Meet the Blue French Bulldog – a rare and striking beauty that’s quickly becoming a fan favorite among Frenchie enthusiasts. With its shimmering silver-gray to muted bluish-gray coat and piercing hazel-blue eyes, this pup is sure to turn heads. This coloring can range from a light powder blue to a darker steel blue. It can also sometimes have a smoky or brindled appearance. Some coats are a solid color or have white markings on the chest and belly, making each Blue Frenchie one-of-a-kind.
But the Blue Frenchie is more than just a pretty face and smooth coat. These pups are full of personality and love, inheriting all the fun and affectionate traits of their French Bulldog ancestors. They’re small and sturdy and are perfect cuddle partners for lazy afternoons. Despite their beauty, they can be a little stubborn, mischievous, and goofy, always trying to stir up drama.
If you so desire one of these four-legged friends, you have come to the right place. Just keep in mind that this coloration is a result of a genetic mutation and may be associated with some skin issues in some doggos. This pigmentation is also not officially recognized by the standard. Regardless, a Blue Frenchie is bound to bring you joy and love.
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Blue Frenchie: Overview
| Characteristic | Description |
| Height | 11-13 inches |
| Weight | Under 28 pounds |
| Coat type | Smooth and short coats with a soft texture |
| Coat color | Blue-gray, steel blue, charcoal gray, or slate |
| Price | $1,500 to $10,000 |
| Lifespan | 10 to 16 years |
The blue or gray French Bulldog is characterized by its blue-grey or charcoal-grey coat color. It is a result of a genetic dilution of the eumelanin pigmentation that is present from birth. This Frenchie has similar features to any other: a small and sturdy body, wrinkled face, short tail, and rounded eyes. It’s the unique coat color that sets it apart and makes it so special.
Blue Frenchies commonly have hazel-blue eyes and blue-gray skin. The skin includes exposed parts such as nose leather, lips, eye rims, paw pads, and ears.
Color variations
Blue Brindle French Bulldog:
The Blue Brindle French Bulldog blends the blue color with the classic brindle pattern. You can identify them by their tan base coat featuring distinct blue-gray streaks or brindle stripes similar to tiger stripes. Some Blue Brindle (or “pied”) Frenchies have white markings on their chests or other parts. Their coats can appear lighter or darker depending on the tonal mix and the thickness of the stripes.
Blue Fawn French Bulldog:
The Blue Fawn French Bulldog is a combination of light fawn (yellowish tan) and blue fur. They have blue markings around their muzzle and eyes (the melanistic mask), a fawn coat, blue-gray skin, nose, eye rims, and lips, and amber or pale green eyes. This unique coloration is caused by a combination of the fawn/sable gene and dilution genes.
Blue Merle French Bulldog:
Blue Merle French Bulldogs have a unique coat with random, irregular, and jagged or torn patches of blue on a light gray-colored base for a marbled or mottled pattern. This is due to the presence of the dilution and merle genes (M), which create irregular and random patches of blue surrounded by lighter gray patches. Blue Merle Frenchies often have light blue eyes.
Blue Pied (Blue & White) French Bulldog:
A Blue Pied French Bulldog has a predominantly white coat with patches of blue on its head and body. White markings often appear on the cheeks, muzzle, blaze, chest, legs, underbelly, and tail tip. The distribution and size of the blue and white patches on the coat are unique to each dog. The pied pattern is considered rare.
Blue Sable French Bulldog:
Blue Sable Frenchies have light-colored hair with bluish tips instead of black-tipped hair or a blue mask instead of a black one. These dogs are a variation of the traditional fawn or sable French bulldogs.
Blue & Tan French Bulldog:
The dilution of black and tan French Bulldogs causes the black parts of the coat to appear as lighter charcoal gray, while the tan parts are diluted to a paler shade of tan. The dilution of the tan color in blue and tan French Bulldogs is much less noticeable compared to the dilution of black, creating a striking contrast.
Lilac vs Blue french bulldog
Blue and lilac are variations of the French Bulldog breed known for their unique coat colors. The Blue French Bulldog has a silver-grey, blue-grey, or charcoal-grey coat color caused by the dilution of black eumelanin pigment. Meanwhile, Lilac French Bulldogs have pale grayish-brown coats with a hint of purple due to the dilution of brown eumelanin pigment.
Both the Blue and Lilac French Bulldogs share the same physical features with exception of color.
Blue Coat Genetics (dilution)
The blue coat color in French Bulldogs is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for giving color to their hair. There are two types of melanin pigments: phaeomelanin (red or yellow) and eumelanin (black or brown), responsible for all variations in coat color and pattern.
The loss of function mutation of the gene melanophilin (MLPH) causes the dilution of the coat color, resulting in the lightening of the black fur to a silver-gray, slate, or charcoal-grey color. Dilution is an autosomal recessive trait, which means two copies of the mutant gene (d/d) should be present for dilution to occur. A blue French Bulldog will pass at least one copy of the dilution gene to its offspring.
It is important to note that the MLPH gene corresponds to the D-locus and there are three mutant variants: d1, d2, and d3 in various dog breeds. The majority of dilute blue Frenchies have either the d1 or d2 variants; the d3 variant is yet to be detected in this breed. All black pigments on the skin, lips, eye rims, nose, paw pads, and eyes turn blue-gray. Both eumelanin and phaeomelanin are affected in dogs with a d/d genotype, but phaeomelanin is affected to a lesser degree and is less noticeable.
Breeders must carefully plan their matings to produce blue puppies, as the expression of this recessive trait is only observed when a pup inherits two copies of the mutated gene, one from each parent. The genetics of coat color in Frenchies is complex and multiple genes may influence pigmentation in a blue Frenchie.
Blue Frenchie Personality & Temperament
French Bulldogs are the epitome of a loving and playful companion. Their affectionate and social nature makes them the perfect addition to any family. These charming dogs enjoy relaxing with their human families and are well-suited for apartment living.
It’s important to keep in mind that they thrive on human attention and may become destructive if left alone for too long or without adequate stimulation. Training a Frenchie can also be a challenge due to their stubbornness, but it’s important to be patient and persistent.
In terms of vocalization, Frenchies are not known for excessive barking but may make noises like yawns, yips, gurgles, snoring, and farting. Their behavior can be shaped by their upbringing and training, so early socialization is crucial to make them well-rounded canine citizens.
Overall, French Bulldogs including blue Frenchies are gentle, friendly, and great with children. They are the perfect breed for families looking for a small, affectionate, and playful companion.
Finding a Blue French Bulldog
- Research breeders: Look for breeders in your area or online that specialize in French Bulldogs and have a good reputation.
- Ask for referrals: Talk to other blue Frenchie owners for referrals. You can also reach out to local Frenchie clubs or breed rescues for recommendations.
- Check online resources such as the French Bulldog Club of America or the American Kennel Club, which provide lists of reputable breeders.
- Visit the breeder: If possible, visit the breeder in person and ask to see the dogs and their living conditions. A reputable breeder will have no problem with you visiting their facilities and will be happy to answer all your questions. Only purchase a French Bulldog from a reputable breeder who follows responsible breeding practices and provides health clearances.
- Consider adoption from a rescue organization.
- Avoid pet stores and puppy mills: Be cautious of pet stores and puppy mills, which are known for selling dogs that are often unhealthy and have poor temperaments.
Blue Frenchie price
The cost of a blue French bulldog can vary greatly, with prices ranging from $1,500 to $10,000 or more. On average, a Blue Frenchie costs around $2,000 to $6,000. Cost depends on the specific color variation, breeder, location, and other cost factors.
Like most Frenchies, the high cost is mainly due to breeding difficulties, which require artificial insemination and c-section births. Additionally, Frenchies have a small litter, usually producing only 2 to 4 puppies per litter, contributing to the high cost. Furthermore, the high demand for blues also plays a role in their high cost.
Care & Grooming
French Bulldogs are a relatively low-maintenance breed, but they still require proper care and grooming to stay healthy and happy. Here are some tips for caring for and grooming your blue French Bulldog:
- Diet: The diet should be balanced and nutritious, with the appropriate amount of food based on age, size, and activity level. It is important to avoid overfeeding, as Frenchies are prone to obesity. The diet should contain high-quality proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, and can be either a raw food diet, dry food, or wet food.
- Exercise: Secondly, exercise is important, although Frenchies are a low-energy breed, and they only require around 30 minutes of activity each day, with slow walks being the best type of exercise.
- Grooming: Grooming is relatively easy, with regular brushing to remove loose hair and keep the coat shiny, as well as occasional bathing to keep the skin and coat clean. The skin folds should also be cleaned regularly to prevent bacterial growth. Regular brushing and dental chews can help maintain good oral health. Overall, proper care and grooming will keep your French Bulldog happy and healthy.
- Training and socialization: Blue Frenchies are smart but can be stubborn, so early training and socialization are important for their behavior and confidence. Use positive reinforcement and reward-based training to motivate your Frenchie, and aim for shorter training sessions throughout the day. Establish yourself as the leader from the start, and avoid harsh punishments.
- Temperature regulation: Due to their short snouts, Frenchies may struggle to regulate their temperature, especially in hot weather. Provide them with ways to cool off, such as ice cubes, air conditioning, and cool towels.
- Health care: Frenchies are prone to certain health problems, such as breathing issues, skin allergies, and joint problems. Regular visits to the vet can help keep your Frenchie healthy and address any issues that may arise.
Recognition & Registration
Blue Frenchies can be registered under AKC, but they are not eligible as show dogs as coat color dilution is considered a fault. Registration makes it possible for the dog to compete in events such as Obedience, agility, rally, coursing, tracking, and more.
To register, the owner must obtain the registration number from the breeder, gather the necessary information such as the breed, name, number, litter number, gender, color, markings, and date of birth, and fill out the AKC application form.
The owner must fill in the required information and pay the fee based on the selected package. It is important to note that a purebred blue French bulldog is only eligible for AKC registration if the litter has been registered. AKC requires information about the dog’s lineage, which the breeder should provide.
After registration, you will receive an AKC certificate with detailed information.
Note that registration is separate from licensing, which may be required by local HOA and city regulations. Depending on your location, you may be required to buy a license and attach it to your dog’s collar.
FAQ
Is a blue French bulldog rare?
Blue French bulldogs, although less common than other colors, are not considered rare. French bulldogs are a highly popular breed in both the American Kennel Club and globally, which means there are a lot of blue French bulldog puppies available
Do blue Frenchies shed a lot?
All dogs shed to some degree, and blue Frenchie is no exception. The amount of shedding can depend on various factors such as diet, health, weather, and environment. While Frenchies don’t shed excessively, they still do shed a moderate amount and it’s important to regularly groom the dogs and clean up any loose hairs.
Are blue French Bulldogs less healthy?
In some Frechies, coat color dilution is accompanied by thinning of hair and chronic skin inflammation. This can be due to a condition known as color dilution alopecia (CDA) or black hair follicle dysplasia (BHFD). The conditions lead to progressive hair loss and can also cause itchy, dry, and flaky skin that is sensitive to extreme weather conditions but with no known severe impairments.
But while CDA and BHFD are prevalent in dogs with diluted coats, it only occurs in a handful of blue Frenchies. Conversely, not all dogs with these conditions are blue.
To Wrap Up
Owning a Blue French Bulldog is not just a matter of adding a cute and cuddly pet to the family. It is a serious commitment that requires thoughtful consideration of the costs and responsibilities involved, including possible health concerns. Nevertheless, for those who are ready and willing to take on the challenge, a Blue Frenchie is a delight to own and awe-inspiring to watch romp in the yard.
Remember, when choosing a Frenchie, it is crucial to look beyond the color of their coat and choose a pup from a responsible breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of their dogs.
What are your thoughts on the Blue Frenchie? I am more interested in what you have to say. Share your feedback in the comment section below.
There you go, Woof!
