What is a Blue French Bulldog?

The French Bulldog is one of the most popular dog breeds, known for their stocky bodies, adorable wrinkly faces, and friendly temperaments.

The Blue French Bulldog, a variation of the popular French Bulldog breed, is distinguished by its unique blue-gray coat color.

This striking hue results from a genetic mutation that dilutes the black pigment in the dog’s fur, giving it a silvery, slate-like appearance.

Blue French Bulldogs are not only visually captivating but also relatively rare, making them highly sought-after by dog enthusiasts.

A Rare Color Variant

Blue is not a standard French Bulldog color recognized by breed clubs like the AKC. For this reason, blue coated dogs are considered a “rare” or “exotic” color variant within the breed.

Blue Frenchies can still be AKC registered using their pedigree and lineage, as long as both parents are AKC registered and the blue puppy itself is registered. This ensures they are purebred dogs despite their unconventional coat color.

The Genetics Behind Blue Coats

The blue coat seen in some French Bulldogs is caused by a single gene known as the dilute gene.

All dogs have pigment cells called melanocytes that produce two types of pigment – black called eumelanin and red/yellow called phaeomelanin.

The dilute gene works by diluting or fading these pigment colors. In dogs with two copies of the dilute gene, the pigments are diluted to gray or cream colors instead of black or brown.

This same gene is responsible for turning Labradors gold or cream instead of yellow.

In French Bulldogs, the dilute gene causes their black pigment to appear as a blue or slate gray shade.

It lightens but does not eliminate their pigment completely. Genetic testing can determine if a French Bulldog carries one or two copies of the dilute gene.

Those with one copy will usually pass the gene on but have normal coloring, while two copies results in the blue coat.

Understanding coat color genetics helps breeders aim for producing blue French Bulldogs.

Appearance of Blue French Bulldogs

So what exactly does a Blue French Bulldog look like? Their coat color ranges from a light silvery gray to a darker slate blue shade.

Some have darker masks or shading on their ears, face, or legs that gives dimension to their color.

Their coat is still short, smooth, and fine like a standard French Bulldog.

Their skin often has a pinkish or light blue hue compared to the black skin of brindle dogs.

The unique blue or gray coat makes them stand out amongst their fawn and brindle peers. Their eyes also tend to be lighter in color than normal as well.

Otherwise, their stocky body type, wrinkled face, and other features remain the same as a traditional French Bulldog.

See Also: Different Types of Blue French Bulldogs

Rarity and Popularity

As a rare color variant, Blue French Bulldogs remain an unusual sighting. Their dilute gene is estimated to occur in only around 1-2% of the breed.

With their novelty and appeal, blue dogs are in high demand which has caused some unethical overbreeding and inflated prices.

Ethical breeders carefully plan breedings to health test parents and aim for one copy of the dilute gene being passed on to ensure puppies have the best chances at health.

This careful breeding helps sustain their rarity in the breed while avoiding issues.

As their popularity grows, more blues are entering the hobby but they still remain a novelty amongst French Bulldog fanciers.

Care Requirements

In terms of care, blue dogs have similar needs to a standard French Bulldog.

Their coats are low maintenance but may accumulate dirt or stains more noticeably due to their light color.

Regular brushing helps distribute skin oils and remove loose hairs. Their wrinkles require special attention to keep clean and dry to avoid infection.

No significant health issues have been directly linked to the dilute gene in French Bulldogs currently. However, like all brachycephalic breeds, they are prone to heat sensitivity and breathing problems.

Finding a reputable breeder who does all recommended health testing on their dogs is important for buyers seeking a blue puppy.

This screening aims to produce the healthiest possible blue French Bulldogs.

Why are Blue Frenchies so Popular?

Here are a few reasons why Blue French Bulldogs are becoming increasingly popular:

• Rarity – As a rare coat color variant within the breed, Blue Frenchies stand out and grab attention. Their unconventional coloring makes them a novelty and status symbol for some owners.
• Unique Appearance – Their silvery-blue or slate gray coats are a dramatic change from the usual fawn or brindle colors. The atypical coloring looks especially striking against their wrinkly faces and black features.
• Desire for Exotic Colors – More dog owners want pets with unusual traits like merle coats or dilute colors. Blue Frenchies satisfy the demand for something visually different from the norm.
• Social Media Appeal – Photos of these exotic pups get a lot of likes and shares online. Their stunning coats make Blue Frenchies internet celebrities among dog accounts. This increases their exposure and hype.
• Price Premium – Due to their rarity and high demand, Blue French Bulldog puppies often sell for prices two to three times that of a standard Frenchie. Some see them as a lucrative investment or status symbol.
• Breeding Challenge – Ethical breeders aim to sustain the dilute gene through careful planned breedings. The challenge intrigues hobby breeders to work with these lines.

So in short, their rare coloring, unique looks, social media popularity, and price point have all contributed to Blue French Bulldogs becoming highly coveted companion dogs in recent years. Their unconventional appeal drives much of the growing interest.

How do I know if a French Bulldog Puppy is Blue?

The best way to know for sure if a French Bulldog puppy is blue is to ask the breeder about genetic testing of the parents and puppies.

Breeders who specialize in blue Frenchies will often have the dams and sires DNA tested to identify whether they carry the “dd” genetic code for blue coat color.

The double dilute gene “dd” is responsible for lightening the typical black/dark colors to gray, which produces the blue variation.

However, the blue coloring isn’t always outwardly visible in the puppy’s coat since other colors can mask it.

In some cases, a puppy that tests as “dd” genetically may appear completely cream in color due to the cream coat masking the blue.

Or a puppy could look like a deeper fawn color but still carry the blue dilution.

Blue may also be hidden when mixed with other coat patterns like pied or brindle markings.

Therefore, the only definitive way to know for sure if a puppy will develop into a blue French bulldog is to request the parents’ DNA results from the breeder.

A reputable blue Frenchie breeder should be able to provide the puppy’s DNA breakdown showing the “dd” alleles that confirm it possesses the genetic code for blue underneath other coat colors. Asking to see the DNA test results is the surest method.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while blue coat color is a rare variation that lies outside traditional Frenchie breed standards, these unique dogs make wonderful companions and their popularity continues to grow.

By supporting ethical breeders who are conscientiously working to sustain the dilute gene through health testing and planned breedings, blue French bulldogs can remain a treasured part of the breed into the future.

Their striking silvery-blue or slate gray coats give them an one-of-a-kind exotic appearance, but underneath owners discover they possess all the same loving, playful, and devoted temperament that has made the French bulldog such a beloved family pet.

With knowledgeable breeding practices, blue Frenchies can be enjoyed as special blue representatives of this cherished breed for many years to come.

Their unconventional beauty and rarity continue to intrigue admirers even as they prove themselves as superb family dogs