Having a "meh" day? Not for much longer. It's wrinkly puppy time!
I've never met a puppy who wasn't cute, but wrinkly puppies are some of the cutest of them all. Wrinkles may be considered a less attractive trait in humans, since they are associated with aging. But for puppies? Bring on the wrinkles! The more, the better.
Some dog breeds, such as shar-peis and bulldogs, are always wrinkly. But they're extra wrinkly as puppies, and therefore extra cute.
Wrinkles are obviously very lovable, and they also serve some practical purposes. But they're not always "natural" per se. Scientists have discovered that some wrinkly dog breeds carry a specific mutated gene that causes their wrinkly skin. Breeders then accentuate that trait over the years.
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If you love dogs, it's impossible not to squeal when you see one of these wrinkly cuties. Their tummy rolls! Their frowny foreheads! Their roly-poly legs! They are just pure adorableness from head to toe.
Shar-peis are the wrinkliest dogs of all, hands down. They are wrinkly as adults, but they're even wrinklier as puppies. Shar-pei puppies are basically just one big ball of wrinkles!
Shar-peis may look strange to the uninitiated, but they're an ancient breed that originated in China over 2,000 years ago. Their wrinkles have become even more numerous and pronounced over time, thanks to the efforts of breeders.
But why are shar-peis so full of wrinkles? According to a 2008 research report, their wrinkles are due to a genetic mutation that creates excessive hyaluronic acid, "a substance which gathers under the skin and produces wrinkles."
Dog wrinkles can also be caused by a condition called cutaneous asthenia, which creates excess loose skin. The disorder also exists in humans.
The researchers speculated that shar-peis were first developed as a breed when a dog breeder liked the look of a puppy with the wrinkly gene and decided to selectively breed for it.
Nobody knows the true original purpose of shar-peis and their wrinkles. They may have originated as guard dogs, fighting dogs, or hunting/herding dogs.
Shar-peis were frequently used as fighting dogs for many years. Their loose skin does appear to help them in fighting and guarding scenarios, as it allows an opponent to bite them without causing deep internal injuries. Anyone who bites just gets a mouthful of skin!
The shar-pei definitely isn't the only dog breed that is characterized by wrinkles. English bulldogs are also exceptionally wrinkly, especially in the face, and especially when they are puppies.
For both of these dog breeds, wrinkles are now considered part of the "breed standard," which is set by the American Kennel Club. A certain amount of wrinkles are required in order for the dog to be considered a good representative of the breed, which is also why these breeds are becoming more wrinkly over time as breeders try to live up to AKC standards.
Sometimes, wrinkly puppies grow into their wrinkles as they get older. Sometimes they remain wrinkly for their entire lives. It depends on the breed and the specific dog.
If you find yourself with a wrinkly puppy or dog, it's important to take good care of their skin. As you can imagine, all those wrinkles can be prone to itchiness and irritation as they trap dirt and dust. Wrinkles should be kept clean and dry.
English bulldogs and French bulldogs are both wrinkly as puppies.
Bulldogs are prone to skin fold dermatitis, which can lead to infection. Keep an eye on your bulldog's skin, and clean the wrinkles frequently. If the skin begins to smell, it's time for a cleaning.
To clean your puppy's wrinkles, use a cloth, towel, or wipes. Baby wipes work well, and there are also special wet wipes for dogs. A damp washcloth is an option, and a dry cloth can also work well. Make sure to clean every wrinkle!
And, of course, you should be giving your dog regular baths.
If you do notice some irritation, there are special wrinkle creams that you can apply to your dog to reduce itchiness and protect and heal the skin.
Getting a dog with wrinkles may seem like a lot of work, but it's totally worth it for the cute factor. These wrinkly puppies are some of the most popular dog breeds in the world for a reason.
Dogs with wrinkles are prone to certain health problems (as are most purebred dogs who have been selectively bred for so many years!). Some shar-peis can be so wrinkly that they require a face-lift to be able to see out of their tiny eyes.
Whereas shar-peis are relatively rare (and almost went extinct once!), pugs are a very common and easy-to-find wrinkly dog breed. They tend to be wrinkly only on the face. These wrinkles, along with their squished noses, are the defining features of pugs and the reason that so many people can't resist these puppies.
Not all pug puppies have the same amount of wrinkles. Their wrinkles range from slight to heavy, depending on the specific dog and their genetics. The AKC breed standard for pugs says that "the wrinkles are large and deep."
Other wrinkly dog breeds include mastiffs, like the Neapolitan mastiff, the bullmastiff, and the Brazilian mastiff.
Sometimes, dogs who don't come from wrinkly breeds can still have a lot of wrinkles for other reasons. Like humans, dogs can gain wrinkles here and there as they get older.
Some puppies are wrinkly because they simply haven't grown into their skin yet. Or a dog may become wrinkly after losing too much weight or becoming dehydrated. In these cases, the wrinkles are a sign of a health issue, rather than being a desired characteristic of the breed.
Puppies may also be very wrinkly if they just so happen to have inherited the gene that causes this skin condition.
Either way, if you find yourself with a wrinkly puppy on your hands, enjoy the over-the-top cuteness while it lasts!
Wrinkly puppies are eye-catching, unique, and basically impossible not to love, even if they don't stay quite as wrinkly as they get older. Those who are lucky enough to own one should take plenty of photos for the rest of us.
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Save these photos of super wrinkly puppies to see how cute they really are.
