To say that Frenchies are cute is an understatement because these dogs are absolute sweethearts inside out. No wonder, the French Bulldog is the second most popular dog breed in the USA next to Labrador Retriever in 2022.
Just like most dog breeds, they also come in several coat colors and patterns. And yes, you can also get yourself an adorable, and rare White French Bulldog.
But wait, before you get so excited about adopting or buying this rare gem of a dog, there are still several things that you need to learn and consider not just about this breed, but more so about this particular color.
While white is undeniably an aesthetic color that is trending these days, as a pet lover, the color should not take precedence over the dog’s health and quality of life.
Just like with some white-colored dogs, White French Bulldogs are often plagued with health issues as a result of the breeding process, especially if it was done by an inexperienced or profit-oriented breeder.
There is definitely more to a White French Bulldog’s color than meets the eye. We will go over how white coloring affects White French Bulldog genetics, health, personality and temperament, and grooming requirements.
Energy Level: Low energy and exercise requirements
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
French Bulldog History and Origin
The French Bulldog was created in England as a miniature version of the Bulldog. The breed was popular among Nottingham lace workers, and when a lot of them moved to France for better opportunities, they also brought their tiny bulldogs with them. And it's how they earned the nickname “Frenchie.”
White French Bulldogs have a long history of being companion dogs, making them extremely friendly and affectionate pets. The white French Bulldog is just one of many coat colors available for this breed. Solid white or mostly white Frenchies, on the other hand, are less common than the other coat colors and patterns.
This pale coat can be caused by a variety of genetic factors. These include genes for albinism, leucism, brindle, and merle.
Breed Overview
Believe it or not there exists many types of White Frenchies, as far as genetics and selling methods. Almost all white french bulldogs are off-white and pie-bald. And the term off-white is used to differentiate the two because piebald white tends to be lighter and brighter.
The extreme piebald coat is usually attributed to deafness. So, it's important to know the differences between these two most prevalent white coats. You can distinguish off-white Frenchies with their dark noses, lips, and eye rims. Extreme piebald french bulldogs, on the other hand, often have pink on their lips, noses, and eye rims.
Take note, that these pink areas may not be totally pink because you can still some splotches of black mixed in. Still, off-white french bulldogs don't have pink in their noses, eye rims, and lips. So, the presence of the color pink in these areas is still a good indicator that a Frenchie is piebald.
The White French Bulldog is not a new breed in the world of Frenchies. They've been around for a while now, and it appears that their fan base is growing. Another reason for their popularity is their alleged scarcity.
As mentioned earlier, French Bulldogs, in general, is the second most popular dog breed in the USA in 2022 according to the American Kennel Club. The White Frenchie is a distinct breed because being white requires a specific combination of genes.
Nonetheless, it is not as uncommon as pure black, Isabella, blue, and merle. White, in contrast to those colors, is AKC compliant and is one of the standard colors of French Bulldogs described in the official breed standard.
Appearance & Grooming
Similar to most Bulldogs, French White Frenchies have squished faces, square heads, short muzzles, bat ears, and small bodies. They are sometimes called brachycephalic dogs. They have a short coat and a muscular figure underneath. Although they have wrinkles in their bodies, their skin is hardly wrinkling like English Bulldogs.
In general, because of their smooth and short coats, French bulldogs are easy to care for and they require minimal grooming. However, because of their light color, White Frenchies, in particular, can be more challenging to clean.
Additionally, all Frenchies can also be a bit smelly, but there are also several ways to address this problem. In between bathing sessions, use doggy wipes to keep your dog's skin and coat clean and smelling fresh all day.
Types of White French Bulldogs Coat Colors
1. Common White (Self or Solid) French Bulldogs
The coat of a white French Bulldog may be entirely white or a white coat with a small percentage of other color markings. And if his markings are extremely light, this gives him the appearance of having an all-white coat or all-white self/solid coat.
If a Frenchie has an all-white color due to Leucism, you will notice that he has colored eyes as compared to Albino Frenchies that lack color in their eyes.
Additionally, brown eyes are typical in non-albino white French Bulldogs. It is unusual to see a white Frenchie without a black mask, but this may occur on occasion.
2. Albino French Bulldog
An albino French Bulldog lacks pigment in its fur, skin, and eyes. This is caused by a complete lack of melanin as a result of a genetic mutation called tyrosinase-positive (partial albino) or tyrosinase-negative (full albino).
An albino French Bulldog has pink eyes due to a lack of pigmentation, which results in a pink hue around their noses and eyes. A Frenchie may not be an albino if he has a pink tinge around his nose and none in his eyes.
Most French Bulldog puppies born with albinism do not live long due to their vulnerability to sunburn and their congenital sensory problems. Good thing, that albinism is the least common reason for the presence of white coats in French bulldogs.
3. Piebald French Bulldog
Piebald Frenchies are those that feature more than two colors, as opposed to all-White Frenchies, which only have one. For a White Frenchie to be considered under this type, 50% of their body should be white and he should have patches of another color visible over his face, neck, and body.
There are several possible combinations of white and piebald color, such as the following:
White and black
White and cream
White and brown (with the brown patches varying from milk to dark chocolate)
White and fawn (the fawn color can vary from light tan to reddish-tan)
White and blue (Grey Frenchies have tints of blue on their coat, which can vary from silvery to slate grey)
4. Leucistic French Bulldogs
Leucism is a genetic skin condition that causes pale or white skin and hair in dogs. This loss of skin pigmentation is primarily due to the loss of cells that can produce pigment.
And this happens as a result of defects in pigment cell migration or differentiation from the neural crest to the skin or hair during development.
Leucistic French Bulldogs have a light-colored coat but normal eye color, as opposed to Albino Frenchies that are known for the lack of color in their eyes and the presence of pink tinge on their skin.
When it’s too hard to tell if a Frenchie has albinism or leucism, genetic testing can be done to be certain about the diagnosis.
5. Extra Light Cream French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs with cream coats may have diluted coats that appear almost platinum or white in color. Since the cream hue of the French Bulldog is a recessive dilution of the fawn coat, they are relatively rare.
This particular breed of French Bulldog typically has an off-white coat. It is rarely completely white.
6. Double Merle French Bulldog (Lethal Whites)
Aside from being a Solid White Frenchie, there is another way for a French Bulldog to have a predominantly white coat and this is to inherit the merle pattern gene from one or both parents. This is also the reason why they are called “Lethal Whites,” because they have little to no color in their coat.
When one parent contributes to the gene, the Frenchie is called a Single Merle. And when two French Bulldogs carrying the merle gene are bred together, a Double Merle can be produced.
AKC regulations for the French bulldog breed exclude merle coloring due to the health problems the gene produces. And the health issues can be more severe for double merle French bulldogs, which include blindness, deafness, or both.
Personality & Temperament
French Bulldogs are typically affectionate, and this information is based on the French Bulldog Breed Standard. These cuddly dogs are also playful, active, alert, and even-tempered. White Frenchies, in particular, have the same temperament as those with other coat colors.
The French bulldog is a sociable breed, and they are good with children because of their gentle, yet playful nature. These tiny dogs also don’t have temperament issues, such as aggression. And they are very much people-oriented, to the point that they always want the company of their human family members, and they don’t want to be left alone.
Just like any other dogs, French Bulldogs are also at risk for several health problems. Canine researchers also pointed out that the color genetics of a Frenchie can make him either more or less vulnerable to being plagued with serious health issues.
Health problems are not specifically linked to the color of a French Bulldog's white coat in common white, Piebald, Leucistic, or Extra Light Cream varieties. Albino, Extreme Piebald, and Merle Frenchies, on the other hand, have health issues connected to their coat colors, such as blindness, hearing, and a higher risk of skin cancer.
Below are some of the most common health problems among White French Bulldogs:
1. Tracheal Collapse
Because of the unusual architecture of their head and neck, French bulldogs are more likely to have collapsed trachea.
2. Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
Frenchies have compressed nasal paths due to their short muzzles. Because of this facial feature and congested breathing tract, they are unfit for physically demanding activities.
It's crucial to understand that brachycephalic dog breeds can experience chronic, terminal health conditions. This includes respiratory problems, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal issues, and eye infections in addition to overheating.
3. Deafness
White-coated Frenchies are more susceptible to inheriting hearing loss in one or both ears.
The absence of pigment in the inner ear canal may be the source of this condition, which is known as “pigment-associated hereditary deafness.”
As mentioned earlier, below are White-coated French Bulldogs that are prone to deafness:
White Albino French Bulldogs
White solid (self) Frenchies
Dogs with piebald or merle gene that are predominantly white-coated
4. Eye Defects and Blindness
This is especially true for French bulldogs that are albino or merle. Because of their higher sensitivity to strong light, Frenchies with blue or pink eyes are more likely to experience a variety of issues.
Additionally, eye disorders and defects can occur with some White French Bulldog coat types, such as the following:
Malformed eyes
The possibility of having missing eye/s
Smaller-than-normal eyes
Non-functioning eyes
One or both eyes may develop one of these abnormalities alone or in combination. The biggest risk for problems with eye health is associated with the merle and double merle gene expressions.
5. Skin Sensitivity and Skin Cancer
Very light-skinned canines are susceptible to sunburn in the same way that fair-skinned people are. And this sensitivity to sunlight or exposure to other elements can be attributed to the low levels of melanin in their bodies.
Increased sunburn occurrences among these dogs raise the likelihood of developing skin cancer in the future such as skin lesions and tumors.
6. Developmental Issues
The expression of the merle and double merle genes can affect how the body's major organs and nervous system grow. Puppies of French Bulldogs can sometimes be born with serious health problems that make them incapable of living.
7. Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD)
Because of their body structure, French Bulldogs may suffer from a certain type of dwarfism called chondrodystrophy, which makes them at risk for intervertebral disk disease or IVDD.
In dogs with IVDD, the development of the discs was aberrant. And these discs that grew abnormally may eventually herniate into the spine, causing hemorrhaging or inflammation, which can lead to severe discomfort and neurological impairment.
This illness has a high fatality rate and frequently necessitates expensive operations or medical treatment.
How to Care For a White Frenchie
Exercise & Living Conditions
French Bulldogs with white coats simply require a little exercise. Most days, a quick walk is sufficient. Living in an apartment with a French bulldog is fine because of its small size and minimal exercise and energy requirements. However, it’s also advisable that you have access to a secure outdoor area and can take your canine companion for short walks every day.
Diet & Nutrition
Obesity is a risk factor for all French Bulldogs, and White Frenchies are no different. Avoiding human munchies and feeding your Frenchie a high-quality diet should stop any weight gain issues.
Training
White Frenchies are typically easy to teach, although they might have obstinate tendencies that can make things more challenging.
Lifespan
A white bulldog's lifespan can be as long as ten years the same as other colors. However, pet parents of Frenchies must be vigilant about any problem, especially with their pup's hearing or vision.
It's essential to have annual vaccinations and health checks, as well as a complete and balanced diet and adequate exercise.
Air travel may not be a good choice for dogs with short nasal passage because of associated breathing issues.
In addition, White Frenchies are prone to slipping into a pool and are not very good at the water. Because of their weight distribution, huge heads, and short muzzles, White Frenchies (and any other color) cannot swim for very long and should never be in the water without a dog life jacket.
Buyer’s Guide
What to Look For
Your top aim should be to purchase a healthy puppy from a reputable breeder. Make sure you meet the other puppies born in the litter and visit your French bulldog's parents. A Frenchie raised in a family setting is less likely to have temperament problems than one who was prematurely taken away from his mother.
You should also ask the breeder for health testing results. There are methods for testing both adult dogs' and puppies' hearing. The BAER test can be used on dogs older than 35 days to detect whether they have a hearing impairment.
In addition to this color-related concern, a white French Bulldog may experience other problems. However, some of these can be avoided by getting a health checkup. Frenchies should also get their hearts and eyes checked.
Price
A White French Bulldog puppy can cost as much as $3,000, with prices starting at $1,500.
Conclusion
Having said all of these, it's now certain that White French Bulldogs do exist and they are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Among all the various white French Bulldog patterns, the Double Merle is the rarest which is actually a good thing because this specific kind is frequently ill.
Contrary to popular assumption, only the double Merle and occasionally the albino varieties of white coats are susceptible to blindness and deafness.
The white French Bulldog is a beautiful dog, but when you get one, paying attention to its general health should be your main priority. Reputable breeders will never prioritize creating certain colors over raising healthy dogs.
Before mating, breeders should have their French Bulldogs tested for hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, autoimmune thyroiditis, and juvenile cataracts, according to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Doing so can prevent the passing of these genetic conditions to their offspring.
It makes no sense to fall in love with your dream dog just to watch it live a miserable, short life marred by health problems. That’s why it’s crucial that you prioritize the pup’s health and check the health of his parents. If you really intend to buy one, you should only deal with reputable breeders who always put the health of the dogs before their financial gains.
Finally, because of the controversies surrounding this adorable dog breed, we believe it’s best if you can rescue a Frenchie from the shelter instead of buying from a breeder. As they say, as long as there’s a demand, the breeders will continuously breed brachycephalic dogs. And we believe that breeding a dog whose physical makeup leaves it with lifelong disabilities is unethical.
A freelance writer and huge animal advocate, with 6 dogs and 3 cats. Graduated with a medical degree and is now spending time running a shelter and rescuing animals in need. Loves a good book, travel and spend time with family and pets.
