How to Groom a Bulldog - Q&A with a Groomer

We first met Jen, the talented owner/groomer at Tails on the Rails LLC (McSherrystown, PA), during Groom Expo 2022. We immediately connected over her specialized care in grooming bulldogs. With a background in veterinary medicine and certifications like Master Groomer Behavior Specialist, Certified Canine Esthetician, AKC SAFE certified, Brachycephalic Safety certified, and Fear Free certified, we knew that her expertise would provide an interesting peek into the world of grooming brachycephalic dogs. Fun fact - she also specializes in grooming rabbits & guinea pigs!

 

Why did you choose to specialize in bulldogs?

This is a subject near and dear to my heart. Before becoming a groomer, I worked in the veterinary field for a long time. My favorite patients to see were always the bulldogs. They are some of the silliest, happiest dogs and their stubborn streaks never ceased to make me laugh. If a bulldog doesn't want to do something, then that's it - pick something else, 'cause it's not getting done!

I was later lucky enough to have acquired a bully pup all my own, an adorable Frenchie whom I named Linus. Linus has incredibly unique special needs (you can read his full story at www.tailsontherails.com/our-story) and it was because of him that I began to really focus on personalizing each service to the individual needs and limitations of each animal I worked with.

Now fully immersed in the Bulldog Mum Life and working as a groomer, I kept coming across heartbreaking tales in the news of grooming gone wrong: rough handling, overheating, dogs becoming overly stressed, even death. And it seemed more often than not, these stories involved bulldogs.

Why? Well, because as I soon learned: the unfortunate truth is that most grooming salons just aren't set up for bulldogs.

Some of the more traditional tools and old school techniques still applied in many grooming facilities today are downright dangerous when used on these breeds and the sad reality is that many professionals and even owners are simply unaware of the extreme limitations and safety risks associated with bulldogs.

That's where my specialty comes in. I saw the need for a bully-centric grooming experience. Armed with knowledge from all those years working in the veterinary field, certifications earned from various grooming safety classes, and everything I've learned from my beloved Linus, I slowly began to build the foundation of what is now Tails on the Rails LLC and the "Bullie Bath".

A private, one-on-one, bulldog-specialty shop prioritizing safety and education and promoting trust and peace of mind. Also, I just really love bulldogs.

What are common issues you see while grooming bulldogs?

This is such an important question. As noted above, one of the reasons I decided to specialize in bulldogs was because they have some very unique issues that just weren't being safely addressed in many salons.

Anyone up for a little lesson on bulldog anatomy?! Great! Let's get started:

First and foremost, bulldogs are brachycephalic. Basically, the term refers to any dog whose skull is wider than it is long. In other words: squishfaced! And while that squishface is undeniably adorable, with it comes an array of complications....

Bulldogs have an elongated soft palate which obstructs their airway. This, combined with the narrow nares (i.e. nostrils) that some have, contributes to the loud, snorty breathing that bulldogs have unfortunately become well known for.

This is why a traditional grooming loop should NEVER be used on a bulldog. It is way too easy to cut off the already extremely limited air intake, promoting lack of oxygen and higher stress levels. This is also why avoiding stress in bulldogs is so incredibly important: compromised air intake plus a worked up pup is absolutely a recipe for disaster.

The bulldog's short muzzle not only means less room for air, but less room for regulating the temperature of that air. Most dogs have an area about the length of their muzzle to cool the air they breathe before it reaches their lungs. Bulldogs lack ample space for this function, which is why they are so prone to overheating and why a cage/kennel dryer should never be used on a brachycephalic dog.

Another troublesome (but adorable!) bulldog feature? Those irresistible wrinkles! Cute as they may be, I think we can all agree.... they can get a bit gross at times! (We'll talk a bit more about this later!)

And the allergies and skin issues?! What bully family isn't familiar with those?! (Again, we'll cover this in just a bit!)

Can you walk me through your typical grooming process for bulldogs?

Absolutely! I created a special grooming experience just for bulldogs called the "Bullie Bath".

There are two levels: "Bullie Maintenance" and "Bullie Therapy". The "Bullie Maintenance" package is for bulldogs with healthy skin and coat. The "Bullie Therapy" package is a bit more involved and is catered to bullies with ongoing skin issues. If the bully in question is receiving a therapy package, I discuss any concerns/issues regarding skin and coat (past and ongoing) with the client, then using that information, assess the skin and select products based on that assessment. This may include various shampoos, conditioners, masks, oils, etc. Once I formulate a plan, it's bath time!

Bath times can vary depending on the bullie's needs. For instance, if we're doing a therapy mask, the bath will take longer so the bulldog can sit comfortably wrapped in a warm towel to let the mask do its thing before rinsing. Cucumber slices on the eyes not included.... but now I'm rethinking that.

Once the bath is done and the bulldog dried, I'll trim and/or file the nails if we haven't already. I typically do nails before the bath, unless the dog prefers them to be done after (yes, many dogs have a preference!). I'll allow the dog to stand, sit, lay down; on the table, off the table, whatever is most comfortable and stress-free for them. I've been known to contort my body in all sorts of crazy ways just to work around THEIR needs!

Next is a thorough brush-out and an ear cleaning, followed by a final wipe of the facial wrinkles and tail pocket. I'll then apply Squishface Wrinkle Paste to help prevent bacterial build-up and keep those areas clean and dry!

Then some Squishface Nose Balm to the nose and paw pads to keep them soft and moisturized! The bulldog picks out a cute accessory to wear, poses for their photo by the caboose, and is all ready to go!

*Note: Obviously, jowl kisses and hiney scritches are given throughout the entire visit!

What types of products/tools do you use and why?

The products and tools I use with my bulldog clients were absolutely chosen with intent. My goal was to create the safest experience possible, with a bit of luxury thrown in!

Tools:

• Trachsavers (by All4Groomers) are used rather than traditional grooming loops, in order to ensure that pressure is never placed on a bullie's already susceptible trachea by lightly restraining around the shoulders rather than the neck.

• Modern electric tub and grooming table, both of which can be lowered very close to the ground to allow for easy on/off access, reducing stress and possible injury from the bulldog having to be picked up.

• A soft, anti-slip mat for comfort and ease on joints

• A high-velocity dryer with adjustable speed/power. For safety reasons (see above!) I NEVER use a cage/kennel dryer on a bulldog. What I love about this dryer is that I can adjust the airflow to the dog's comfort, which can greatly reduce stress and help during the learning process.

Products:

• High-quality shampoos and conditioners that addresses the individual skincare needs of that specific dog

• Squishface, of course! I love the Squishface Wrinkle Wipes and Wrinkle Paste and use them after the baths to help further clean and protect those wrinkles! I also love the Ear Wipes (seriously, how convenient is the little finger puppet style wipe?!) and apply the Nose Balm to those dry bully noses.

What key differences are there when grooming wrinkly breeds vs. other breeds?

We already covered the brachycephalic side of things, so let's focus on the wrinkles themselves here. As I mentioned before, although those wrinkles are ADORABLE, they can get a bit gross. There's a reason I commonly refer to them as "Stink Wrinks"! Dirt and bacteria tend to harbor in the folds, which frankly can get quite odorous and even cause mild to severe irritation for our bullies.

 

One such area is the tail pocket, a fold created by the corkscrew shape of the tail, which is prone to bacterial build-up and infection. When grooming these guys, it is especially important to dry these areas completely, as any moisture left in there will exacerbate the above.

Cool tip: Non-reinforced cotton coils from the local beauty supply shop can be placed in the folds while towel drying after a bath to help soak up any residual moisture.

Wrinkly breeds tend to be pretty susceptible to skin and allergy issues, so this is also important to consider when grooming them. Making sure you are using products that won't irritate any sensitivities they may have, and of course, properly cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and tools.

What are some common misconceptions about grooming/groomers?

This is completely unrelated to bulldogs, of course, but one of the first things that pop into my mind is that groomers are "lazy". I've seen so many clickbait videos on social media from dog owners whose dogs had to be shaved at the groomer that insinuate that the groomer chose to give the dog a "horrible", "too short" haircut because they were "lazy". Nine and a half times out of ten, the "before" photo shows an obviously matted dog. It drives me crazy. Shaving a pelted dog is slow work, and painstakingly removing fur matted against the skin whilst trying to avoid cutting that skin is difficult. There's no laziness about it, trust me. There IS laziness, however, in not brushing and maintaining your dog at home. *exhales* Okay, rant over.

I'd say one of the biggest ones though, is the "The client is paying for a service; do whatever you need to do to get it done" mentality. Someone brings you a dog who is obviously terrified by some part of the grooming experience, and expects you to either A) wave a magician's wand and poof! It's done! or B) force the service on the dog by any means necessary. As a Certified Master Groomer Behavior Specialist and Fear Free Certified Groomer, I can tell you, this is not the way. I won't get too much into behavior here, as this is about bulldogs, but I will say that it is absolutely okay (and even a desirable trait!) for your groomer to not finish a service in the interest of safety, whether the animal's or their own. We should never be forcing an animal to fit a service, rather adjusting the service to fit the animal.

Is there anything that bulldog owners can do at home to help with the grooming experience?

Absolutely! I highly recommend looking into Cooperative Care techniques and practicing with your bulldog at home. The more comfortable they are with handling and care, the easier it will be for everyone.... including family, the groomer, veterinary staff, and of course, the bulldog itself!

I also recommend picking up some Squishface Wrinkle Wipes and Wrinkle Paste to maintain those "Stink Wrinks" at home! 

What other animals do you groom?

Aside from bulldogs, of course, my other work-related passion lies in grooming rabbits and cavies (guinea pigs).

My journey into small animal grooming actually began with a Silkie guinea pig whom I adopted  a few years back, with hair like I'd never seen on a cavy before- long, flowing locks that he'd flounce around like he was in a shampoo ad or something. I christened him Eric Matthews (after the older brother character in 90s tv favorite "Boy Meets World"; I already had two smooth-coated American piggies named Cory and Shawn).  

Eric is a messy little dude, and it was obvious that he would require regular grooming. So when a small animal grooming class was being offered at an annual grooming exposition I was attending, I jumped at the chance to learn more about how to best care for my little dude. That class opened the floodgates. I am proud to say that not only did I pass that class with flying colors, but I went on to earn certification as a PRG Rabbit Groomer (the first student groomer/rabbit duo to earn that title with a score of 100%!) and am continuing to work towards becoming a Certified Master Rabbit Groomer.

Did I mention that the rabbit I used to earn my current title was a rescue whom I adopted BECAUSE of this newfound passion for rabbit care and grooming?! My first rabbit groom was his first groom as well, so our victory was particularly triumphant. His name is Vincent Bun Gogh, and he's a beautiful, one-eared American Sable rabbit.

How did Tails on the Rails get its name?

I'm a bit of a railfan and model railroad enthusiast, so the name came pretty organically, combining my love of trains with my love of animals. Add a cutesy rhyme and BOOM: business name! The entire shop aesthetic is bulldogs, rabbits, and New Jersey railways (no, I'm not a native Jersey girl; I'm just a huge fan of the film "The Station Agent"!) and even has a small HO scale model railroad display based on that film, which I built myself, complete with buildings made entirely from scratch and trains created to look like the real ones shown in the movie. I'm a stickler for detail, so it's pretty intense.

Jen’s Bio:

Jen is the owner/groomer of Tails on the Rails LLC. She began her career working in veterinary medicine but switched to grooming in 2021 and hasn't looked back. She holds numerous certifications such as certified Master Groomer Behavior Specialist, a Certified Canine Esthetician, A.K.C. SAFE certified, Pet First Aid and CPR certified, Brachycephalic Safety certified, Fear Free certified and is a PRG Rabbit Groomer. She is also a registered member of the NDGAA.

She specialize in the unique grooming care and maintenance needs of bulldogs, the ins and outs of proper rabbit grooming and care, understanding and accommodating the special grooming limitations of senior dogs, and in working with dogs with certain behavioral issues related to grooming. Her favorite friends to work with are the bulldogs and bunnies, of course!

When she's not working, she can be found in the company of her beloved French Bulldog, Linus; adorable one-earred rescue American Sable rabbit, Vincent Bun Gogh; and rescue Silkie guinea pig, Eric Matthews. She's "Mom" to her absolute favorite person ever. 

You can follow more adventures of Jen on IG , If you have any questions for Jen or are interested in learning more about a grooming-related topics, email us at bark@squishface.com