The French Bulldog ranks as the United States’ fourth most favored dog breed, having a tight kinship with the English Bulldog and specifically bred for the purpose of companionship rather than as guard dogs. Emerging in the early 20th century, these petite dogs immediately charmed a multitude of people with their distinctive traits and friendly demeanor, continuing to hold their cherished position among aficionados.
What makes them a great fit for families is their adaptability and fondness for their owners. Anyone who has a French Bulldog as their pet knows that they love attention and always prefer to be around their owner.
What Is A Blue French Bulldog?
A blue French Bulldog is a breed of French Bulldogs. While otherwise similar to other bulldogs of the french Bulldog breed, the distinctive feature of this dog is the blue color of its fur. Blue Frenchies are classified under the non-sporting dog group.
The specialty fur color of blue French Bulldogs emerged around 1911. However, this unconventional color is the reason why blue French Bulldogs are not recognized by the American Kennel Club or the French Bulldog Club of America.
Since they are not considered pedigree dogs, a blue Frenchie cannot take part in any of the American Kennel Club’s shows and competitions. Nonetheless, they are still a beloved breed among celebrities and rich dog owners.
Blue French Bulldog Traits
The blue French Bulldog has many characteristic features that set it apart from other dog breeds. They tend to be low-energy, genial dogs with a laid-back temperament. While they may act spoilt sometimes, they are mostly easy to get along with.
As they were bred to be companion dogs, they might be demanding on some occasions.
They may suffer from some health problems owing to the breeding done to obtain its varying coat color.
Appearance
A blue French Bulldog is characterized by a flat face and a large, square-shaped head. Some have snub noses and they tend to appear chubby even when they are at a healthy weight. Additionally, short and stout, the blue Frenchie either has bat ears or rose ears.
Rose ears are small ears that fold backward. Even though rose ears are more common in blue Frenchies, bat ears are the well-known defining feature of this dog breed.
The coat hair should be short-haired, fine, and silky. Their blue coat color is not accepted according to the official breed standard.
A coat color that has to be selectively bred is also called a fad color. This factor also contributes to the overall cost of the breed. The colors that match the breed standard are white, fawn, brindle, and cream.
Height and Weight
The blue French Bulldog is small in size. They are usually no more than 11 to 13 inches in height, and their compact size makes them perfect for owners with smaller apartments or those who are unable to manage larger dogs.
Blue French Bulldogs have a standard weight of 28 pounds or less. Females weigh between 16 to 23 pounds, whereas males tend to weigh between 21-28 pounds. This makes them a great option to be a playmate for kids, as long as they are given the required training to be around children.
Coat
The feature that makes a blue French Bulldog sought after is its unique glossy, blue coat color. Coat colors of a blue French Bulldog can be one of four variations:
- Blue merle
- Blue fawn
- Blue pied
- Blue brindle
Usually appearing in a dark blue shade, the fur of a French Bulldog can also be colored lighter, grayish shades.
A blue French Bulldog needs to be brushed at least once a week to prevent excess shedding and keep its fur free from knots and tangles. This breed does not shed much, making them ideal for those who suffer with allergies but still want a pet dog.
Temperament
What makes the blue French Bulldog breed a perfect pet is its friendly and loving nature. The blue Frenchie is an extremely affectionate dog breed, known for its sociable, easygoing, and attentive nature.
A good fit for families with children and for pet owners who want to lavish their dogs with a lot of attention, the blue Frenchie is gentle, low maintenance, and even-tempered. They might act out for attention if they are not getting it enough, and maybe lazy sometimes.
If you have a blue French Bulldog and it keeps barking incessantly, it might want you to notice it. Constant barking is a rare issue with French Bulldogs, and a way to remedy this is by training your dog to ask for attention in other ways.
Color Variations of Blue French Bulldogs
Blue French Bulldogs can have a variety of lovely coat colors. These are usually obtained as a result of breeding, which makes them rarer and more expensive. However, the stunning combinations are often worth the price as they make for adorable little pups.
Blue Merle
The blue merle coat variety of the Blue French Bulldog is a beautiful, patterned fur type. It is obtained by breeding a blue Frenchie with a merle Frenchie. The coat is a bluish-gray shade with patches of lighter colors like white on it. These patches can occur anywhere on the dog’s body.
A blue merle French Bulldog will often have lighter-colored eyes. This is one of the reasons blue merle French Bulldogs are so costly- there is a high demand for its sparkling blue eyes. They may even have heterochromatic or two differently colored eyes.
Blue Fawn
A duskier fur color, the blue fawn variation has become a popular choice among dog lovers recently. The base coat is a fawn color with blue paw pads, noses, and markings behind the ears. Dogs with this coat color also have lighter colored eyes like the blue merle French Bulldog variety.
French Bulldogs with the blue fawn coat color carry the double recessive gene that is also carried by blue pied French Bulldogs, but they have an additional two genes for the fawn base color.
The blue fawn coat color can, however, be a risk factor for alopecia.
Blue Pied
The term pied is used to describe a combination of color and patterns in the French Bulldog breed. Pied and piebald are used interchangeably for this color variety. A solid coat includes fawn, cream, and brindle base coat colors.
The coat color is obtained by breeding a pied Frenchie with a blue French Bulldog. A blue-pied French Bulldog has a predominantly white or light-colored coat with darker patches that may cover the face, body, and head. Sometimes, the pied markings may cover just one side of the dog’s face.
Blue Brindle
A blue brindle French Bulldog has a visible blue/grey coat with spots of brindle patterning.
Brindle striping is a coat pattern in animals, also known as tiger striping. It is described as a brownish color with streaks of other color variations.
The patterning typically appears on the puppies when they are approximately 4 weeks old. Their eye color may be either yellow, brown, blue, or grey.
What’s Good About Blue French Bulldogs
The blue French Bulldog is a sought-after pet for many reasons. Frenchies have many lovable characteristics, whether it may be their amicable nature or how much they like attention. Smart and affectionate, French Bulldogs are known to be wonderful pets.
In some cases, your Frenchie may need socialization training for situations when it is around other people and dogs.
French Bulldogs are intelligent animals and training them via games will simplify the process. It will also help you bond with your pet.
Minimal Barking
French Bulldogs rarely bark. They are intelligent and easy to train, love to be around people, and will rarely misbehave. Often, your blue Frenchie will opt to get your attention quietly. Due to this, they fit in well at apartment complexes.
If your Frenchie barks to the point of it being a nuisance, they may be trying to draw your attention. These issues are easily resolved and most of the time is not a permanent problem.
Easy to Groom
As they are small dogs with short hair, blue dogs are relatively easy to groom. A bi-weekly brushing can keep its coat clean and shiny.
A blue Frenchie dog will benefit from regular grooming. Rubber grooming gloves are advised to help remove hair gently. Keep in mind, regular brushing and maintenance help promote new fur growth and keeps your blue French Bulldog’s coat healthy.
The small stature of this dog breed also contributes to ease of cleaning. Another plus point is that the dogs of the French Bulldog breed tend to keep themselves clean by self-grooming.
Minimal Exercise
Being small in stature, the blue Frenchie puppy needs limited exercise. Daily walks and games of fetch are enough for your Frenchie, as it is a low-energy dog.
As blue French Bulldog puppies do not handle heat well, they need to be watched closely on hotter days to check if they are overexerting themselves.
French Bulldogs are not likely to become overweight or obese because of excess eating, and they favor sitting around the house napping or relaxing with their owner.
Small Sized
Blue French Bulldog puppies do not tend to grow much. The dog breed has a maximum weight of 28 pounds. This factor makes them perfect for those with smaller homes or flats. Around 11 to 14 inches tall, a Frenchie can be a great pet for those who prefer more petite dogs.
They are easier to maintain and clean due to their small size as well. Moreover, this feature makes them portable and easy to take around, whether for a day out at the park or a simple doctor’s visit.
Health Issues with Blue French Bulldogs
As the Frenchie is a specially bred dog, it may have certain health problems like color dilution alopecia, dermatitis, ear infections, deafness, and breathing difficulties. Some disorders may be congenital, while some occur due to predisposing factors.
A few of blue French Bulldogs’ common health issues are listed below.
Congenital Deafness
Genetic deafness or hearing loss is a common health problem in French Bulldogs. Deafness can also develop over time in older dogs. A test known as the BAER test is conducted in puppies that are 6 weeks or older to determine whether the deafness is congenital or not.
Symptoms of deafness include:
- Not responding to loud sounds
- Not responding to its name
- Might be difficult to wake them up
- Continuous barking
Congenital deafness in a Frenchie can be linked with its piebald gene or white pigmentation.
Alopecia
Frenchies and some other breeds which having the dilute gene may suffer from a hereditary condition known as color dilution alopecia (CDA). A faulty dilution gene causes this recessive condition in the blue French dog. Lighter or blue eye color may also be a risk factor [1].
Alopecia genetic recessive inherited condition that causes patches of hair thinning or loss, and may also include redness and itchy skin. The symptoms of CDA generally present after the puppy reaches six months of age.
Alopecia affects dogs with lighter color coats. Some dog breeds that are at risk of developing CDA are:
- Chow chow
- Daschund
- German Shepherd
- Shetland sheepdogs
- Boston terriers
Apart from the risks of bacterial infection, alopecia does not directly impact health.
Skinfold Dermatitis
Skinfold dermatitis is an infection that occurs between two folds of skin. Skinfold pockets are warm and moist, providing a perfect place for bacteria and yeast to grow. Frenchies have wrinkles all over, making them susceptible to this particular infection.
Another risk factor for this disease is short or snub noses. The condition is easily identifiable due to these symptoms:
- Smelly skin
- Excessive scratching or biting at skin
- Redness and soreness in skin folds
- Yellow or white discharge inside skin folds
Breathing Difficulties
Frenchies are bred to have cute, short, and upturned noses similar to English Bulldogs. This is known as a brachycephalic face. However, this feature causes them to get short of breath often. They can experience alternative breathing difficulties and overheating too.
Dogs having brachycephalic faces have narrow nostrils and short facial bones, but the amount of facial tissue is the same as a dog with a normal muzzle. Hence, this tissue may result in blockage, causing respiratory distress.
All dogs having snub noses face respiratory difficulties to some level and may even suffer from severe issues. Serious cases of this condition may even require surgery for rectification of nostril size. Consulting a vet is advised in case your dog is experiencing any such symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Blue French Bulldogs expensive?
A blue Frenchie can cost anywhere from $1500 to $8000 for the more uncommon colors and patterns.
Any reputable breeder will need to conduct several tests to make sure the health of the Frenchie is in good condition and is not predisposed to genetic disorders which can also mark up prices.
Can Blue French Bulldogs be left home alone?
Yes. The blue French Bulldog is a low-maintenance breed. While they do require a lot of attention, leaving them alone at home for short periods of time should not be an issue. If you plan on not being home for a long while, it is advised to have someone check in from time to time.
Does a Blue French Bulldog need a lot of training?
No. The blue Frenchie is an easily trainable breed, and only requires extra training in specific situations. For example, if your Frenchie is spoilt and barks a lot, you may need to train it to control its behavior by teaching it to ask for attention in different ways.
Conclusion
If you are considering becoming a Frenchie owner, it is advised that you only buy from a reputable breeder. This will ensure that your puppy does not have genetic disorders and is bred ethically.
The French Bulldog Club of America does not recognize them but this should not be an issue for those who do not want to enroll their dogs in competitions or dog shows.
Blue French Bulldogs make great pets for those who prefer dogs that are smaller in size and like lavishing attention on their pets. A manageable breed that is suitable for most owners, Frenchies are the ideal choice to be a child’s first puppy.
Blue French Bulldogs are a rare breed and have a gorgeous color to complement a delightful temperament, making them an excellent family pet.
