Though many dogs look pretty similar – four legs, maybe a couple of patches, and a waggy tail – other dogs have certain unique, distinct features.
Some have long, floppy ears, while others may have a unique plush coat. Other dogs are even hairless! But what about wrinkly dogs? What are some wrinkly dog breeds, and which breed is the most wrinkly? In this article, we’re going to be rounding up our top 8 wrinkly dog breeds.
Do bear in mind that these unique dogs require special care. Basset Hounds, for example, need their long, droopy ears inspected daily and cleaned out regularly. The same is true of wrinkly dogs – you need to wipe out their wrinkles regularly.
So, this is something to bear in mind if you are thinking of adopting a wrinkly dog. Now with no further ado, here’s our top 8 wrinkly dog breeds!
Mastiff
The Mastiff is a giant wrinkly breed, from which many other wrinkly dog breeds descend. Also known as the Old English Mastiff, this dog is an ancient breed descended from a canine known as the Molossus.
Something of a drooler, it’s a record-breakingly large breed, with a Mastiff named Zorba weighing in at 323 pounds in the Guinness Book of Records, 1989. No other dog has broken Zorba’s record since!
With their wrinkly face, you’ll need to clean a Mastiff’s face with a washcloth after every meal. This will help to prevent bacterial infections. Wipe their wrinkles, as well as their droopy lips. These are also called flews.
Pug
One of the most iconic and popular small dog breeds, the one-of-a-kind, distinct Pug is instantly recognizable. With that inimitable short, wrinkly muzzle, coupled with short legs, this king of cute is the ultimate handbag dog.
Though there are some concerns about the ethics of breeding the extremely flat-faced Pug in recent years, this breed is adored and admired from its home in China throughout the entire world.
French Bulldog
With those one-of-a-kind bat ears and adorable wrinkles, the French Bulldog is a flat-faced favorite. First bred as a companion dog, this stocky, compact pooch came to France with British lace makers, which gave the breed its name.
This wrinkly bat-dog also once had a history as a ratcatcher and may keep rats away around your home. A descendant of the English Bulldog, the French Bulldog is not quite as wrinkly. However, the French Bulldog still needs daily wrinkle wiping.
Shar-Pei
This has to be the most wrinkly dog breed ever! The Shar-Pei is a loyal, protective guard dog. This protectiveness means that the Shar-Pei needs prompt, exhaustive, and regularly repeated socialization training.
Created in southern China, the Shar-Pei breed served as a hunting and fighting dog and a herding dog and a loyal companion. Statues that vaguely resemble the Shar-Pei have been discovered.
These statues date back to the Han Dynasty, around 200 B.C. This has led some historians to speculate that the Shar-Pei may be an ancient breed. However, the statues could equally be of other similar-looking dogs too.
Whatever the breed’s origin, the Shar-Peis of today remain independent and alert dogs. They are affectionate and loyal to their families but distrust strangers. Many Shar-Peis prefer the company of people to other dogs, and the breed can be aggressive towards other dogs. This is what makes socializing a Shar-Pei so important.
Bloodhound
If the Shar-Pei is the most wrinkly dog, then the Bloodhound has the droopiest wrinkles. Our second wrinkly French dog, the Bloodhound, was bred in medieval France. This Hound’s purpose was to track boar and deer.
As a result of this past, the Bloodhound developed an incredible sense of smell, which it harnesses in modern roles like search and rescue and law enforcement.
This droopy, wrinkly dog is gentle, friendly, and affectionate and will lick you with slobbers all over as soon as they’ve sniffed you out. Though the Bloodhound’s droopy jowls have an unrivalled slobbering, this drooling actually serves a purpose. The Bloodhound uses their lips to waft scents up to their nose!
Pekingese
One of the smaller wrinkly pooches on our list, and the second Chinese dog, the Pekingese, is a toy dog bred to be a lap dog. As the name suggests, the Pekingese comes from Peking or Beijing. If you think the Pekinese act like royalty, that’s because they are – the Pekingese breed was first bred to be the companion of China’s imperial family.
Though they have a history as a palace dweller, the Pekinese will live happily in even the tiniest city apartment with their tiny size. But be aware that the Pekingese breed has that small dog’s tendency to bark, which some landlords won’t be happy about.
It’s the Pekinese dog’s face that is the breed’s most wrinkly area. So, make sure you stretch and wipe out your Peke’s face wrinkles every day.
Dogue de Bordeaux
Despite their misleading intimidating appearance and being an exceedingly slobbery large dog, the Dogue de Bordeaux is sweet and friendly and undyingly loyal.
Yes, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a good guard dog option and will protect their family and home when they feel they have to. The Dogue is the most ancient French breed, already firmly established before the country of France was! They are of the Mastiff breed and so have the Mastiff’s tendency to drool and slobber.
The Dogue de Bordeaux showcases plenty of wrinkles on their disproportionately large head. You’ll need to give this breed’s wrinkles a daily visual inspection and wipe them clean when you find anything.
Bullmastiff
Another wrinkly Mastiff breed, the Bullmastiff, is your unwavering family guardian. Hostile and wary towards novel house visitors, the Bullmastiff is an affectionate sofa slobberer. And yet, despite their guard dog tendencies, the Bullmastiff is not a big barker. So, chilled-out and mellow when not being protective, the Bullmastiff makes an excellent watchdog.
Less wrinkly than other Mastiffs, your main job is to keep their drool out of their few wrinkles. In fact, you don’t even need to brush a Bullmastiff! That’s a plus!
