Blue Brindle French Bulldog: What You Need to Know
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We are not going to introduce you to the French Bulldog here, whom we all know for his improbable face and his clownish side. We will touch on a related topic here: his color. The French bulldog can wear different coats, including a rather rare and sought-after one: Blue Brindle French Bulldog
What is the Blue Brindle French Bulldog?
The Blue Brindle French Bulldog is the color variation of the blue french bulldogs. They have a blue/gray plumage with brindle marks. Their pattern consists of blue and fawn feathers. Depending on the mixture of these colors, their coats can be dark or light tones. Blue Brindle French Bulldog's puppies may also have a white chest or small white areas on their coats. Their noses and eyes are usually dark in color. Generally, brindle marks begin to appear around the 4th week. There is no difference between Blue French Bulldogs besides these color differences.
Blue French Bulldogs
There are some rare colors in the French Bulldog, called exotic, but the color called "blue" is undoubtedly the one that intrigues the most.
The subject of blue “Frenchies” is even rather controversial. The French Bulldog Club, which owns the breed, does not accept the blue coat as part of the breed standard.
But since the subject is enjoyable, here is a presentation of the blue French bulldog, his characteristics, the issues, and the controversy.
Let's go.
Is a blue French bulldog blue?
Because of this designation, "blue French bulldog", many assume that a blue French bulldog has a solid blue color. Blue French Bulldogs are one of the many color varieties of the breed that we know and love. They take on a stunning blue or gray coat, but most of them are not solid in color.
“Blue” coloring does not refer to navy or sky blue shades. This is more of a general description of the coat of a silver-gray color. The truffle is also blue. This unique color simply stands out from traditional colors. You can see blue French Bulldogs having a fawn or white undercoat.
Rarity has a price, it is a rule that is verified for the blue French bulldog.
Origin of the Blue French Bulldog
Many people mistakenly think that the blue French bulldog is a recent dog. Their origins date back to the 1900s when they appeared in small numbers. The blue French Bulldog's coat color comes from a rare dilute black gene. However, you will not find any black hair in this beautiful coat. This gene is not characteristic of the breed. This means that only a few individuals are carriers.
If you're wondering how breeders breed blue French bulldogs, there are two ways to do it:
Mating of two dogs carrying the blue gene (in case both carry no other gene).
Both dogs are not blue carriers but have produced a pup with a mutation on chromosome 25. This is a rare case and does not mean it will breed.
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Why can a French Bulldog be blue?
In most dogs, a blue-colored coat is due to a recessive gene known as the dilution gene (locus D). The dilution gene affects eumelanin, the dog's main pigment which has a black color by default.
Different color variations in French Bulldogs occur when genes modify eumelanin to create other colors, including blue (gray).
Only bulldogs with the "d-d" genotype will have a blue or dilute coat color, as it usually takes two recessives (d-d) to lighten the black to gray or blue pigment.
The dd genotype constitutes the blue variations of the English Bulldog: brindle blue, fawn blue, tan-pointed blue, fawn sable blue, etc.
Therefore, dd is a dilution that affects black pigment and black color hairs. Any pigment or coat that would otherwise be black is diluted from black to blue on a "d-d" dog.
Do Blue French Bulldogs Change Color As They Age?
Most blue French Bulldogs do not completely change color as they grow. As they age, the hue of their coat may change to a darker or lighter shade, but the color usually stays the same.
Blue French Bulldogs are not unique in terms of hair color but also in terms of eyes. These cuties' eyes are often blue or crystal blue. In most cases, crystal blue eyes retain their color over time. However, if a dog has gray or dark blue eyes, they may change color as they age.
Is a blue French bulldog fragile?
The popularity of blue French Bulldog puppies has increased dramatically in recent years. Some believe that blue French bulldog breeders are not interested in improving the breed and the quality of the dog.
The health of the dog largely depends on the choice of the breeder and the care you will give him in the future. Avoid at all costs unserious breeders and dogs sold for an attractive price. However, I draw your attention to the fact that the blue coat is the result of genetic selection, which brings some questions to the table:
The problem of inbreeding: some breeders have no qualms about the dogs they sell. The blue dress would indicate a predisposition to alopecia which would be directly linked to the dilution gene. As a reminder, alopecia is manifested by total or partial loss of hair on all or part of the body.
Here is a list of health issues to watch out for if you are considering getting a Blue Bulldog:
- Color dilution alopecia: as mentioned above, it results in a significant loss of hair, sudden or in the long term, leaving bare areas of skin.
- Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome: This condition affects dogs with short noses that can lead to severe respiratory distress. Some symptoms include dyspnea or difficulty breathing, stress, and heat intolerance during exercise.
- Serious Skin Issues: Your Blue French Bulldog may be prone to several skin allergies, hot spots, eczema, and dry skin. The breed is known to be at risk for serious skin infections.
- Eye Problems: Eye and eyelid problems are common in Bulldogs and manifest as frequent redness, discharge, and rubbing due to pain.
- Hip dysplasia: This orthopedic condition results from a malformed hip joint. It can affect one or both hips.
- Thyroid and heart disease: Hypothyroidism occurs when the dog does not secrete enough thyroid hormones. Because of that, the metabolism slows down
It is possible to find breeders, but not all are created equal. The lure of profit does not serve our 4-legged friends. I advise you to take the time to look for a serious breeder, even if it means having to make a long trip.
However, some puppies born on quality farms can be sold for more, with a primary vaccine, deworming treatment, a veterinary certificate of good health, and even a few months of health insurance.
A blue French bulldog cannot be LOF. So run away from a breeder who claims otherwise.
In the end, a healthy blue French bulldog seems to have a life expectancy similar to other French bulldogs, around 12 years.
Can a blue French bulldog be LOF registered?
The CBF gives very clear color standards:
“The coats allowed in the standard of the French Bulldog
Uniformly colored fawn, brindle or not, or with limited variegation,
Fawn brindle or not with medium or invasive spotting.
All shades of fawn are allowed, from red to café au lait.
All-white dogs are classified as "brindle fawn with invasive spotting". When a dog has a very dark nose and dark eyes surrounded by dark eyelids, certain depigmentations of the face may be exceptionally tolerated in very beautiful dogs.
Some Helpful Tips for Blue Brinle French Bulldog Owners
Skincare is very important for your dog's comfort.
French Bulldogs, in general, are prone to different allergies, so I advise you to give your dog foods rich in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
The use of paraben-free and soap-free shampoos for sensitive skin is also recommended.
Give your dog a coconut and castor oil massage at least once weekly to keep his hair smooth and shiny.
Avoid giving your dog food high in corn, as it can cause a skin reaction. Corn is found in many dog foods because it is a rich source of protein that is also much cheaper than meat. But corn can cause allergies in dogs and cause severe itching.
Feed your dog natural homemade food rich in vegetables, fish, and chicken breast (without skin). Avoid oily fish.
Beta-carotene has a healing effect not only on human skin but also on dog skin. For example, you can prepare a mixture of rice, chicken meat, and carrots.
To finish
A Blue Brindle French Bulldog does not leave you indifferent when you see one on the street. There is something to have a crush on. However, I draw your attention that such a dog is not a real French bulldog; he is a dog that looks like a French bulldog.
The craze for the blue French bulldog has led to more than questionable breeding practices.
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