French Bulldogs come in various colors, including brindle, cream, fawn, white, and a mix of colors. Some people might prefer the classic brindle color for its distinctiveness and traditional look, while others might be drawn to the solid, lighter colors for their soft appearance. Always select a pet based on their health and personality rather than just color.
French Bulldog Standard Colors
Brindle
Brindle French Bulldogs have a dark, mixed-color coat with lighter streaks dispersed throughout. This color pattern creates a unique, beautiful effect ranging from minimal striping to a more predominant mix, providing a tiger-stripe or marbled appearance.
Cream
Cream French Bulldogs boast a light, almost white coat that exudes an elegant and gentle appearance. The cream coloring is solid throughout the body, giving these dogs a soft, neutral aesthetic that many enthusiasts highly cherish.
Fawn
Fawn Frenchies have a warm, yellow-toned coat. This color can range from light, golden hues to a deeper, reddish tone. Fawn French Bulldogs often have a uniform color throughout their skin, giving them a regal and classic appearance.
White
White French Bulldogs have a pure, snowy coat that is bright and eye-catching. They do not have albinism; they simply possess a solid white coat. The pristine look of white French Bulldogs makes them particularly popular among some enthusiasts.
French Bulldog Rare Colors
Blue
Blue French Bulldogs have a slightly grayish-blue coat, a rare and sought-after color. It’s a dilution of the black coat caused by a specific gene. These dogs often have striking, light-colored eyes contrasting beautifully with their coat.
Chocolate
Chocolate French Bulldogs have a rich, brown coat reminiscent of a chocolate bar. This rare color results from a recessive gene, and these dogs sometimes have light eyes, creating a stunning visual contrast.
Lilac
Lilac French Bulldogs have a unique light purplish or greyish coat from a combination of blue and chocolate genes. These dogs often also have light eyes, giving them an ethereal appearance that many people find desirable.
Merle
Merle French Bulldogs have a mottled coat with patches of different colors, creating a distinctive and varied pattern. This pattern isn’t associated with purebred French Bulldogs and is controversial because it’s linked with health issues.
Black & Tan
These French Bulldogs have a predominantly black coat with tan or lighter markings on the cheeks, above the eyes, and on the belly and legs, akin to the markings seen in Rottweilers or Dobermans.
The Most Expensive French Bulldog Colors
- Blue
- Lilac
- Merle
- Chocolate
- Black & Tan
Why are they expensive?
Rarity
- Genetics: These colors are caused by specific, often recessive, genes. Dogs with these coat colors are less common, making them more desirable to potential buyers.
- Breeding Challenges: Breeding dogs to have these particular colors can be challenging and complex, leading to fewer puppies with the desired coat color available in the market.
Aesthetics
- Unique Appearance: The unique and striking appearance of these colors can be highly attractive. Many people are willing to pay a premium for dogs that have a distinctive, eye-catching look.
- Popularity Trends: As these colors become popular, the demand increases, driving up the price due to the limited supply.
Ethical Concerns
- Health Issues: Some of these colors, like Merle, are associated with health issues. Ethical breeders take extra precautions to ensure the health of these dogs, which can increase the cost.
- Breeding Ethics: Reputable breeders who produce these colors ethically prioritize the health and well-being of the dogs, leading to increased costs in breeding, which is reflected in the price.
Cheap French Bulldog Colors
These are the cheapest French Bulldog colors:
- Brindle: This is a mixture of dark and light stripes on the coat. It is the most common color for French Bulldogs, varying in darkness from light to heavy brindling. Due to its commonality, it’s typically less expensive.
- Fawn: This shade ranges from a light tan to a dark reddish tan coat. It has an even distribution without many markings and often comes with a black mask around the face. It’s another popular and commonly found color for French Bulldogs.
- Pied: This color is primarily a white coat but has prominent patches of another color, often brindle or fawn. The placement and size of these patches can vary widely, with some found on the ears, head, or larger body areas. While slightly less common than brindle, it’s generally more common than the rarer colors.
- White: This is a pure white coat without any other color markings. Though it’s less common than brindle, it’s still considered a standard color. Some white French Bulldogs may have slight markings or shading of fawn or brindle. It’s also essential to note that deafness is more common in white dogs.
- Cream: A shade lighter than fawn, this color is almost off-white. It has a solid coat without any markings. Often it gets confused with white, but the cream usually has a warmer tone. It’s another common color, though the exact shade might vary between individual dogs.
Does Genetics Influence French Bulldog Color?
Yes, genetics play a crucial role in determining the color of a French Bulldog’s coat. Specific genes inherited from both parent dogs influence the puppy’s coat color.
Different combinations of these genes can lead to various colors and patterns, including brindle, fawn, cream, blue, lilac, and merle. Some shades result from recessive genes, making them rarer and often more sought after.
French Bulldog Colors Accepted by AKC
- Brindle
- Cream
- Fawn
- White
- Brindle and White
- Fawn and White
- Fawn Brindle
Health Issues Related to Rare-colored French Bulldogs
Blue French Bulldogs
- Skin Issues: They often suffer from a condition called Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA), characterized by hair loss and skin problems due to pigment dilution.
- Sensitivity: They can also have sensitive skin, increasing susceptibility to allergies and infections.
Merle French Bulldogs
- Vision Problems: The Merle gene can affect eye development, leading to various eye anomalies, including increased sensitivity to light or even blindness.
- Hearing Loss: This gene can also impact ear development, making deafness a common issue among Merle French Bulldogs.
Lilac French Bulldogs
- Skin Conditions: Like the blue French Bulldogs, lilacs can suffer from CDA, leading to hair loss and associated skin issues.
- General Health: The breeding required to achieve this rare color can sometimes lead to a higher predisposition to health issues due to limited gene pools.
Chocolate French Bulldogs
- Skin Sensitivity: Although not as common, some chocolate French Bulldogs can also suffer from skin issues, requiring additional care and attention to maintain skin health.
- Breeding Concerns: Ethical breeding practices are essential to avoid exacerbating health issues associated with the quest for this rare color.
FAQs
What is the most popular French Bulldog color?
Brindle is one of the most popular French Bulldog colors, characterized by a mixture of dark and light streaks on their coat, giving them a distinct and classic appearance.
Should I buy a rare-colored Frenchie?
Purchasing a rare-colored Frenchie is a personal choice, but consider their potential health issues and ensure you’re choosing a reputable breeder who prioritizes health and ethics over coat color.
Which French Bulldog colors are exotic?
Colors like blue, merle, chocolate, and lilac are often considered exotic due to their rarity and the specific genetic combinations required to produce them.
What color French Bulldog is the best?
The “best” color is subjective and varies for each person. Focus on the dog’s health and temperament over color preference to ensure you get a healthy and compatible pet.
How much does a Blue French Bulldog cost?
The price of a Blue French Bulldog can vary widely, often ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on factors like lineage, breeder reputation, and geographic location.
How much does a Lilac French Bulldog cost?
Lilac French Bulldogs are expensive due to their rarity, with prices often ranging from $5,000 to $19,000, depending on the breeder, lineage, and other factors.
How do I keep my French Bulldog’s coat healthy?
Ensure a balanced diet, regular grooming, and check-ups to monitor for skin issues. Add omega fatty acids to their diet for a healthier coat and skin, and always provide proper hygiene and veterinary care.