When it comes to bulldogs, there are a plethora of different breeds out there. Of course, when it comes to a forever furry friend, you will want to make a choice that is best for you and your family… but making that choice without any prior information can be tough.
That’s why many people might decide to follow trends to make sure that their dog is going to be super cute and maybe even popular amongst their friends and family.
That’s what happened over the last few years when it came to Merle French Bulldogs. This particular dog breed saw a rise in popularity because many of the dogs in this breed have bright blue eyes, which many owners find to be extremely cute!
However, some controversies surround Merle French bulldogs, so you should be aware of them before you decide to go down the route of getting a Merle French Bulldog.
Read on to learn more about Merle French Bulldogs, why they’re so popular, and potential health issues these dogs may have throughout their lives.
French Bulldogs
You can’t go wrong with a French Bulldog.
Merle Variant
When it comes to the Merle variant of the French Bulldog, many people have fallen in love with them! The Merle breed of French Bulldog occurs when the puppy is born with a genetic condition that ends up presenting itself as a unique pattern on the dog’s coat.
The genetic condition can also spread to the dog’s eyes so that the dog will end up with heterochromia – this is a condition where the dog’s eyes are two different colors.
Whether you get a dog with unique pattering or heterochromia, you’re almost guaranteed to get a Merle French Bulldog that will have vibrant, blue eyes. This is one of the main draws of the Merle French Bulldog.
Blue Eyes
Blue eyes in the Merle French Bulldog are determined by a specific gene that this breed may or may not have. However, even if they lack this gene, Merle French bulldogs can still have blue eyes – this happens when the dog has low melanin levels.
When the dog has low melanin, they also might not have a high number of amino acids. If their body doesn’t have a high number of amino acids, the dog has a better chance of developing blue eyes.
But let’s quickly flash back to your high school biology class. Amino acids are considered to be the “building blocks of protein,” and they’re the elements that work together to perform a lot of critical processes in your body.
Amino acids work to build proteins, hormones, important parts of the brain, etc.
Although your Merle French Bulldog may end up with blue eyes, this means that they might be lacking in important biological components that they need to live a long and healthy life.
Expense
Ignoring the fact that you’ll likely be required to spend a lot of money on your dog to deal with all its health issues – this, of course, is only accurate if your dog does end up with health issues. You might be lucky and end up with a healthy dog – these dogs aren’t inexpensive.
You will have to spend more money at the outset of buying this dog breed. Because of the potential health issues, the specific breeding requirements, and their current popularity, Merle French Bulldogs are going to cost quite a bit.
Make sure you’re prepared to spend a pretty penny to get this dog breed if you decide it’ll be the best addition to your family.
Additionally, Merle French Bulldogs are also quite rare, meaning that there will be the extra stress of trying to find one, which can cost you time and money as well.
Also, realize that Merle French Bulldogs are not considered to be a purebred breed, so you’ll be paying purebred prices for a non-purebred dog with potential health issues.
Health Problems
We’ve touched upon some potential health issues you might find in your dog, but that’s not all there is to it. Indeed, there are more potential health issues you might find in your dog.
Merle French Bulldogs are prone to having a lot of genetic deformities. Because Merle French Bulldogs can only exist due to their genetic condition, they might end up with blindness, deafness, stunted limbs, immune disorders, heart issues, hip and bone deformities, and allergies.
Additionally, their beautiful blue eyes might mean they have eye abnormalities as well – a common feature for pets who have lighter-colored eyes.
Social Stigma
When it comes to these Merle French Bulldogs, although they are beautiful and popular (due to their looks), you will likely encounter some people who are against the idea of these dogs.
Because of how many health issues these dogs are prone to having, you may find that people will dislike the fact that you have a Merle French Bulldog. They believe that, with all the health problems that Merle French Bulldogs can suffer from, if you buy a Merle French Bulldog, you’re supporting their suffering and you’re making it so that they have to leave a life full of pain and misfortune.
It’s Not All Bad
When it comes to Merle French Bulldogs, you will end up getting a loyal and fun-loving dog that will support you and love you for your entire life.
These dogs love affection – both giving it and receiving it – and you’ll find a perfect companion to snuggle with on your tough days. These dogs will show you all the love they can fit into their tiny bodies.
They love to play and they’re extremely active (health issues permitting), so you can go on walks with them and do light exercises with them – both for your health and for their health, too.
Different Colorations
There’s also some variety in your choice for this breed of dog. When it comes to Merle French Bulldogs, they tend to come in three main coloration points. So, if you’re looking for something specific, you can check out these types and see which one works best for you.
Black Merle
The Black Merle version of the Merle French Bulldog breed has, as you’ve probably managed to guess from the title, a dominant gene that turns their fur black. Some other colors might turn up in their coat and coloring – tan, fawn, or a lighter black – but the dominant color tends to be black.
They’re stunning and if you’re looking for a sleek fur color that has its internal sheen, this is one of the best ones to keep an eye out for.
Blue Merle
Before you get too excited, we regret to inform you that this dog is not actually blue. If you are working with a breeder and they promise that your dog will be blue, they are lying, and you should avoid this breeder like the plague.
However, Blue Merle French bulldogs are still considered to be a “blue-gene” breed. Although you won’t get a rich blue coat on these dogs, their coat will be such a diluted type of black coloring that it might look slightly grayish-blue in certain lights.
One other thing that’s great about Blue Merles is that they are pretty much guaranteed to have the bright blue coloring to their eyes, and their eyes will also tend to be lighter than other types of French Bulldogs.
Lilac Merle
Again, you are not going to receive a purple-colored dog! However, when it comes to pets, lilac or “purple-gene” breeds of dogs are those that show off a chocolate brown/slightly blue base coat and – of course – the iconic light-colored eyes.
The grayish-blue color is even lighter, which is where these dogs gain their “lilac” title.
However, if this is the version of Merle French Bulldog that you want, be willing to shell out a bunch of money. Lilac Merles are the rarest of all Merle French Bulldog breeds, and thus, it comes down to basic supply and demand.
Because these dogs are so rare and already so expensive, you may find that you have to pay upwards of $25,000 for this particular dog breed.