At A Glance
All things considered, French bulldogs make really great pets. They’re smart, easy to train, and of a manageable size and some of them have uniquely colored coats. If you’re looking to bring home a Frenchie, you might want to know more about French bulldog colors, especially the rare ones:
Last Updated on: January 17, 2023
Originally bred to be cute farm companions and ferocious rat catchers, French bulldogs or ‘Frenchies’, have come a long way from their humble beginnings. English lace workers from Normandy took them back home while fleeing the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century.
In England, the breed became popular as lapdogs, and there has been no looking back since. From there, it was only a matter of time before they crossed the Atlantic and made their way into the hearts of America.
Currently, they are ranked as the fourth most popular breed in America by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Their status as an aristocratic accessory led to selective breeding to produce highly desirable and visually pleasing traits, such as their unique stature, facial features, and of course, rare French bulldog colors.
Frenchies come in a variety of coat colors, including the standard colors of fawn, brindle, cream, and black. These colors are considered typical for the breed and are recognized by most kennel clubs.
However, some French bulldogs also come in rare colors such as blue, lilac, chocolate, and a wide palette of other pastel shades.
These colors stem from a genetic mutation that changes the pigmentation in the coat. However, it is important to note that breeding these rare colors of French bulldog puppies comes with the risk of potential health issues.
It’s always important to research before buying a French bulldog to ensure you are getting a healthy and ethically bred dog, especially if you are interested in a rare color.
The following colors are standard for French bulldogs and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and other kennel clubs.
Brindle French bulldogs have a coat pattern characterized by dark and light patches on a fawn, black or white background. The stripes or patches can vary in width and be arranged in a variety of patterns and different shades, from a light golden color to a dark chocolate color.
This coat pattern is caused by the interaction of two specific genes that control coat color, one that codes for the fawn or black base coat color, and another that codes for the brindle pattern.
The brindle pattern can be inherited from one or both parents, which means that a brindle, such as a blue brindle french bulldog, can have one or two copies of the brindle gene.
Brindle and white Frenchies still have a base color that is fawn, though their coat may seem mostly white. A brindle such as a white and brindle french bulldog can have one or two copies of the brindle gene, depending on how it is bred.
When it comes to the different colors of French bulldogs, cream is a pale, off-white, eggshell color that can range from a very light to a slightly darker shade. The cream color is caused by the presence of a specific gene that dilutes the fawn or black coat color. This gene is called the “dilution gene,” and it can be inherited from one or both parents.
French bulldogs with one copy of the dilution gene will have a cream coat color, while French bulldogs with two copies of the gene will have an even lighter coat color.
Cream and white French bulldogs are variations of cream-colored French bulldogs. With this type, the coat has a base layer of white with patches of cream.
Cream and white bulldogs are considered standard colors by most kennel clubs and are a popular color pattern among bulldog enthusiasts.
Meet my new little baby Fawn French Bulldog called “Harley” ❤️ pic.twitter.com/eFyIsbUkqI
— Dylan Christian (@princedelrey_) January 18, 2020
They have a light yellow-brown color that can range from pale tan to almost dark brown. Fawn is often considered a desirable color because of its unique and attractive appearance.
Fawn-colored coats are considered a standard color by most kennel clubs, and it is a popular color among bulldog enthusiasts too.
White French bulldogs have a solid white coat color caused by the “dilution gene” which can be inherited from one or both parents. Frenchies with one copy of the dilution gene will have a white coat color, while those with two copies of the gene will have an even lighter coat color.
White French bulldogs are not recognized by all kennel clubs, due to the lack of pigmentation and the potential for skin cancer and sunburn.
Fawn, brindle, and white French bulldogs are characterized by dark and light stripes or patches on a fawn or black background, with a white coat color.
White and fawn bulldogs are variations of fawn-colored French bulldogs. The fawn patches or stripes on their coats can range from almost red to pale tan, with the amount of white in their coats varying significantly.
White and fawn is one of the color patterns the American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognizes.
Due to the difficulty of breeding French bulldogs with rare coat colors and variations, they are not recognized by the AKC or other kennel clubs. Their rarity might make them more appealing, but it also increases the risk of inbreeding and genetic disorders. The following are the types of french bulldog rare colors.
An all-black French bulldog is very distinctive. It sports a glossy, jet-black coat making it an ideal pet for Batman. Jokes aside, remember that some black Frenchies can be cross-breeds sired by black pugs, so do your research before bringing one home.
From afar, sable Frenchies look a lot like fawn Frenchies. Get closer, and you’ll notice that there is actually a mix of black fur and fawn fur with black tips. This is what gives sable Frenchies their distinctive two-tone look.
Because the AKC does not recognize sable as an official Frenchie color, most sable French bulldogs are registered as tan.
Are black and tan French Bulldogs rare? Yes, they are. These Frenchies have a coat that is a mix of both solid colors without even the slightest hint of brindle. Imagine a French bulldog with a Doberman’s coat – that’s what these dogs look like.
The name says it all. These Frenchies can be black with white patches or white with black patches. They are also known as Piebald Frenchies.
Blue is, in fact, a misnomer. These French bulldogs are actually silver and gray, and it’s the way the light catches their coat that gives them the name.
These Frenchies are blue Frenchies that carry a single brindle gene. Sadly, this gene also makes them prone to skin allergies and food sensitivity.
Chocolate girl 🍫#puppydog #bulldog #Frenchies pic.twitter.com/SF7VwVf7Uh
— frenchbulldog lovers (@frenchb96465413) December 30, 2022
Chocolate is one of the rarer French bulldog coat colors. These pint-sized pooches can be varying shades of brown ranging from dark to light brown. Imagine a Frenchie dressed as a lab for Halloween – that’s how these dogs look.
They are also considerably more expensive than most Frenchies.
These are chocolate Frenchies with a set of brindle genes that have patches or stripes of tan to their coat.
Is Lilac French Bulldog rare? Yes, but it can be difficult to tell lilac and blue Frenchies apart from afar. On close inspection, you’ll notice that while blue Frenchies have a bluish-gray coat, the coat on a lilac French bulldog veers more towards purple.
But is a lilac French bulldog rare? Yes. By the time you’ve hit lilac, you’re at the rare end of the ‘Frenchie Color Spectrum.’
Tan Frenchies have a distinctive brown color with some hues of yellow and red thrown in. This color is reminiscent of the tan points found on larger breeds such as Rottweilers.
A merle is a coat pattern characterized by a mottled or speckled appearance, with irregularly shaped dark spots of different colors such as tan, black, chocolate, or blue on a solid, white or cream background.
Merle variations in French bulldogs range from blue merle to chocolate merle. So if you’re wondering, ‘are blue merle French Bulldogs rare?’, they are definitely one of the rarest kinds of Frenchies.
While merle and blue French bulldogs may be rare, they definitely aren’t the most rare French bulldog colors. That distinction goes to the merle Frenchies.
They have a distinctive liver-colored coat that is often compared to lilac or blue. But what sets them apart is their coat’s bluish-gray hue, light brown or blue eyes, and distinct pink faces.
Breeding Frenchies with this coat color requires both parents to have a brindle gene for blue and chocolate coats.
Because they are bred to be unique, French bulldogs also have a lot of other interesting features and lore that accompany their little lives. Here are a few interesting Frenchie facts:
Cynthia White, a French bulldog owner, says, “French Bulldogs cannot tolerate a lot of heat and cannot tolerate a lot of cold. Most of them can’t swim either and need a life jacket, or they will drown. They will sink like a stone, head first.”
Besides these challenges, selective breeding also means Frenchies are prone to many health problems.
Rare coat colors in French Bulldogs, such as blue, lilac, and chocolate, are associated with health issues because the unique colors are caused by a genetic mutation that results in a lack of pigmentation in the coat. This mutation, known as the “dilution gene”, can cause a host of health problems.
One of the most common health issues associated with the dilution gene is alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss. These dogs may also be more susceptible to skin irritations and allergies.
White french bulldogs may also have a higher chance of deafness and blindness since the lack of pigmentation in the ears can affect their hearing and sight.
French bulldogs with rare coat colors, such as merle or isabella, may also have a higher risk of certain genetic disorders.
It’s also important to note that breeding for rare colors can lead to inbreeding, increasing the likelihood of genetic disorders. This is why it’s always important to research and ensure you get a healthy and ethically bred dog.
It is important to buy rare French Bulldog colors from a trusted breeder because a reputable breeder will have knowledge of the breed and will be able to provide health clearances and guarantees for their dogs.
They will also be able to answer any questions you may have about the breed and the specific dog you are interested in.
Regular grooming is essential for maintaining the health and appearance of the coat, as well as for keeping the dog clean and comfortable.
Keeping the ears and face clean is also important to prevent infections and odors. French Bulldogs have wrinkles on their face that can trap dirt and bacteria, so cleaning them regularly is essential.
It’s Time For The Snuggles And The Treats Because Home Is Where The New Pup Is
Meet Paul, a devoted dog dad to the delightful French Bulldog, Cofi. With a flair for humor and a deep understanding of Frenchie quirks, Paul brings a lighthearted touch to his writings. His relatable stories and practical insights are a blend of laughter and valuable advice and resonate with fellow dog owners.
Through his words, Paul aims to celebrate the joys and challenges of being a dedicated pet parent, reminding you that life is simply better with a four-legged, snorting sidekick by your side.
