FRENCH BULLDOG COLORS AND MARKINGS: Frenchie Color Genetics and Health

Earlier this week we wrote about allowed and disallowed French Bulldog colors in the United States. It takes a little technical experience in the French Bulldog world to be able to understand the different colors of French Bulldog. While you may not be a go-to person for all French bulldog colors and markings questions, there are some commonly seen French Bulldog colors you should know without scratching your head. Interestingly, each French Bulldog color and marking has a genetic and health aspect that most people don't know. That is what this article is all about.

Single colors of French Bulldog commonly known and accepted by the American Kennel Club are as follows:

1. White: White Frenchies are easily identifiable by any French Bulldog enthusiast without troubles. You can spot them from a mile away.
2. Cream & Fawn: Cream and Fawn Frenchie color are often mixed up, and that's because they are very similar in appearance. Both are in the accepted list of the American Kennel Club.
3. Fawn: Frenchie fawn color can occur on its own or with brindle and piebald patterns.

Talking about Brindle and pied patterns, let's take a tour through French Bulldog markings. French Bulldog colors are often made more complicated by their markings, this one area that makes identifying the actual French Bulldog colors more difficult.

French Bulldog Colors Brindle

It is beyond argument that the brindle is the most popular or the commonly seen French bulldog colors. Sometimes they are regarded as  Coat colors. Generally, there are different variations of the brindle coat patterns or markings on Frenchie. It could be some patches of solid coat colors or just the brindle and white.

French Bulldog Colors Piebald

The piebald, or pied, French Bulldog colors are considered somewhat of a stretch goal to serious breeders. It is a challenge to breed pied puppies reliably!

To further complicate matters, it is possible to have a Frenchie who sports more than one color pattern, such as a piebald brindle.

A well-bred pied French Bulldog will display a partial or a complete face mask offset by a different main body color and well-placed complementary body marks that match the face mask.

French Bulldog Colors Ticked

A coat is “ticked” when there are small areas of white in which spots of color appear.

Having explained some common French Bulldog colors and markings, what if you found a rare French Bulldog color to buy?

Just as with any other purebred dog breeds, the premier resource to determine appropriate French Bulldog colors remains the official breed standard of the American Kennel Club. The AKC standard is updated periodically. Sometimes, the reason why some colors are not allowed for French Bulldog breeding may be in connection with health issues. Hence, reputable breeders advise against purchasing the so-called "Rare Frenchie Colors" that may be advertised. These are also, usually, the most expensive Frenchies.

Ideally, such colors should have been bred at all because it puts the Frenchie in health risks throughout his life. Therefore, you should be wary of such colors as "fad" or "rare".

French Bulldog Color Genetics and Health

French Bulldog Color Genetics Chart is used by reputable breeders, as a guide, to track their breeding efforts. If you are a breeder and you want to specialize in breeding a specific Frenchie color, this chart will help in maintaining consistency in your breeding efforts.

You further need to master the French Bulldog color DNA in order to ensure that you achieve an excellent and quality life for your Frenchie. There is a simple reason why this is advisable. Essentially, it is because the same genetic composition which generates some preferred colors also influence other developmental processes and organs in the Frenchie. For instance, the sight, and hearing.

If you are seeking to have a Frenchie Puppy, keep the following basic Frenchie information about French Bulldog Color Genetics and Health in mind:

White - The gene that produces an all-white solid coat has a well-documented association with canine deafness. The eyes are often blue, which is also associated with canine deafness, as well as with additional eye problems.

French Bulldogs with significant white markings and patterns where there is no brindle present can also be at risk for canine deafness and eye problems.

Mouse - The gene associated with the mouse color is linked to cataracts, blindness, persistent hair loss and other skin issues. Affected dogs often have a yellow or blue cast to their eyes.

Liver - The gene associated with the liver color is linked to early life cataracts and alopecia. Affected dogs often have a yellow cast to their eyes.

Merle - The merle gene has a well-known link to eye issues, including missing eyes or eye abnormalities, like nonfunctional or smaller than usual eyes. Linked ear issues include deafness in one or both ears.

That's it about this subject. Do you know something about French Bulldog color genetics and health? What is the best french bulldog color from your own perspective? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.