Blue French Bulldog vs. Black French Bulldog: Frenchie colors explained

Blue French Bulldog/Grey French Bulldog

The blue French Bulldog, also called grey French Bulldog, is one of the most popular, non-standard colors of the Frenchie breed. This soft, mousy color occurs when a dog carries the recessive dilute gene that lightens the black pigment to grey. The blue French Bulldog can be marked in various different patterns. These include solid, merle, brindle, blue and tan, blue fawn and blue pied. Pictured here is a handsome brindle blue French Bulldog.

Black French Bulldog

The black French Bulldog is an AKC standard color, providing there’s evidence of the brindle marking somewhere on the coat. It’s possible to have a solid black French Bulldog, however this would be a disqualification in the show ring. Nevertheless, the sleek black color of a solid black coat is a beauty to behold. This non-standard color may be perfect for those seeking a beautiful pet to love rather than a show prospect. There are various patterns in the black, just as the blue French Bulldog. In addition to brindle and solid are black and tan, black merle and black pied. Pictured here is a beautiful example of a solid black French Bulldog, Nyx, owned by Homegrown Frenchies.

Merle French Bulldog

The merle French Bulldog is a coat pattern that is growing in popularity amongst Frenchie owners. This coat pattern is considered an exotic coat color, meaning it is non-standard according to the American Kennel Club. Merle is a dominant coat pattern. The pattern appears when the dog carries one copy of the M-locus. The coat will be spotted or speckled and consist of 2 or more colors. This gene also produces pigment variation in the eyes. Therefore, it is usually an indication that the French Bulldog carries the gene, even if the coat doesn’t appear merle. Every color can be present in the merle French Bulldog, including the pied variety.

White French Bulldog/Pied French Bulldog

The white French Bulldog, also the pied French Bulldog, is one that is mostly or completely white. AKC recognizes white as a standard French Bulldog color, although it is not widely seen. Many white Frenchies are mostly white with some presence of color spotted on the coat. This is considered a pied or piebald coat. Some white Frenchies can have hearing problems, so it is important to verify this when choosing a pied French Bulldog. Generally, if the color is present on both sides of the head, covering all or most of both eyes and ears, the dog will have no hearing issues. If there is little to no coloring on the head, this is considered an extreme pied. Every color can be present in the pied marking. Pictured here is our standard red fawn pied French Bulldog, Punkin.

Brindle French Bulldog

The brindle French Bulldog is an AKC standard color for the Frenchie. It is one of the oldest coat patterns for the breed. Because of this, many believe that brindle French Bulldogs are some of the most healthy varieties of the breed. Brindle simply means that the dog carries at least one copy of the K-locus gene. This causes the coat to be marbled, usually presenting as a darker color with lighter, fawn-colored striping. A fawn brindle, or reverse brindle, would present as a fawn coat color with dark striping. The brindle French Bulldog can be quite attractive, and can be present with any color variety, including pied.

Lilac French Bulldog: A Dilute Similar to the Blue French Bulldog

The lilac French Bulldog is an exotic color that is a fairly new variety in French Bulldogs. It is one of our favorite colors. The coloring is soft and muted, much like the blue French Bulldog. Similarly, it is also present when the dog carries the recessive genes. In order to be considered lilac, the dog must carry both the dilute blue and dilute coco genes. The easiest way to recognize this unique coloring is to verify the “red eye glow” that is indicative to the lilac variation. The lilac French Bulldog will be found in various coat patterns. These include solid, brindle, merle, lilac and tan, lilac fawn and pied. Pictured here is our pied fawn lilac French Bulldog, Gemma.

Black and White French Bulldog

Both the black and white French Bulldog varieties have been described above. Oftentimes, a black pied French Bulldog can easily be confused with a Boston Terrier. When a pied Frenchie has color present over her back, head and torso, this is called an Irish pied. A black Irish pied Frenchie and a standard Boston Terrier look very much alike. Can you pick the black and white French Bulldog from the pair pictured here?

Fawn French Bulldog

The fawn French Bulldog is another AKC standard color. The color can range from a very light tan to a rich, dark red. Most fawns will also have a dark or black mask that covers the muzzle, ears and above the eyes. A sable fawn will have darker fur on the back, like a saddle, and usually will have a dark tail. The fawn Frenchie is unique because it’s color is dominant and there are only two varieties, fawn and fawn piebald. If solid, brindle, tan points, or merle are present, the coat will have a different color altogether. If the dog carries the recessive dilute gene of blue, coco or lilac, the fawn will be a satin color. The mask, if present, will have a blue or brown hue. Dilute fawns are also one of our favorites!

Cream French Bulldog

The cream French Bulldog is another standard color recognized by the American Kennel Club. The cream coat can range in color from ivory to almost yellow and is very interesting and unique (genetically speaking). Just like love covers a multitude of sins, cream covers a myriad of colors. No matter what other genetic color markers are present, if the dog carries 2 copies of the “e” gene its coat will be a cream color. Even merle is covered by cream! That is why it is very important for breeders especially to have their Frenchies coat color tested to determine their genotype. This knowledge helps us to make good breeding decisions for the health of the puppies. Some phenotypes, or visible characteristics, should not be bred together, such as pied to pied or merle to merle. Pictured here is an excellent example of a cream French Bulldog.

Tan Point French Bulldog

The tan point French Bulldog looks just like it sounds. It is a French Bulldog with tan color on its legs, chest, rear (under the tail), face and ears is considered an exotic color and is not recognized by the AKC. Depending on genetics, the tan points can be clear like those on the puppy pictured here, or can be very faint with other colors present on toes. Tan Point French Bulldogs can come in a variety of colors on the body, such as black, blue, lilac, coco and isabella (new shade). If the dog carries one or two copies of the gene responsible for brindle coat, then the tan points may not be visible. This is commonly called a trindle. Pictured here is a nice example of a black and tan, aka black with tan point French Bulldog puppy.

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