Blue French Bulldog – All You Need to Know
There are certain dog breeds that are very popular, and when you look into popular dog breeds, you will find Golden retrievers, Labradors and Pomeranians dominating the list, which is fine because everyone happens to have their own preferences when it comes to their preferred dog breed. However, what a lot of people do not know is that Blue French Bulldogs happens to be ranked as the 4th most popular dog breed as well.
Blue French bulldogs, also commonly referred to as Blue Frenchies are a rare breed of French Bulldogs that have a bluish-greyish coat colour and have pointy ears usually referred to as "bat-like". A blue french bulldog is generally smaller than the average bulldog and is a lot friendlier too. Blue french bulldog also don't need a lot of exercise because of their shortened nostrils which cause them to overheat and get tired quicker, which makes them a lot more popular with lazier owners and especially, because of their size, with people living in apartments. Blue french bulldog also are a lot more expensive because of their rarity, with Blue French Bulldog puppies being sold for about USD $3500.
What Makes Them Popular
Well, apart from their unique coat and overall appearance, Blue French bulldogs are also great because they are not a typically active dog breed. These dogs would prefer being lazy and being cuddled as opposed to going out and being active like other dog breeds. This makes them popular amongst people who love dogs, but cannot keep up with high-energy dogs. So, if you want a dog that loves lounging on the couch just as much as you do on the weekends, then blue French bulldogs are the dogs for you.
They also have a great temperament, so they are friendly and goofy dogs. They usually get along well with babies and other pets as well, making them a great family dog. Plus, once they do get a random burst of energy, they are very cute to watch running around. These are dogs that can get really silly, and are not afraid of looking goofy. So, if you would want a dog that will keep you amused and happy, then a blue French bulldog is the perfect dog for you. Plus, no one can really resist their cute faces.
Origin of The Breed
Contrary to their name, blue french bulldog breed come from northern England where the ancestors of French Bulldogs were taken to France by their owners during the industrial revolution where they were crossbred with many different dogs. These small dogs came to America near the end of the 19th century around 1897 when the oldest known club was made in honor of this breed called the French Bulldog Club of America.
Apart from French Bulldog breed being generally very popular as they are the American kennel club's most popular breed (linked here), their blue counterpart has partly been popularized by celebrities, such as Actress Reese Witherspoon and singer Madonna to name a few, who own Blue Frenchies themselves.
The Origin of The Rare Color
Blue Frenchies get their color from a gene called the Dilution Gene which is a recessive gene that lightens the color of a dog's coat to the sort of blue color associated with them. While the color of their coat may vary from being silver to being dark enough to be considered black, a surefire way is to check the color of the dog's nose.
The blue color is considered a "Fad" or Disqualified color as to discourage breeders from breeding based on color and not the health of the animal. This is why you must make sure you're buying from a reputable blue french bulldog breeder.
Types of Blue French Bulldogs
- Solid Blue French Bulldogs have a full blue coat without any other color or marking
- Blue Pied French Bulldogs have some white fur usually around their bellies or eyes and paws
- Blue Brindle French Bulldogs have white fur with some patches of blue hair
- Blue Merle French Bulldogs have very colorful fur, where there are patches of different shades of blue and white all around
Health Issues With a Blue French Bulldog
Even Though a Blue French Bulldog lives up to around 12 years, like any other dog, they do have some underlying health problems that any new owner should be aware of:
- Their Short noses and flat faces mean that they can have respiratory issues
- They are at risk of skin issues like color dilution alopecia which can cause permanent hair loss
- They are susceptible to spine malformations and are sometimes born with abnormally shaped spines
- Their single coat of thin fur makes them vulnerable to diseases and colds. Clothes are more than a fashion statement for this breed.
- They are also likely to have food and skin allergies.
- They have shorter legs and have trouble keeping afloat in water, meaning you'll have to have a life vest on him whenever visiting a pool or a beach
Caring For a Blue French Bulldog
The two most important things when it comes to caring for a Blue Frenchie is providing a balanced diet as well as cleaning and grooming.
When it comes to their diet, they are likely to have food allergies, usually showing allergies when given artificial ingredients like corn, soy or eggs. The BARF diet or the Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods for dogs diet is popular among Blue Frenchie owners as it is not only a cheaper but healthier option. A BARF diet typically consists of cooked vegetables, raw meat and rice where the raw meat can be something like chicken, beef, fish, duck, venison etc. Fish is usually given the preference though, as it is rich in Omega 3 Fatty acids improve skin health. They should also be given bones to chew on, usually softer bones to prevent them from choking.
When it comes to cleaning and grooming, a blue french bulldog doesn't shed a lot, meaning you won't have to brush their fur more than once a week. They do however need tear stain removers for their tear stains which are usually caused by allergies and can cause a lot of itching. Their sensitive skin might make buying shampoo a problem, so do consult your vet before buying one. When it comes to trimming their nails, they might put up a fuss, but you can easily combat this by feeding them their favorite snacks or treats right before you trim their nails to calm them down.
Since a blue french bulldog is also prone to overheating, it's recommended to keep them in air-conditioned rooms and only take them for walks late in the evening or early in the morning. A self-cooling mat is also a lot of help as it brings down your dog's body temperature very quickly.
Training Your Blue Frenchie
The best way to train a Blue Frenchie is the same as many other dogs, which is positive reinforcement. Any dominance-based technique will make them fearful rather than happy and well mannered. This means you reward good behavior with attention and food and ignore bad ones until your dog realizes that some kinds of behavior will get them attention or food.
If you do not have the time to train your french bulldog yourself or are struggling with getting some of the basics right, you can choose to have a dog trainer come in and get your blue french bulldog going, plus they can also explain things to you, so this way you will have an expert eye over you making sure that you are doing the job right. Signing up your french bulldog for training classes is also a great way to train your french bulldog as they will meet many other people and dogs, which will help them socialize. If you want to get your french bulldog used to other dogs, then you can get them started on these training classes, and then slowly start taking your french bulldog to dog parks, provided that your french bulldog actually likes doing that.
To sum it all up, your Blue French Bulldog will be a lot more expensive than the average dog breed, but if you provide them with the right diet, take them out for walks, and keep in contact with your vet about their allergies and such, you've got a friendly and faithful companion by your side.
Getting a Blue French Bulldog
A lot of people have the great idea of getting a french bulldog either for themselves or for someone else without really giving it much of a thought, and that is usually where problems start. Our pets are living, breathing beings with feelings too, and we already know that mammals are known to form bonds, so when you get a french bulldog, you are their whole world. They will love you and will depend on you to take care of them, and when you fail to do that or just end up giving them away after a while, they will feel lost, confused, and they will hurt too. So, before you consider getting a french bulldog, you need to ask yourself whether you have the emotional and financial resources to take care of them for possibly 10 years. If you cannot answer that question, then you might not be ready yet.
Adopting as Opposed to Shopping
Another important thing that you need to realize is that it is much better to adopt your dog from a shelter instead of buying it from a breeder. Most of the dogs in shelters are abandoned, and a lot of them can end up getting put down. These dogs deserve just as much love as any other, so if you do need a pet, go to a shelter and adopt one instead of actually shopping for one.
