French Bulldog Coat Types: Smooth, Fluffy and Exotic Ones

French Bulldogs are well-loved for their charming personalities, compact size, and adorable faces. However, one of the fascinating aspects of this breed is the variety of coat types they can have. From standard smooth coats to rare long-haired variations, French Bulldog coat types are as diverse as the dogs themselves. In this blog post, we will explore all possible French Bulldog coat types, discuss whether buyers should avoid certain colors or coat types, and explain why fluffy French Bulldogs are more expensive than others. 

What Are French Bulldog Coat Types?

French Bulldog coat types refer to the physical characteristics of the fur itself, such as its length, texture, and structure. Coat types are essentially about how the fur feels and looks in terms of its physical form rather than its color. Here’s a breakdown of the different coat types seen in French Bulldogs:

1. Smooth Coat

•  The smooth coat is the most common and widely recognized coat type in French Bulldogs. It is short, sleek, and lies close to the dog’s body, giving the dog a neat and clean appearance.
• Maintenance: This coat type requires minimal grooming. Regular brushing helps maintain its shine, but it generally doesn’t mat or tangle. Smooth-coated French Bulldogs are easy to care for, which is one of the reasons they are popular as house pets.
• Characteristics: The fur is dense and feels smooth and soft to the touch. This coat type provides a natural layer of protection without being too heavy. There’s an important thing you need to know about Frenchie’s coat. Unline other dogs, they have only one layer of coat. It means that they can’t regulate their body temperature like and require wearing warm clothing in the winter. In our collection of French bulldog clothing, you can find adorable hoodies, sweaters and even jackets for Frenchies that will prevent your pooch from hypothermia.

2. Long-Haired (Fluffy) Coat

• Also referred to as “fluffy” French Bulldogs, these dogs have a longer coat that is soft and shaggy. The long-haired trait is due to a recessive gene, making it much less common than the smooth coat. This type of coat in French bulldogs is not recognized by the AKC and is considered as the result of mix of two or more dog breeds. Fluffy French bulldogs are hybrid dogs that are often higher in price. Unlike standard coats in Frenchies, fluffy ones can have floppy ears and they can’t be used for shows.
• Maintenance: Long-haired French Bulldogs require more grooming to prevent matting and tangling. Regular brushing is essential to maintain the health and appearance of the fur. This coat type may also require occasional trims, especially around the face and paws.
• Characteristics: The fur is soft and fluffy, giving these dogs a unique, almost teddy bear-like appearance. This coat type is often considered more exotic and may fetch a higher price due to its rarity and visual appeal. Teddy bear Frenchies are especially popular among city dwellers. However, there’s one thing you need to pay attention to. Since these dogs are mix of different dog breeds, they can be prone to suffering to certain health issues.

What Are French Bulldog Coat Colors?

French Bulldog coat colors refer to the actual pigmentations and patterns found on the dog’s fur. Unlike coat types, which are about the texture and length of the fur, coat colors relate to the visual appearance regarding color and markings. The recognized coat colors in French Bulldogs include both standard and rare variations:

Standard French Bulldog Coat Colors

• Brindle:

This color pattern involves dark streaks or stripes on a lighter background, giving a tiger-stripe appearance. It is one of the most common French Bulldog colors.The brindle coat features a pattern of dark streaks or stripes on a lighter background, which can give the dog a tiger-like look. This pattern results from a specific combination of genes, particularly the interaction between the dominant brindle gene (referred to as the “K^br” gene) and the base coat color gene. The brindle gene acts as a dominant gene, meaning that if a French Bulldog inherits even one copy of the brindle gene from its parents, it will typically display the brindle pattern. The brindle markings can vary significantly in their intensity and distribution, ranging from heavy brindle, where the stripes are more prominent, to a lighter brindle pattern, which may look more like a dusting of stripes over a fawn or cream base.

• Fawn:

Fawn French Bulldogs have a solid coat color that ranges from light tan to a reddish-brown. They often have a black mask on their faces. There one thing you need to know about a fawn Frenchie. This coat type in French bulldogs carries a gene found in a Pug breed. Therefore, it’s not strange why they two are often mixed for one another.

• Pied:

Pied French Bulldogs have a mostly white coat with patches of another color, usually brindle or fawn. The term “pied” refers to this patterning, where the white base coat is broken up by these darker patches. The size, shape, and distribution of these patches can vary significantly from one dog to another, giving each pied Frenchie a unique appearance.

The pied pattern is the result of a specific genetic combination involving the presence of a recessive piebald gene (designated as “sp”). For a French Bulldog to have a pied coat, it must inherit two copies of this recessive gene, one from each parent. If only one copy is present, the dog may not exhibit the pied pattern, but it can still pass the gene to its offspring. The piebald gene interacts with other coat color genes, such as brindle or fawn, to determine the color of the patches against the white background.

• Cream:

Cream French Bulldogs are characterized by their solid, off-white coats with a slight yellowish tint, giving them a soft and plush appearance. Unlike white French Bulldogs, which may have a pure white coat, cream Frenchies have a warmer, buttery hue that sets them apart. These dogs typically have black noses, paw pads, and eye rims, which provide a striking contrast against their light-colored fur. The cream coat color is the result of the dilution of a fawn base color, controlled by a recessive dilution gene (designated as “e”). This gene reduces the intensity of the pigment in the fur, resulting in the pale cream color.

To produce a cream French Bulldog, both parents must carry the recessive “e” gene, making this coat color relatively rare. Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), cream French Bulldogs are highly sought after for their elegant appearance and have found homes around the world. Their classic look and easy-going nature make them a popular choice among French Bulldog enthusiasts. Due to their resemblance to white French Bulldogs, cream Frenchies are sometimes referred to as “white French Bulldogs,” although the cream tone is distinct.

• Black:

Black French Bulldogs are less common but are admired for their striking, sleek appearance.

Rare and Exotic French Bulldog Coat Colors

• Blue: Blue French Bulldogs have a bluish-gray coat due to a dilution gene affecting black pigment. They are rare and sought after but may be prone to certain skin conditions.
• Chocolate: The chocolate coat color features a rich, dark brown shade. This color is rare and can be linked to specific health concerns.
• Lilac: Lilac French Bulldogs have a unique silvery-gray coat with a hint of purple. This color results from a combination of blue and chocolate dilution genes.
• Merle: Merle patterns create a speckled or mottled appearance with patches of various colors. While visually striking, the merle gene can increase the risk of health issues, such as deafness.
• Isabella: Also known as “double lilac,” the Isabella color is one of the rarest and results in a light fawn coat with a grayish-lilac tint.

Key Differences Between Coat Types and Coat Colors

1. Definition:
   • Coat Types refer to the texture, length, and structure of the dog’s fur (smooth coat vs. long-haired/fluffy coat).
   • Coat Colors refer to the pigment and patterns seen on the dog’s fur (brindle, fawn, blue, etc.).
2. Focus:
   • Coat Types are about how the fur feels and behaves (e.g., short and easy to manage vs. long and requiring regular grooming).
   • Coat Colors are about the visual appearance of the fur’s color and markings.
3. Genetics:
   • Coat Types are determined by specific genes that control the length and texture of the hair (recessive long-haired gene for fluffy coats).
   • Coat Colors are influenced by multiple genes that determine the presence and combination of pigments (dilution genes for blue or chocolate colors).

Should Buyers Avoid Certain French Bulldog Coat Types or Colors?

When choosing a French Bulldog, health should always be the top priority. While it’s easy to be captivated by the beauty and uniqueness of certain French Bulldog coat types and colors, it’s crucial to understand that some of these rare and exotic variations can be associated with genetic health issues. Making an informed decision can help ensure that your pet not only looks great but also lives a long, healthy, and happy life. Here’s what potential buyers need to be aware of regarding certain coat types and colors.

Merle Coat in French Bulldogs

One of the rare French Bulldog coat types that have gained popularity is the merle coat. The merle pattern, which features a mottled or speckled appearance, can be incredibly eye-catching. However, French Bulldogs with merle coloring have an increased risk of congenital health problems.

Therefore, potential owners should be extremely cautious and ensure they are purchasing from breeders who conduct thorough genetic health testing. A responsible breeder will be transparent about the genetic background of their dogs and avoid breeding two merle dogs together to minimize health risks.

Blue and Chocolate Coats

Another set of rare French Bulldog coat types that are associated with health concerns includes blue and chocolate coats. These colors result from dilution genes that lighten the standard black or brown pigmentation. While these colors are attractive and highly sought after, the dilution genes can sometimes lead to a condition known as color dilution alopecia.

This condition causes hair loss and makes the skin more susceptible to infections and other dermatological issues. Dogs with blue or chocolate coats might experience thinning fur, bald patches, and irritated skin, requiring regular veterinary care and specialized grooming products to manage these problems. For potential owners, this means higher maintenance costs and possibly frequent vet visits to keep the dog’s skin healthy.

Importance of Ethical Breeding

Regardless of the coat type or color, ethical breeding practices are crucial in maintaining the overall health and well-being of French Bulldogs. Buyers should prioritize breeders who focus on the health of the dogs rather than solely producing rare colors or exotic French Bulldog coat types for profit.

It’s advisable to visit the breeder’s facility, meet the puppy’s parents, and ask for references or testimonials from previous buyers. Reputable breeders will be transparent, open to questions, and committed to finding the best homes for their dogs.

Why Are Fluffy French Bulldogs More Expensive?

Fluffy French Bulldogs, with their unique long-haired coats, are more expensive due to several factors:

1. Rarity: The gene for long hair is recessive, making fluffy French Bulldogs much less common than their smooth-coated counterparts. Breeding fluffy French Bulldogs requires both parents to carry this rare gene.
2. Demand: Their distinctive appearance makes a fluffy French Bulldog puppy highly desirable, leading to higher market prices.
3. Breeding Costs: Ethical breeding practices, including genetic testing for the long-haired gene and ensuring healthy breeding pairs, add to the costs of breeding fluffy French Bulldogs.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinction between French Bulldog coat types and coat colors is essential for potential owners. While coat types relate to the texture and length of the fur, coat colors refer to the pigment and patterns. Both aspects contribute to the French Bulldog’s unique appearance.