Black & White French Bulldogs: Everything You Must Know!

Black & White French Bulldogs: Everything You Must Know!

Black and White French Bulldogs are all the rage with their adorable squished faces, striking coat pattern and super affectionate personality. It’s no surprise that Frenchies have become one of the most popular dog breeds in the world!  In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into Black and White French Bulldogs, exploring the coat color, genetics, rarity, kennel club recognition, coat variations, pricing and more.

Whether you’re looking to adopt a Black and White Frenchie or are just an enthusiast of this breed, keep reading to find the answers to all your questions about this coat color!

Cover Image Credit: @gretagramdc

What Is A Black And White French Bulldog Called?

Black and white French Bulldogs are called “Pied French Bulldogs” or “Piebald French Bulldogs”. The term “pied” refers to their distinctive coat pattern characterized by a white base coat that covers at least 50% of their body and patches in another color. In this case the patches are black however they can be many other colors like fawn, cream, lilac, blue etc.

The term “piebald” is derived from the combination of “pie,” referencing the distinctive pattern found on magpies, and “bald,” which refers to the white patches.

Characteristics Of A Piebald Coat

French Bulldogs that have a piebald coat have these characteristics:

  • 50%+ white base coat with colored patches.
  • Asymmetrical pattern.
  • Ticking – small flecks of color.

Are Black And White French Bulldogs Rare?

Black and White French Bulldogs are not that rare. They are about the fourth most common coat color after fawn, cream and brindle. If you are looking for a Black and White Frenchie, you are quite likely to come across this coat color and pattern.

Read Also: Lilac Fawn French Bulldog Guide: Price, DNA, Names & More!

black and white french bulldog
Black and White Frenchie via @lazyladythefrenchie

Kennel Club Recognition

Piebald is a standard marking according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) as well as black markings and white markings. This means that Black and White French Bulldogs can be registered with the AKC under these marking categories.

Genetics

Coat color in dogs is primarily determined by two genes: the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene and the beta-defensin 103 (CBD103) gene. The MC1R gene controls the production of eumelanin, which is responsible for black and brown pigmentation, while the CBD103 gene influences the deposition of pigment in the hair shaft.

In Black and White Frenchies, the black coat color is determined by the presence of the dominant allele of the MC1R gene, known as the “B” allele. This allele allows for the production of eumelanin, resulting in black hair. On the other hand, the white coat color is caused by the presence of the recessive allele of the CBD103 gene, known as the “s” allele. This allele affects the deposition of pigment in the hair shaft, resulting in white or unpigmented hair.

The “B” allele for black coloration is dominant so black and white Frenchies only need to carry one copy. The “s” allele for white coloration is recessive so they need to carry two copies.

Read Also: Chocolate French Bulldog: Price, DNA, Name Ideas & More!

black and white french bulldog
Black & White Frenchie via @mischievous_moo

Black & White Coat Variations

Black and White Merle French Bulldog

Merle French Bulldogs have a mottled patterned coat in black, white and grey. They are sometimes called Black and White Merle French Bulldogs because these are the predominant colors in their coat however this variation is most commonly called a Blue Merle French Bulldog.

The merle coat occurs when a Frenchie carries the “M” Merle allele and a negative “m” copy of the Merle allele. A Merle French Bulldog is (M/m). The merle gene dilutes random sections of their coat to a lighter colour so a Blue Merle Frenchie would have originally had a black coat.

It is problematic when two French Bulldogs that are carriers of (M/m) are bred together as there is a 25% chance for each puppy born to be homozygous (M/M) for the merle trait. (M/M) carriers are also called “Double Merle French Bulldogs” and a high percentage have severe vision or hearing problems.

Black and White Spotted French Bulldog

Some Black and White Pied French Bulldogs have spotting in addition to their normal black patches. Spotting is otherwise known as “ticking” which are small flecks of color throughout their coat that look something like freckles. The spotting is usually located on their legs and paws.

Black and White Fluffy French Bulldog

Some Black and White French Bulldogs may possess a longer or “fluffy” coat due to the recessive ‘LH’ gene. These dogs have a black and white medium length coat that is fluffier around their ears, chest and neck. Fluffy Black and White Frenchies are quite rare.

Black And White French Bulldog Price

The price of a Black and White French Bulldog can vary depending on several factors such as lineage, pedigree, location, and breeder reputation.

How Much Is A Black And White French Bulldog?

On average, the cost of a Black and White French Bulldog ranges from $4000USD to $6000USD or more. While this may seem very expensive, Black and White French Bulldogs are one of the cheaper coat colors as it is relatively common.

Read Also: Brindle French Bulldogs (Blue, Black, Reverse, Lilac & More)

black and white frenchie
Black and White Frenchie via @pinoakfrenchies

Black And White French Bulldog Names

Finding the perfect name for a Black and White Frenchie is an exciting part of welcoming them into your family. Here are some popular names that perfectly suit Black and White Frenchies:

Black & White Female Frenchie NamesBlack & White Male Frenchie Names
CocoDomino
PepperSnoopy
LuckyAce
EvieBandit
AudreyElvis
EllieOreo
MaggieButler
BiancoJasper
BelleFelix
MillieBullet
GeorgiaDiesel
BellaDamien
AuroraMickey
MittensPongo
DottyTed

Black and White French Bulldog vs Boston Terrier

Black and White French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers often get confused as they look so similar however they are two totally different dog breeds.

In terms of appearance, Boston Terriers have a leaner and taller build while Black and White Frenchies are stockier and shorter. Frenchies are 11 to 13 inches tall while Boston Terriers get up to 17 inches tall. Frenchies are also usually heavier than Boston Terriers.

Another way to tell them apart are their ears. Boston Terrier ears are much more angled than Frenchie ears. Boston Terrier ears are usually pointed at the ends while French Bulldog ears are generally rounded at the tip. Frenchies also have more wrinkles and more jowls than Boston Terriers.

In terms of temperament, Black and White Frenchies are much more independent and mischievous than Boston Terriers. Boston Terriers are slightly easier to train and really thrive on mental stimulation. They really enjoy learning new tricks or playing with puzzle toys. French Bulldogs also love to learn new tricks however training may take more time as they often like to do their own thing. Positive reinforcement training is key.

What might even confuse you further is the fact that people often breed French Bulldogs with Boston Terriers to create the Frenchton.

Black and White French Bulldog Full Grown

Black and White French Bulldogs come in two sizes: Standard as well as the Micro/Teacup/Toy/Miniature size. The smaller Frenchie size has many different names as it is an unofficial size and breeders often use a combination of these names as a marketing tactic to differentiate their puppies from competitors. They are most commonly called Miniature or Mini French Bulldogs.

Mini Black & White Frenchie

The Mini Black & White Frenchie originates from a cross between the runts of two unrelated French Bulldog litters. Breeders keep mating French Bulldogs on the smaller end of the size range together until they consistently get the miniature size. Alternatively, breeders cross another smaller dog breed into the lineage however these Frenchies are not purebred dogs. The breeding practice is quite unnatural and often unethical. Often, the Frenchies that are selected for breeding are smaller than normal because of a medical condition or a birth defect, leading to further health risks with each successive generation.

Mini French Bulldog gets to a height just under 11 inches (27.9cm) at the shoulder and weigh between 14 and 22 pounds when fully grown. As an unofficial size, some Mini Frenchies are taller or shorter than this range and/or may be heavier or lighter. Mini French Bulldogs are usually fully grown between 8 and 11 months of age.

Standard Black & White Frenchie

Standard Black & White French Bulldogs are the normal and most common French Bulldog size. They get to a height of 11 to 13 inches (27.9cm to 33.0cm) at the shoulder and weigh between 18 and 28 pounds (8.2kg to 12.7kg) when fully grown. Standard Frenchies are fully grown between 9 and 12 months of age.

Further Reading