may be too often. Some puppies may benefit from it, but others may not need any cleaning at all. Speak to your vet to determine the best frequency for your puppy. 

Q: Is it safe to bathe a puppy with ongoing skin problems?
A: Yes, absolutely, if you’re using dog-specific products and not overbathing. Bathing can improve the symptoms of many common skin problems. But be sure to check with your vet that you’re using a shampoo that’s appropriate for your dog’s skin condition, and that it doesn’t interfere with other treatments they may be receiving.