Humans are strange animals. We spend thousands of dollars to smooth and tighten our skin to get rid of those pesky wrinkles that creep onto our face. And we also happily pay thousands more for the wonders of owning a wrinkly pup.
But when you see our list of the best dog breeds with wrinkly skin you will understand why!
These dog breeds proudly own their wrinkles. And their squishy skin makes them unique characters in the dog world.
Of course, beauty isn’t skin deep. All the dog breeds on our list have personalities that are as engaging and unique as their looks.
Wrinkled dog breeds come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some can trace their ancestry back thousands of years and have been associated with famous characters in history.
- For example, the lively Pug, was bred in China as a lap dog over a thousand years ago. In the late 1500s, it went on to become the official dog of Holland’s House of Orange. The Pug was also a favourite of Napoleon’s wife, Josephine and as a result became extremely popular in France during Napoleonic times.
- The dignified, gentle, and mournful looking Bloodhound was bred in the 7th century by St. Hubert of Belgium and his monks and has long been associated with royalty. When he stepped onto English shores in 1066, William the Conqueror was accompanied by several bloodhounds. And every year, a pair of black and tan bloodhounds were sent to the King of France by the St. Hubert’s monastery.
Whatever their history, it is a special privilege to own one of these wrinkled pups. And with this special privilege comes some special grooming requirements.
All the rolls on your wrinkly pooch look great but they can also provide great breeding grounds for bacteria, yeast, and dirt. Which can lead to skin infections, nasty odors, and an uncomfortable dog.
To avoid this, you need to settle into a regular cleaning and care routine. For some breeds this may be daily, but for others with more sensitive skin, cleaning their folds a few times a week may be sufficient.
To keep your pup’s skin healthy, first use baby or dog wipes or a clean, damp cloth to gently wipe inside all the wrinkles and folds. For more stubborn dirt or hard to reach areas, use a Q tip. Dry gently with a clean cloth.
While you are grooming, it’s also a good idea to check for itchy, irritated, smelly skin including give away indicators like redness, scaliness, broken skin and sores. You will need to check with your vet if you find any of these.
With this easy to manage care routine, your squishy, wrinkly pup will be happy and healthy. And you can enjoy cuddling up to all their wrinkled goodness for years to come.