Facts & Fun
French Bulldog Colors
Jan
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Accepted French bulldog colors are Fawn, White, Cream, Pied, Brindle and White. Frenchie coat Colors are not monochrome, they are combined. Banned colors might lead to serious health issues.
One of our favorite features of French bulldogs is that they are available in many beautiful colors and patterns. We love all our Frenchies so much that it is impossible for us to decide which one is our favorite because they are all so unique and different. Now, you may have already heard about rare French bulldog colors. So, if you are wondering whether they are actually legit or not, this post will solve the mystery for you! Keep reading to know more.
As officially recognized by the AKC, French bulldogs come in 9 standard (accepted) colors. These nine colors include brindle and white, brindle, fawn, fawn and white, white, fawn brindle, white brindle, and of course cream. Because the colors white/pied and fawn are nearer to cream, it may sometimes be mistaken as one another.
| Color | Accepted* |
|---|---|
| 1. Brindle | ✔ |
| 2. Brindle & White | ✔ |
| 3. Cream | ✔ |
| 4. Fawn | ✔ |
| 5. Fawn & White | ✔ |
| 6. Fawn Brindle & White | ✔ |
| 7. White | ✔ |
| 8. White & Brindle | ✔ |
| 9. White & Fawn | ✔ |
| 10. Black | ✔ |
| 11. Lilac & Blue | |
| 12. Merle | |
| 13. Liver/chocolate | |
| 14. Platinum | |
| 15. Blue fawn |
Standard French Bulldog Colors
1. Brindle, Brindle & White
A brindle Frenchie has a predominantly dark coat with light colored hair, sometimes even and sometimes quite arbitrary. Brindle French Bulldog has a unique brindle coat. Their pattern and color make them look cute and adorable. Frenchie got its brindle color from their genetic composition or genome called K-locus. Often, in tattered Frenchie cases, there are white spots of varying sizes, sometimes on the heads, neck, and/or fingers of brindle dogs.
Health
Brindle French Bulldog is normal, just like other dogs. Meanwhile, Blue Brindle French Bulldogs are also prone to Color Dilution Alopecia. It is a genetic disorder that affects the color pigment in the fur coat of your pet. It can also lead to damage and breakage, causing hair loss and small growth. With this, you make sure that your Brindle French Bulldog is free from a skin infection. It is also advisable to avoid using harsh grooming products for your dog. Since they have a flat face, they may have trouble breathing. They need continual care in humid or hot conditions. Their lifespan is about 11 up to 14 years. So, if you want to spend more time with your dog, be responsible for keeping them healthy and active.
Temperament
This dog breed is a loving and smart dog who loves to spend time with his people. They can provide you with fun as you train them with praise, play, and food rewards. Brindle French Bulldog is a great companion dog.
Taking care
Since Brindle French Bulldog is also prone to some health problems, you need to be responsible for maintaining their overall health. Feed them with the right nutrition. Consult your veterinarian, most often you should feed with premium dog food. They have short hair, so you don’t need to worry about hair shedding. You can use pet grooming gloves to give them a message. It can also remove shed hair and straightens their coat. You can trim their nails once a month.
Although this dog doesn’t need lots of exercise, you must provide them with a daily short walk to help them avoid overweight. However, you must take safety precautions since they can suffer from difficulty n breathing during hot weather.
To help you decide whether Brindle French Bulldog is right or not for you, the following are some of its advantages and disadvantages.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| | |
Brindle French Bulldog is also a good choice to be your pet. However, you need patience and dedication to handle this dog breed. You must be responsible for offering their basic needs for a healthy lifestyle.
2. Cream
Cream Frenchie is considered by many diluted fawns or fawns, but they are actually produced by a double copy of the recessive gene in the E-locus (e / e), which is the first French color priority locus.
Any puppy that is and/or will be a cream, regardless of the other genes that determine the color it contains. The cream Frenchie has a uniform eggshell staining.
If you try to search on about Cream French bulldogs, you will rarely find answers. When you google them, the results shown are 95% about white and fawn French bulldogs. Cream French bulldogs are rare, which cause confusion between them with whites and fawns.
Fawn and White/Pied vs. Cream
To identify the difference, a true Cream-colored French pup looks all throughout slightly off-white. The cream color is a recessive dilute from those with a fawn coat. Cream Frenchies have black noses, lips, pigments, paw pads, and eye rims, and they don’t have any markings on them. As these pups are born, they will appear white, but within 24 hours, these French cream bulldogs will start to develop black edges to their ears.
Creams are solid French bulldog colors. As Cream French Bulldogs grow older, they may start developing light cream edges to their ears, but they would never develop any pied markings or any colored pattern around their body. Cream French pups have much darker eye rims and lips than the white ones.
Science side
As science suggests, what produces the true cream color from fawns is the additional C-locus (CCH). Other studies also suggest that it may be a possibility of an undiscovered E allele. Regardless of this scientific suggestions, solid cream color solid black nose and solid paw pads at birth are visual confirmations of a true cream. Additional confirmation would be black lips and eye rims, no mottle, no ticking, no patterns, no marking around the body, and having dark fur edges on its ears within 48 hours. As these French pups mature, these features should start turning into a solid cream color without darkening into lighter shades of fawns or whites.
There are just a lot of things you will love about this breed, and what more with having a rare one, right? Cream French bulldogs are great pets that are cute, cuddly, and perfect for anyone. All in all, no matter what color, French pups are just simply adorable.
3. Fawn
One of the most popular French bulldog colors is Fawn or Brown. Is this the right dog to adopt? If you want to adopt a Fawn or Brown French Bulldog. Fawn Frenchie can range from a very light tan to a dark red tan and all the rest, and they are all very beautiful. The following are the facts you should know about the breed.
They do not have a striatum in their coats, but in general, most fawns are not completely uniform because the tone of the back, hips and head/ears is usually darker than the color of the lower body and legs. Since the bark is dominant over the fawn, a puppy must inherit a copy of the fawn gene from the mother and father to be a fawn.
Appearance
Fawn or Brown French Bulldog has light-colored caramel to reddish-brown color. Some Fawn bulldogs come with a dark color on their head, especially near the head and nose. It is among the most common color of French bulldogs owned by dog lovers.
The French bulldog is a bulldog’s small counterpart. It comes with big erect ears, rounded at the tips like those of a bat. They have an alert expression. They have a muscular and compact body and don’t need lots of outdoor exercises. Their height is about 11 to 12 inches, and their weight is not over 28 pounds. Their life expectancy is about 10 to 12 years.
Temperament
Fawn French Bulldog is an intelligent, playful, and adaptable dog. They are alert, which makes them a good watchdog. They are naturally friendly, so they are great companion dogs.
Health
Brown French bulldog has a front-heavy structure and can’t swim. With this, you must not leave them alone near a pool, tub, or any body of water. Commonly, this dog breed tends to suffer from breathing problems. They are also not well in a humid or hot climate.
These Frenchies are also sensitive to anesthesia. They are prone to eye problems like juveniles’ cataracts, cherry eye, autoimmune disorders, and skin allergies. So, you must take responsibility for their health. Some advisable tests for your pet include Patella Evaluation, Hip Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, and Ophthalmologist Evaluation.
Taking care
To keep your Fawn or Brown French Bulldog healthy, you need to feed them nutritional foods. You must also prevent them from being obese. It is also suggested to offer them with a short walk or outdoor play to keep them in shape. Meanwhile, you must not force them during humid or hot weather since they may suffer from breathing difficulties. When it comes to grooming, you can brush your pet weekly using a medium bristle brush. You must trim their nails on a regular basis.
If you plan to adopt a Fawn or Brown French Bulldog, consider the following ideas.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One benefit of owning Fawn French bulldog is that you can have a cute, adorable and mischievous pet. You can have a small watchdog since they are alert. They are friendly and easy to train if you have patience and dedication. This breed can be your best companion dog. | Apart from its advantages, there are also disadvantages to owning Brown French bulldog. They are prone to overweight, so you need to monitor their eating habits. You also need to be responsible about their health since they are prone to breathing problems and other health conditions. You can seek the advice of a reliable veterinarian. |
4. White
Like the ordinary French Bulldog, this white, white & brindle, white & fawn French Bulldog colors is a furry baby that is small and cuddly. Same characteristics having a loose skinned body, with a flat face, and adorned wrinkles, what sets them apart is they are fine, smooth, a bluish-white coat which is either patterned or entirely solid with white markings to be seen on its belly and chest. Aside from these given, here are other things you should know about white French Bulldogs.
Although White French bulldogs are very popular and cute, there is bigger chance of health issues like: deafness, eye issues, and skin problems. It’s not 100% sad that it will have issues, but chances are higher than other pattern Frenchies.
Temperament and Personality
Having a white French Bulldog means having a laid-back pup who loves company. With this being said, some owners even refer to French bulldogs as “Velcro-dogs” because of how clingy these dogs can be.
These bulldogs like a good game of fetch. They are highly playful and alert pups that love to have fun. As an owner of this dog, you can be assured that you won’t need more hours for exercise to tire them out. Because of their flat faces, they will settle with a short walk around the block. Still, no matter what you choose to do, what they want is to be with you. Additionally, these bulldogs rarely bark and catches your attention quietly.
Social Life
These pups aren’t just great companies for kids and other people, but they are also good with other dogs. One of the things to be remembered, though, include the importance of reminding children to handle white French Bulldogs gently and with all care. Given these dogs’ small size, it can be easy for them to get hurt, so it is a must to play with them safely.
Maintenance and Grooming
What’s additionally great is the fact that white Frenchies are low-maintenance breeds. Grooming is easy because all you have to do is pay attention to their wrinkles. After all, food and bacteria may get stuck on their folds. Moreover, French bulldogs brachycephalic face, so overexertion while exercising must be avoided.
Facts
- Bluish-white Frenchies need a C-section because they often cannot give birth naturally, which adds to why they are rare.
- From Madonna to Reese Witherspoon, there are a lot of celebrities who own a French Bulldog.
Whatever the case, French bulldogs are great fur-babies that can give you company and cuddles. With these breeds, you are sure to have fun and enjoy with them no matter what you do. Whether you have other pets, white French bulldogs can become their buddy as well. These are breeds that are truly great for anyone.
5. Black
Black French Bulldog is among the common French bulldogs owned by pet lovers.
Temperament
Black French Bulldog tends to bark due to excitement. They have an average energy level, so they don’t need lots of exercises. They are alert, which makes them a small watchdog. They are friendly, making them as perfect companion dogs. Furthermore, they can also be territorial, so you must train them with socialization during their young age.
Taking Care
Black French Bulldog is sensitive to criticism. So, you must give them positive encouragement. They are also prone to obesity, just like other dog breeds. With that, you must provide them with proper nutrition. In addition, you must also give them a short walk and outdoor play to keep them active and healthy. However, you must not push your dog to do strenuous activities during hot or humid weather. Thus, they may suffer from breathing problems.
You also need to provide them with regular grooming to keep them clean and healthy. Brush them at least once a week and trim their nails regularly. They are prone to health problems such as elongated soft palate, allergies, patellar luxation, and hip dysplasia. They are also common to suffer from chondrodysplasia, which is a condition for the spine, disc, and back problems. With this, you must keep them healthy and ask help from your professional veterinarian for their overall health.
Facts
- They love to spend time on the lap of their owner. They also enjoy a short walk and playtime every day. Meanwhile, they are known as brachycephalic, so you must not exert them during humid or hot days.
- Despite their small size, they can be a watchdog. They are smart and trainable, but you need more patience in their training.
- You must protect your small friend since they can’t swim. You must be watchful, especially if they are near the pool and other bodies of water.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Owning a Black French Bulldog has many advantages. One of these is that you can have an adorable lap dog. They are also great companion dogs since they are friendly and affectionate. They are intelligent dogs so that you can have a small watchdog. | If you are conscious to cleanliness, this dog breed may not be the perfect one for you. Thus, it is prone to drool. It is also not a quiet dog, since they have a high tendency to snore. They are smart, but sometimes they can be stubborn. So, you need more patience to train them. – Pure Black Frenchies are not in AKC accepted list. |
Below are the very rare French bulldog colors that are disqualified by the AKC for exterior competitions, but they are very beautiful and have very high prices:
Rare French Bulldog Colors
Among all the dog breeds, French bulldogs are one of those that come in different colors. It’s no surprise that there is actually a thing called rare French bulldog colors! However, according to the AKC, there are a few standard colors of Frenchies that are accepted. These are black, fawn, cream, and brindle.
So, what are the rare colors you will find in Frenchies that can still be AKC registered? Let’s have a closer look.
1. Blue & Lilac (Isabella)
First up on the list is the lilac-colored Frenchie, which is simply a result of the chocolate and blue DNA of the parent Frenchies. This sort of French bulldog obtains its color because of the dilution of genes. These kinds of bulldogs have a light blue color that looks almost silver. If you happen to be looking for such a rare colored French bulldog, you may have to burn a hole in your pocket.
Another rare and beautiful Frenchie you won’t believe exists is the blue-colored Frenchie! Again, this color is due to gene dilution, which goes on to affect the black and liver coats. Its coat usually ranges from a light grey to almost black color. Not only that, but the colors of its coat also consist of a variety of patterns.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The best thing about this French bulldog colors is that they are peace-loving dogs. There are minimal signs of aggression in these adorable four-legged friends. You will hear all sorts of noises from them, such as snoring, talking, snorting, and even grunting and sometimes barking. Blue French bulldog do not bark much as it makes these dogs a top-choice for people looking for a calm pet dog. | Studies and veterinarians emphasize that blue French bulldogs has bigger opportunity to have health issue then other French bulldogs. |
| Blue French bulldogs have short hair which makes it easier to clean. | The flat and loose lips, with a short snout and slat face, make these dogs drool a lot. As these furry buddies find it difficult to cool them down, drooling is a way for them to cool down their body temperature. |
| Blue French bulldogs take short walks around the house and prefer to stay indoors with their companion humans. These do love chasing balls and playing with toys. You can schedule one day in the week when you take them out to play. | It’s harder and pricier to find blue Frenchie. You need to set aside a budget within the range from $1400 to $8,500 if you really want to adopt Blue French bulldog. |
| These blue adorable dogs are perfect for people who love squeezing their dogs and are unable to let go of them. Blue French Bulldogs just love cuddling, snuggling, and hugging their owners. | |
| The size of these dogs is ideal for small apartments. | |
| Blue eyes and fur makes blue French bulldogs so popular among dog lovers. They stand out clearly from other dogs. |
Costs of Lilac French Bulldogs
It isn’t recommended to buy a Lilac Frenchie with a small amount to it. With a small price comes the possibility of the dog actually suffering from certain genetic diseases. Buying this rare Lilac French bulldogs, it is highly recommended to only buy them from certified and trusted breeders.
Given it is rare, the typical price of a Lilac French starts at $30,000 or maybe even higher. Prices will depend on various factors, such including the dog’s overall health, the breeders’ reputation, and any additional costs.
Health
Similar to the other typical colored French bulldog, a Lilac Frenchie can also have other health conditions. Because of their color, they may face the risks of having a unique condition called “Blue Dog Alopecia” This condition poses risks of other infections and blindness and usually causes skin inflammation and baldness. Besides this, as Lilac Frenchies grow, they are more at risk of obtaining other health conditions known to a Bulldog. Some experts cannot even believe that being specially bred dogs comes with many risks upon their birth.
Sensitive as they may be, caring for an Isabella is still worth it. It just needs much care to their overall health and well-being as they grow.
Caring
Owners should pay more attention to these dogs’ demands and how to care for them. One thing to remember is making them wear protective dog boots or footwear that protects them from icy pavements and cold surfaces during winter. For their nose and paws, a Lilac/Isabella’s skin should always stay moist and hydrated. Additionally, because they have sensitive and one-layered skin, during a hot weather, it is a must to protect them because their skin becomes irritated and red as they get exposed to direct sunlight.
People want their own Lilac Frenchie, and this is all because they are one of a kind. Not only are they adorable, but they are, as a well, great company and companion. Lila Frenchies will truly love you and protect you, just as you care and love them.
2. Merle
Thirdly, the merle-patterned Frenchie is another irresistible French bulldog you can get your hands on. This Frenchie usually has a spotted coat, which goes on to affect skin pigmentation. In fact, there is a controversy going on about how breeding two merles can lead to health issues. It has been concluded that when it comes to breeding a merle, it should only be with a single-coated dog. Among the rare French bulldog colors, merle is among the top contenders. It’s no wonder they are quite expensive.
3. Liver/chocolate
As the name suggests, this is a color that resembles the color of chocolate. It is a result of pigmentation or B locus, which allows the dog to obtain brown or black coats.
4. Platinum
If you stumble upon a platinum Frenchie, you can immediately recognize it by its cream-colored coat. You will also notice dilution signs when looking at its paw pads, lips, eyes, and nose. This is the main distinction between a regular cream and platinum Frenchie, where the former comes with black paw pads, dark eyes, and a black nose.
5. Blue fawn
When it comes to this kind of Frenchie, you will observe dilution signs on its paw pads, ears, nose, and mask. They come in other color dilutions like the chocolate fawn or lilac fawn Frenchies. Its mask color and light eye color are the features that will help you distinguish it from the rest.
So, these are some rare French bulldog colors. Out of all these, a blue Merle Frenchie is one of the rarest. It comes with dark grey patches and a light grey base. Its most distinctive feature is its blue eyes. In fact, the gene in a blue merle Frenchie is the only gene that creates such eyes!
While on this Frenchie rare colors subject, it’s hard not to mention the fluffy Frenchie. Of course, fluffy is neither a pattern nor color. However, this Frenchie is growing popular among the rare ones, so it needs mentioning! This Frenchie is simply irresistible and comes with long hair. In fact, it resembles more like a teddy bear, thanks to the gene responsible for its long hair, the L gene. When it comes to color, you will find Fluffy Frenchies come in all types of rare colors mentioned above.
Rare Color Combinations
If you think you have seen it all, think again! There are some interesting Frenchies that come in different coat color combinations. This makes them special and rare. Want to find out more about them? Read below.
1. Blue and tan
This type of Frenchie is a blue Frenchie that comes with tan points. These are marks that appear anywhere on the Frenchie’s body, including paws, tail, and cheeks. You need to note that these marks sometimes become invisible because of the other patterns and coat colors overpowering them.
2. Black and tan
This combination of color in a Frenchie means it will be black with markings or tan points on its body. When it comes to this Frenchie, it is among the most popular among the rare ones.
3. Merle and tan
It has already been established that merle is neither a pattern nor a color. And when it comes to the merle and tan combination, there is an exception. For instance, except for mixed and cream colors, you can find merle pattern and tan combinations in all colors! Such kinds of Frenchies are still very rare. So, getting a hold of it might cost you a fortune.
4. Chocolate and tan
Lastly, one of the rare combinations of Frenchies is the chocolate and tan colored Frenchie. There is no denying that such a combination is pretty much seen nowadays. However, this combination is still considered to be among the rare ones.
Which is the rarest color among Frenchies?
Among all the rare French bulldog colors you find, the blue merle is certainly the rarest of them all. These dogs are, indeed, unlike the rest of the standard colored Frenchies. However, just because it’s rare doesn’t mean that you should invest in it blindly. That’s because Frenchies are among the dog breeds that require healthy breeding practices. This is one of the ways in which genetic disorder risks like respiratory illness, hip problems, and hearing loss can be avoided. As it is, a gene dilution is the reason why it’s rare in the first place. This means that a rare Frenchie will need extra care.
So, if you are looking forward to adopting a blue merle Frenchie, you have to ensure that you find a good breeder. Doing so, you are ensuring that your rare Frenchie lives a healthy, long life!
Pure blue is even rarer, as pure French blue (blue without bridling) must inherit both the recessive black gene and the diluted recessive gene of both parents.
Are rare French bulldog colors legit?
Yes. Now that you know that rare French bulldog colors are legit, go ahead and pick your favorite! Being a parent to this amazing dog breed is surely going to change your life drastically!
Rare Frenchie health problems
Among all the dog breeds, you shouldn’t be surprised that Frenchies have many complicated health problems. These issues usually stem from the fact that gene dilution occurs during breeding. So, unless you want to be paying bills after bills for your Frenchie’s healthcare, it is important that you get hold of a good breeder. When you plan to adopt a Frenchie, make sure that you get pet insurance as well.
Interestingly, one of the main reasons why Frenchies are bred is because of their physical appearance. However, just because they are adorable and desirable doesn’t mean they don’t come with baggage. In saying that, let’s have a look at some common health problems you may come across among rare Frenchies.
Conclusion
We hope this helps you better understand French bulldog colors and patterns available for this wonderful breed.
Stay safe and healthy.
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