French Bulldog Colors: 25 Rare, Standard & Official Colors

French Bulldogs have become one of America’s favorite dog breeds over the last few years.

Everyone nowadays wants one because they are the perfect family pet. With cute faces, a small body and a loving and playful personality, it is hard to resist the charms of a Frenchie.

But that is not all that is eye-catching about them.

They come in a whole variety of rare and unique colors. In fact there are now over 25 French Bulldog colors. Some are really common, like brindle and fawn, but others like blue and merle are very rare.

Are you thinking about getting a Frenchie but don’t know which color to get? Keep reading to learn about the different colors of French Bulldogs.

French Bulldog Color Chart

French Bulldogs have one of the widest range of coat colors of all dog breeds.

Compared to other breeds like the Labrador Retriever who only have six colors, the Frenchie has many rare and unique looks.

The American Kennel Club recognizes nine colors, but there are now over 25 possible coat variations. The official colors are all standard to the breed, but just because the others are unofficial does not mean that a purebred cannot have them.

In fact, rare colors like Blue, Merle or Isabella are some of the most popular purebreds.

French Bulldogs come in such a variety of colors that every puppy is unique and eye-catching. There are so many choices that if you and your neighbor adopt this breed, there is a pretty good chance that they will look completely different.

Whether you want a common color or one that is very intriguing and rare there is a Frenchie for everyone.

Just keep in mind that if you do decide to buy one of these rare Frenchie colors, you will likely be paying a hefty price. These dogs in general are already expensive. But an Isabella can cost you $8,000, compared to the $2,000 to $3,000 for standard colors like brindle and fawn.

With so much variety it can sometimes be daunting to choose a favorite one.

To make it easier for you we have created this color chart so you can catch a glimpse of all 25.

French Bulldog Colors

Black

Black French Bulldogs are incredibly popular, but in fact they are very rare and not accepted as a standard color. Dogs with this color have a jet black smooth coat. These Frenchies are easily confused with a type of brindle called reverse brindle. Reverse brindle happens when dark stripes become so thick that the dog looks black. Pure blacks are not reverse brindles and do not have any stripes.

Black and Tan

The Black and Tan Frenchie has a solid jet black coat with patches of tan (called tan points) on the face, chest and legs. They are a type of black French Bulldog that has inherited the tan points gene.

This color combination is commonly seen in other breeds like Dobermans and Rottweilers, but it is very rare for this breed. Dogs with this color might look like a miniature version!

Black and Fawn

The only difference between the black and tan and the black and fawn French Bulldog is their face, chest and legs are a fawn color, instead of tan. This fawn color can range from a light brown to a dark red and will not have the same yellow hue as the tan. A black and fawn is not the same as fawn with black. Fawns have a black muzzle so they are known as Fawn and Black.

Black and White

A black and white French Bulldog is very similar to a solid black puppy. What makes it different are the white markings which are usually found on their chest, face or paws. These puppies add a bit more flair to your typical pure black as each marking will be unique. If you do end up getting one of these puppies you would be matching Lady Gaga with her cute pup Asia.

Blue

One of the rarest colors is steely blue. This color is even rarer than black because Blue Frenchies are born because of a recessive dilution gene that lightens a black coat. Pure blue French Bulldogs will have solid blue over their coat and blue eyes. Their coat looks like a silvery, almost blue color which is why some people call them Gray. While blue French Bulldogs are very popular, unfortunately they are also controversial. Blues are prone to developing a condition called color dilution alopecia which results in hair loss.

Blue and Tan

The blue and tan French Bulldog is like a Blue, but with tan points added into the mix. These dogs are very similar to black and tan, except that their base color is silvery blue. They might also have light blue eyes instead of the normal dark hazel brown. Apart from tan markings they are just the same as blue French Bulldogs and will be equally hard to find.

Blue Fawn

Blue Fawn French Bulldogs have a fawn base coat that has a blueish hue. They have the black dilution gene that gives them their blue color and also fawn genes. These puppies can have light colored eyes like green or blue making them very unique from regular fawns.

Blue Merle

A Blue Merle French Bulldog will have a merle spotted pattern over a greyish blue coat. This creates a beautifully unique speckled appearance. Some also inherit blue eyes from their Blue parent. French Bulldogs with the blue merle pattern might be the rarest and most unique of them all. These dogs are born when a Blue and Merle Frenchie are mixed. Unfortunately both of their parents are very rare so finding this color is very hard.

Brindle

Brindle French Bulldogs are one of the most popular because of their tiger-like pattern. Brindle is a pattern and not a color. It is made up of a light color like fawn covered with darker brown to black stripes. While this may seem like it is a rare color, it is actually very common in many dogs. The brindle gene is natural and one of the nine accepted colors. There are many different brindle colors, but normally they will have a fawn coat covered with darker brown stripes. There are also Blue Brindles, Red Brindles and Black (reverse brindle). Reverse brindling happens when the dark stripes are so thick that they nearly hide the lighter fawn coat.

Brindle and White

What makes these puppies unique from the brindle French Bulldog is their white coat markings. Instead of just a solid brindle pattern they also have white markings on their chest, face or paws. These white markings are accepted as part of the breed standard and make them a little bit more special. They are very easy to find, just like the typical brindle French Bulldog is. In fact brindle and brindle and white are the most popular colors. Many people want this exotic-looking pattern.

Chocolate

Are you a chocolate fan? The chocolate French Bulldog might just be the color you need. These dogs have a solid coat that can range in color from a milk chocolate to a dark and rich brown that will remind you of chocolate Labs. It is not just their beautiful coat that makes them stand-out either. Chocolate Frenchies can also have green, golden or yellow eyes. Chocolates are very popular, but they are also very rare. This can make them as expensive as Blues with a starting price around $3,500.

Chocolate and Tan

If you want a slightly more unique chocolate French Bulldog then consider the chocolate and tan. This is a type of chocolate Frenchie that has also inherited the tan points gene. Their base coat is the same chocolate color, but they have tan over their face, chest and legs. If you have seen a Doberman with a dark brown coat then you know how this color looks. Depending on the breeder this color is often cheaper than regular chocolate because they are not as popular.

Cream

Cream French Bulldogs are the rarest of the nine official colors. They are actually one of the rarer colors to find because they inherit their coat from a recessive gene which is a dilute form of fawn. These cute puppies have an eggshell colored coat and are much lighter than a fawn who has more of a reddish hue. Sometimes they also have a black mask like Fawns. Hillary Duff’s dog Peaches is a great example of how a Cream Frenchie should look.

Cream and White

These dogs are just a variation of the cream Frenchie with white markings usually found on the chest, face and legs. In all other ways they are just the same and some may also have a black face mask too. Do not confuse cream and white French Bulldogs for a pure Cream. These dogs are not considered an official color and are very difficult to find.

Fawn

Fawn is one of the most common french bulldog colors and is one of the nine accepted colors. Their fawn can range from a light brown to a red fawn. Some fawn French Bulldogs can also have a black mask on their face. People sometimes confuse Fawn Frenchies with the Chocolate, but these puppies will have a reddish hue. Their reddish hue will be much lighter than the dark brown of a chocolate. Fawn puppies are very popular family pets. They are very easy to find from a reputable breeder and will not cost as much as other rarer colors.

Fawn and White

The fawn and white French Bulldog is just like the Fawn but with white patches. These white patches are accepted in the breed standard and can be found either on the face, chest or paws. A lot of Fawn Frenchies come with white markings so you will see this color just as much as the pure Fawn. They also cost just the same at between $2,000 and $3,000. Do not confuse these dogs with the white and fawn. White and Fawns have a white coat and are actually a type of pied.

Fawn Brindle and White

These puppies have a very unique brindle pattern with a fawn coat, black or brown stripes and white markings. These white markings are usually seen on the face and chest, while the black or brown stripes are on the body. Fawn Brindle and White is another color that is accepted by the breed standard and is very common. You might think this is a tri-colored dog, but these puppies fall under the brindle category. Fawn Brindle is considered a single pattern.

Isabella (Lilac)

The Isabella French Bulldog is another very rare coat color. Isabella Frenchies have a grayish-blue brown coat with a light brown nose. They can also inherit light-colored eyes like light yellow and blue. Just like the Blue Frenchie an Isabella needs to inherit two copies of the recessive gene. There are breeders who breed Isabellas but since this color is so rare you will have a hard time finding one. A lot of people want this color which is why they are also the most expensive. You could end up paying as much as $10,000 for one puppy…

Merle

The Merle French Bulldog is an incredibly cute puppy whose unique coat looks like a spotted cow’s. These spots can come in a whole range of colors such as blue, lilac, black and tan. Some of these merle Frenchies look like cookies and cream! These puppies are one of the rarest colors, but it is not because they are hard to breed. What really makes these puppies so difficult to find is the controversy surrounding them. Many health problems occur when you get what is called a “double merle.” Puppies that inherit two copies of the merle gene are predisposed to developing medical conditions such as blindness, deafness, color dilution alopecia and immune disorders.

Pied

Pied is not actually a color it is a pattern. Pied French Bulldogs have a white coat and colored patches over their head, neck and back. These patches are large and few, unlike the merle which has multiple small spots. To be accepted by the breed standard the predominant color must be white. There are many Pied Frenchies because the patches can be any one of over twenty colors. Two examples are a Brindle Pied which will have brindle patches and a Fawn Pied which will have fawn patches.

Sable

You might think that a sable French Bulldog is fawn at first, but take a closer look! These puppies have a fawn coat color with the typical reddish hue. But the tips of their fawn hairs are black. They are quite a popular variation of the standard fawn coat. Just like the Fawn, Sables can also have black masks or white markings on their chest. Sable is common in other small dogs like Pomeranians. There are also other types of Sable such as the Blue Sable which has blue tips instead of black.

Tan

Tan French Bulldogs are famous for their golden coat. They are often confused with Fawn, but Fawns have more red in their coat. These puppies are also not as light as the eggshell Cream. You will not find tan listed as a standard color, but it does fall under the acceptable limits for a fawn. In fact many end up being registered as fawn, even though they are tan.

White

The distinctive snow white French Bulldog is one that you will recognize instantly. Their coat is a brilliant pure white and if you are lucky, some pups have magnificent blue eyes. Puppies with a pure white coat are not as common as puppies with a white coat and markings, but they are an official color. Most often you will find a white Frenchie with at least some darker markings or patterns like brindle or fawn.

White and Brindle

The white and brindle is actually a type of pied French Bulldog. It has patches of brindle on either on the head, neck or back over a mostly solid white coat. The tiger-like brindle pattern really sticks out on a white coat making these pups very unique. A white and brindle puppy is a great alternative for someone who wants a white Frenchie, but does not want to risk the health problems. Reese Witherspoon has a cute white and brindle pup named Minnie Pearl!

White and Fawn

The white and fawn is a great alternative to a pure white Frenchie. These puppies are very similar except that they have fawn-colored patches on either on their head, neck or back. They add a little more color to the white French Bulldog without being as distinctive as the white and brindle. These patches are unique to each French Bulldog so you will love how your pup will have its own unique appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Rarest Color French Bulldog?

Blue Merles are the rarest type of French Bulldog. To get this puppy you need to breed one blue and one merle Frenchie together. These two color varieties are already pretty rare so getting a Blue Merle requires a specialized breeder.

There is a lot of controversy surrounding merle dogs because of the potential health issues they can inherit. If the puppy were to inherit two copies of the merle gene they could be born blind, deaf or both.

What Are The Standard Colors?

The standard colors of French Bulldogs are those accepted by the American Kennel Club. There are nine accepted colors which are:

• Brindle.
• Brindle and white.
• Cream.
• Fawn.
• Fawn and white.
• White.
• White and brindle.
• Fawn brindle and white.
• White and fawn.

The American Kennel Club also accepts black, white and brindle markings and the piebald pattern.

How Many Colors Are There?

It can be hard to keep track of all the colors because of the different patterns.

Each color variety has its own subtypes. For example merle puppies can be blue merle, lilac merle or black merle. Some can even be tri-colored and have tan points.

Currently there are at least 25 different colors, but not all of these are accepted as standard. There are nine accepted colors.

Colors like merle and isabella are not accepted, but are still possible coat colors. As different types of French Bulldogs are crossed more and more combinations are bred.

What Are The Most Popular French Bulldog Colors?

The most popular color for a French Bulldog is brindle. Brindle is really easy to breed because the pattern occurs naturally. Everyone loves this color for its unique appearance and how exotic it looks.

Other popular colors include Blue, Merle, Black and Fawn.

Summary

French Bulldogs are one of the best dogs in America because of how family-friendly they are. They are also cute, small, fluffy and best of all, they come in many different colors.

There are so many coat colors that anyone can have their own unique-looking Frenchie. They have one of the widest range of coat colors of all dog breeds.

Out of all the possible 25+ french bulldog colors only nine are accepted as standard. Brindle and Fawn are two of the most popular standard colors.

Colors that are not recognized like Black and Blue are still really popular and are great options for a family Frenchie. Keep in mind that some colors like Merle can be associated with health problems, even if they are very popular.

Which Frenchie color was your favorite? Let us know in the comments.