Colors and PatternsOne of the most favorite characteristics of French Bulldogs owners is that these dogs come in many wonderful colors and patterns. Frenchies are so lovable that it is impossible for the owner to decide which is one would be the most appropriate to select because each one is so unique and different. Whatever your particular preference is, it is our job to help you select the most sustainable option for you when it comes down to Frenchies.A person can first look into information provided by AKC on Breed Standard to see what the club says about acceptable and non-acceptable colors. Many people around the world recognize the fact that there is more than a little confusion on colors and color patterns as stated in the AKC standard.What they say is that all terms regarding color and colorations should be taken subjectively, as there is a great deal of difference of opinion within the Frenchie community as to which term defines which color.The AKC has defined their color standards as following:Acceptable colors-all brindle, fawn, white, brindle and white, and any color except those which constitute disqualification. All colors are acceptable with the exception of solid black, mouse, or liver; black and tan; black and white; and white with black, which are disqualifications (for dog shows).Black means black without a trace of brindle.After referring to different studies and other information we would add to your knowledge that colors and color patterns of the French Bulldog are based on several different genes which interact with each other to produce the myriad of beautiful colors and patterns in which this wonderful dog appears. As is the case with other genes, some are dominant and others are recessive. For a recessive gene to be expressed, a puppy must inherit the recessive gene from both the mother and the father. If the recessive is inherited from one and the dominant from the other, the dominant will be expressed, but the puppy will also carry the recessive gene which can be passed on to future generations. Since the relative rarity and desirability of a Frenchie color and pattern is a significant factor in the pricing of Frenchie puppies, it is probably good to have an idea of how the various genes interact.Without getting too complex and getting into a lot of confusing DNA verbiage, it can say that brindle is dominant over fawn and a uniform color is dominant over piedness (white coat with patches of a dark color). The rare chocolate is also a recessive color in Frenchies caused by one of four alleles on the B locus (one of which, the most common, cannot be DNA tested for as yet). The rare and beautiful blue coloration (diluting black to bluish gray or chocolate to lilac) is also due to a recessive gene.Pure black with no brindling is due to a recessive black gene, as is pure blue (which is created by the double recessive black coupled with the double recessive dilute [blue] gene). Pure black and pure blue Frenchies are not permitted in AKC sanctioned conformation events at this time but hopefully this will change so that these extraordinarily rare and beautiful dogs can be properly admired and rewarded. Another color and pattern which is even more rare and beautiful is the pure black with tan points (created by another recessive gene, which can also be diluted to a pure blue with tan points). These gorgeous and extremely rare dogs are also not allowed currently into AKC sanctioned conformation events someday hopefully they will.Pied: In simple terms, a pied Frenchie is basically a white dog with patches of an acceptable color. These are beautiful dogs and are all very distinct based on the patterning of the colors.Brindle:A brindle Frenchie has a coat that is predominantly a dark color (such as black, chocolate, or blue) with lighter hairs of another color mixed in (brindling may be heavy or light). Frequently, there is a patch of white either on the chest, head, or neck areas of brindle dogs. According to the AKC guidelines, all brindle dogs have acceptable coloring, including blues and chocolates, which are both recessive colorings and therefore quite rare. Many owners are aware of several blue and chocolate brindle dogs that have been entered into conformation competitions and have done well

Fawn: This description apparently includes colors that are referred to as everything from Cream to Red. Creams can range from deep amber to rich butterscotch to palest gold. Cream is generally considered to be a dilution of fawn, minus the masking gene. You can see that there is a wide range of interpretation about just what the color fawn is, but they are all very pretty (if you ask us). Blue or blue brindle: Blue Frenchies are the result of the d or dilute gene, which they must inherit from both the mother and the father (kind of like blue eyes in humans). The dilute factor causes the black hairs to become blue. Pigment on the nose and pads are also a grayish blue in color, and eyes are often blue or yellowish gold. Blue dogs are quite rare and command a higher price than standard colors. Blue-fawn: This is a color variation of blue, with coloring being seen most clearly in the masking points on the face. There is a blue hue on a typical tan coat. Generally, they have green/grey eyes. These are also very beautiful and rare dogs.Tiger brindle: This is a term reserved for Frenchies with a coat pattern comprising a fairly regular pattern of alternating fawn and black stripes, similar in appearance to the coat of a tiger.Black (or seal) brindle: These dogs have a coat so dark that it may appear black, but a closer inspection will reveal at least a few lighter hairs. Reverse brindle: These Frenchies are brindle but the fawn color is more predominant than the dark or black brindling.Chocolate: This is another rare Frenchie color which can range from a light milk chocolate brown to a dark chocolate brown. A chocolate Frenchie will have a brown to light brown nose and nails and generally brown eyes, occasionally green, hazel, or a piercing yellow/gold. They both have beautiful rich brown coloring with very little brindling and should produce some outstanding chocolate brindle and pied pups.Sable: Another fairly rare coloring for the Frenchie is sable. Sable Frenchies have a fawn coat (usually a darker or reddish fawn) with the hairs being tipped in black, with other black hairs mixed in fairly evenly into the coat. The black tipping and shading tends to be heavier on the back, head, and neck; and often the lower legs are without evidence of black. Extremely rare Frenchie colors that are disqualified by the AKC for conformation competitions, but they are extremely beautiful and command very high prices:Pure Black and Pure Blue Pure black Frenchies (Frenchies with a black coat with no brindling) are disqualified for conformation competitions, probably because it was initially thought that this was a dominant characteristic and would overpower other colors. It is now known that pure black is caused by a recessive gene on the A locus which is rare and must be inherited from both parents. These are very beautiful and expensive dogs. The pure blue is even rarer in that pure blue Frenchies (blue with no brindling) must inherit both the recessive black gene and the recessive dilute gene from both parents. Black & tanand Blue & Tan: These are the rarest of the French Bulldog marking patterns and colors. They are also disqualified for conformation competitions because initially black & tan was thought to be a dominant marking pattern, as it is in other canine breeds like Doberman Pinchers and Rottweilers. It is now known that black & tan in Frenchies (black with tan points) is the result of a recessive gene which is very uncommon in Frenchies. Even more rare is the blue & tan (blue with tan points) since both the recessive black & tan and the recessive dilute genes must be inherited from both parents. Frenchies having any of the colors and patterns shown immediately above are very beautiful, very rare, and very expensive; but if you are looking for a unique and special dog that very few individuals in the world are lucky enough to own, one may be just what you are looking for. While Frenchies of these colors and patterns cannot currently be entered into conformation competitions, they are just as healthy and just as wonderful in every way as their brothers and sisters which have more common coloration.Acceptable, but penalized, coloring:Ticked pied - This refers to Frenchies that have obvious freckled markings on the white areas of the body. This is not a DQ for the AKC, but this pattern tends to be heavily penalized in show rings everywhere. The more white a Frenchie has, the more likely it is to have ticking, although there are some pied dogs which had virtually no ticking. Some individuals really like Frenchies with a lot of ticking regardless of what the AKC penalizes, so it is really a matter of personal taste.