Blue French Bulldog – All you need to know about their unusual coat color

The Blue French Bulldog is a gorgeous little dog.

But what does this color tell you about your puppy?

Is he any different to another color of Frenchie?

Let’s find out!

Origins of the Blue French Bulldog

While there are a few differences between a Blue French Bulldog and any other color of French Bulldog, this doesn’t mean its origins and history are any different from the rest of the breed.

Interestingly, the history of the French Bulldog doesn’t actually have its roots in France. Instead, Leeds in the north of England is where this characterful dog begins its story.

During the 1800s, the lacemakers in this region developed a fondness for small Bulldogs. At the start of the industrial revolution, a large percentage of lacemakers decided to move to France.

And like any good dog owners, they took their little Bulldogs with them.

In France, these Bulldogs were crossed with a range of other dogs, including Pugs, until they became the breed we recognize today.

Famous for their distinctive bat-like ears, the breed has now became known as the Bouledogue Francais or French Bulldog.

This small breed came to America at the end of the 19th Century and the French Bulldog Club of America was founded in 1897, making it the oldest club in the world dedicated to this breed.

The French Bulldog’s popularity in the US has increased in recent years, thanks in part to celebrity owners raising the profile of the breed.

They are currently ranked at number six on the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular dog breeds.

French Bulldog Colors

First of all, it’s important to note that the blue coat color is not accepted by the official breed standard.

Sometimes you’ll see Blue French Bulldogs advertised as a “rare Blue French Bulldog”.

The French Bulldog Club of America actually refer to this as a “fad color” and strongly discourages breeding Blue French Bulldogs in any way.

You can find an entire article devoted to this debate on their website.

Fad colors, also known as disqualification colors, will never intentionally be bred by reputable breeders who are dedicated to the welfare of the breed.

While the term blue is fashionable, historically the same color has been referred to as “mouse.”

Breeders who advertise these colors as rare (rather than disqualified) are usually more motivated by money than the importance of following the breed standard.

The fact is, by selecting a silver blue French Bulldog, you are encouraging the proliferation of breeders who select color over health or temperament.

That is definitely something you need to take into account when deciding whether or not you should invest in a Blue French Bulldog.

Colors accepted by the breed standard include

• brindle
• cream
• fawn
• fawn brindle
• white

French Bulldogs also come in a variety of additional color combinations, for example, bindle and white or fawn and white.

Genetics of the Blue French Bulldog

In dogs, the blue coat color is due to a recessive gene known as the dilution gene.

This relatively rare gene is usually viewed as undesirable except in certain breeds such as the Weimaraner, one of the only breeds to only be found in the dilute coat color.

If a French Bulldog has two copies of this gene then rather than having a black coat, they will instead be a light blue French Bulldog.

Unfortunately for Blue French Bulldogs, and some other breeds which express this dilute gene, they can suffer from a genetic condition known as color dilution alopecia (CDA).

This is a recessive and inherited condition and arises due to a faulty version of the dilution gene.

You may also see a blue French Bulldog with blue eyes. Again, this is seen as desirable by some but will run the same risks of CDA.

We encourage owners never to select a dog for their coat or eye color over their health and wellbeing.

Blue French Bulldog Appearance

Even though the Blue French Bulldog isn’t accepted by the breed standard, the blue French Bulldog information is going to be more or less in line with this standard.

French Bulldogs are small dogs, usually weighing under 28 lbs and standing between 11 to 13 inches in height.

They have a smooth coat, erect ears which are often referred to as bat-like, and an extremely short muzzle.

Blue French Bulldog Grooming

The short coat of a French Bulldog is easy to look after with a quick brush just once a week.

The Frenchie does shed, but minimally.

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Any Blue French Bulldog may be prone to suffering from alopecia, which can impact your grooming regime. We’ll look at this in more detail in our health section.

You’ll also need to keep a close eye on your Frenchie’s nails. Since French Bulldogs are not as active as some other breeds, their nails can become uncomfortably long.

Blue French Bulldog Exercise and Training Requirements

French Bulldogs are alert and generally a joy to be around. Their intelligent and adaptable natures mean they enjoy spending time with their families wherever you may take them.

French Bulldogs are independent little dogs, which can sometimes translate into stubbornness if you don’t dedicate time and energy to their training.

Positive food-based training works well with French Bulldogs.

French Bulldogs are unable to swim, so great care should be taken around ponds, swimming pools, and rivers.

French Bulldogs are often referred to as a “low energy” breed, with this sometimes being seen as an advantage owing to the fact that they don’t need much exercise.

Unfortunately for these little dogs, that’s not the whole story.

The reason they require less exercise than many other breeds is due to the brachycephalic shape of their face.

Their shortened muzzles and narrow nostrils are simply not able to get enough oxygen into their bodies.

We’ll look at this issue in more detail in the next section.

Blue French Bulldog Health Issues

Unfortunately, French Bulldogs of any color are prone to a wide array of some serious health conditions.

Blue French Bulldogs suffer from additional health issues on top of this.

First, let’s take a look at the general health conditions suffered by French Bulldogs.

A year-long survey found the most common problems are

• skinfold dermatitis
• diarrhea
• conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• ear infections
• long nails

Another one of the main issues with French Bulldogs is due to their flat face shape, referred to as ‘brachycephalic.’

Unfortunately, while many people find this face shape ‘cute,’ it can have some serious health implications for these little dogs.

These include increased risks of overheating, obstructed airways, narrow nostrils, issues with their eye sockets, and dental problems.

For a full review of these issues, head over to our article on brachycephaly in Dogs.

French Bulldogs are known for their loud breathing, snuffling, and snoring. While these noises may sound cute to some, they point to some major problems.

 

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French Bulldogs struggle to get enough oxygen into their lungs through their compromised airways.

The cesarean rates for French Bulldogs are also very high.
One study focusing on pedigree dogs in the UK found that the incidence rate for cesarean sections in French Bulldogs was over 80 percent.

Blue French Bulldog Hair Loss

In addition to the health issues affecting all French Bulldogs, a pure blue French Bulldog is more likely to suffer from a skin condition known as alopecia.

It may not be obvious that your dog suffers from this condition when you buy them, as it won’t necessarily develop until they are between 4 months and 2 years old.

Signs to look out for include

• sore, wrinkled skin
• allergic reactions
• dry, scaly, and flaky skin
• itchiness
• brittle hair
• bald patches, usually on the dog’ head, ears, and spine

Alopecia will only affect blue areas, but if you have a solid Blue French Bulldog then their entire body may be affected.

However, if you have a fawn and blue French Bulldog, the fawn areas won’t be affected.

Final Thoughts

While French Bulldogs are certainly full of character, it’s highly likely that your puppy could suffer from a range of health issues owing to their brachycephalic face shape.

This can often mean costly vet bills and will likely affect the quality of life of your little dog.

Add to the mix the additional health problems that Blue French Bulldogs could potentially suffer as a result of their coat color.

We think that’s enough reason to reconsider purchasing one of the pups.

You may well see adverts for “baby blue French Bulldog puppies” or “silver blue French Bulldogs” and be tempted to bring one home.

Instead, we recommend looking at a healthier breed and consider selecting a puppy which hasn’t been bred for their color alone. Check out our guide to small dog names if you do!

Do you own a French Bulldog or are you considering one? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.

References and Further Reading

• American Kennel Club
• French Bulldog Club of America
• Evans KM and Adams VJ. 2010. Proportion of litters of purebred dogs born by caesarean section. Journal of Small Animal Practice.
• O’Neill DG et al. 2018. Demography and disorders of the French Bulldog population under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2013. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology.
• Phillipp U et al. 2005. Polymorphisms within the canine MLPH gene are associated with dilute coat color in dogs. BMC Genetics.