What are Merle French Bulldogs?
Merle French bulldogs are considered one of the rarest forms of French Bulldog there is to own. French Bulldogs are available in a variety of different colours. The Merle French Bulldogs are one of the most rare-coloured Frenchies due to their unique patterning. If you’re considering welcoming a Merle French Bulldog into your home as the newest member of your family, this guide will hopefully answer all your questions and queries about the breed before you purchase one. When you finish reading this article, you will not only fall even more in love with them more than you already are, you will be an expert in understanding them.
What makes the Merle French Bulldog so interesting?
The Merle French bulldog is very similar to a standard French Bulldog. However, some unique differences make them an even more interesting pet than they already are. Like a conventional French Bulldog, they have an extremely desirable personality as they are recognised for being so friendly, loyal and affectionate. However, what makes them different is their unconventional colouring, which can come in a variety of forms and patterns.
Normal French bulldogs have a solid colour coat rather than a solid base colour with irregular patches and spots that can be shown in many different colours. Merle French bulldogs are very desirable as they are such a rare breed to own. This rarity is mostly due to their unique coat colouring. Their unique patterning makes them stand out from any other dog. These dog’s coats can be covered with random patches, speckling and blotches. These distinctive patterning on their fur is what of the many reasons why the Merle French bulldog is so special.
You may be asking yourself why Merle French Bulldogs are born with such a unique fur. It comes from how these amazing dogs are bred. Conventional French bulldogs are bred with dogs that have the merle gene to create a merle French Bulldog. French bulldogs are known to be bred with chihuahuas to create this special breed as chihuahuas are a common breed of dog that has the merle gene.
Merle is a colouring pattern that is inherited through the dog’s genes. When a French Bulldog is bred with a chihuahua, this causes a dominant allele in the dog’s genetics. This allele creates a unique coloured patterning on the dog’s fur. The merle gene can also cause interesting variations in the dog’s eye colour as well as their fur. The merle gene modifies the dark-coloured eyes common in the French bulldog to a lighter blue.
Not only can this gene cause these stunning variations, but it can also cause heterochromia iridium in the dog’s eyes (which I promise is not as scary as it sounds). Heterochromia iridium is a unique condition that causes one of the dog’s irises to be a different colour from the other, which only makes your dog even more special!
What different colour variations can a Merle French Bulldog come in?
Lilac Merle– A lilac merle French Bulldog has a mixture of chocolate brown and blue colouring, which makes their coat lilac when mixed together. The blue colouring slowly becomes diluted, which creates a unique lilac-coloured fur. Due to its unbelievable, this variation of a Merle French Bulldog can be very hard to come by and could cost you an absolute fortune (£15,000). However, the pricing may be worth it for such a beautiful dog.
Black Merle- A black Merle French Bulldog is created when the dominated colouring in the gene is black and other more diluted colours also appear. These colours can range from black to fawn.
Blue Merle- A blue Merle French Bulldog is a variation that has the blue-gene. However, the base black colouring is extremely diluted, so that the black appears to have a blue tinge. This blue- gene may also mean that your Frenchie has lighter blue eyes than the conventional blue French Bulldog.
Where do I find a Merle French Bulldog?
Since Merle French Bulldogs are so rare and unique, it’s very hard to find a breeder-let alone a responsible one. You can identify a responsible breeder by checking whether or not they have done health checks of both dogs, and ensure that they are happy and healthy before they start the breeding process. It is also very important to know that they are breeding a dog which carries the merle gene (such as a chihuahua) with a purebred French bulldog. If the breeder is not using a purebred French bulldog to create a Merle French bulldog it is extremely unethical as it can cause deformities in the litter. Although it can take a lot of time and money to find a responsible breeder, you mustn’t give up as you want your dog to have the best possible start to life. It will require you to put in a lot of time to research for a reputable merle French Bulldog breeder so you must ensure you are committed to the process. Not only is it hard to find a respectful litter, when you do find one they must have a limited number of puppies available as people will wait around for their perfect puppy. Because of the Merle French Bulldog’s rarity and popularity, it is important to look into many different options before you decide which puppy you want to join your family.
To make the research process easier for you, I have provided a list of important questions to ask the breeder when you are looking for a Merle French Bulldog.
- How many litters are present? (A respectable breeder will not have several different litters at once as they need to focus on the socialisation of the puppies when they are first born)
- Is the mother dog present? (It’s a good sign if the mother dog is with her puppies as it means they are learning how to grow and behave properly from her. The mother’s personality and behaviour can give you a good idea about how your puppy will behave when it’s older. A dog should also not be separated from her mother before seven weeks as it can cause problems later in the puppy’s life)
- Is the litter located inside the house? (A puppy must grow up in a domestic setting inside a house as it will make it easier for the puppy to adapt to this environment in your family home. It can also help the puppy’s socialisation skills as they will be used to visitors and people walking around the house- which will be similar to lifestyle when they arrive at your home)
- Is it clean? (The puppy needs to be raised in a healthy environment, not only for hygienic means but it can also help with education)
- How do the puppies respond to visitors? (Take note of how the puppies respond to you, respectable breeders should have puppies that want to greet you and spend time with you. If they crawl away from you, this could reflect problems that the puppies could have when visitors come to your home later in their life)
- Does the process seem rushed? (A respectable breeder shouldn’t have so many people looking at the puppies at once, it can be very overwhelming for both you and the puppies themselves)
- Is there a clear purchase process? (you must be able to show proof that you own the puppy once you purchase them)
As many poor dogs are being abandoned by their owners at the moment, it is also important to consider recusing a Merle French Bulldog rather than adopting one from a breeder. Due to the dog’s rarest and popularity, it would be very hard to find one but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible if you put your mind to it. Dogs get left behind by their owners for many different reasons, so some amazing dogs do end up in shelters. Therefore, recusing a Merle French Bulldog is a very important option to consider.
What issues could Merle French Bulldogs have?
Since the Merle French Bulldog is not purebred, they are prone to many medical issues/deformities. As the Merle French Bulldog are crossbred, this means that health problems are almost inevitable no matter how well they are cared for. Due to their inevitability, it’s important to consider whether or not you will be able to cope with their health problems to provide your dog with a safe and happy environment to grow.
Some possible health problems to be aware of are:
- Intertrigo: Some skin becomes inflamed when the dog’s skin folds are constantly rubbed together
- Epilepsy: recurring seizures that can be managed
How much do Merle French Bulldogs cost?
As Merle French Bulldogs have extremely desirable personalities and are also quite rare, the high price tag isn’t so shocking. It costs a lot of time and money to respectably breed a Merle French Bulldog, so you need to need a close look at your finances before you consider welcoming one into your family. The standard French Bulldog (without the merle gene) normally costs around the £2,000 price point. Due to the complicated breeding process of a Merle French Bulldog, you would be looking more at the £4,000 grand price point. For example, as I mentioned before, the rarest form of a Merle French Bulldog which is the lilac-colored variation can cost quite a lot more – at around £15,000.
However, there are other costs to consider as well as the initial cost of purchasing. To give your puppy the healthy and happy lifestyle that they deserve, you need to consider the additional costs of maintaining their happiest including food, beds, toys, leashes, collars, balls, shampoo, pet insurance and vet visitations. Even though these additional costs will be slightly lower than it would be for a larger dog, it’s still important to understand how these would impact your finances.
What kind of personality do Merle French Bulldogs have?
One of the main reasons that the Merle French Bulldog is such a popular breed is their lovable personalities. Just like a young child, French Bulldogs can be stubborn but also playful and affectionate. One thing to note about the Merle French bulldog is their high levels of separation anxiety. However, you could view this as a lovable trait as they will always want to spend time with you. They can make a great addition to your family as they’re so easy to fall in love with.
These French Bulldogs will only ever be happy to see you as they are extremely attracted to their owners. Due to their laid-back personalities, they get on superbly well with children- they might even see themselves as one of your children! They will want nothing more than to snuggle on the sofa with you after a long day of work. Although they are very social dogs, they can also adapt incredibly well to their surroundings. They are very easy dogs to have if you have a busy lifestyle or like to go traveling as they will comfortably adjust to any new situation you put them in.
How should you look after your Merle French Bulldog?
Grooming
Merle French Bulldogs are not known to shed a lot so you don’t have to worry about hoovering up dog hair every day! Nevertheless, you might want to brush their hair every so often to help them keep clean and comfortable. Since Merle French Bulldogs don’t need a lot of daily exercises, they are less likely to become dirty from walking. Simply giving them a quick bath every few months should be enough to make sure they stay clean.
One important thing to remember about cleaning your Frenchie is their ear-shaped. Due to their bat-shaped ears, it can be easy for them to become infected if not cleaned properly. Just ensure that you give them a wipe to keep them clean on occasions.
Exercise
Don’t worry too much if you’re not the type who enjoys doing out on long walks every day, Merle French Bulldogs don’t require that much exercise. This makes them the perfect pet for people who aren’t that active in their day-to-day life. One short walk a day will be enough to keep your puppy happy and healthy. Due to their low levels of activity, it also makes them very compatible with small spaces. Therefore, if you’re longing for a furry friend but are worried that your apartment will be too small, Merle French Bulldogs are a great option.
Training
Like I explained above, Merle French Bulldog’s child-like personality makes them very lovable but can make them a bit difficult to train. When training, please make sure that you are patient with them when they start being stubborn. However, they ultimately just want to please you, so if you give them a treat their stubborn ways should start to disappear.
Food
Merle French Bulldogs love to eat and can eat most foods. However, due to their low levels of activity, you must keep an eye on how much they’re eating in case they start to gain weight. If you do notice that your furry friend is becoming a bit chunkier than usual, make sure to reduce their food or switch to a healthier dog-food brand. If you’re unsure of how to help your puppy, you can always consult a nearby vet to give you and your Frenchie peace of mind.
This guide gives you all the information you need to know about Merle French Bulldogs. Now it’s up to you to decide whether or not you would want to welcome one of these amazing dogs into your family.
