Merle French Bulldogs: Everything You Need to Know

Merle French Bulldogs have been quite popular recently because of their distinct looks and frequently sky blue or unevenly colored eyes. If you are impressed by the beauty of Merle French Bulldogs and are thinking about getting one, you are not alone. Their color is appealing, and some of the ones I saw were extremely lovely.

Merle French is your sole option if you want a French bulldog whose eyes are permanently blue. Lilac Frenchies, Isabella, and blue Frenchies share the blue eye trait, but only in pups. The blue tint of the canines’ eyes changes as they grow and mature but in this breed, the eyes’ color remains blue till death.

Origin

The first Merle French Bulldog was produced some 150 years ago when an English Bulldog and a Rat Terrier were crossed. The only coat color available in this newly established breed was black brindle for the first several years.

Every coat color we see in the bulldog breed results from “mixing and matching” to create new color variations and patterns; merle is just the most recent, the “new,” and the current color of contention.

These dogs were highly trendy, and they were sought after by society women, Parisian prostitutes, and creatives like painters, authors, and fashion designers.

Physical Characteristics

Merle French bulldogs have a body covered in patches and spots of various colors and patterns. Let’s know more about the physical characteristics

1. How much do French Bulldogs Weigh?

A French Bulldog should weigh no more than 28 pounds according to standards.

Male

Weigh 20 to 28 pounds

Female

Weigh 17 to 24 pounds

2. What are different Merle Frenchies Bulldog Color Types?

Below are some of the most common Merle coat variants.

  1. Merle French
  2. Blue Merle French Bulldog
  3. Chocolate Merle
  4. Fluffy Merle

How are Merle French Bulldogs Bred?

Merle French Bulldogs are bred in a variety of ways. But before we talk about breeding, let’s understand how this trait is controlled genetically.

Physical characters are controlled by genes. Genes have alleles which, in simple words, are alternative forms of genes.

In the case of the trait under discussion, dogs have two alleles: M and m. The merle pattern results when a dog has one copy of the (M) allele.

Merle dogs have MM or Mm, which means they have one merle allele.

Non-merles have mm.

If you cross a merle (Mm) with a non-merle (mm), you will have a litter in which half of the pups have the (M) allele and are (Mm) merle, while the other half have the non-merle allele and are (mm).

Temperament of Merle Frenchies

French Bulldogs are friendly canines that are human/people-focused, making them simpler to teach, despite their tendency to be obstinate.

Merle French dogs demand frequent human interaction. They may develop separation anxiety if left alone for longer than a few hours.

French Bulldogs are frequently kept as pets. The breed is gentle and friendly with its owners, and it gets along well with other species.

Training of French Bulldogs

Training begins as soon as the owner brings the puppy home. Bulldogs are simple creatures due to their ceremonial nature.

  • Begin potty training your French puppy as soon as you bring him home. Make a designated toilet space for the dog and cling to it. To avoid future issues, you should train the dog to start practicing toilet habits as soon as possible.
  • French Bulldogs are incredibly emotional and might get unhappy when they are reprimanded. Maintain a pleasant attitude to develop a reliable and happy connection.
  • You prefer your Marle to be capable of playing and interacting with other dogs without fear of aggressiveness or other concerns that may arise later in life if they are not properly socialized. So notice every activity. You can also follow effective tips to train their furry friend

How to Groom Merle Frenchies?

Grooming merle Frenchies is not much different from grooming other dogs having similar sizes. The grooming of French bulldogs includes a few basic things, which are as follows:

  • Nail-smoothing for the dog
  • Taking care of the dog’s ears
  • Brushing and drying
  • Cleaning the Nose seam
  • Clean the front seam

Nutritional Requirements of French Bulldogs

Nutritional needs depend on the age and health condition of the dog. Older dogs require at least 17% protein and 6% fat in their food. Although these requirements are more remarkable for growing pups, protein remains the most vital food, followed by healthy fats and critical vitamins and minerals.

Protein provides the building blocks that Frenchies require for healthy muscular and lean mass. Your French Bulldog’s diet should include higher nutritional protein from chicken, meat, and fish. Fat is a potent means of energy in the form of calories and omega fatty acids, which help support the skin and coat. It should also originate from animal sources to make digestion simpler.

Merle French Bulldogs

As a small dog breed, your French Bulldog has a naturally rapid metabolism. As a result, they require more calories per unit of weight than large breeds. Frenchies are a low-energy breed that is prone to obesity. Experts recommend giving your Frenchie approximately 25 and 35 kcal per unit of body weight every day.

How much Exercise do French Bulldogs need?

The French Bulldog requires minimal exercise. They need frequent walks to maintain a healthy weight. Every day, take a brief, relaxing stroll. A brisk walk around the block for ten to fifteen minutes should suffice.

Keep an eye on and limit your dog’s exercise, especially in hot weather. French bulldogs don’t tolerate heat well and must be closely supervised on hot days to avoid overexertion. This might lead to overheating or hard breathing. Hot and humid conditions are an issue for many dogs, but they may be fatal for French Bulldogs. They must also be shielded from excessive temperatures and have a supply of shade and water. Perform your outside walks and vigorous play in the chilly mornings and nights.

How Much are Merle French Bulldogs?

Merle French Bulldogs’ price ranges between 6000 to 8000$. Some breeders may sell their puppies for as much as 20,000$.

They are more expensive than regular French bulldogs because they are difficult to produce and their production requires a sound knowledge of dog breeding.

Common Health Problems in Merle French Bulldogs

French Bulldogs are disproportionately afflicted by health issues due to selective breeding.

Some of the significant Heath issues are discussed in detail here:

1. Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction

Brachycephaly, having a small skull, is exacerbated through selective breeding, resulting in the appearance of brachycephalic airway obstructive. As a result, many French Bulldogs pant and put out their tongues even when doing simple tasks like walking. They suffer from various adverse effects due to the brachycephalic condition, such as trouble breathing. This is due to their short nose apertures, lengthy soft palates, and relatively thin tracheas. If not treated properly, this condition can result in death in French Bulldogs.

2. Problems with Temperature Regulation

The French Bulldog has just one short coat, which, along with their limited respiratory mechanism, makes it hard for them to maintain their body temperature sufficiently. This indicates that the dog is susceptible to cold and heat conditions.   French Bulldogs are also vulnerable to sensitivities, leading to skin dermatitis.

French Bulldogs are prohibited by some commercial airlines owing to the number of deaths in the air. This is because dogs with snub noses have difficulty breathing when heated and anxious. When an airplane is waiting on the runway, the temperature in the cargo compartment might reach 30 °C (86 °F).

3. Reproduction and Birth Issues

To give birth, French Bulldogs may require artificial insemination and, more commonly, Caesarean section, with over 80% of litters carried this way.

Why I shouldn’t get a Merle French Bulldog as a Pet?

Farting

This is the most severe disadvantage of having a French Bulldog. Nothing is more annoying than having your Frenchie fart in your face when relaxing on the couch. They have some of the nastiest farts I’ve ever heard, to make matters worse.

Susceptible to Attachment Issues or Fear of abandonment

The separation anxiety in dogs manifests itself as intense anguish when you go out. It might range from minor barking and crying to the catastrophic destruction of everything in the house while eliciting a noise complaint from the neighborhood.

Some Bulldogs with anxiety issues will go to ANY length to locate you, even if it means getting wounded.

Stubborn Nature

The free-spirited, uncompromising attitude of Marle bulldog is a critical aspect of their personality. It might be annoying when your French Bulldog doesn’t care what you think.

High Shedding

My Marle French bulldogs shed a lot, especially considering they have a short coat!

FAQs

How Tall are Merle Bulldog Frenchies?

These are approximately 11 to 13 inches tall.

How Long do Merle Frenchies Live?

A merle Frenchie’s lifetime varies greatly. Healthy French bulldog merle may live for 11 to 13 years; however, weak ones get sick easily and they have an average lifespan of six to nine years.

Looking for a Merle French Bulldog for sale?

If you are impressed by the beauty of merle Frenchies and want to get one, let me give you some pieces of advice. Always get your Frenchie bulldog from a reputable, trustworthy breeder.

Health issues are common among French bulldogs and the only way to prevent these is by following proper breeding protocols.

You may come across some cheaper types of merle Frenchies but beware, these breeders can be scammers.

If you have brought a puppy and are now looking for some cool male dog names or female dog names, we can help you with that.

We hope you have learned a lot of useful information about merle French bulldogs that will help you become a better pet parent. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to share through comments or mail.

Thanks for reading.