Lilac French Bulldog Guide

What is a Lilac French Bulldog?

You may know the typical Frenchie colors like Fawn, Brindle, and Black… but have you heard of Lilac Frenchies?

Lilac Frenchies are sometimes called ”Isabella” Frenchies

Lilac is an unofficial French Bulldog color. This means that major kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) do not recognize the color in their French Bulldog breed standard.

Quick Jump

• Price
• Appearance
• Are they rare?
• Health Problems

What a Lilac French Bulldog Looks Like

Lilac Frenchies are one of the most unique colored dogs— don’t believe me? Just look for yourself!

How much are Lilac French Bulldog Puppies?

If you want a Lilac Frenchie, you should expect to spend at least $6,500.

Lilac is one of the rarest Frenchie colors— hence the steep price tag.

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 !

Lilac French Bulldog Variations

There are more than just plain Lilac Frenchies… there are a few variations of the Lilac French Bulldog in addition to the many patterns that Frenchies can have.

• Lilac Fawn French Bulldog — This Frenchie has a unique light purplish coat, often with a Beige or ‘Fawn’ undertone, due to a recessive gene.
• Lilac Long Haired French Bulldog — Similar to the Lilac Fawn, but these Frenchies have long, wavy hair due to the “Fluffy” gene.
• Lilac Platinum French Bulldog — These dogs have a Lilac coat free from any markings. Similar to how a Platinum Frenchie is 100% White, a Lilac Platinum Frenchie is 100% Lilac.
• Blue Lilac French Bulldog — A variation with a more pronounced blue tone due to the dilution gene, resulting in a distinctive Blue-Lilac coat.
• Lilac Merle French Bulldog — This Frenchie has a Lilac coat with mottled patches due to the Merle gene, adding even further complexity to their coat pattern.

Lilac French Bulldog Health Problems

Color Dilution Alopecia

Unfortunately, Lilac 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

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

Among Frenchies’ many health issues, joint & breathing 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lilac vs Blue French Bulldog

Similarities:

1. Breed Traits: Both Blue and Lilac French Bulldogs share the same breed characteristics. They have the same body structure, including their signature bat-like ears, and are known for their friendly, loyal, and playful nature.
2. Size: Both variations typically weigh between 16-28 pounds and stand around 11-12 inches tall at the shoulder.
3. Health Concerns: As both colors are linked to dilution genes, they can be associated with certain genetic health conditions, such as color dilution alopecia (a condition that can cause hair thinning or loss).
4. Unrecognized Colors: The American Kennel Club (AKC) doesn’t officially recognize either the Blue or Lilac colors in French Bulldogs.

Differences:

1. Color: The most obvious difference lies in their coat color. Blue French Bulldogs have a unique blue-gray coat, while Lilac French Bulldogs have a coat that can be described as silvery lilac or lavender.
2. Eye Color: Blue French Bulldogs often have blue or grey eyes, while Lilac French Bulldogs can have light-colored eyes that are blue, green, or amber.
3. Genetic Combination: The Blue French Bulldog’s color is a result of one type of dilution gene (d), while the Lilac French Bulldog’s color comes from inheriting two different dilution genes, one for blue (d) and one for chocolate (b), from both parents (dd, bb).
4. Rarity: Lilac French Bulldogs are more rare than Blue French Bulldogs due to the specific combination of dilution genes required to produce the lilac color.