WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT COLOURS OF FRENCH BULLDOGS?

French Bulldog Colours

There are only three colours recognised by The Kennel Club breed standard. All other colours are considered highly undesirable. All French Bulldogs must have a black nose. The accepted colours are:

• Brindle - black and fawn streaks, white markings permitted

• Fawn - whole-coloured, with or without black mask, white markings permitted

• Pied - predominantly white with fawn or brindle patches

Watch out for breeding farms that boast rare colours of French Bulldog, including solid black, black and white, black and tan, mouse, grey/blue, liver/chocolate, and all patterns within these colours. These coats are not accepted by the breed standard. They are obtained through crossbreeding, which creates added risk to the French Bulldog’s health. The French Bulldog is already a very modified breed, known as a “hyper-type”, with resulting fragile health. As such, we recommend you avoid these types of “rare” colourways. Always be sure to research properly and buy from a reputed breeder. The most important thing is that your Frenchie is happy and healthy!

Please note: You should also beware of pure white coats. They are accepted by the breed standard under the pied colour, but pure white can be synonymous with deafness in dogs, due to the recessive gene associated with the colour.

How Big Are French Bulldogs?

The French Bulldog is a small breed dog. There is a slight difference in the size of males and females. The male measures between 27 and 35cm at the withers, while the female measures between 24 and 32cm at the withers. There is no difference in the temperament of male and female French Bulldogs.

How Much Should a French Bulldog Weigh?

French Bulldogs are also pretty lightweight, which makes it easy to travel with them. However, if you plan to travel by plane, be sure to check with your airline before flying. Some airlines won’t allow brachycephalic breeds because they are prone to breathing problems that can worsen at high altitudes. Again, there is a slight difference between males and females. The male weighs between 9 and 14kg, and the female between 8 and 13 kg.

French Bulldogs grow relatively quickly and mature around the age of twelve months. Growth is a delicate period in all young dogs, no matter the size or breed. During this time, it’s important to avoid putting too much stress on your dog’s joints to prevent the onset of bone and joint disorders. Don't let your French Bulldog run up the stairs, for example, and avoid overly intense or boisterous play sessions. Also, purchase suitable accessories for your Frenchie (dog bed, lead, bowl, etc.), adapted to the size of your dog.

The Problem with “Hyper-Types”

Dog breeds that have been selectively bred to exaggerate their physical features are called “hyper-types”. Brachycephalic dogs, like the French Bulldog, are one example of a hyper-type, easily recognised by their squashed noses. Brachycephaly is the scientific word for a skull that is shorter than usual, in other words, “flat-faced”. It comes from the Ancient Greek brachy βραχύς, meaning "short", and kephalē κεφαλή, meaning "head". Although cute, the flattened muzzle can cause breathing difficulties for your French Bulldog, as it accentuates the dog’s respiratory problems, while also promoting weight gain, causing increased sensitivity to heat, and even heart failure. To fight against hyper-types, many canine federations have specified these exaggerated characteristics as highly undesirable or unaccepted in their breed standard. This is the case with The Kennel Club and the FCI. We recommend that you avoid this kind of dog breeding at all costs.