Five of Our Favorite Wrinkly Dog Breeds
There is just something about a wrinkly dog face that makes you want to stare, gush over it, and maybe even get up close to touch and kiss it. Wrinkles on dogs are deemed adorable, while on us humans, we would be just fine and dandy if we never saw one on our face. Wrinkles on a dog’s face are not due to aging, like in humans. Most breeds that sport wrinkles are born with them, though some develop them later, as they mature. The wrinkles are just part of the breed they are, and most are short-faced (mushed-in), and the term for this type of head structure is known as brachycephalic. More than likely, you have come across a few different wrinkly faced breeds in your lifetime, but let’s get a better look at several of these wrinkly cuties. Here are five of our favorite wrinkly dog breeds for you to fall in love with.
Pug
Pug’s are not only recognized by their wrinkly little faces, but their prominent eyes that some might describe as a bit “buggy.” And they are very expressive eyes that will melt you when you look at them. Pugs are centuries old, actually dating so far back, that you will see that Chinese imperials are often seen in old photographs with a Pug or two. The Chinese imperials thought so highly of their Pugs, that it wasn’t unheard of for the imperial to keep guards on duty, specifically to protect the pup. A unique tidbit of information about the Pug, is that they were meant to be carried in royal sleeves, which explains their small size.
The wrinkles are not just adorable to look at, but there’s meaning behind some of them. If you look closely, you may be able to make out the prince mark above the forehead (it consists of three wrinkles on the forehead and a vertical bar that copies the Chinese character for prince). This is a favorite trait in the Pug, even today. If you own a Pug, you should know all about wrinkle care, which entails gently dabbing between each fold in order to keep the folds clean and fresh. While a Pug can lick and clean many areas of his own body, those are spots he cannot reach on his own.
Mastiff
The Mastiff has a name similar to his body size (massive), and his wrinkles are just as large as his spirit. This gentle spirited dog may be large, but he has a big heart and a long history with human beings to match. Mastiffs are known to have worked with Babylonians, as well as King Henry VIII, Hannibal, Marco Polo, and Elizabeth I. These striking dogs were originally bred and developed to be big and tough since they were used to fight right along soldiers. Although the Mastiff isn’t used in this way today, they still remain good watchdogs, especially due to their massive size, many weighing in about 200 pounds. Who wouldn’t be discouraged from intruding into a home with a dog like that around the house?
Mastiffs are very loyal to their families. They love to be with you and spend time with you no matter what it is. One thing you should be forewarned about, is if you own a Mastiff, not only do they sport a big wrinkly face, but they leave a lot of slobber wherever they go. Be prepared to do a lot of wiping of the floors and furniture from your drippy drooler.
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog, also known as a “Frenchie,” has a very short and smooth coat. The skin of a Frenchie isn’t quite taut on the body, but hangs loosely, which helps to create the wrinkles, that include what you see over the entire body. The French Bulldog hails from the 19th century English Bulldog lineage. Originally, the English Bulldogs migrated to France after the Industrial Revolution era with the lace-makers who were making the trek to the new land, and we were bred there.
It didn’t take long before people all over France began to recognize the breed and fell in love with their friendly personalities and unique look. Once the breed became a big hit in France, some of the forefathers began carrying the breed back to the US, where they too, took a liking to the dogs. These dogs are known for their mellow personalities and spot-on social skills. They are listed at the top of the list for being one of the best companion dogs, and it’s not hard to see why, their soft, wrinkly skin and mushed wrinkly face is hard not to fall in love with.
Chinese Shar-Pei
The Shar-Pei is a unique breed of dog that has what is often referred to, as a hippopotamus shaped head. The Shar-Pei’s wrinkles are quite extensive and impressive. The creases literally cover the entire head, neck and withers of the dog, and their faces often sport a scowled look, which can be intimidating to look at, which is why they are often used as guard dogs. Other tasks the Shar-Pei is known for participating in, include farm work and hunting.
Despite the breed being heavily covered in wrinkles, they are considered a clean breed of dog; one that doesn’t shed much, making grooming easy and minimal. For the most part, all you need to do is make sure their wrinkles are kept clean and dry, and this will help keep their skin healthy and shiny.
Dogue de Bordeaux
This is a breed that many people may not be quite as familiar with, but they are linked to the Mastiff-type of dog that were originally developed to help guard castles, as well as they were avid hunters and fighters. This is a very large breed of dog, and everything about it, is big, including the dropping cheeks, massive head that is interlaced with lots of wrinkles. When you look at a Dogue de Bordeaux, you won’t be able to help but notice the heavy wrinkles around the brows, but they are definitely now worry lines, because at this size, what would one have to worry about?
Despite the breed’s size and looks, it is a very affectionate dog who is quite agile and has a high speed when he gets going. You may not think he would be as athletic as this, just to look at him, but his performance speaks otherwise.