Breed Guide
10 Breeds Covered
Skin Fold Care
Wrinkly Dog Breeds
Featuring: Shar Pei, Pug, Bloodhound, Neapolitan Mastiff, Basset Hound, Bulldog, French Bulldog, Dogue de Bordeaux, Chow Chow, and Mastiff
The breeds that turned surplus skin into personality – and the biology, care, and honest health picture behind every fold
10 wrinkly breeds profiled
Fold care guide included
Health implications explained
Most Wrinkled
Shar Pei
Puppy – entire body
Most Famous
Pug
Face folds iconic
Most Drool
Neapolitan Mastiff
Jowl folds extensive
Best Nose
Bloodhound
Folds trap scent
Fold Care Level
Daily cleaning
Most wrinkly breeds
Genetics
HAS2 / FGFR
Known gene mutations
Photo: Photo by Pexels via Pexels – Pexels License
Why the Wrinkles Exist
Dog Skin Folds Are Not a Happy Accident – They Were Selectively Bred for Specific Working Functions, and Understanding That History Explains Both Their Charm and Their Care Demands
The surplus skin on a wrinkly dog is not the result of the dog growing too fast for its skin to keep up. It is the result of centuries – and in some cases millennia – of deliberate selective breeding for specific functional purposes. The Bloodhound’s facial folds channel ground-level scent particles toward its nose as it tracks. The Shar Pei’s body wrinkles may have made it harder for an opponent dog to get a solid grip in dog-fighting contexts. The Neapolitan Mastiff’s loose skin and jowls create an intimidating silhouette that served its guardian function. These folds come with real care responsibilities: the warm, moist environment inside a skin fold is a perfect incubator for bacteria and yeast. Understanding the origin of the wrinkles helps you understand why daily cleaning is not optional for most of these breeds – it is the price of the fold.
Breed Biology
Wrinkle Biology and Breed Origins Reference
Not all dog wrinkles are the same. They vary by location on the body, the biological mechanism that creates them, and their original working function. This reference covers ten of the most prominently wrinkled breeds.
10 Wrinkly Dog Breeds – Biology, Location, and Original Function
Wrinkle cause, fold type, and what the folds were bred to do.
01
Shar Pei
HAS2 gene mutation
Whole-body folds
The most extensively wrinkled breed. A mutation in the HAS2 gene causes massive overproduction of hyaluronic acid, creating the extreme wrinkling of puppies that partially resolves as the dog ages. Adult Shar Pei retain heavy head and neck folds. Origin: China, multi-purpose working and fighting dog.
02
Pug
Selective compression
Facial folds
The Pug’s characteristic nose wrinkle (nasal fold) and forehead folds result from the extreme brachycephalic skull compression that also causes its flat face and breathing difficulties. The folds were valued aesthetically, not functionally. Origin: China, companion dog for royalty. Now one of the most popular wrinkly breeds worldwide.
03
Bloodhound
Loose skin selection
Facial and neck folds
The Bloodhound’s facial folds and pendulous ears serve a documented functional purpose: they act as physical scent collectors, sweeping ground-level odour particles up toward the nose as the dog tracks. The dewlap (neck fold) may similarly channel scent. The most functionally justified wrinkles of any breed.
04
Neapolitan Mastiff
Extreme loose skin
Head, jowl, and body
Arguably the most dramatically wrinkled large breed. The Neapolitan Mastiff’s extreme loose skin creates deep folds across the entire head, around the muzzle, and in heavy jowls that drip saliva. The intimidating, “melting” appearance served its guardian role in ancient Rome and southern Italy. Requires the most intensive fold maintenance of any breed.
05
Basset Hound
Achondroplasia + loose skin
Facial and neck folds
The Basset Hound’s short legs (caused by achondroplasia, the same dwarfism gene active in Dachshunds) combined with a full-sized body create surplus skin that folds on the face and neck. Like the Bloodhound, its ear and facial folds may assist scent tracking. The sad-eyed expression results from the lower eyelid drooping (ectropion), also a product of loose skin.
06
English Bulldog
Brachycephaly + loose skin
Nose rope + face folds
The English Bulldog has a characteristic nasal fold (sometimes called the “nose rope”) – a heavy roll of skin above the nose – plus facial and jowl folds. These developed through the same process of selective breeding for a compressed, wide-faced skull used in bull-baiting. The nose fold is one of the highest-maintenance folds of any breed and prone to skin fold dermatitis.
07
French Bulldog
Brachycephaly
Nose fold + facial
The French Bulldog has a similar but less extreme nasal fold than the English Bulldog, plus lighter facial folds. As a heavily brachycephalic breed, its wrinkles are a product of skull compression. The Frenchie’s folds are proportionally smaller but still require regular cleaning. The breed’s explosive popularity has made fold-related skin issues one of the most common veterinary presentations in the UK and US.
08
Dogue de Bordeaux
Extreme loose skin
Head and jowl folds
The French Mastiff has a massively broad, furrowed head with deep facial folds and heavy jowls. The wrinkles contribute to its distinctive “worried” expression and were likely associated with its use as a war and guard dog in France and southern Europe, where a formidable appearance served a deterrent function. Fold maintenance is essential; the breed is prone to skin fold infections along the muzzle.
09
Chow Chow
Forehead skin laxity
Forehead folds
The Chow Chow is less typically described as “wrinkly” but carries significant forehead skin laxity that creates the characteristic scowling, furrowed expression. The loose skin above the eyes can cause entropion (inward-rolling eyelids) – a serious eye condition that requires surgical correction. The scowl is often misinterpreted as aggression; it is structural, not behavioural.
10
Mastiff (English)
Massive head + loose skin
Jowl and brow folds
The English Mastiff’s enormous head carries heavy brow folds and deep jowls that drool extensively. The breed’s loose skin is a natural consequence of its massive skull size and the skin that must cover it. Less intensively wrinkled than the Neapolitan Mastiff but still requires regular jowl and brow cleaning to prevent skin fold infections, particularly given the volume of drool that accumulates in the folds.
The Science
The Biology of Dog Wrinkles
Dog skin folds arise through several distinct biological mechanisms, and understanding which mechanism applies to a given breed helps explain both its appearance and its health vulnerabilities.
The HAS2 Mutation: The Shar Pei’s Extreme Case
The Shar Pei is the only breed in the world known to carry a specific mutation in the HAS2 gene (hyaluronan synthase 2). This gene controls production of hyaluronic acid – a molecule that gives skin its volume and plumpness. The mutated version of HAS2 in Shar Pei causes massive overproduction of hyaluronic acid, leading to accumulation of this compound in the skin that creates the extreme skin folding seen in puppies. The condition is so pronounced in young Shar Pei that the puppies appear almost completely covered in folded skin. As the dog grows into its skin, much of this folding resolves, but significant wrinkling remains on the head, neck, and body throughout the dog’s life.
The HAS2 mutation in Shar Pei is also associated with a serious inflammatory condition called Familial Shar Pei Fever (FSF), also known as Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease. This hereditary condition causes episodes of fever and swelling of the hocks (ankles), and over time can lead to amyloidosis – a potentially fatal kidney condition in which abnormal protein deposits accumulate in the organs. Any Shar Pei owner should understand this risk and discuss it with their veterinarian.
Brachycephaly and Facial Folds
In flat-faced breeds (brachycephalic breeds) like Pugs, French Bulldogs, and English Bulldogs, the skin folds on the face are a direct consequence of the skull compression that defines the breed type. A normal dog skull has a muzzle that projects forward from the skull base. A brachycephalic skull has a compressed muzzle – the face is pushed back toward the skull, while the skin covering it remains at its original area. The excess skin has nowhere to go but into folds. The same compression that creates the wrinkles also creates the shortened airway, narrowed nostrils, and elongated soft palate that cause Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) – a significant welfare concern in severely affected individuals.
Fold Care
How to Care for Dog Skin Folds
Skin fold care is not optional for most wrinkly breeds – it is the primary ongoing health maintenance requirement that distinguishes these dogs from smooth-skinned breeds. The interior of a skin fold creates a warm, dark, moist microenvironment that is ideal for the overgrowth of bacteria and yeast that are naturally present on dog skin in small numbers. When this overgrowth occurs, it causes skin fold dermatitis – a painful, sometimes malodorous condition that can become severe if neglected.
Cleaning Frequency
Daily for deep folds
Breeds with deep facial folds (Neapolitan Mastiff, English Bulldog, Shar Pei) need daily fold cleaning. Breeds with lighter folds (Basset Hound, Chow Chow) may manage with every 2-3 days. After each meal and after outdoor activity always check for food or debris trapped in folds.
Cleaning Method
Wipe, dry, inspect
Use a clean, damp cloth or unscented pet wipe to gently wipe inside each fold. Follow immediately with a dry cloth – moisture left in folds accelerates the problem. Inspect for redness, odour, or dark discharge, which indicate infection requiring veterinary attention.
Cleaning Products
pH-balanced only
Use products formulated for dog skin (pH approximately 7.5) rather than human products (pH approximately 5.5). Unscented baby wipes are a commonly used alternative. Avoid products containing alcohol, fragrance, or harsh antiseptics, which damage skin barrier function and worsen the problem.
Nose Rope Care
Critical for Bulldogs
The nasal fold (nose rope) of English and French Bulldogs traps moisture and food particles. Clean it daily, keep it dry, and watch carefully for ulceration on the top of the nose beneath the fold, which is a sign the fold is rubbing. Severe nasal fold issues may require a minor surgical procedure to remove the fold permanently.
Eye Fold Care
Prevent staining
Tear staining beneath the eyes occurs when tear overflow runs into facial folds and the iron in tears oxidises to a rust colour. Wipe the area daily. If the staining is excessive, consult a veterinarian – blocked tear ducts, entropion, or allergies may be contributing and need treatment.
Skin Fold Dermatitis
Signs to watch for
Early: redness, mild odour. Moderate: dark discharge, dog scratching at the area. Severe: open sores, strong smell, pain on touching the fold. Early and moderate cases often respond to veterinary antifungal or antibiotic treatment. Severe or recurrent cases may need fold-removal surgery.
The Brachycephalic Breed Health Caveat: Wrinkly flat-faced breeds (Pug, French Bulldog, English Bulldog) carry additional health concerns beyond fold care. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) affects many individuals of these breeds to varying degrees. Signs include loud breathing, exercise intolerance, sleep apnea, and bluish gums after mild exertion. Severely affected dogs can benefit substantially from corrective surgery (nares widening, soft palate shortening). Research the breathing health of any flat-faced breed carefully before purchase, and ask breeders about BOAS screening in their breeding dogs.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Wrinkly Dog Breeds
What is the most wrinkly dog breed?
By any objective measure, the Shar Pei puppy is the most wrinkled dog in the world – the entire body is covered in deep loose folds caused by the HAS2 gene mutation that creates massive overproduction of hyaluronic acid. Young Shar Pei puppies can appear almost entirely enveloped in folded skin. The Neapolitan Mastiff is the most wrinkled large breed, with deep folds across the entire head and extensive jowls. Among brachycephalic breeds, the English Bulldog and its nasal fold are the most prominent example of face-specific wrinkling.
Are wrinkly dogs high maintenance?
Yes, significantly so compared to smooth-coated non-wrinkled breeds. The ongoing requirement for daily or near-daily fold cleaning is the primary additional care demand. This is not time-consuming when done consistently – a thorough fold-cleaning routine for even a heavily wrinkled breed like an English Bulldog or Neapolitan Mastiff takes 5-10 minutes once established as a daily habit. The consequences of neglecting it, however, range from uncomfortable to painful for the dog. Wrinkly breed owners should be genuinely committed to this routine before acquiring one of these dogs.
Why do wrinkly dogs smell?
The characteristic smell associated with wrinkly breeds comes from microbial overgrowth inside the skin folds. The warm, moist, low-oxygen environment inside a fold allows bacteria (particularly Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species) and yeast (particularly Malassezia) to multiply beyond normal skin levels. Their metabolic byproducts produce the characteristic sour or musty odour. Regular cleaning removes the moisture and debris that fuel this overgrowth. A wrinkly dog that is properly and consistently maintained should not have a distinctive fold odour. A persistent odour despite regular cleaning indicates an active infection that needs veterinary treatment.
Do all wrinkly dogs have breathing problems?
Not all wrinkly breeds have breathing problems – only the brachycephalic (flat-faced) ones. The Bloodhound, Basset Hound, Neapolitan Mastiff, Shar Pei, and English Mastiff are wrinkled breeds with normal or near-normal muzzle length and generally do not have brachycephalic airway problems. The Pug, French Bulldog, English Bulldog, and to a lesser extent the Dogue de Bordeaux are brachycephalic and carry elevated risk of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome. The wrinkles and the breathing issues are separate consequences of the same skull compression in those breeds, not causally linked to each other.
