Isabella French Bulldog Guide

Frenchies come in many colors…

Brindle, fawn, cream, white, and more.

Is there any more?

Yep, you bet there are!

Read on to learn…

• Price— how much Isabella Frenchies cost
• Rarity— Isabella isn’t one of your typical Frenchie colors… it’s one of the rarer ones!
• Fun facts— learn some cool facts about the Isabella color
• Health problems— health problems associated with the color
• Kennel club recognition— what organizations officially recognize (or don’t recognize) Isabella as an official color

What is an Isabella French Bulldog?

An Isabella Frenchie — also known by some as a Lilac Frenchie — is an unofficial French Bulldog color.

This means that it is not officially recognized by major kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) according to their French Bulldog Breed Standard.

The Dilution Gene

The pale color of the Isabella Frenchie comes from a gene that is known as the dilution gene.

The Isabella color appears when a dog with a Liver (brown) coat also has the dilution gene.

It’s the same gene responsible for the Blue coat, but the Blue color happens when a Black dog has the dilution gene.

Things to know about the Isabella color

• It can vary— its shade can vary from lighter to darker
• It’s unofficial— Isabella is not part of the AKC’s French Bulldog Breed Standard
• It can fade over time— As dogs get older, the shade can fade
• It can cause health issues— The dilution gene responsible for their coat can cause some health problems
• It’s similar to the Blue color— it may be similar, but it’s not the same as “Blue“
• It’s seen in many other breeds— for example: Poodles, Bichon Frises, and Cocker Spaniels
• Its genetics are even rarer than Blue— both the liver & dilution genes are recessive, whereas the genes for a black coat are dominant

How much is an Isabella French Bulldog?

The average cost of an Isabella French Bulldog from a reputable breeder is around $6,500.

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!

Isabella French Bulldog Health Problems

Color Dilution Alopecia

Unfortunately, Isabella 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/Isabella/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

Color Dilution Alopecia cannot be tested for

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, Isabellas, or Merles) are prone to a whole bunch of health issues…

Among Frenchies’ many health issues, joint problems are the most common.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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).
5. 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.

Check out these cute Isabella Frenchies…

Isabella Frenchies have a light, pale color that can range from light to dark. It sometimes can be mixed with other coat colors such as Brindle to create even more unique patterns. Isabella & Brindle Frenchies will have a much darker coat than an Isabella, but it’s lighter than a Brindle.

Frequently Asked Questions