French Bulldog Accepted and Rare Colours Explained

The French Bulldog is the UK’s most popular dog breed, with a remarkable rise in registrations overtaking the Labrador Retriever since 2018. Their unique features including flat faces, muscular yet compact bodies, and famously expressive ears make them instantly recognisable. However, beyond their charming appearance, coat colour plays a significant role in breed standards and puppy desirability in the UK.

In this article, we'll delve deeply into French bulldog coat colours recognised by the Kennel Club, explain what "colour not recognised" means in registration, and explore the so-called rare colours such as blue and merle. We aim to provide prospective puppy buyers and breeders with clear, honest, and up-to-date information to make informed choices that prioritise health and responsible ownership.

Accepted French Bulldog Colours According to Kennel Club UK

The Kennel Club formally recognises ten colours within three main groupings: brindle, fawn, and pied. This classification determines eligibility for pedigree registration and show circles.

• Brindle: This pattern is a mixture of black and fawn hairs creating stripes or streaks, subdivided into light, medium, and dark brindle variants, often with dark noses and eyes.
• Fawn: Ranges from pale cream to darker reddish tones, sometimes with a distinctive black mask. Variants include fawn pied and fawn with white patches.
• Pied: White coat with patches of brindle or fawn, often occupying more than half the coat's surface.

White French Bulldogs are typically considered a pied variation, especially when the white dominates the coat. While white with black noses and eyes is acceptable, solid white without pigmentation is rare and less common.

Dogs with these accepted colours receive standard pedigree registration, which documents their coat colour officially.

What Does “Colour Not Recognised” Mean?

When French Bulldogs display coats outside the recognised colours – such as blue, chocolate, or merle – breeders may register them under "colour not recognised" with the Kennel Club. This allows pedigree registration but with a caveat: these colours are viewed as non-standard and highly undesirable within official breed circles.

Dogs registered as colour not recognised cannot compete in standard colour-specific show classes, often resulting in no show wins and limited breeding opportunities within the breed standard lines. Breed clubs like the French Bulldog Club of England advise against breeding non-standard colours to avoid health issues and maintain breed integrity.

Rare and Non-Breed Standard Colours: What You Should Know

Several non-standard colours are often labelled as "rare" or "unique" in adverts, but their rarity may be overstated due to marketing incentives. These colours include:

Blue French Bulldogs

• Not accepted in the breed standard but can be registered as colour not recognised.
• Coats range from pale steel-blue to darker blue shades.
• Associated with a genetic condition called colour dilution alopecia, causing hair thinning and skin problems, which may require lifelong veterinary care.
• Despite being considered rare historically, around 19% of French Bulldogs offered for sale were blue, indicating they are commonly found in the UK market.

Lilac French Bulldogs

• A variation of blue with a purple sheen.
• Also not recognised and linked to similar health risks from colour dilution alopecia.
• Making up about 8% of listings, their rarity is mostly a marketing perception.

Chocolate French Bulldogs

• Dark brown coats often called chocolate or liver.
• No direct health issues linked to this colour reported.
• Represent a small portion of the profile but are not officially recognised colours.

Black and Tan French Bulldogs

• Marked by a dominant black with tan patches.
• Not accepted by the Kennel Club but can be registered as colour not recognised.
• Relatively uncommon, representing less than 1% of the market listings.

Merle French Bulldogs

• The most controversial non-standard colour, with a patchy, dappled pattern.
• Explicitly disallowed from Kennel Club pedigree registration due to significant health concerns.
• Associated with a higher risk of blindness, deafness, and other congenital defects, especially in double-merle breeding.
• Less than 3% of listings, their rarity is due to ethical restrictions on breeding these colours.

Health and Ethical Considerations for Rare French Bulldog Colours

It is crucial for prospective buyers and breeders to understand the health risks tied to some rare colours. Blue and lilac dogs often suffer from colour dilution alopecia, which can seriously affect skin and coat health. Merle dogs have a strong predisposition to sensory impairments including deafness and vision problems, linked to the genetics of the merle gene.

The Kennel Club and breed clubs discourage breeding for these rare colours to prevent propagating inherited health problems. The welfare and quality of life of the dog should always be paramount over appearance or novelty.

Choosing the Right French Bulldog Colour for You

The ten colours recognised by the Kennel Club provide plenty of variety while complying with breed health and standards. If you have no strong preference, opting for a dog with an accepted colour is wise for health, registration, and show eligibility.

Should you consider a rare or non-standard coloured French Bulldog, ensure you research thoroughly and discuss health history and risks with the breeder or owner. Remember that a dog's personality and compatibility with your lifestyle are far more important than coat colour.

If a rare coat colour is your heart’s desire, consider exploring other breeds where such colours are standard to avoid compromising health and ethical concerns.

Summary

• The Kennel Club UK officially recognises ten French Bulldog colours within the brindle, fawn, and pied groups.
• “Colour not recognised” allows registration but denotes non-standard, often undesirable, coat colours including blue, lilac, chocolate, black and tan, and merle.
• Blue and lilac colours carry risks of colour dilution alopecia; merle is linked to severe sensory impairments and is excluded from pedigree registration.
• Breeders and buyers should prioritise health and responsible choice over the appeal of rare colours.
• French Bulldogs with accepted colours have full breed club support for health testing, registration, and showing.

By understanding these facts, you can make an informed decision that respects breed welfare and your needs as a dog owner.

For reputable French Bulldog puppies, always seek registered breeders who prioritise health and ethical breeding practices.