The Blue French Bulldog is a popular Frenchie a color variant with a muted Gray coat with a bluish shimmer and blue eyes. It can be a solid color or have patterns such as white chest and belly patches.
Apart from the coat color, all other French Bulldog features such as personality, body type, and so on remain the same. They are as small, muscular, clownish, stubborn, and clingy.
As a prospective Blue Frenchie owner, here is what you should know.
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Blue French Bulldog Overview
| Height | 11-13 inches |
| Weight | Under 28 pounds |
| Lifespan | 11-14 years |
| Temperament | Easy-going, Loyal, Quirky, Loving, Friendly, Playful, and Affectionate Destructive when bored |
| Purpose | Companionship |
The Blue Frenchie is incredibly attractive, but how does this color come to be?
The blue-gray coat color results from mutation of the Melanophilin gene (MLPH). MLPH genes disrupt the proper transportation and distribution of melanin-containing cells in the skin and hair shafts. As such, the black pigments on the skin, coat, nose, eyes, and paw pads turn blue-gray/slate.
This is a recessive trait that will require 2 copies of the mutant gene (d/d) for dilution. A Blue French Bulldog will pass at least one copy to the offspring.
Unfortunately, gene dilution can cause complications such as Color Dilution and Alopecia which causes hair loss.
Blue Frenchies are a fault and not recognized by the breed standard. The recognized colors include;
- White
- Fawn
- Brindle
- Cream
- Fawn brindle
How to tell a Blue Frenchie
You can identify a French Bulldog by his blue-grayish coat and skin color. The mutant gene also affects the eyes which develop a blue color.
They have color variations such as;
- Blue Merle
- Blue Brindle
- Blue Pied
- Blue Sable
- Blue Fawn
Apart from the coat color, all features should remain as per the breed standard. This includes their small, sturdy, stocky muscular bodies, smooched in faces, bat ears rounded eyes, short stumpy tails, and wrinkly faces.
They have smooth and short coats that shed moderately yearly with increased shedding in Spring and Autumn during the blow-out seasons. An improper diet, an allergy, stress, or a skin condition can also increase shedding.
5 Blue French Bulldog fun facts
- This dog is sensitive and does not respond well to criticism.
- They are poor swimmers.
- Most Frenchies breed via artificial insemination and deliver via cesarean section.
- French Bulldogs throw tantrums when things don’t go their way.
- They make weird noises such as farting, especially when on an improper diet.
Temperament and personality
The coat color does not affect the dog’s temperament or personality. Blue French Bulldogs are sociable, calm, charming, and playful couch potatoes that will love warming your laps but can be stubborn and clingy.
They thrive on human attention and will show signs of separation anxiety or become destructive when left alone for extended periods or due to inadequate physical and mental stimulation to redirect their energy.
Their playfulness makes them great with children, but their interactions should be supervised.
However, they can be territorial when not socialized from a young age.
These dogs don’t bark a lot but make noises such as yawns, yips, gurgles, snoring, and farting. Any excessive barking may be due to behavioral or health issues.
Blue Frenchie cost
On average, a Blue French Bulldog costs around $4000 to upwards of $10000. The high cost is due to breeding difficulties, breeding costs, and small pup litters of 2 to 5 on the higher side.
This high cost attracts backyard breeders that you should be vigilant of. You must get a healthy pup from a trusted and reputable breeder to reduce the risk of costly health complications which also discourages sketchy breeding practices.
A reputable breeder will prove qualification and will allow you to meet the pup’s parents in person and provide their vet records for complications the pup may inherit.
Health insurance will cater to health issues and emergencies the pup may develop. On average, this will cost you around $50 monthly.
Don’t bring a pup home before he is 8 weeks old to allow him to properly suckle and get the first vaccination shots.
Bringing a Blue Frenchie home
Bringing a puppy home for the first time is exciting but you should adequately prepare for it. This will involve these crucial steps for easier adjustments;
- Get the right supplies
- Puppy-proof your home
- Crate setup
- Introduce the pup to the family
- Establish routine and house rules
- Potty training
Supplies
Before bringing your Blue Frenchie home, these are some of the supplies you will need;
- A leash and harness
- Name tag
- Grooming supplies such as shampoo
- Puppy pads for potty training
- Chew toys
- Age-appropriate treats
- A crate that fits
- Food and water bowls
- Beddings
This pup’s chewing tendencies are why it is important to provide him with chew toys to redirect his energy.
Puppy-proofing
Puppy proofing gets rid of items and plants that could potentially hurt your Blue Frenchie while placing prized possessions out of his reach as he is prone to chewing.
This will include;
- Poisonous houseplants and garden plants such as ZZ plants, Lilies, and Aloe Vera
- Shoes that the pup could chew on
- Items that could choke the pup
- Electrical Cords
- Hanging objects and drapes within the pup’s reach
Additionally, you should limit the pup’s exploration area as too many smells, people and places will be sensory overload. Allow him to gradually adjust and slowly expand the area he can explore.
Close any gaps on the fence the pup can squeeze through and escape and don’t allow him outdoors without proper supervision.
Crate setup
Your pup needs a dedicated cozy area such as a crate he can use as his safe space, sleeping, and feeding area for his meals. It will also come in handy when you cannot supervise the dog.
Put the beddings, chew toys, and some old clothing in the crate to make it cozy. You can also darken the kennel by covering it with a blanket for better sleep. They sleep for around 15 hours a day and should have no problem sleeping at night and after exercise.
If you are not allergic to the dog, you can place the crate in your bedroom or a room close to yours for easier monitoring. Be patient and consistent will crate training as it takes time.
Resist the urge to let the pup sleep on your bed even if he cries. However, crying may be a sign of distress or a needed bathroom break.
Introducing the pup to the family
When the pup inevitably meets family and friends, do it one member at a time to avoid overwhelming him.
Introduce the pup to a doggo that may already be part of the family in a neutral space. Set different times for them to roam around.
Allow them to sniff each other from separate cages where they both feel safe for a stress-free introduction.
Routine and rules
For a smooth adjustment, follow a well-structured and consistent routine that should specify;
- The sleeping hours
- When to potty
- Time to exercise
- The feeding schedule
Additionally, you should set the rules on how your family interacts and handles the dog. No one should disturb the pup as he eats or sleeps or provoke or scare him as he may even bite in self-defense.
Acclimatization will take time, have some patience.
Potty training
Training a Blue French Bulldog puppy should start as soon he gets home. And although this is a fun and exciting dog, he is not the brightest and can be pretty stubborn making training a challenge.
Establish yourself as the leader from the get-go by being firm, clear, and concise with your command, especially during house and potty training.
Avoid punishing or shouting at this dog as this can worsen any behavioral problems.
During potty training, it is best to use positive reinforcement and reward-based training. Use what motivates the dog for the rewards system and this could be a stuffed toy or high-quality homemade treats such as;
- Bananas
- Sliced pieces of cooked liver or chicken
- Peanut butter treats
- Sliced sweet potatoes
Any treats given to this dog will need to be accounted for in his calorie requirements. Some treats have a higher calorific value which means reducing the number of calories in the pup’s diet.
You will also need to choose a potty spot, usually outdoors. Frenchie puppies have little to no bladder control and should potty routinely. As such, you can reduce the number of accidents by taking the pup out;
- After Meals
- After An exercise or training session
- After a nap
- Before he goes to sleep
- After he drinks water
Additionally, watch out for signs such as sniffing and circling for when the pup needs a bathroom break.
Reward him if he potty’s in the correct spot and clean up any accidents to get rid of the odor.
Blue French Bulldog care
Keep them Cool
Due to their compacted airways, Blue French Bulldogs may have a hard time dispelling heat, especially during summer, and need assistance to cool off.
If your Frenchie exhibits signs of overheating, cool his body by letting them lick on some ice cube, cranking up the air conditioner or fan, take him on a swim in a kiddie pool, spritz him with cool water, or place a cold damp towel on his stomach.
Grooming
- Brushing the coat once or twice a week using a soft-bristled slicker brush or hand mitt. This keeps shedding low and prevents hair from spreading on your premises. It is also great for bonding, distributing coat oils, and stimulating skin blood flow. Increase the brushing frequency in the blow-out seasons.
- Bath him once a month or when necessary using an appropriate pH-neutral shampoo. Massage the shampoo into the coat for maximum contact with the skin before rinsing it off with warm water. Then dry the coat with a towel and blow dryer on low heat before spritzing the coat with Vitamin E conditioner to prevent the skin from drying out and restore the sheen. This is because shampoo strips the coat of natural oils and leaves the skin dry, flaky, and irritable.
- Clean the skin folds using wipes or a damp towel then dry them to prevent bacterial growth. Do this several times a week, especially after meals, and visit a vet for any signs of infection such as redness, odor, sores, inflammation, and so on.
- Clean the outer ear canal regularly to prevent wax and debris build-up. Do this with a cotton ball soaked in an ear cleaning solution and dry it with a soft and dry towel.
- Brush the teeth several times a week with a doggie toothbrush and toothpaste. Accustom the pup to getting his teeth cleaned from an early age.
- Clean tear stains using wipes or tear stain remover and cotton balls.
- Remove dirt between the paw pads and keep the nails short using clippers, or a nail file as long nails are uncomfortable for the dog.
- Express anal glands to reduce odor and prevent infections. This is a quick procedure for a vet.
Exercise requirements
The Blue French Bulldog needs low-intensity exercises of around 30 to 45 minutes per day to prevent obesity, for physical and mental stimulation, and to enhance the bond between you.
This can be daily walks during the cooler times of the day to prevent overheating.
Walks should be limited to 3 minutes for every month of their age. Thus, if your pup is 6 months old, he will need around 18 minutes of exercise a day. The walking should peak at 30 to 45 minutes in adolescence and decrease as the dog gets older.
Walking this adorable pooch will give him a chance to meet new people, sniff around, and prevent behavioral problems.
After an exercise session, hydrate the pup and allow him to nap.
| Total Exercise needed Per day | 30 minutes maximum |
| Number of walks | 2 (15 minutes each) |
Blue French Bulldog diet
The Blue French Bulldog does well on a high-quality and balanced diet that meets his energy and nutritional needs. Choose a diet with the guidance of a vet, especially when dealing with a young pup.
Energy needs vary depending on the sex, weather, metabolism, activity level, and others. It’s crucial to count the number of calories required and taken by your furry friend.
As a general rule of thumb, he requires about 30 calories for every pound he weighs. The daily calories will include treats used during training.
For his nutritional needs, have a proper mix of high-quality proteins that should make up at least 18% percent of the diet, and fats that should make up about 7% of the diet. The diet should also contain a fair share of carbs for energy, vitamins, and minerals.
What’s more, alter the diet in winter as Frenchies prefer fats as an energy source instead of glucose in winter. Thus, the diet should have higher a higher fat content.
Feeding options
- Raw food– A raw diet includes a mix of meats, eggs, vegetables, and fruits store-bought or homemade. Supplement this diet with ingredients such as coconut oil, flaxseed oil or fish oils, or fermented dairy such as kefir.
- Dry Food (kibble)– Kibble is made of ingredients such as meat, healthy grains, vegetables, fruits, and minerals mixed, dried, and shaped into bite-sized pieces. They have a long shelf life and are super convenient. Ensure that the raw diet meets AAFCO requirements. You can supplement a raw diet with cooked meat such as chicken, yogurt, and so on to add interest.
- Wet food– Wet food is made up of around 78% water compared to the 10% water in dry food. and is made from ingredients such as ground protein sources, vitamins, carbs, and minerals that need mixed, cooked, and packaged. This food can be handy for a picky Blue Frenchie.
| Daily calories | Cups of Kibble Per Day: |
|---|---|
| 800 | 2 |
Pros and Cons of the Blue Frenchie
Pros
- ✓ They are low-maintenance dogs.
- ✔ Low exercise requirement.
- ✓ Easy to handle due to their compact size.
- ✔ Make great companions for apartment dwellers.
- ✓ Perfect family dogs and companions.
Cons
- ✘ Challenging to train due to their stubborn streak.
- ✗ Some of them may not get along well with other animals, especially cats.
- ✘ They do not do well in hot climate areas.
- ✗ Their blue color is associated with some health complications.
Summary
The Blue French Bulldog is a family-friendly and affectionate dog breed that is similar to any Frenchie but with a blue-Grayish coat.
He is a perfect companion dog but is fairly high-maintenance and can cost quite a bit. As such, it’s paramount to get your pup from a trusted and reputable breeder that breed mostly healthy Frenchies.
Do you think this would be a great addition to your family? Share your feedback in the comment section below.
There you go WOOF!
