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Sable French Bulldog Guide

What is a Sable French Bulldog?

Do you know all the Frenchie colors & patterns?!

Unless you’re a huge Frenchie fanatic, probably not.

I’m always learning something new about the Frenchie.

Most of us know the common colors like Fawn, Brindle, and Black

But I bet you haven’t heard of a Sable Frenchie!

(or maybe you just did, which is why you’re here to learn more about them)

So then what does a Sable Frenchie look like?

A Sable French Bulldog
A Sable French Bulldog

A Sable coat is characterized by…

  1. Base color: The base color of a Sable French Bulldog’s coat is typically a rich, warm brown shade that can vary in intensity from light to dark.
  2. Tipped hairs: The coat of a Sable French Bulldog is characterized by a “tipped” appearance, with black hair tips on each hair shaft that gradually blend into the brown base color. This gives the coat a beautiful, multi-dimensional appearance that shimmers in the light.
  3. Dark face and ears: The face and ears of a Sable French Bulldog may be darker than the rest of the body, with black or dark brown coloration around the eyes and on the ears. This gives the dog a striking and distinctive appearance.
  4. Grizzled appearance: The combination of black and brown hairs in the coat can give a Sable French Bulldog a grizzled appearance, with a mix of darker and lighter hairs that create a beautiful and unique coat pattern.

What makes a Sable French Bulldog different from a Fawn Frenchie?

Sable French Bulldogs have a warm brown coat with black hair tips, giving it a multi-dimensional appearance. Their face and ears may also have darker coloration.

Fawn French Bulldogs, on the other hand, have a solid light tan or beige coat with no black hairs mixed in, and a uniform appearance throughout their body.

Here’s a Fawn & Sable Frenchie next to each other — see the difference?

A Fawn French Bulldog next to a Sable Frenchie
A Fawn Frenchie (left) and a Sable Frenchie (right)

What gives Sable French Bulldogs their appearance?

Sable coat coloration is caused by a specific gene that controls the distribution of black pigment in the hair.

The “A locus”

This gene, known as the agouti gene (A locus), can produce a wide range of coat color patterns depending on how it interacts with other genes.

The “Tipped” appearance

In the case of Sable French Bulldogs, the agouti gene produces a “tipped” appearance by controlling the distribution of black hair pigment along the hair shaft.

The base coat is a dark fawn or brown

The tips of each hair shaft are black, while the base color of the coat is a warm fawn/brown shade. The distribution of pigment can also create a grizzled appearance due to the mixture of black and brown hairs.

It’s a lot more complicated than I could start to explain

It’s worth noting that coat color genetics can be complex, and different coat colors can be the result of different combinations of genes.

A Sable French Bulldog laying down with its tongue out
“I don’t know what genetics are — but I know I’m cute!”

How much are Sable French Bulldogs?

On average, you can expect to pay $3,500–$5,500 for a Sable French Bulldog from a reputable breeder.

There’s a pretty big gap in the Frenchie price range — the price you pay will depend on many factors.

Frenchie Price Factors

  • Gender — typically female Frenchies will cost more than males due to their ability to breed
  • Breeder — a breeder that has a good reputation will usually charge more for their puppies compared to a smaller, less-known breeder; highly reputable breeders will usually have a longer waitlist for their puppies as well
  • Location — depending on where you live, the average price of a Frenchie might be more or less compared to the average of $3,500… in metropolitan areas (e.g. Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Miami, etc.) the price will be a bit higher compared to the prices you’d find in smaller cities or rural towns.
  • Color & pattern — some colors & patterns have genetics that are quite rare and breeders will typically charge more for these

Frenchies are expensive

Ask someone what they know about Frenchies…

The first thing they’ll probably say is…

“They’re really expensive, aren’t they?!”

And it’s true, Frenchies cost a lot.

Is a Frenchie worth it to you? It is for me!

Why Frenchies Cost So Much
How much is a Frenchie?!

Did you know the avg. price of a Frenchie is $3500?

Check out our Frenchie Price Chart, why they cost so much, & the most expensive Frenchie in the world!

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Sable French Bulldog Health Problems

Some Frenchie colors are known for having health problems.

These problematic colors are the “rare” colors such as Blue, Merle, and Isabella.

For example, Blue Frenchies are prone to a condition known as Color Dilution Alopecia which causes hair follicles to become weakened due to the dilution of pigment, leading to hair loss and skin inflammation.

Do Sable Frenchies have more health issues?

Unlike the colors mentioned above, Sable Frenchies are not known for having any color-specific health issues.

But don’t get confused — they’re still prone to the same ol’ Frenchie health issues.

6-Year-Old Sable Male Frenchie Sitting and Sticking Out Tongue
Sable Frenchies don’t have any more health issues than your standard Frenchie

Regular Frenchie Health Issues

Frenchies are notorious for health issues, especially breathing issues.

The Sable Frenchie is no exception.

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

The most common Frenchie health issues

  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.
Frenchie Health Guide
21 Most Common French Bulldog Health Problems

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sable Frenchies recognized by the AKC?

Yes, Sable would be recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) — Sable is considered a variation of the Fawn coat which is AKC recognized.

Are Sable Frenchies purebred?

Yes, a French Bulldog with a Sable coat may be purebred — but this is not always the case. There are some colors that would be impossible for a Frenchie to have if they were purebred, but Sable is not one of those.

How much are Sable Frenchies?

The price of a Sable Frenchie ranges from $3,500–$5,500 for a puppy from a reputable breeder.

What health problems are common in Sable Frenchies

There are no color-specific health issues for Sable French Bulldogs — but they still are prone to the same health issues that any Frenchie would be prone to.

These would be: allergies, breathing issues, joint, eye, and spinal problems.

Is a Frenchie right for me?
Pros & Cons of Owning a French Bulldog

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.

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