What is a Blue French Bulldog?
A Blue Frenchie?!
Yes, you heard me right, there’s such thing as a Blue Frenchie…
Blue is considered one of the “rare” French Bulldog colors, so you can expect them to be a bit more expensive than other colors.
While it may be rare & highly sought after, the AKC does not recognize Blue as a standard coat color for Frenchies in their Breed Standard. There are also some health issues associated with Blue dogs that are important to be aware of.
It might seem like a new Frenchie color is popping up every day… especially when you consider Fluffy Frenchies!
Read on to learn…
- Appearance— what Blue Frenchies look like
- Genetics— how they get their unique appearance
- Variations— the other types of Blue Frenchies
- Price— how much Blue French Bulldogs cost (they’re more than your average Frenchie!)
- Health problems— Blue Frenchies are prone to specific health issues
They’re not blue like the sky
I know what you might be thinking… I’m not talking about a blue version of Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Then what does a Blue Frenchie look like?
Okay, so now that we’re on the same page about Blue Frenchies not being the same color as the sky…
Blue Frenchies are more of a silver/grey color than blue.
Their coat color is a dilute of black, giving them a blue or grayish appearance. The shade of blue can vary from a lighter gray to a darker steel blue.
Pictures speak louder than words— just take a look for yourself:
What makes Blue Frenchies Blue
Their blue appearance comes from a mutation in the melanophilin gene (MLPH) which causes pigments that were originally supposed to be Black to appear silver/grey.
This is also called a dilution gene.
Are you trying to decide whether or not a French Bulldog is the right breed for you?
Here’s what to know before getting a French Bulldog.
The 6 Types of Blue Frenchies
There are many variants of the Blue coat… similar to how other colors mix together to form coats such as Brindle & White… the same applies for Blue Frenchies.
How much are Blue French Bulldog Puppies?
Frenchies are expensive– you probably know that… but Blue Frenchies can cost even more than the average Frenchie price of $3,500!
That’s right, Blue French Bulldog Puppies generally cost between $4,000-$9,000.
A good breeder will not be cheap but don’t overpay for a Frenchie
Unlike most dog breeds, Frenchies require to be artificially inseminated & undergo a c-section to give birth.
- C-sections – used to remove puppies from the uterus
- Artificial insemination – used to impregnate a female dog
This means that you’re going to pay at least a couple thousand dollars for a well-bred Frenchie… did you know that the average cost to breed a Frenchie is $7,000!
Struggling to find the perfect Frenchie Breeder?
Learn the important questions to ask your breeder, the 11 breeder red flags, and everything else!
Blue Frenchies are rare!
It’s not every day that you see a Blue Frenchie— in fact, they are one of the rarest & sought-after Frenchie colors!
Blue French Bulldog Health Problems
If you haven’t heard by now, Frenchies are notorious for their health issues, especially breathing problems…
But some colors are prone to different health issues— Blue is one of these colors.
Color Dilution Alopecia
Unfortunately, Blue Frenchies in particular are prone to a condition called color dilution alopecia, commonly abbreviated as CDA.
Color dilution alopecia is a hereditary skin disease that causes dry skin, flaky & itchy skin, and hair thinning & loss.
Color Dilution Alopecia at a Glance
- Diagnosis involves ruling out other issues
- Age of onset is between 6 months to 2-3 years of age
- A genetic condition— more common in Blue/Lilac/Blue Fawn dogs
- No cure— but it can be managed with moisturizers, dietary changes, vitamin supplementation, etc.
Symptoms of Color Dilution Alopecia
- Thin hair
- A dry & dull coat
- Hyperpigmentation
- Hair loss that progressively gets worse— it starts out as patches of hair loss
We can’t test for Color Dilution Alopecia
Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to test for color dilution alopecia as the gene directly responsible is still unknown.
Regular Frenchie Health Issues
French Bulldogs in general (not just Lilac or Merles) are prone to a whole bunch of health issues…
Among Frenchies’ many health issues, joint & breathing problems are the most common.
- Allergies: French Bulldogs can develop allergies to environmental factors such as pollen, dust, and certain types of
food . Common symptoms of allergies in dogs include itching, skin irritation, and digestive issues. - Breathing issues: Due to their short snouts and flat faces, French Bulldogs can experience breathing problems. Stenotic nares (narrowed nostrils), elongated soft palate (a condition where the soft palate obstructs the airway), and tracheal collapse (when the trachea collapses or flattens) are all common respiratory problems in Frenchies.
- Joint problems: Joint problems are among the most common health issues in French Bulldogs. Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation (knee joint dislocation), and arthritis are all conditions that can affect Frenchies and cause pain and mobility issues.
- Spinal issues: French Bulldogs can also be prone to spinal problems such as hemivertebrae (a spinal deformity), intervertebral disc disease (a condition where the discs between the vertebrae in the spine degenerate or rupture), and degenerative myelopathy (a progressive disease that affects the spinal cord).
- Eye problems: Cherry eye (a condition where the tear gland in the eye protrudes from its normal position), cataracts (cloudiness in the lens of the eye), entropion (a condition where the eyelid rolls inward), and distichiasis (an abnormal eyelash growing from the wrong location) are all eye problems that can affect Frenchies.
An in-depth guide on nearly every health problem affecting Frenchies.
Learn about the most common health problems & what you can do to manage them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Blue French Bulldogs Recognized by the AKC?
No, Blue Frenchies are not one of the official colors recognized by the AKC.
Colors officially recognized by the AKC
These 8 colors are officially recognized by the AKC as an “official” French Bulldog color– any others aren’t considered a true Frenchie to the AKC.
- Cream
- Fawn
- White
- Fawn & White
- Brindle
- White & Brindle
- Fawn Brindle
- Fawn Brindle & White
Frenchies come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns!
Learn about all the types of colors & patterns Frenchies can be as well as how much they cost!
Are Blue Frenchies purebred?
Yes, however, not all Blue Frenchies will be purebred— with this being said, it’s not impossible for a Blue Frenchie to be purebred.
How can you register a Blue French Bulldog with the AKC
Unfortunately, it is not possible to register a Blue French Bulldog with the AKC at this time.
The AKC has strict breed standards
Blue is not one of the 8 AKC French Bulldog colors and thus does not meet the AKC’s breed standards for Frenchies.
French Bulldog Colors that are accepted by the AKC: Cream; Fawn; White; Fawn & White; Brindle; Brindle & White; Fawn Brindle; and Fawn Brindle & White
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Blue Frenchies?
Blue French Bulldog Puppies generally cost between $4,000-$9,000.
Price will vary depending on your location.
Are Blue Frenchies actually blue?!
No, a “Blue” French Bulldog is actually more of a silver/grey color than a sky-blue color.
What types of Blue Frenchies are there?
Blue Frenchies can come in: Blue, Blue Fawn, Blue Merle, Blue Pied, Blue Sable, Blue & Tan.
What health problems are common in Blue French Bulldogs?
Color dilution alopecia is a condition common in Blue dogs that can cause hair thinning & loss and dry/itchy skin.
Resources
https://synapse.koreamed.org/upload/synapsedata/pdfdata/0118jvs/jvs-6-259.pdf
Mille
Monday 12th of December 2022
question : is it all blue frenchies that will have these skin problems ?
Best regards Mille
frenchiewiki
Tuesday 13th of December 2022
Hi Millie!
No, not all Blue Frenchies will have skin issues. I have a Blue Fawn Frenchie and she has absolutely no skin issues.
According to this study, the condition is "relatively uncommon".