Blue Merle French Bulldogs are grasping the attention of many pet owners because of their captivating beauty. They are specifically bred to gain a pattern of hair patches and pigment on different parts of their body (e.g., nose, eyes, paws, etc.).
This specific pattern is obtained by modifying a “Merle gene”. These genes remove pigment in the parts of the body mentioned above. If the same pigment removal occurs in the iris, it is known as the Blue Merle French Bulldog.
They were first produced in the early 2000s and they have been one of the most sought-after breeds since.
Do Merle French Bulldogs have permanent blue eyes?
Blue eyes of dogs have always been in trend and always attract pet owners. Many Frenchie bulldogs possess blue eyes when they are young, but as they grow older, the color of their eyes changes.
If someone wants his/her bulldog to have permanent blue eyes, this breed is the best option. It is the only French bulldog gene that can have permanent blue eyes.
Merle gene, along with the AXL4 gene, is responsible for blue eyes. If a French bulldog does not have the AXL4 gene, it will probably have brown eyes.
Are Merle French Bulldogs purebred?
No, Merle French bulldogs are not purebred. They were most probably produced by a cross with Merle Chihuahuas. They cannot be purebred because the Merle pattern is not present in purebred French Bulldogs.
French Bulldog breeders requested American Kennel Club (AKC) to regulate the rule that blue Merle Frenchies are not purebred, and upon their request, it was declared on Jan 01, 2013, that AKC would not register this breed.
How is the specific coat pattern achieved in Blue Merle French Bulldogs?
A dominant “M” allele and a recessive “m” allele combine to make “Mm” this makes specific coat pigment patterns seen on blue Merle French bulldogs.
What will happen if you breed two Blue Merle French Bulldogs?
The inbreeding of two Frenchies (Mm X Mm) produces puppies with a 25% chance of having genetic anomalies known as double Merle. The affected dog will get two Merle genes resulting in the “mm” gene.
This often leads to abnormalities of the eyes and ears and other genetic abnormalities. In addition, it also affects coat color. The coat becomes white with no patterns, and the dog has small eyes, white fur, a pink nose, light-colored paws, and the color of the eyes is brown or light blue.
A merle French is only mated with a solid coat-colored merle.
Why Blue Merle Frenchies are rare?
Blue merle french bulldogs are rare due to two major reasons. They are trendy and unique because of their coat patterns and attractive colors. Moreover, excellent breeding knowledge is required to produce this breed.
How much do Merle French Bulldogs cost?
They are rare and one of the most expensive French bulldog breeds in the world right now. The price of this breed ranges from $15,000-$50,000.
Physical Characteristics
How much do Blue Merle French Bulldogs weigh?
The weight of this breed varies from 17 to 28 pounds. And the weight should not be more than 28 pounds
Female: 17-20 lbs.
Male: 20-28 lbs.
How long do Blue Merle French Bulldogs live?
Everyone wants his pet to live forever, but nature has its boundaries. If they are taken good care of and face no serious health issues, blue merle frenchies can live from 10 to 12 years.
How tall are Blue Merle French Bulldogs?
They are one of the toy breeds, and their height varies from 11 to 13 inches.
Unique appearance
They have diluted and lightly pigmented uneven eyes. Their permanent blue eyes make them alluring and charming. The beautiful uniformly erratic patterns of the coat and blue spots on their body fascinate everyone. It is more of a pattern scheme.
Interesting facts about Blue Merle French Bulldogs
- They are excellent companions because of their loving and affectionate nature.
- They do not have a high temperament, and they are good with children and other pets.
- Well, they are slightly careless when it comes to grooming, but all dogs are. Right?
- Dog training is an essential part of keeping a dog. It is easy to train this breed because they are usually not stubborn like other dog breeds.
- They require regular exercise of at least 30 mins per day. There are many other methods of exercise besides taking your dog on a walk.
- They are very rare and expensive too.
- They love to be with someone, and they can have anxiety when left alone.
Grooming of Blue Merle French Bulldogs
- Cut their nails once in three to four weeks. Keep the nail cutter at an angle of 45 degrees and try not to cut too deep.
- File the nails afterward to avoid sharp edges.
- Clean their ears once a week with cotton balls but do not try to clean them by going much more profound.
- Give them a bath twice a month with dog shampoo to keep their coat healthy and prevent skin infections.
- They do not shed much and giving them a proper hair brushing once a day is enough to keep them tidy.
Nutrition
The nutritional requirements of a dog vary among breeds and with age. The nutritional requirements of a puppy are totally different from that of full grown dog. A puppy needs a more proteinaceous diet with complete minerals because its body is in a growth phase.
For youngs, a complete and balanced nutritional diet is recommended to keep the weight balanced.
Common Health Problems in Blue Merle Frenchies
Some people think that health issues are more common in this breed because they have chances of genetic abnormalities. But there are no specific diseases associated with this breed.
Although the dog breeder must be careful when breeding blue Merle French bulldogs.
All French bulldogs are more prone to Inter Vertebral Disc disease (IVDD). This condition ranges from mild pain to partial or complete paralysis in dogs.
Other common health conditions are Hip Dysplasia, Heart problems, and Patellar luxation.
Looking for a Blue Merle French Bulldog for Sale?
If you want to buy a blue merle Frenchie, you should get it from a trusted breeder who follows all the breeding protocols.
If you come across a cheap option, make sure it isn’t a scam.
Conclusion
Blue Merle French Bulldogs are adorable, loving, and own enchanting beauty. They are popular because of their eye color which attracts the attention of all dog lovers. They make good companions and are easy to adjust in a family with children and pets.
If you are planning on getting a blue merle french bulldog or a lilac french bulldog, you must know that these dogs are quite delicate regarding their health and require much attention and care.
If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to share through comments or mail.
Thank you for reading!