Merle French Bulldogs – A Guide To All About The Merle French Bulldogs!

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Merle French Bulldogs

Merle French Bulldogs – A Guide To All About The Merle French Bulldogs!

 

Although the Merle French Bulldog’s beauty is one of a kind and exceedingly uncommon, the breed is not without its share of debate.

Purists of the French Bulldog breed don’t care much for the Merle variety of the breed. As soon as I saw some images of the puppies a breeder was selling on Facebook, I fell in love with them.

Their color is appealing, and they are rather adorable, particularly those that I observed.

This is a one-of-a-kind coloring, and I wanted to make sure you were aware of everything you need to know about it before reading this piece.

After doing some research, I became quite disheartened by what I read and discovered about them. In the realm of French Bulldogs, I believe this to be a contentious matter that has to be discussed.

Even with all that in mind, I still decided to create this post only to provide knowledge and for people interested in Merle Frenchies.

 


The Creation Of A French Bulldog With A Merle Coat

It is essential to be aware that the Merle coat hue is not a recognized color variant for the French Bulldog breed, as this type of coat does not occur naturally in purebred French Bulldogs.

The majority of these Chihuahuas have acquired their color pattern as a result of breeding with Merle Chihuahuas. The Merle French Bulldog was created for owners waiting for a Frenchie that had glitz and could be a beautiful exhibition.

These owners wanted a Frenchie that had a merle coat. Merle is the most common and distinctive of all the many coat colors.

The lightening of the base coat in the Frenchie creates a pattern known as Merle. Consequently, the dark patches continue to exist, which ultimately results in the pups having the Merle trait.

They can have hundreds of distinct markings on their fur, the most common of which is a dark brown or black color, and the color that predominates is typically white, cream, or fawn blended with the dark colors. Their fur can also be very thick.

It is necessary to breed them with both a French Bulldog and a Frenchie with a history of being crossbred with Chihuahuas to achieve the stunning colors of the Merle.

Only then will they produce puppies with these hues. The Merle is the most expensive and rarest of all the many dog breeds.

The high occurrence of congenital disabilities in these puppies has made them a focus of discussion over the past ten years. As a result, the once beautiful coloring of this breed of dog is gradually fading away.

 


There Are Also Other Colour Variations Of Merles

There are several colors of merles, and the color of each one depends on the dominant gene that gets diluted. Because they are considered unusual in the breed of French Bulldog, black, blue, and lilac are three colors that command the highest prices.

Black Merle

When the dominant gene is black, the result is a French Bulldog with a black and Merle coat. The result is that the other coat colors are sidelined.

The dominant gene is responsible for the color and name of the Black Merle coat pattern found in French bulldogs. Other Frenchie hues include fawn and tan.

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Lilac Merle

The Lilac Merle French Bulldog is the rarest of all the Frenchies, making it the most difficult to locate. The Lilac color is achieved by combining a chocolate base coat with a blue base coat, and the result is a unique hue.

The blue hue is watered down, revealing the lilac tint underneath. The Lilac Merle also possesses light-colored eyes that remain the same hue throughout their lives.

Unfortunately, this is the color most likely to be associated with a variety of health issues.

Blue Merle

The Blue Merle French Bulldog is a breed of dog commonly referred to as a blue-gene dog.

However, these dogs are black French Bulldogs whose base color has been somewhat diluted, giving their hair a blue tinge. The eyes of a Blue Merle French Bulldog are a fascinating feature of their look.

They can keep their bright blue eyes from the time they are puppies far into maturity, and even then, their eye color remains lighter than that of regular French Bulldogs.

 


The Wide Range Of Health Issues Of Merle French Bulldogs

The gene that is necessary to develop the Merle patterning is also the gene that creates major hazards, including abnormalities in hearing, vision, and blue eye coloration.

The fact is that not a single French Bulldog carries the Merle gene, which indicates that they are not true representatives of their breed.

Because of this, the mating of different breeds might result in a lot of issues. Research demonstrates that there is a one in four probability of getting a double Merle if you breed two Merles together.

Double Merle puppies have an 86 percent probability of being born with a congenital disability, such as deaf, blind, or suffering from color dilution alopecia.

In addition to these abnormalities, kids are likely to have brain abnormalities, immunological diseases, and significant allergies. In the most severe cases, there have even been cases of death.

It is common knowledge that Blue Merle French Bulldogs suffer from inflammatory diseases of the skin, leading to breaks in the skin’s surface.

After that, staph infections may develop, ultimately resulting in death. The Blue Merle French Bulldog is the breed that lives the lowest amount of time.

 


Additional Explanations Regarding Various Eye Defects

Deformed Eyes (Small Microphthalmia)

The development of abnormally small eyes is not a congenital condition and can occur in either eye or both eyes. The presence of nictitating membranes that are still covering the eye socket or eye sockets is the source of the condition.

Missing Eye Or Eyes (Anophthalmia)

When one or both of a person’s eyes are not present at birth, this medical condition is referred to as anophthalmia. There are instances in which the eyes can form, but they are situated so deeply within the eye socket that the nictitating membrane hides them.

Wandering Eye

A form of microphthalmia that has several abnormalities is referred to as a wandering eye. This disorder is made worse by eye degeneration, and as it gets worse, the lens gradually becomes more liquid.

Starburst Pupil (Coloboma)

This eye disease is comparable to having a cleft eye. Cataracts are another complication that may occasionally accompany the illness.

There have been numerous cases of people being deaf and blind after consuming Starburst Pupil, making it the most likely to be the most dangerous of the three. It is necessary to emphasize that the Merle gene by itself should not be responsible for any health problems.

However, to get this result, the breeder needs to mate one Merle dog with another Merle dog whose coat is only one color.

 


Where Would One Be Able to Purchase A Merle French Bulldog?

It’s not surprising that so many people want to bring home a French Bulldog. The passion for all things very unusual makes the Merle French Bulldog a desirable companion, and the fact that these adorable little puppies are amazing and interesting.

Before you make a final selection, it is imperative that you first educate yourself thoroughly on this breed variant. There are not a lot of Merle French Bulldog breeders, most likely because there are a lot of problems involved in breeding them.

Additionally, most states today, happily, have certain requirements that need to be followed to breed and sell these little Frenchies.

You will want to make sure that the breeder satisfies all of the following requirements before purchasing an animal from them. However, I do not feel comfortable providing a list of reputable breeders for this species.

  • DNA is really significant for this particular case. You will want to make certain that DNA profiling and DNA testing from a canine department are both available to you. This gives you the ability to ensure that the Merle French Bulldog you purchase is a genuine specimen.
  • Check that the required preventative measures and vaccines have been administered to everyone. Treatments for fleas, ticks, and worms are included in this category. You will also want to have this in writing and the history of vaccinations for your soon-to-be-adopted canine companion.
  • Obtain a comprehensive examination from the vet and ask for a guarantee of good health. One year is the ideal time frame.
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My advice to you would be to check that your breeder has submitted the necessary papers to the AKC; unfortunately, the AKC does not recognize the merle coat color. I found information that contradicts itself on this account.

For example, numerous sites claim that they have filed with the AKC, while other sites claim that the only method to file with the AKC is to lie about the color combinations.

Because the AKC has banned certain colors of French Bulldogs, it is in your best interest to do some more research before buying any sort of French Bulldog. This is because the AKC has banned several colors of French Bulldogs.

The price of one of these uncommon colored Frenchies can range anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000 or even more than that in certain instances.

 


Some Closing Considerations Regarding the Merle French Bulldog

I am aware that was a lot of information to take in, but the last thing I want to say about the contentious Merle French Bulldog is not whether or not you should buy one, but rather that my last thoughts are that it depends on where you purchase one.

Since this breed is prone to having such severe birth defects, some of which can even be fatal, I would make it a priority to ensure that all breeders working with Merle Frenchies received extensive training to guarantee that all breeding was carried out appropriately.

And maintain the same level of birth defects seen in French Bulldogs in general. As the owner of a Brindle Frenchie, I would want to make sure that the dog’s health should come first.

I would like to ask you to keep this in mind when deciding whether or not a French Bulldog is the right dog for you and, more importantly, whether or not a Merle French Bulldog is an absolute necessity.


9 Important Facts About Merle French Bulldogs You Should Know.

A French bulldog’s laid-back and pleasant demeanor, for which they are famous, contributes to the breed’s widespread popularity as a family companion.

In addition to this, some of them have the merle gene, which gives them a gorgeous fur coat and eyes that stand out. In the following paragraphs, you will learn more about merle French bulldogs and why they are in such high demand.

1. Merle is a type of hereditary disease that manifests itself in the form of a particular pattern on a dog’s coat.

This gene is responsible for a wide variety of pattern types, which can either be solid or piebald in appearance. Even while it mostly affects a dog’s coat, it also has the potential to induce heterochromia iridium, which is a disorder in which the dog’s eyes appear to be a variety of colors.

2. Double Merle

If two merle dogs are bred together, there is a one in four chance that one of the puppies may be born with a double merle pattern.

A double merle is a dog that has received two copies of the merle gene. In contrast to the coat of a standard merle dog, the coat of a double merle dog is almost entirely white, but it does have a few flecks of color scattered throughout it.

Additionally, double merles have an extremely elevated risk of being either blind, deaf or with both conditions.

3. A dog will have a merle coat if they have a single copy of the M allele in its genome.

Merle dogs have the genotype Mm, which indicates that they have one allele for the merle trait (M), as well as one allele for the non-merle trait (m) Suppose you breed a non-merle dog (mm) with a merle dog (Mm).

In that case, you will, on average, produce a litter of puppies composed of fifty percent merle puppies and fifty percent non-merle puppies.

When you breed two merle dogs together, you will typically have a litter of puppies that is half merle, one-quarter other than merle, and one-quarter double merle.

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This is because of the way that merle genes are passed along.

4. French Bulldogs With a Merle Coat Have Blue Eyes

The bright blue eyes of the merle French bulldog are one of the breed’s most recognizable and distinguishing characteristics.

This is because their bodies carry the M-locus gene, also known as the merle gene. This gene causes random pigment dilution, which results in a lighter coloration of their eyes.

Even though this gene is the most likely culprit in merle French bulldogs having blue eyes, the ALX4 gene can occasionally be to blame.

If a French bulldog possesses this gene, there is a good chance that it will have blue eyes. On the other side, a French bulldog will most likely have brown eyes if it does not have the ALX4 gene.

In addition to this, the low levels of melanin in the bodies of some merle French bulldogs may lead them to have blue eyes. If the dog’s body does not contain a significant amount of this amino acid, then there is a greater likelihood that the dog will have blue eyes.

5. The price of a Merle French Bulldog is higher than the price of a regular French Bulldog.

The price of this particular variety of French bulldogs is substantially greater than average because it is not a natural breed.

In contrast to a typical French bulldog, which can be purchased for anywhere between $1,500 and $3,000, these canines may be purchased for anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000.

Merle French bulldogs are a costly breed to maintain, in addition to the initial investment required to get one.

They have a ravenous appetite, and due to the genetic makeup of their species, they typically have to make frequent trips to the veterinarian.

6. Due to the limited availability of these canines, it may be challenging to get one.

In most situations, all that is necessary is a quick internet search to discover a breeder. Despite this, there is no guarantee that the breeders have a good reputation.

You should always be sure to ask for the dog’s DNA test, and you should also have a brief vet examination done to guarantee that you are purchasing from an ethical breeder.

7. Merle French Bulldogs Aren’t Purebred

This is because breeding multiple dog breeds are sometimes required to produce a merle French bulldog. In order for a dog to be regarded as a purebred, both parents must be of the same breed.

The American Kennel Club (AKC): Does It Recognize Merle French Bulldogs? Are They Eligible for AKC Registration?

Most merle French bulldogs are eligible for registration with the AKC. However, the color merle is not recognized as a standard color for the breed.

Despite this, the AKC continues to recognize them as legitimate dogs. Obtaining an AKC registration form is the first thing you’ll need to do if you want to register your merle French bulldog with the American Kennel Club.

After you have completed those steps, then you should photograph your pet. Your dog should be shown in the front and the side photographs.

On the back of each photo, you should then put the AKC registration number, which can be found on the form, and your dog’s name.

After you have finished this step, continue to fill out the remainder of the registration form, and then send it to the address that is printed at the very top of the form.

8. Health problems have been reported in Merle French Bulldogs

Genetic abnormalities are one of the most frequent types of health issues. Because this dog suffers from a rare genetic disorder, there is a possibility that it will have short limbs, go blind, or become deaf.

A significant number of merle French bulldogs are affected by allergic reactions, immunological problems, heart murmurs, and hip dysplasia. You need to remember that they may have some eye abnormalities because they have such light-colored eyes.

This is what you need to put in mind. One eye may be significantly larger than the other, a nictitating membrane may cover one eye, cataracts may form, and coloboma may also occur. These are only some of the more prevalent eye conditions.

9. There is significant controversy on the morality of purchasing a merle French bulldog.

Many people believe that getting a merle French bulldog is essential because, otherwise, these adorable creatures would be abandoned at animal shelters.

Merle French bulldogs are relatively inexpensive. Those opposed to it argue that it would simply make it simpler for unscrupulous breeders to continue operating their businesses.

They also claim that these French bulldogs are in excruciating pain because their breed is predisposed to several serious health issues.

If you wish to buy a merle French bulldog, you should be prepared for the possibility that the dog will have some sort of health problem.

It is of the utmost importance, in addition, to make certain that a responsible breeder bred the dog. Because of this, the dogs will be provided with adequate diet, care, and socialization opportunities.

A breeder who practices ethics will always be happy to answer any questions you have regarding the dogs they are breeding. Merle The unusual coat pattern of the French bulldog is one of the reasons for the breed’s popularity.

They are very tolerant and affectionate dogs, but they do have some major health concerns that they must deal with due to a hereditary disease.


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