9 Dog Breeds with Wrinkles That Are Incredibly Endearing

There are many things that make our canine friends adorable and endearing. It can be their big, round eyes, floppy ears and even their wrinkles!

Read on for 9 dog breeds with wrinkles as well as some tips on how to care for their delicate skin. asian bandar

*Disclaimer: The content in this article is for general knowledge. It should not be used as a substitute for professional advice from a vet. Please consult a vet regarding your dog’s health condition to receive an accurate diagnosis.

1. Basset Hound

Brown and white basset hound on a grass field

Basset hounds are characterised by their large, floppy ears, short legs and elongated body. They also have loose skin all around, giving them wrinkles on their faces, body and even legs. 

This breed enjoys sniffing and following scents, making them popular companions to hunters. They are also great with children due to their calm and friendly nature.

Physical traits
Weight18 - 30kg
Height~38cm
Life expectancy12 - 13 years
Common coat coloursA mixture of one or more of the following colours: Black, white, brown, lemon, mahogany, red
Personality traitsPatient, friendly and stubborn

2. Bloodhound

Bloodhound with a leash

Due to the wrinkles on their faces, bloodhounds tend to sport a seemingly sad expression all the time. This, coupled with their large, droopy ears, make them look incredibly endearing.

Like basset hounds, bloodhounds also have a keen sense of smell and are often portrayed in shows and cartoons as tracking dogs. At home, these canines are gentle and mild-tempered and are, therefore, suitable for families with children.

Physical traits
Weight36 - 50kg
Height58 - 69cm
Life expectancy10 - 12 years
Common coat coloursBlack and tan, liver and tan, red
Personality traitsIndependent, curious, gentle

3. Dogue de Bordeaux

Dogue de Bordeaux with tongue sticking out

The Dogue de Bordeaux is popularly known as the French Mastiff. This breed has skin folds on their faces and neck and is often found in fawn, mahogany or red coats.

Despite their strong and intimidating appearance, these dogs are gentle creatures at heart. They are also fiercely loyal to their pawrents and family, always ready to protect them from any harm!

Physical traits
Weight45kg and above
Height58 - 66cm
Life expectancy5 - 8 years
Common coat coloursFawn, mahogany, red
Personality traitsAffectionate, gentle, loyal

4. English Bulldog

Brown and white English Bulldog running

With the deep wrinkles and skin folds found on their faces, it’s no wonder that the English bulldog is part of this list. These canines tend to look fierce and intimidating due to their broad, muscular build. However, they can actually be sweet, loving and gentle to their pawrents.

As they have short muzzles, English bulldogs experience difficulties with breathing and regulating their body temperature. Thus, they require lots of care and attention when living in a tropical country like Singapore.

Physical traits
Weight18 - 23kg
Height36 - 38cm
Life expectancy8 - 10 years
Common coat coloursBrindle, fallow, red, fawn, white
Personality traitsSweet, friendly and calm

5. French Bulldog

French Bulldog standing on a rock

French Bulldogs, affectionately known as Frenchies, can be easily distinguished by their upright, rabbit-like ears and short muzzle. The wrinkles of this breed can be found on their forehead and around their mouth. However, they’re not as deep as that of an English bulldog.

As Frenchies tend to enjoy lots of attention from their pawrents, don’t be surprised when your dog starts clamouring for attention!

Physical traits
WeightBelow 13kg
Height28 - 33cm
Life expectancy10 - 12 years
Common coat coloursBrindle, cream, fawn, white
Personality traitsPlayful, friendly, smart

6. Pekingese

Pekingese lying on the floor

 HDB approved

The Pekingese may not be the first breed that comes to mind when thinking about dogs with wrinkles. However, these canines also have small but deep skin folds on their faces that highlight their short muzzle.

Due to their thick and oftentimes long coats, Pekingese dogs have high grooming needs. If you’re a first-time pawrent, learn how to groom your furiend on your own with these simple grooming tips!

Physical traits
WeightUp to 7kg
Height15 - 23cm
Life expectancy12 - 14 years
Common coat coloursBiscuit, black, cream, fawn, gray, red, white
Personality traitsAffectionate and loyal

7. Pug

Closeup of a pug

 HDB approved

Like bloodhounds, pugs tend to have a downcast expression on their faces due to their skin folds. These adorable dogs are great for apartments as they are calm, gentle and quiet. In fact, they’re one of the breeds approved for HDB flats in Singapore!

However, this breed isn’t the easiest to care for as it’s prone to a range of health conditions including those related to the eyes and skin.

Physical traits
Weight6 - 8kg
Height25 - 30cm
Life expectancy12 - 15 years
Common coat coloursFawn, black, silver
Personality traitsGentle, affectionate, stubborn

8. Shar-pei

Shar-pei sitting on a grass patch

When talking about dogs with wrinkles, the breed that you absolutely cannot miss out on is none other than the shar-pei. These dogs are undeniably the most wrinkly with deep folds all over their faces, bodies and legs. As they mature, these folds become less prominent but can still be found on their faces, necks and shoulders.

Shar-peis are intelligent dogs that are loyal and protective. Thus, they make great guard dogs!

Physical traits
Weight20 - 27kg
Height46 - 51cm
Life expectancy8 - 12 years
Common coat coloursBlack, blue, brown, cream, fawn, red
Personality traitsLoyal, independent and calm

9. Xoloitzcuintli

Xoloitzcuintli lying on blankets looking at the camera

Xoloitzcuintli dogs, or Xolos in short, are hairless dogs originating from Mexico. This breed can be found in 3 sizes, toy, miniature and standard. They have tight, firm skin all around except for their foreheads where slight wrinkles can be seen.

Though Xolos may be unfriendly towards strangers, they are affectionate and playful towards their family members.

Physical traits
Weight
  • Toy: 4 - 7kg
  • Miniature: 7 - 14kg
  • Standard: 14 - 25kg
  • Height
  • Toy: 25 - 36cm
  • Miniature: 36 - 46cm
  • Standard: 46 - 58cm
  • Life expectancy13 - 18 years
    Common coat coloursBlack, brindle, bronze, dark brown, fawn, gray, red
    Personality traitsLoyal, calm, affectionate

    Potential Health Conditions of Dogs With Wrinkles

    While wrinkles undoubtedly make these dogs look adorable, they may be subject to certain health conditions as a result of their skin folds.

    Skin fold pyoderma

    Skin fold pyoderma is an infection that affects the area between the folds of a dog’s skin. Due to excessive moisture, bacteria and yeast found on the skin can multiply and develop into an infection.

    Dogs with wrinkles tend to have a higher risk of skin fold pyoderma.

      Symptoms

    • A foul odor
    • Discharge
    • Moistness
    • Redness

      Treatment

    • Medicated skin cleanser
    • Antibiotics
    • Surgery (if necessary)

    Familial Shar-pei Fever

    Shar-peis are meant to grow into their wrinkles as they mature. However, some breeders have tried to retain their deep folds through selective breeding. This has resulted in the condition unique to Shar-peis known as Familial Shar-pei Fever (FSF).

    FSF comes in the form of recurrent fevers without any underlying cause. This can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and in serious cases, kidney failure.

      Symptoms

    • Fever
    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhea
    • Discomfort
    • Kidney failure (in serious cases)

      Treatment

    • Anti-inflammatory drugs
    • Injections
    • Fluids
    • Medication

    Tips for Taking Care of Your Dog’s Wrinkles

    Regular cleaning

    Wiping pug's face with a pet wipe

    Cleaning your dog’s skin folds daily, especially the deep ones, is essential to maintaining proper hygiene. All you need is a damp cloth and some warm water or a pet wipe to gently wipe your furiend’s skin!

    Keep the skin dry

    After cleaning your dog’s skin, use a dry cloth or some cotton balls to gently wipe his skin dry. This will prevent bacteria and yeast from growing between the folds.

    Use gentle shampoos

    Dry skin can result in cracks that allow bacteria and fungi to grow. Thus, using a mild or gentle shampoo for dogs can help to prevent your furiend’s skin from becoming irritated or overly dry.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Dogs With Wrinkles

    Is it easy to care for a dog with wrinkles?

    Caring for a dog with wrinkles can be challenging, especially for first-time pawrents. These canines require special care and attention to prevent their skin from becoming infected.

    In general, dogs with wrinkles should have their skin folds cleaned daily and the folds should be kept dry to prevent bacteria growth.

    How do I know if my dog has a skin infection?

    These are some symptoms of a skin infection

    • Discharge
    • Redness
    • Moistness
    • An odor

    If you notice any of these symptoms, bring your dog to a vet for a check-up immediately.

    Authors

    • Emilia Wong

      Bubble tea and sleeping are two of Emilia's favourite things. She also enjoys cooking and loves to experiment with new recipes for different cuisines.

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      Intrigued by celebrity and influencer gossips, Bernice is passionate about finding the latest scandals and good deals to get a bang for her buck! Her closest friends know her as someone who has an irrational love for Disney's Stitch and an unwavering loyalty to KOI.

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