Fun Facts About Wrinkly Dogs
Dogs are some of the best friends a human can have. They are great companions, give the best cuddles and snuggles, and- perhaps most importantly- look ever so adorable while we fawn over them. While many people will picture Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds as the "ideal" loyal dog companion, there is another group of dogs that deserves some appreciation: Wrinkly Dogs: English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shar-Peis and other dog breeds with wrinkles on their faces and bodies have a certain charm about them, and here at Squishface, we are all about praising them!
In fact, we love wrinkly dogs so much, we created our products Squishface Wrinkle Paste and Squishface Wrinkle Wipes specifically with wrinkly dogs in mind, but more on that later! First, here are some fun facts about some notoriously wrinkly dogs.
English Bulldogs
One of the most iconic wrinkly dog breeds, the English Bulldog originates from the United Kingdom and has a rich history. Descended from ancient Mastiffs introduced to the British Isles by the Romans, English Bulldogs were historically used in the now-outlawed sport of bull-baiting, which was officially banned in 1835. Despite their rugged past, today's English Bulldogs are known for their loose, wrinkled skin, distinctive pushed-in nose, and loyal temperament.
In the United States, the English Bulldog has become a popular symbol of school spirit, particularly in collegiate sports. Among the most recognized is the University of Georgia’s official mascot—Uga, a line of purebred English Bulldogs that has represented the university since 1956.
Beyond college football fame, English Bulldogs have also made headlines for their unexpected athleticism. One notable example is Tillman, an English Bulldog who made history in 2009 by earning a Guinness World Record for the fastest 100 meters traveled on a skateboard. Known for his love of skateboarding and even surfing, Tillman showcased that even wrinkly dog breeds can have a flair for extreme sports.
French Bulldogs
Now let's hop over the English Channel and explore some fun facts about the French Bulldog, aka Frenchies. Of course we can’t forget French Bulldogs when discussing famous wrinkly dogs. It is thought that French Bulldogs originated from English Bulldogs brought over by the English lacemakers crossed with the local terrier breed in France.
Another fun fact about French Bulldogs is that there was an American club devoted to the breed before it was even recognized as a separate breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The French Bulldog Club of America (FBDCA) was formed in 1897, one year before recognition was given by the AKC. This makes it the oldest club in the world devoted to the French Bulldog.
Old clubs and modern celebrities are seemingly both fans of the French Bulldog. Hugh Jackman, David Beckham, Madonna, Reese Witherspoon, Lady Gaga, and the late Carrie Fisher (also known as Princess Leia) are just a few of the many celebrities who have made their Frenchies almost as famous as they are.
Pugs
Bulldogs aren’t the only famous dog breeds with wrinkles. Another one of the most famous dogs with wrinkles are pugs. Whereas bulldogs come from Western Europe, pugs are from the other side of the world. Pugs were originally bred to be lap dogs for Chinese royalty. Pugs were highly valued dogs, being kept around the emperor, his family and members of the royal court. The wrinkles were specifically meant to look like the Chinese character for “prince” (王子).
The pug’s connection to royalty doesn’t stop there. After pugs were brought from China to Europe, Queen Victoria helped to popularize the breed in Western Europe. Pugs were also named the official dog of the House of Orange in the Netherlands. Beloved wrinkly pugs were even used as the symbol of a secret Freemason society in the eighteenth century. Modern pugs normally come in black or fawn, but can now be found in unique colours like brindle, caramel, or black and tan. And what do you call a group of these small, wrinkly pups? A gathering? A bunch? Nope. A group of pugs is called a “grumble!”
Shar-Peis
We can’t list fun facts about wrinkly dogs without including one of the most wrinkly dogs there is. Shar-Peis are arguably the most wrinkly dogs out there. A simple Google search for “wrinkly dogs” or “wrinkly dog breeds” always features Shar-Peis high in the search results. Unlike the pug, who can clearly be traced back to ancient China, the origins of the Shar-Pei are somewhat less straightforward. The most commonly accepted ancestry puts them in China as far back as 200 BCE, with figurines bearing a strong resemblance to the wrinkly dog breed. Others dispute this, citing the fact that the figurines could be stylized pugs or chow-chows, and that Marco Polo made no mention of Shar-Peis in his writings.
Since it is believed that Shar-Peis were made to guard homes in China, they were bred to strategically have the wrinkled coat they are so famous for today. The theory was that because they had so much skin, any other dog who attempted to bite them would simply get mounds of skin instead of hitting a vital organ. Finally, the less-than-fun fact about the Shar-Pei is that they nearly went extinct during the 1960’s and 70’s. However, thanks to the pleas of breeder Matgo Law in Hong Kong, the breed was exported around the world and survives to this day. In fact, they are now the 57th most popular breed in the United States.
The Bottom Line:
If these fun facts have drawn any interest in getting one of these wrinkly dog breeds of your own, then there is another fact that should be kept in mind. While their wrinkles make them adorable, they can also cause build-ups of fungus and bacteria to hide between those skin folds.
Regularly cleaning the wrinkles and ensuring they are dry is essential for wrinkly dog breeds, and Squishface makes it easy with Squishface Wrinkle Paste and Squishface Wrinkle Wipes. First, clean the area of debris with our Wrinkle Wipes. Next, apply some Wrinkle Paste to the affected area for a minimum of 7 to 10 days for best results to keep your dog fresh, clean, and dry.
