10 Wrinkly Dog Breeds You’ll Love Instantly

Round faces, and wrinkly skin - if you are thinking of adding a wrinkly dog to the family, then you have come to the right place.

Over the past few years, wrinkly dog breeds have become much more popular. They are notorious for the rolls their skin makes and, no, it isn’t because these dogs are overweight.
 
These adorable pooches are not just small dogs, like the Frenchie, but can also be quite large and come in many shapes and sizes. Some wrinkly dog breeds can be quite active, whilst others take a lazy approach to life. As with all dog breeds, their temperaments can be different too. So, keep reading to discover the wrinkly dog breeds that know how to steal your heart!  

Top 10 wrinkly dog breeds

1. Shar-Pei

This dog breed is known as the wrinkliest dog breed in the world, having wrinkles and rolls that cover their whole body. The Shar-pei is an ancient Chinese breed that has over 2000 years of history. They have been used for fighting, herding, and guarding, but these days they can make a great canine companion.
 
Shar-peis are not lazy dogs, despite the way they look. They are powerful and strong and tend to be better suited to an experienced owner. They usually live for around 8 to 12 years and can be incredibly loyal.

2. Bloodhound 

The first thing this wrinkly dog breed is famous for is its super nose power. The second is their long, floppy face. Bloodhounds may also come with a lovely string of drool too.
 
They have an incredible sense of smell, which has in the past been used to find and follow scent trails. Due to their incredible scenting abilities, these dogs can be quite stubborn on walks, so may be much more appropriate for an experienced owner. At home, Bloodhounds put their smelling habits to bed and laze around the place. They are also known for their patience and can make suitable family pets.

3. English Bulldog

This wrinkly dog breed originated in England in the 13th century. The English Bulldog is tough and muscular but usually has a friendly, calm nature. Although they are beefier than some on the outside, they can make good family pets and often have a laid-back nature.
 
The Bulldog’s face and body are famously covered with rolls and wrinkles and the breed has become a symbol of Britain.

4. Basset Hound

This is a member of the wrinkly dog breed group that is known for a floppy face, long ears and sad-looking eyes. They are one of the most unique-looking canines, with their long sausage bodies, large paws and short legs. 

The Basset Hound has lots of skin which can protect them from thorns and other undergrowth whilst out exploring the countryside. These sweet and cheerful wrinkly dogs are notoriously lazy but will follow an interesting smell for miles. 

Neapolitan Mastiffs were bred and used as guard dogs. They have an imposing appearance, but these wrinkly dogs are often big softies at heart. However, it is important to note that due to their size and power, they may be better with an experienced owner and may not be well suited to households with young children.

6. Pug 

We know that the Pug doesn’t have wrinkles all over their body, but they are one of the most adorable dogs with wrinkly faces. This Chinese breed is known for its flattened (or brachycephalic) face. They may suffer from a condition known as brachycephalic obstructive aware syndrome (BOAS) if this facial feature is very pronounced. BOAS can result in difficulty breathing, snoring and a lack of energy on walks. Despite this, they have been a popular choice for a house pet since ancient times. These little wrinkly dogs steal hearts not only for their wrinkles but for their loving, charming and laidback personalities too.
 
Pugs are known for being a bit lazy, and care should be taken to prevent them from becoming overweight. If you own a Pug or are looking to get one, you need to make sure you are giving them plenty of dog exercise. 

The French Bulldog, often known as a “Frenchie”, is a friendly, fun and loyal dog, that is always on alert and makes a great watchdog. Like the Pug, owing to its flattened facial shape, the French Bulldog is at risk of BOAS.

8. Dogue de Bordeaux

This wrinkly dog breed is a giant dog with a large head and an even bigger personality. The Dogue de Bordeaux was once known as the French Mastiff, and it has the largest head-to-body ratio in the dog world. This breed has plenty of lovely wrinkles despite its grand size. They are an incredibly loving breed, as well as a little goofy at times. They are also known for being fiercely loyal to their humans.

Even though the Dogue de Bordeaux is often thought of as a gentle giant, they are large, powerful dogs and are best suited to an experienced home. Owing to their size, particular care should be taken around young children.

9. Xoloitzcuintli

This wrinkly dog breed has a name that can be quite difficult to pronounce, so they are commonly known as Xolos. The hairless variety is known by a far easier name – the Mexican Hairless Dog. This hairless dog breed is covered in perfect little wrinkles but only on the face, which gives them a unique quizzical-looking appearance. Xolos can make loving and loyal companions.

10. Chow Chow

This mighty wrinkly dog breed is famous for its blue-black tongue and puffy fur coat. The Chow Chow is a strong and muscular dog breed that due to its wrinkly face, tends to look as though it is constantly frowning. Even though these dogs don’t have wrinkles along their whole body, they do have wrinkly faces that are loved by many.

The Chow Chow is strong and muscular. They can be quite suspicious of strangers but can make loyal companions to their families.

Tips for looking after wrinkly dogs

Owning a wrinkly dog breed comes with a lot of responsibility, as with owning any dog. However, the wrinkles on their skin aren’t purely there for you to cuddle into, they need to be taken care of too with plenty of dog grooming and cleaning of the skin folds. The folds and wrinkles can act as breeding grounds for bacteria, debris and yeast.
 
To ensure their skin stays healthy, and avoid nasty odours and skin infections in dogs, you need to make sure you are cleaning the folds and wrinkles regularly. Here are a few ways to keep them clean at home:

• Clean them with a clean, damp cloth and boiled cooled water
• Use a soft pet-safe cleansing wipe that is gentle on the skin 
• Cotton wool buds can be useful for cleaning some small or hard-to-reach places, but never use them in ears

When cleaning your dog’s wrinkles and folds, always make sure you are checking for any sign of irritation or skin infection. If you spot any signs of irritation or their skin appears sore, then you should seek medical advice from your vet. 

Now you know all about wrinkly dog breeds, want to know more about other fabulous dog breeds and their unique features? Read up about blue dog breeds next!