Rare French Bulldog Colors

The beloved Frenchie is the most popular purebred dog in the USA, but the breed standard only allows them to come in Brindle, Fawn, and Pied. Despite this, there has been a growing interest in unusual and rare colors among French Bulldog lovers.

While there is a lot of controversy in the Frenchie community about these colors, there’s no doubt they are striking. So we will discuss some of the many rare colors and patterns such as Merle, Blue, Lilac, and more, while also discussing the genetics behind them and the potential health concerns associated with certain patterns.

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Content:

1. Merle French Bulldog
2. Blue French Bulldog
3. Lilac French Bulldog
4. Isabella French Bulldog
5. Brindle French Bulldog
6. Black French Bulldog
7. White French Bulldog
8. Gray French Bulldog
9. Conclusion

Merle French Bulldog

Merle French Bulldogs have become increasingly popular. It is not really a color, but a rare pattern of dark marks on a lighter (dilute) base. There can be red or blue merle frenchies, and some can be tri-color. However, this is a very controversial pattern in Frenchies because of the link between the merle gene and health issues.

A Reddit user warns:

"There is a color, Merle (well, actually a pattern) that has become popular in French Bulldogs—a breed with more than enough issues already, thanks. The problem is that this pattern, when doubled up on, is linked to serious, often deadly health issues. A few of these issues include missing eyes, malformed eyes, blindness, deafness, increased risk of midline defects (cleft lip, palate, and spina bifida) and, in some cases, congenital inability to pass feces. Doubling up on the genetics (i.e., breeding Merle to Merle) is NEVER done in any other breed that carries Merle, but French Bulldogs don’t naturally carry Merle."

Despite these risks, many owners are drawn to the Merle pattern and this rare and striking color can mean that merle puppies go for exorbitant prices.

Merle or not, don’t forget to keep an eye on your pup with the Petcube Cam 360, which offers live streaming and two-way audio.

Blue French Bulldog

Blue French Bulldogs are another rare and sought-after color. This hue is the result of a dilution gene (called the D-locus gene) that lightens the black coat to a distinctive blue-gray. While Blue Frenchies are stunning, they can be prone to certain skin conditions like color dilution alopecia, which causes hair loss and skin problems.

Blue Frenchies are popular in the breeding world, often crossed with other rare colors to produce unique combinations. For example, breeding a Blue Frenchie with a Platinum can result in Blue puppies, while a Lilac with a Platinum can give you Lilac offspring. Keep in mind, however, that breeding for color is frowned upon as it can sometimes mean that breeders overlook factors like health and temperament.

Lilac French Bulldog

The Lilac French Bulldog is a truly exotic color, achieved by the combination of the blue and “coco” dilution genes. This results in a stunning lavender or grayish coat with a soft chocolate or red tinge due to the dilute gene and two copies of the cocoa gene for chocolate. Lilac Frenchies are one of the most expensive and rarest colors, often fetching a high price due to their unique appearance and the complex genetics required to produce them.

Lilac Frenchies result from a newly discovered “coco” gene, that, when diluted, gives the very unusual color.

As Dr. Bianca Haase, a genetics expert, notes: "Whereas earlier alleles for brown coat color have been associated with the B locus, recent research has identified a variant on the canine HPS3 gene responsible for a brown {chocolate or coco] coat phenotype in French Bulldogs." Dr. Bianca Haase in this study.

As these puppies are incredibly pricey, make sure to invest in their health with the Petcube Emergency Fund, which provides up to $3,000 in emergency vet coverage and 24/7 access to online vets.

Isabella French Bulldog

Lilac French Bulldogs are often confused with Isabella French Bulldogs, but they are actually quite different (although they can sometimes only be told apart by genetics). Isabella French Bulldogs have a milky chocolate or apricot coat with a soft lavender tinge, resulting from two copies of the b/b locus allele (for normal brown not coco as with the lilac) with a dilute gene.

Brindle French Bulldog

Brindle is one of the more common and recognized color patterns in the French Bulldog breed standard. Brindle simply means dark stripes on a lighter background, creating a tiger-like appearance. Brindle Frenchies can vary widely in appearance, with the most common being black stripes on a red base. However you can also get brindle frenchies in a number of other shades, such as tan stripes on a blue base.

Black French Bulldog

Solid black French Bulldogs are rare and striking. While black is not a standard color in the breed, these dogs are still stunning with the sleek, glossy coats, and there are no known health issues related to black coloring.

White French Bulldog

White French Bulldogs are not albino (albinos are sometimes called “pink” Frenchies); rather, their white coat results from a lack of pigment, making them stand out with their crisp, clean appearance. White Frenchies are pure white, but they can also be an off-white cream. Another variation of the white Frenchie is the “platinum.” This is a very pale Frenchie with a metallic sheen to their coat.

When taking your white Frenchie out on adventures, remember to take a Petcube GPS Tracker to ensure their safety. This device offers real-time tracking and peace of mind, especially if your dog has a tendency to wander.

Gray French Bulldog

Gray French Bulldogs are another variation of the black gene diluted. This is really the same as blue, although arguable it could mean a lighter shade of blue. A very dark shade of blue could also be called a slate-gray Frenchie, although truthfully “gray” is just another word for “blue”.

Conclusion

In addition to the colors discussed above, there are several other rare and exotic French Bulldog colors and patterns, including "New Shade" Chocolate, and various patterns like Tricolor, Tan Points, Platinum, and Double Merle (meaning the dog has two copies of the merle gene). Each of these colors has its own unique appeal, but it’s important to remember that breeding for rare colors should always prioritize the health and well-being of the dogs.