French Bulldog Colours Not Recognised by the KC Explained

The French bulldog is the UKs most popular dog breed and is highly sought after. Their prices are some of the highest among dog breeds, often reaching over "3,000 for rare coloured puppies. However, when considering a French bulldog puppy, understanding the official breed colours recognised by the Kennel Club (KC) is essential to avoid health and registration issues.

French bulldogs come in many colours, but only a few are officially accepted by the KC under the breed standard. These accepted colours have been developed to maintain breed health and consistency.

Accepted French Bulldog Colours by the Kennel Club

The KC recognises only three core colour groups for the French bulldog: fawn, brindle, and pied (which includes white dogs).

• Fawn (ranging from light fawn to red fawn, with or without a black mask)
• Brindle (dark brindle, light brindle, brindle with white)
• Pied (including white, which is classed as pied for showing)

These colours meet the breed standard and are eligible for KC registration and showing.

Why Are Other Colours Considered Undesirable?

French bulldogs exhibiting colours outside the standard such as solid black, black and white, chocolate, lilac, blue, liver, and merle are considered undesirable by the KC. The merle colour is particularly important as it is completely forbidden and merle puppies will not be registered by the KC.

Many rare colours are genetically linked to health problems. For instance, the gene causing blue or dilute shades can lead to colour dilution alopecia, which results in chronic skin inflammation and hair loss. More serious complications like cracked, sore skin and infections can follow. Furthermore, merle genes carry risks of vision and hearing defects, often severe.

Some colours, like black and tan, came from crossbreeding with other breeds and could threaten the purity and health of the French bulldog breed by introducing dominant genes.

What Does "Colour Not Recognised" Mean?

If a French bulldog has a colour outside the accepted KC breeds variants, it might be registered with the Kennel Club as "Colour Not Recognised." This means the dog holds a registered pedigree but does not meet the official colour standard. Such dogs are usually ineligible for breed shows and are considered undesirable by reputable breed clubs.

Owners should be cautious when buying puppies labelled as "rare" colours, as these animals may carry increased health risks and limitations in competition and breeding potential.

Showing and Breeding Limitations

While dogs registered with KC paperwork are eligible to enter dog shows, those with unrecognised colours are not awarded prizes and generally discouraged from serious competitive showing. Breed clubs typically exclude dogs with undesirable colours from membership and breeding programs to protect breed health.

Why Are Rare or Undesirable Colour French Bulldogs Expensive?

Rare colours are often marketed as more valuable despite the health and ethical concerns. Unscrupulous breeders exploit buyer demand for unusual coats by charging inflated prices and hiding the associated risks.

For responsible owners prioritising health and breed integrity, it's best to choose dogs in standard recognised colours from reputable breeders who follow breed club codes of ethics.

Summary and Responsible Buying Advice

When considering a French bulldog puppy, verify the colour is one of the accepted types: fawn, brindle, or pied. Avoid unrecognised colours to reduce health risks and support ethical breeding practices.

Always seek puppies from reputable breeders who provide full health guarantees and clear pedigree documentation, ensuring your puppy is a healthy and well-bred member of this wonderful breed.