Merle or Dapple is a rare French Bulldog coat pattern scheme. It is characterized by a light-colored base overlaid by darker patches/spots. These patches can be black, chocolate, blue, brown, liver, and yellow on a cream or white base color.
The pattern does not affect the dog’s quality or personality. Dapple Frenchies will love to throw tantrums and are just as entertaining as any other.
If you are considering this dog, here is what you should know.
Dapple French Bulldog overview
| Height | 11-13 inches |
| Weight | 18-28 pounds |
| Lifespan | 11-14 years |
| Purpose | Companion dog |
| Color | Light base color with darker patches and spots |
| Temperament | Affectionate, Loving, Intelligent, Calm, Gentle but Stubborn |
This coloration is a result of a dominant dapple/merle gene. The gene irregularly dilutes the coat color leaving dark patches.
As a dominant gene, only one parent should pass it to the offspring to cause dilution.
Purebred French Bulldogs do not carry the dapple gene. It is introduced to the breed by crossbreeding with breeds that carry the gene such as a Chihuahua. As such, no Dapple Frenchie is purebred.
But despite the coat’s allure, 2 dapple genes on an offspring (double merle) can increase the risk of health complications as you will see later on.
Apart from the pattern scheme all other features such as bat-ears and smooched faces, and stocky bodies remain true to the French Bulldog standard.
You may also love– The Piebald Dachshund.
Dapple color variations
- Lilac Dapple French Bulldog– The base color is a combination of chocolate and Blue colors. This color variation is difficult to find and may cost upwards of $30000.
- Blue Merle Frenchie– Results from dilution of the coat color from black to grayish-blue/slate. Have blue eyes.
- Black Merle French Bulldogs
More about the Blue French Bulldog is in the link.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Highly adaptable | Increased risk of health complications |
| Adorable | Prone to suffering from separation anxiety |
| Great for apartment dwellers and new dog owner | Clingy |
| Compact and easy to carry | Can be arrogant and stubborn |
5 Dapple Frenchie Fun Facts
- The 1st recorded sighting of a French Bulldog was in the 17th century and was originally known as the Boulegogue Francais.
- Back in the day, Frenchies signified wealth.
- Dapple is not a recognized Frenchie color scheme and is considered a fault.
- They are cuddly and will love warming your laps.
- Frenchies love to wear boots and dress up, especially in the cold winter months.
Temperament and personality
French Bulldogs have enjoyed their fair share of pampering and royalty which has made them spoilt dogs. They are known to throw tantrums when things don’t go their way but are equally, loving, entertaining, and affectionate.
It’s crucial to manage any undesired behaviors in this dog as he is known to get away with more than he should which reinforces these behavioral problems.
They are territorial and should be socialized from early on to be more welcoming to strangers and other dogs alike.
Conversely, this dog may show signs of separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods. They can also be destructive and will bark and make noises when bored.
As a good family dog
The Dapple Frenchie makes an excellent and adaptable family companion. He is playful and will have a blast with children.
You may also be interested in the American Bulldog also known as the Old Country Dog.
Merle French Bulldog cost
A Dapple French Bulldog costs between $2000 and $5000 on average to upwards of $30000 for a single pup. The cost will depend on the breeder, location, and other factors.
This high cost is due to breeding and delivery difficulties.
You should be aware that this premium cost is attractive to shady individuals interested in the dollars more than the pup’s health. Anyone that advertises their pup as rare should set off alarm bells.
Consequently, you should not buy this dog online.
Care guide
This dog will need grooming, a proper diet, exercise, and training.
Grooming requirements
The Merle Frenchie has a smooth and short coat that sheds moderately throughout the year and should be groomed regularly to preserve the appeal.
Brush the coat once or twice a week and bathe him once a month.
Special care should be taken for the folds on his face and neck. Keep them free of moisture and dirt to reduce the risk of infection. Some signs of an infection include redness, sores, inflammation, odor, and so on.
Apart from the coat, brush his teeth, clean off tear stains, and keep his ears clean.
Exercise needs
The Dapple French is a small dog that should be physically and mentally stimulated with low-intensity exercises of around 45 minutes a day. This could be walking to the park during the cooler and less humid times of the day or low-intensity indoor exercises.
French Bulldogs have a harder time cooling off due to their compacted airways and could easily overheat due to over-exertion.
| Minutes | 30 minutes |
| Number of walks | 2 (10 minutes each) |
Dapple Frenchie Diet and nutrition
Every Frenchie thrives on a high-quality and balanced diet and this one is no different. This could be dry, semi-moist, raw, or homemade food for small dogs.
For proper nourishment, each diet should have a proper mix of proteins, fats, healthy carbs, and measured quantities of vitamins, and mineral salts.
| Guide | 500 calories |
| Cups of Kibble | ~1.5 |
Training
Training this pooch will be a tough nut to crack as he can have a stubborn streak and he is also not the smartest on the block. Nonetheless, training is possible through positive reinforcement and reward-based training.
Figure out what motivates the dog and use it to make training easier. This could be anything from a stuffed toy to high-value treats.
Training requires consistency and a lot of patience.
What is a double-dapple Frenchie?
A Double Dapple Frenchie is an offspring of 2 dapple Frenchie parents. Breeders are discouraged from breeding 2 dapple French Bulldogs as this can bring about genetic health complications.
The offspring may be born blind, deaf, or have smaller than average eyes.
This adds to the health issues the French Bulldog dog is susceptible to such as;
- Thyroid problems.
- Skins problems.
- Wondering eye.
- Coloboma.
To Sum Up
Before adopting or buying a Dapple French Bulldog, beware of the initial and recurrent costs that may add up to quite a bit.
What’s more, you should be vigilant of unscrupulous individuals looking to make a quick buck from this dog without consideration for health and breeding conditions.
Don’t buy any dog based on color alone despite being striking. Instead, pay attention to the pup’s health, welfare and personality traits.
There you go, WOOF!
