Merle French Bulldogs come in many colors.
What exactly is Merle? Well, it is not a color. It is a pattern that is inherited through an incompletely dominant allele. It is found in many breeds. The gene creates mottled patches of colors on the dogs. In addition to altering base coat color, merle also modifies eye color and the coloring of the nose and paw pads. The merle gene modifies the dark pigment in the eyes, occasionally changing dark eyes to blue, or only part of the eye to blue. Since Merle causes random modifications, both dark-eyed, blue-eyed, and odd-colored eyes are possible. Color on paw pads and nose may be mottled pink and black.
French bulldogs can be color DNA tested for the allele. It is important to DNA test any french bulldog from a Merle parent to see if they carry the gene. There are three genotypes the dog can carry.
MM double merle
Mm carries one copy of the merle gene
mm negative for the merle gene
The reported health issues in Merle french bulldogs occur may occur if the dog is MM.
This could occur when you breed a merle carrier to a merle carrier. It could also occur if you breed a double Merle. However, no responsible breeder would go there.
Testing is relevant at this time in these breeds : American Cocker Spaniel , Australian Shepherd , Border collie , Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Chihuahua , Dachshund , Old English Sheepdog (Bobtail), English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Great Dane, Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie), Rough Collie, Smooth Collie, Pomeranian, Pyrenean Shepherd, Bobtail, American Staffordshire Terrier, Hungarian Mudi, Catahoula Leopard Dog, Norwegian Dunker, Beauceron, Bergamasco.
Merle frenchies have beautiful patterns, and may have dark eyes, deep blue or light blue eyes, or even lovely green eyes. ‘
Our Merle french bulldog puppies all come with AKC registration.
Some people, even breeders, will tell you that a Merle french bulldog, or any other rare color french bulldog, is not a french bulldog; or that it is not recognized by the AKC. This is not true. The AKC does limit participation in conformation events to the standard colors. Any other AKC events are open to all colors of french bulldogs. Why this restriction still applies is most likely political. In fact, the most popular colors with buyers are the blues, and the merles. Contrary to what some articles will say, the price of rare color french bulldogs is not driven by breeders, but by the public, and what they will pay. It is fact the common color french bulldogs that are the most difficult to sell.
The AKC will register your rare color french bulldog as long as it comes from two AKC registered parents. For doubters of pups from foreign parents registered with AKC, rest assured that all foreign dogs registered with the AKC must have their DNA on file with the AKC before any litters can be registered to them.
Here are the color codes used to register your french bulldog puppy.
