Prefurred

Lilac Merle French Bulldog – Everything You Need To Know


Lilac Merle French Bulldog is one of the rarest and most popularly sought-after colors. It requires two pairs of black genes on the A locus, a chocolate gene on the B locus, two copies of diluted genes on the D locus, and one merle gene copy for the Bulldog offspring to be a Lilac Merle French Bulldog. These dogs are not registered by the American Kennel Club but are classified as a fad. In addition, Lilac Merle is not a standard color in French Bulldogs. 

Lilac Merle French Bulldogs are great family pets who are gentle and loving. A drawback in breeding this color French Bulldog is he may have skin ailments owing to the presence of the blue gene. The Kennel Clubs also do not encourage breeding such colors.

Image Source: ilcascinone.com 

Lilac Merle French Bulldog Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Very friendly and loves to interact with peopleNeeds regular grooming
Low maintenance dogProne to health issues
Fun, loyal, and playfulChallenging to train due to their stubborn trait.

Lilac Merle French Bulldog Basic Informatio

  • Name: Lilac Merle French Bulldog
  • Height: 11 – 12 inches
  • Weight: 16 – 28 pounds
  • Coat: Short, smooth, and glossy
  • Color: Solid Black
  • Energy: Medium
  • Activities: Companion dogs
  • Group: Gene mutated
  • Barking Level: Medium
  • Shedding Level: Medium
  • Hypoallergenic: No
  • Litter Size: 2 – 4 puppies
  • Life Span: 11 – 14 years

French Bulldog Vs. Lilac Merle French Bulldog – A Comparison

FeaturesFrench Bulldog Lilac Merle French Bulldog 
   Image 
Image Source: dogtime.com


Image Source:thefrenchbulldog.com
Origin France France
Height 11 – 12 inches 11 – 12 inches
Weight 16 – 28 pounds 16 – 28 pounds
Size  Small to medium Small to medium
Group Companion dog Companion dog
Children Compatibility Medium to high Medium to high
Family Compatibility High High
Pets Compatibility Medium to high Medium to high
Barking Level Medium Medium
Shedding Level Medium Medium
Hypoallergenic No No
Grooming Needs Medium Medium
Overall Health Low to medium Low to medium
Energy Medium Medium
Exercise Needs Low to medium Low to medium
Trainability Medium Medium
 Activities Ratters, family dogs Ratters, family dogs
Complication in breeding No No
Litter Size2 – 4 puppies 2 – 4 puppies
Lifespan11 – 14 years 11 – 14 years
Other NamesBouledogue Francais, Frenchie  

Lilac Merle French Bulldog Personality

Lilac Merle French Bulldogs require two pairs of recessive genes: The first gene, the blue gene or the diluted gene, is located in the “D” locus. The second gene is the chocolate gene or the cocoa gene. A combination of the cocoa and blue genes gives this dog a Lilac hue. Finally, the merle gene acts on the pattern of a French Bulldog, resulting in some darker patches on the coat. The patches are visible on all body parts, small patches on the face, and larger patches on the body. 

Not all Lilac Merle Frenchies appear the same. However, the patches are typical, making them look distinctive. The merle gene requires one copy of a positive gene. Besides the features mentioned above, all other physical characteristics of the Lilac Merle French Bulldogs are the same as any other colored ones – they are 11 to 12 inches tall and weigh about 16 to 28 pounds. They have the characteristic large, square head with a brachycephalic face, big bulgy, light blue eyes, bat-like ears, short, brown nose, a compact, muscular body, short, smooth, glossy coat, a notable wrinkled and loose skin around their faces, short legs, and a short curly tail.

Friendliness Overview

Affection level Medium to high
Family-friendly High
Kid-friendly Medium to high
Pet-friendly Medium to high
Stranger -friendly Medium to high

Adaptability Overview

Good for apartment living High
Good to new owners High
Sensitivity level Medium
Tolerates being alone Low
Cold-tolerance Low to medium
Heat-tolerance Low

Lilac Merle French Bulldog Temperament

Like any French Bulldogs, the Lilac Merle French Bulldogs are adorable companions who long for humans. They get along with all ages. Frenchies are lap dogs, fun-loving, independent, laid back, possessive, and territorial, especially with other pets. They are lovely watchdogs who alert when some stranger approaches. However, they are not great barkers.

Lilac Merle French Bulldog Training

Given the Lilac Merle French Bulldog’s intelligence and people-pleasing nature, they are highly trainable dogs. However, their independent nature can lead to a stubborn attitude. Hence puppy training is a must. He is suitable for almost all training, including agility and obedience but challenging to housetrain. Early socialization is also essential for the Lilac Merle French Bulldogs. While training, keep the sessions short since they may suffer from difficulty in breathing owing to their brachycephalic face, size and stamina. Their training should also include crate training

Training for undesirable behaviors is also necessary as some may develop nipping or chewing instincts in their puppyhood. Thus, formal training is very vital, and their training should include the following:

Benebone Wishbone Durable Dog Chew Toy
Buy at Amazon


BKIPRITII Dog Chew Toys
Buy at Amazon


Trainability Overview

Easy to train Medium to high
Intelligence Medium
Mouthiness tendencies Medium
Barking and Howling tendencies Medium
Prey drive Low to medium
Wanderlust tendencies Low to medium

Lilac Merle French Bulldog Exercise Needs

Lilac Merle French Bulldogs are small dogs who would require minimum exercise. A maximum of 15 minutes of walking per day would keep them away from obesity. They are not highly energetic dogs suitable for exercising hard or playing outside for a longer duration under the sun. Thus they are compact for apartment living. It would be best to keep the Lilac Merle French Bulldogs in a cold atmosphere as they are prone to heat sensitivities. However, a Lilac Merle French Bulldog will need a daily walk to keep himself healthy and hearty.

Epi-Pet K-9 Care Sunscreen

Epi-Pet K-9 Care Sunscreen
Buy at Amazon


Exercise Needs Overview

Energy level Medium
Exercise needs Low to medium
Intensity Medium to high
Playfulness High

Lilac Merle French Bulldog Grooming

Lilac Merle French Bulldogs bear a short, smooth, silky coat that sheds moderately and thus is relatively easy to groom. These dogs would require occasional brushing. Their coats may not have matting issues. The Lilac Merle Frenchies would have wrinkles and loose skin, a common feature in all French Bulldogs. Thus, checking for any lesions, rough or flaky skin, or infections in the folds is vital. Ensure his wrinkles and folds are kept clean and dry as dirt and bacteria may accumulate in these areas and cause infection. It is enough to bathe him once or twice a month or as required with a mild bath shampoo meant for dogs. Remember that excessive bathing can remove the natural oils from your canine’s skin. 

Trim their nails, check and clean their eyes and ears, and maintain their dental hygiene as a part of regular grooming. Some online buy suggestions for your pet:



Grooming kit
Buy at Amazon


Dog Shampoo
Buy at Amazon


Arm & Hammer for Pets Tartar Control Kit for Dogs
Buy at Amazon


Wipes for folds and wrinkles
Buy at Amazon


Grooming Overview

Easy to groom High
Drooling tendency Low
Amount of shedding Medium

Lilac Merle French Bulldog Health

Lilac Merle French Bulldogs are relatively healthy breeds. However, like any other breeds, they are prone to health conditions stemming from their lineage. Thus, to keep them healthy, it is vital to take your dog to the veterinarian for regular health checkups and ensure that he is updated with vaccinations. The lifespan of Lilac Merle French Bulldogs is 11 – 14 years. Some inherited health problems are listed below:

Hip Dysplasia: A disorder that affects canines in their growing phase. It leads the hip joint to relax, resulting in discomfort and dysfunction. In addition, the cartilage and bones in the dog’s hip start to wear away as he develops. This leads to arthritis, muscular atrophy, and decreased mobility over time.

Brachycephalic Syndrome: A condition prevalent in canines with short muzzles. It will tighten the nostrils, and the airways will be blocked, varying from complications in breathing to a noisy or total obstacle to breathing. 

Allergies: Some mixed breeds can be allergic to various substances, ranging from food to pollen. If your dog licks his paws or rubs his face a great deal, get him checked by your veterinarian.

Deafness: The black genes affect the ear part responsible for hearing speech sounds. As a result, they cannot sense sound, which causes deafness in canines. Some of the other difficulties include: 

  • Brachycephalic Obstructive Syndrome (BOS)
  • Intertrigo
  • Perineal Hernia
  • Luxating Patella
  • Atopic Dermatitis (Atopy)
  • Epilepsy

Cleft Lip or Palate: A cleft palate is called countless names in canines. It is a birth abnormality known as oronasal genetic fistula, oronasal fistula, harelip, cleft lip, primary cleft, and secondary cleft—a cleft palate forms when the jaw and lips tissue does not come along entirely.

Skinfold Dermatitis: Bulldogs may have wrinkles or skinfolds prone to some skin infections like redness or soreness. Dogs may lick or scratch the affected areas due to irritation.  

Corneal Ulcers: Due to their bulgy eyes, their eyes are susceptible to eye issues and should be immediately taken to the vet for investigation.

Eye Defects   

  • Deformed Eyes (Small Microphthalmia): Animals suffering from this deformation develop smaller eyes as the nictitating membranes cover their eye socket or sockets. For this reason, they may be confined to an eye or both.    
  • Missing Eye or Eyes (Anophthalmia): This congenital disability occurs when one or both eyes are missing. At times, the eyes may have been formed but exist so deep inside the eye socket that the nictitating membrane covers them.    
  • Wandering Eye: This condition is characterized by eye degeneration which causes the lens to be liquefied.   
  • Cataracts: The condition causes cloudiness on the eye lens, which can lead to blindness.   
  • Starburst Pupil (Coloboma): This deformation may be associated with deafness and blindness. It is similar to an eye cleft. This condition may also lead to cataracts in dogs.    
  • Jagged Pupils: Dogs suffering from this defect are sensitive to light as their pupils have irregular edges.    
  • Blindness: Lack of eyesight in one or both the eyes   
  • Corectopia: This condition doesn’t affect the dogs severely but may get associated with other issues. In this condition, the pupils of the eye droop below their normal position.    
  • Cherry Eye: When the glands under your canine’s eyelid protrude, it appears like cherry and has to be removed surgically.  
  • Dry Eye: This painful condition dries the affected eye or creates a blue haze due to the insufficient production of tears. It can be treated with proper medication or teardrops.  

Occasional Diagnosis

  • Epilepsy
  • Hemivertebra
  • Spina Bifida
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Von Willebrand’s Disease
  • Retinal Dysplasia
  • Pannus

Health Overview

Overall health Low to medium
Weight gain tendencies Medium to high
Size Low

Lilac Merle French Bulldog Diet and Nutrition

Lilac Merle French Bulldogs would require around one to one and a half cups of high-quality dry dog food as their daily diet requirement, which can be divided into two times per day or as per your vet’s suggestions.

Lilac Merle French Bulldog Living Condition 

If you are adding a Lilac Merle French Bulldog, ensure that you provide him with the following living conditions:

  • A family that spends time with dogs.
  • Weather conditions that are neither too cold nor too hot.
  • Suitable for both new and experienced pet owners.
  • He can be suitable for both apartment living and houses with backyards.
  • Not ideal for a home that has large dogs bred together.
  • A devoted pet owner who spends on grooming and caring.

Adding a Lilac Merle French Bulldog to Your Family 

Things to Remember Before Adding a Lilac Merle French Bulldog

Adding Lilac Merle French Bulldogs to your family will need proper research about their parent breeds, cost, breeders, health, and certificates. Then, get your Lilac Merle French Bulldogs from a reputable breeder who will provide you with vaccination and gene testing certificates. Also, ensure the health of the puppy’s parent breeds.

Cost of a Lilac Merle French Bulldog Puppy

The cost of a Lilac Merle French Bulldog Puppy is $7000 – $15,000

Lilac Merle French Bulldog Videos

Different Kind of Merle Colors: French Bulldog and Frenchton Puppies

Lilac merle french bulldog

Lilac Merle French Bulldog

Lilac Merle French Bulldog Images

Image Source: designerfrenchbulldogs.com, Image Source: thefrenchbulldog.com, Image Source: thefrenchbulldog.com, Image Source: ilcascinone.com, Image Source: thefrenchbulldog.com, Image Source: thefrenchbulldog.com, Image Source: thefrenchbulldog.com, Image Source: pets-atoz.com, Image Source: designerfrenchbulldogs.com, Image Source: pinterest.com

Leave a Comment