Merle French Bulldogs - Everything You Need to Know

The Merle French Bulldogs are one of the most popular varieties of French Bulldogs. The characteristic features that differentiate these dogs from French Bulldogs’ pure breed include their unique coat pattern and saliant blue eyes. These features occur due to the presence of a gene called merle. In a merle French bulldog, these genes lighten the base coat and create dark patches. Although these dogs can have several different markings on their coat, they include dark brown or black. The dominant color is usually white, cream, or fawn, all mixed with dark colors.

Additionally, this gene may cause random pigment dilution, which lightens their eye color. For this reason, they are rare to find and are the most preferred dog breeds. Physically, they resemble French Bulldogs with their stout bodies and bat-shaped ears. In addition, they have a cordial and faithful nature which makes them a popular choice of pet.

Merle French Bulldog Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Family Dog	Complications in breeding
Suitable for apartment living	Prone to health issues

Table of Contents

Merle French Bulldog Basic Information

Name: Merle French Bulldog
Height: 11 to 12 inches
Weight: 16 and 25 lbs.
Coat: Base color with patches of irregular or regular stripes and spots that can be in several different colors
Color: white, grey and black; white and beige; dark brown, beige and white; mixes of grey and beige together.
Energy: Low
Hypoallergenic: No
Activities: Watch Dogs, Companions
Group: Companion Dogs
Barking Level: Low
Shedding Level: Medium
Litter Size: 2 to 4 puppies
Life Span: 10 to 15 years

They come in various colors, but some of the rarest types of Merle French bulldogs include:

Types of Merle French bulldogs:

LILAC MERLES

Lilac merles are the most uncommon canines that cannot be spotted easily. Its unique coat color is a result of a combination of blue, red, and chocolate. However, the dominance of blue is diluted; hence the coat appears lilac in color. Additionally, they have blue-colored eyes, which last for their lifetime and indicates underlying health conditions.

BLACK MERLES

Black merles are predominantly seen in the merle pool. Due to the presence of a dominant black gene, these merles often have blue or brown eyes. Occasionally, they may develop a combination of both the colors or one brown and one blue eye.

BLUE MERLE

Blue merles have a distinct blue and white coloring. These Merles are black, but their colors have been diluted, resulting in a blue hue. They also have light blue eyes that they carry throughout their lifetime.

French Bulldog Vs. Merle French Bulldog – A Comparison

Merle French Bulldog Personality

The Merle French Bulldog resembles a standard pure breed French Bulldog with its trademark miniature size and bat ears. A large square head characterizes them with a short nose above which heavily wrinkled skin can be found. They have a compact and muscular body. The Merle French Bulldog’s striking difference is seen in their coat. Their coat features a base color with patches of irregular or regular stripes and spots of different colors. The presence of these peculiar patterns makes them the most sought-after breed. Another distinctive feature is vibrant blue eyes, caused due to the gene ALX4 or merle. Alternatively, a French bulldog without ALX4 gene will probably have brown eyes. The blue color of the eyes may also arise when these dogs have low melanin levels or low amounts of amino acids. They are highly adaptable dogs and don’t need much exercise, making them suitable for apartment life. They get along well with other pets, kids, and people, which makes them companionable.

Friendliness Overview

Affection Level	Medium to High
Family-Friendly	High
Kid-Friendly	Medium to High
Pet-Friendly	Medium to High
Strangers-Friendly	Medium to High

Adaptability Overview

Good for New Pet Owners	High
Good for Apartment Living	High
Sensitivity Level	Medium
Tolerates being alone	Low
Cold Tolerance	Low to Medium
Heat Tolerance	Low

Merle French Bulldog Temperament

The Merle French Bulldogs are affectionate, playful, charming, and alert. These intelligent canines make excellent watchdogs. Additionally, these dogs are passionate about people; hence, they demand attention and love from them. Due to their charming nature, they can be trained easily. They bark less and are fun to be around, which makes them adorable. However, a lack of proper training may make them headstrong, aggressive, and bark often.

Merle French Bulldog Training

The Merle French Bulldogs are easily trainable, provided you take advantage of their compliant, humorous and intelligent nature. They have short attention spans but can learn quickly. They respond well to positive reinforcements and rewards. Since they are prone to obesity, it is essential to strike a proper balance between their daily diet and treats. They are not aggressive dogs; hence, obedience or agility training is unsuitable for them. Additionally, they are known for their stubbornness which calls for a firm and consistent approach.

Trainability Overview

Easy to Train	Medium to High
Intelligence	Medium
Prey Drive	Low to Medium
Tendency to Chew, Nip & Play-bite	Medium
Tendency to Bark or Howl	Medium
Wanderlust Ability	Low to Medium

Merle French Bulldog Exercise Needs

Merle French Bulldogs are not energetic dogs; hence, they don’t require much exercise. However, a minimum activity of 30 minutes to 1 hour is necessary to keep them away from obesity. Additionally, exercise allows them to improve their stamina and promotes coordination. Simple exercises like walking once or twice a day is adequate for them. However, you must avoid putting them through strenuous activities as they can quickly develop breathlessness due to their short snouts. Furthermore, these canines require supervision while around water as they are prone to drowning due to their short legs.

Exercise Needs Overview

Energy Level	Medium
Exercise Needs	Low to Medium
Playfulness	High
Intensity	Medium to High

Merle French Bulldog Grooming:

Merle French Bulldogs don’t shed much. Hence, they need only less maintenance. A regular hair brushing once or twice a week helps in keeping them clean and minimizes shedding. Additionally, bathing them every 2 to 4 weeks is sufficient. It is essential to clean the wrinkles above their nose to prevent skin infections. Peroxide and moisturizers are good choices. Additionally, their teeth have to be brushed every day or two as they are prone to dental issues like inflamed gums, tartar buildup, and bad breath. Apart from these, their ears have to be cleaned, and their nails are to be trimmed.

Grooming Overview

Amount of Shedding	Medium
Tendency to Drool	Low
Tendency to Snore	Low
Easy to Groom	High

Merle French Bulldog Health:

Merle is the gene responsible for the particular coat in Merle French Bulldogs. Unfortunately, the presence of this gene also leads to significant health defects related to the ears and eyes. Additionally, these dogs develop a bunch of complications as they are crossbreeds. When a merle is crossed with another merle, the offspring carries two merle genes. These animals are called Double merles. The double merle breeds have a greater chance of developing deformations, so they suffer from serious health issues. Therefore, it is always best to buy a puppy that carries a single merle gene. Some of the possible complications include:

Health Overview

Basic Health	Low to Medium
Weight Gain Possibilities	Medium to High
Size	Low to Medium

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 very 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
Orectipia: 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 tear drops.
Entropion: Entropion is when the eyelids are positioned inwards, disturbing the eye and causing eye irritation. Treatment involves correcting the eyelids surgically.

Deafness:

The merle genes affect the part of the ear responsible for hearing the speech sounds. As a result, they are unable to perceive sound that causes deafness in dogs. It is the most common among double merle Frenchies.

Some of the other complications include:

Intertrigo: When the skin folds of these dogs rub together, they result in skin inflammation or bacterial overgrowth.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Syndrome (BOS): This syndrome occurs due to the skull’s small size, which leads to breathing difficulty.
Perineal Hernia: The displacement of the pelvic, abdominal organs leads to this condition.
Luxating Patella: A dislocated patella (kneecap)
Atopic Dermatitis (Atopy): This condition occurs when your canine is exposed to a substance present in the environment, leading to an allergic reaction.
Epilepsy: Reoccurring seizures

Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is hereditary. It occurs when the hip joints don’t fit into the socket of the hip bones properly. This condition causes defect or injury to the hip bones, joints and worsens without treatment.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs include:

Reduced activity and movements
Reluctance to rise, jump, run or climb
Lameness in the hind limbs
Reducing thigh muscle mass
Swaying, “bunny hopping” gait
Grating in the joint during movement
Enlarging shoulders
Pain
Stiffness

Juvenile Renal Dysplasia: A genetically inherited disorder in which the kidneys dysfunction. Although there are no tests to determine this condition, it can be identified with the below symptoms:

Symptoms of Juvenile Renal Dysplasia:

vomiting
excessive thirst
frequent urination
weight loss
lethargy

Merle French Bulldog Diet and Nutrition:

As Merle French Bulldogs are prone to diseases, feed them a healthy and balanced diet. For this reason, you may prefer a diet consisting of organically sourced ingredients. Additionally, their diet can be supplemented with multivitamins that fuel their immunity and coat health. You can also opt for supplements like chondroitin, glucosamine, and MSM to help deal with arthritis and spinal problems.

Merle French Bulldog Living Condition

The Merle French Bulldogs have short coats, so they need protection against cold weather conditions. For this reason, you may have to keep them covered with jackets or sweaters while taking walks during the colder months. Similarly, their smaller snouts make it difficult for them to adjust to hot weather. Additionally, these dogs are prone to separation anxiety; hence they shouldn’t be left alone for long.

Things to Remember Before Breeding

It is vital to consider the health issues that may occur due to the cross between the breeds. Additionally, no two Merle dogs should mate, resulting in double merle offspring, which are quite unhealthy. As these dogs have narrow hips, the probability of a complicated delivery is high. Therefore, these dogs generally deliver their puppies through C-section. This situation calls for the availability of high-quality food and clean drinking water. So, check their parent’s lineage and health records from a responsible breeder to avoid ending up with a weak pet.

Cost of a Merle French Bulldog Puppy

On average, a Merle French Bulldog mix puppy may cost around $6,000 to $8,000. The rarest Lilac Merle has been spotted at close to $30,000. This entirely depends on the sex of the puppy you chose, the breeder’s location, the show record of the parent dogs.

Check for the puppy’s parents’ health clearances before buying. Also, it is suggested to visit the breeder’s place to view the puppy’s parents’ lively and estimate how your dog may look in the future.