I have been intrigued by American Bullies for years. Recently I became somewhat obsessed as I began searching for a puppy to add to my home with my Staffy. Being familiar with the breed in terms of temperament, health, and history I still had a few remaining questions.
Do American Bullies shed a lot? As a whole healthy American Bullies do not shed a lot. The American Bully is a very low maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. American Bullies do shed a little but following a consistent grooming, nutrition, and skin care routine will keep shedding to a manageable level.
Before considering getting my American Bully puppy I have done countless hours researching skin and coat care for my Staffy. She suffered terrible skin and coat problems when I first got her, and over the years I have nearly perfected her grooming and skin care routine.
American Bullies are very similar when it comes to grooming and skin care. Luckily my Pocket American Bully puppy Chester appears to have none of the ailments my Staffy did as a puppy. I am however well equipped now to give him an amazing start in life to keep his skin, coat, and overall health in top notch condition.
Stick around to learn some great tips and tricks when it comes to grooming your American Bully, as well as preventing and treating any possible problems. Keep shedding under control, learn what may cause excessive shedding, and routines to follow to keep that Bully looking and feeling fabulous!
Do Bullies Shed?
Do American bullies shed? Yes, bullies shed throughout the year. They shed differently in distinct seasons. In general, bullies tend to shed a few times a week. The amount of shedding in bullies is usually low to moderate compared to other breeds. You don’t need to give much effort into grooming when it comes to bullies. A healthy diet and regular grooming helps to control the shedding and allergic reactions. Bullies are not hypoallergenic, and regular brushing helps to keep their coat healthy and reduce allergies.
Do American Bullies Shed a Lot?
Do American bullies shed a lot of hair? No, American bullies are known to shed less fur than other breeds. However, it depends on the individual bully to shed an amount. These dogs shed more noticeably during the fall and summer months. But if you wonder, why do American bullies shed so much? The possible reasons could be due to having a double coat. Seasonal changes also lead to shedding a little more than usual. Regular grooming is important to maintain the shedding of American bullies. Stress, poor diet, or any kind of allergies can also lead to excessive shedding in dogs.
How Much Do American Bullies Shed?
As a general rule American Bullies shed very little. When brushed on a weekly basis you would see less than a few pinches of loose hair being removed. Seasonal shedding is common in most dogs, so you may find a bit more hair in the warmer months. Generally though American Bullies shed very little overall.
American Bullies are not the type of dog that is going to cover your clothing and furniture in dog hair. Shedding with American Bullies is hardly noticeable, especially when you are following a consistent grooming and skin care routine.
When you do notice a lot of shedding occurring, or even bald spots starting to form, this could be a sign of some health problems. Determining the root cause is critical to getting your American Bully back to proper health.
How Do You Stop An American Bully From Shedding?
There are several ways to stop an American Bully from shedding. Following a regular brushing routine, optimizing nutrition, proper bathing, parasite control, and skin care will all help. An American Bully will always shed a little, but following some of these recommendations will keep it to a minimum.
Here are the leading reasons why your American Bully might be shedding a lot, and 9 tips to help stop them from shedding more than normal.
Regular Brushing Routine
When you go to pet your American Bully and notice loose hairs left behind on your hand, clothing, or furniture, it could be from a lack of brushing.
Tip #1 - A regular brushing routine not only helps remove loose hair, but also aids in skin care. By brushing your American Bully at least once a week you will remove dander, dirt, and pollen. Weekly brushing also helps distribute the skin's natural protective oils to keep your American Bully’s skin happy and healthy.
Resources & Reviews – The Best Dog Grooming Brushes
Diet & Supplementation
Improper nutrition can be a leading cause of shedding in an American Bully. Feeding your dog a complete and balanced diet rich in quality proteins, vitamins and minerals is important. Not just for hair and skin care, but for the overall health of your Bully.
Tip #2 - Invest in a premium quality dog food that provides your American Bully with the optimal nutrition to grow strong and resilient hair follicles. Supplementation with essential fatty acids like an Omega-3 oil can help optimize skin and hair, as well as general health of joints, heart and their immune system.
Hydration
Dehydration can lead to dry, flaky, and irritated skin. The general rule for a dog’s water intake is 1 ounce per pound of body weight. This doesn’t mean measure or restrict your dog’s water beyond this amount.
Tip #3 - Make sure your American Bully is drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Give your American Bully access to fresh, clean drinking water.
Resources & Reviews – Top 5 Dog Bowls
Heat And Climate
Warmer times of the year will cause your American Bully to shed more often. This is a natural thing for dogs to do in the hot months.
Tip #4 - keeping your dog cool will help reduce shedding. Controlling the temperature of your home, and keeping your American Bully cool outside will lessen their shedding.
Allergies
Allergies can trigger shedding problems in your American Bully. Everything from food allergies to household cleaners, medications, and environmental dust and pollen. My Staffy suffers both food and environmental allergies and experienced hair loss and shedding until diagnosed.
Tip #5 - Consult with your vet as early as you can to find the root trigger of an allergy. It could be as simple as avoiding certain animal proteins (chicken in the case of my Staffy) or a genetic condition like Atopy. Which can be easily treated and managed with medication and grooming routines.
Stress
Stress in the household or during certain events can cause excessive shedding. Common stress triggers for some dogs include going to the vet for example, where you will notice a great deal of shedding occur.
Other factors such as change in environment can affect your dog’s stress level. A new home, a new pet in the home, and major change in routine can all be stress inducing for some American Bullies.
Tip #6 - Supplementation of over the counter calming chews or CBD oils can be great for anxiety relief in dogs.
Products like PetHonesty premium hemp chews use ingredients like chamomile, melatonin and valerian root in their delicious chew formula.
I have created a fantastic resource for CBD Oil For Dogs on my resources and reviews page that will break down the benefits and the best brands on the market to consider for your American Bully.
Resources & Reviews – The Best CBD Oil For Dogs
Parasites
Parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites can cause shedding and hair loss in your American Bully. Allergic reactions to these parasites is fairly common, but even the presence of these parasites can cause irritation leading to excessive scratching and inflammation.
As a result skin problems can develop. Damaged skin can lead to hair loss in affected areas and be extremely uncomfortable for your Bully. Consult with your vet if you dog is scratching excessively and experiencing even minor hair loss.
Tip #7 - Keep a schedule of your American Bully’s flea and tick treatments. Maintain a regular routine of maintenance when it comes to protecting them from parasites.
Skin Issues From Bathing
Bathing can sometimes lead to shedding and skin issues associated with improper shampoos or even over bathing your dog. American Bullies have sensitive skin and using a shampoo that will irritate their skin can lead to more shedding. Over bathing can also dry out your dog’s skin.
Tip #8 - Bathe your American Bully every 2-3 months max. Unless they really need it. I also recommend hypoallergenic, oatmeal based shampoos like Wahl’s. Bathing will remove excess hair and promote skin and coat health, but overbathing can have the reverse effect.
Related Article – How Often Should You Bathe An American Bully?
Skin Trauma
Skin trauma from things like sunburn can cause damage to your American Bully’s skin and result in shedding and hair loss. American Bullies have short coats and are prone to sunburns. Protect your dog’s skin if you plan to be out in the sun.
Not all sunscreens are good for dogs. Avoid using sunscreens with zinc oxide or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), as these ingredients are toxic to dogs if ingested.
Tip #9 - Protect your American Bully from the sun. Whether you keep them in a shaded area while at the beach, or use a dog specific shampoo, make sure they are guarded from potential burns.
There are some great sunscreens made specifically for dogs. Gerrard Larriett Aromatherapy makes a Vitamin & essential oil sunscreen and skin conditioner that is great for your American Bullies skin, and very affordable on Amazon.
Health Conditions
Health conditions ranging from hormone imbalances due to pregnancy and thyroid conditions to tumors and disease can all cause hair loss and excessive shedding. If your dog appears to have discolorations, loss of appetite, or is generally not acting like their usual self. Consult with your vet immediately to have your American Bully checked out.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining the health and well being of your American Bully can be very simple. Especially when it comes to their grooming and skin care needs. Simple actions and preventative measures can make a world of difference when it comes to shedding.
Identifying some of the leading causes of excessive shedding and even hair loss will arm you with the knowledge to better take care of your precious Bully.
Setting up simple and consistent routines to keep your American Bully’s skin and coat looking and feeling amazing are very easy to implement. Just follow the tips provided in this post and you and your Bully will be well on your way to a healthy, happy, and almost shed free life.