The Merle French Bulldog has to be one of the most popular breeds, and one look at a Merle Frenchie would make you love them so much and want to get one for yourself.
The AKC does not recognize the Merle French Bulldog color, but they are still in high demand due to their unique coat color.
The breed standard colors by the AKC include:
- Brindle
- Brindle & White
- Cream
- Fawn
- Fawn & White
- Fawn Brindle & White
- White
- White & Brindle
- White & Fawn
While the markings include the following:
- Ticked
- White Markings
- Black Markings
- Black Mask
- Piebald
- Brindle Markings
If you are thinking of where to register your merle French bulldog, you should read our post on AKC vs. CKC.
Merle French Bulldog Colors
The merle Frenchie comes in different colors and but the most common ones are:
- Tan Merle Frenchie
- White Merle Frenchie
- Black Merle Frenchie
- Chocolate Merle Frenchie
- Red Merle Frenchie
- Blue Merle Frenchie
- Lilac Merle Frenchie
To easily spot a merle French Bulldog, you must look at its coat. They usually have a lighter foundation coat with irregular splotches of dark fur.
Common Health Issues Associated with Merle French Bulldogs
On a normal day, french bulldogs are prone to have health issues, and being a merle only enhances this risk, especially if the Frenchie is double merle.
The reason why merles have more health issues is that they are not “purebred” Frenchies. Crossbreeding always leads to health implications for the french bulldog in the nearest future.
According to Frenchie Journey, double merles have an 86% chance of being deformed, deaf, blind, or having color dilution alopecia. These defects can cause serious health issues such as abnormalities in the nervous system, immune disorders, severe allergies, and even death.
The most common health issues found with Merles include:
- Hip and Elbow dysplasia
- Patellar Luxation
- Severe allergies
- Arthritis
- Severe breathing issues that could include stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, tracheal collapse
- Spinal problems
- Eye Problems
Eye Problems in Merle French Bulldogs
Merles usually have serious eye issues, and these eye problems include:
- Microphthalmia is a condition in which the eyes are too tiny to see clearly. Severe cases can result in blindness at birth.
- Corectopia: A medical term for a pupil that is not centered.
- Iris hypoplasia: This is a condition whereby the iris thins out.
Cherry eye, cataracts, entropion (eyelid rolling inwards), and distichiasis are some of the more common eye abnormalities in merles (extra eyelashes in abnormal locations).
Merle French Bulldog Breeding Process
If you’re a breeder or intend to buy a Merle French Bulldog, this is the most important information you’ll ever read.
The Merle gene is one of the world’s most fascinating and useful. It can be used to breed french bulldogs with a wide variety of appearances, from striking blue patches on an otherwise black coat to more muted shades of gray and brown. However, when breeding merles, it’s crucial to understand the genetic science behind their unique appearance.
Merle dogs have a genotype Mm. This means they have one allele for merle and one for non-merle.
What is an Allele?
Britannica explains that any of two or more genes that can exist alternately at a specific place (locus) on a chromosome is an allele.
Alleles can be found in pairs. Multiple alleles might influence the expression (phenotype) of a trait.
Non-merle dogs, on the other hand, are mm. If you breed a merle (Mm) to a non-merle (mm), on average, half of the puppies will get the M allele, so are Mm (merle), and half will get the non-merle allele, so are mm.
Merle French Bulldog Price: How Much is a Merle French Bulldog?
They are very expensive, and this is because many classify them as exotic pets. Also, the fact that they are very rare contributes to the high amount these pets go for.
The Merle French Bulldog price is between $7,500 to $20,000.
Are Merle French Bulldogs unhealthy?
No, merle French Bulldogs are not unhealthy, except the breeding process wasn’t done responsibly. Merles are generally healthy french Bulldogs, and this is based on the fact that their breeding process was done correctly.
Are Merle Frenchies Rare?
Yes, they are, and this is because of their coat color. While the coat coloration isn’t quite a “color,” it makes them instantly recognizable and desirable. The coloring scheme is more akin to a pattern scheme.
Is Merle natural in French Bulldogs?
No, the merle “color” isn’t natural in French Bulldogs, as these dogs aren’t purebreds. Their breeding process is artificial and done by breeders.
