Grey French Bulldogs – Everything You Need To Know!

Grey French Bulldogs, more commonly known as Blue French Bulldogs, feature a beautiful blue-grey coat. Their striking coat color paired with their affectionate temperament makes them highly sought after, fetching really high prices!

If you are interested in Grey French Bulldogs keep reading this article to find out the all the answers to your questions about this coat type!

Cover Image Credit: @victorybulldogs1

What Are Grey Frenchies Called?

Grey Frenchies are most commonly called “Blue French Bulldogs”. While ‘blue’ is the proper name, many people call this coat ‘grey’ as it is actually more of a grey color with blue undertones than a pure blue coat.

What Do Grey French Bulldog Look Like?

Grey French Bulldogs are a stocky and compact dog with a barrel like body, a squished face and pointed bat shaped ears. They have a sleek coat that is bluish-grey color and they often have blue or green eyes.

Are Grey Frenchies Rare?

Grey Frenchies are rare however they are becoming more and more common as their popularity increases. The main reason why they are rare is because the coat color does not conform to breed standards so many breeders are not inclined to produce them.

On the flip side, some breeders will specifically breed this coat color because they know that there is demand for the blue coat and that these Frenchies can be sold for a premium compared to standard coat colors. Nevertheless, you need to be aware that these Frenchies may not have been bred ethically, especially if the breeder has bred specifically for coat color rather than prioritizing temperament and health.

Grey French Bulldog DNA

Grey French Bulldogs have to inherit two copies of the dilute gene on the D-locus to express the ‘grey’ (blue) coat. It is a recessive gene so Grey Frenchies must carry two copies of the gene and the genetic notation is “dd”.

The reason why they have this distinctive coat color is because the D locus affects the eumelanin pigment in a French Bulldog’s coat. Eumelanin is responsible for dark brown or black coats and when it is diluted, the result is a coat with a bluish-grey appearance. It is most commonly called a ‘blue’ coat however it is also referred to as a ‘grey’ coat colloquially.

Other Frenchies that carry “dd” include the:

Kennel Club Recognition

Grey French Bulldogs are not recognized by kennel clubs around the world including the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Kennel Club (UKC) in the United Kingdom, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) and the Federation Cynlogique Internationale (FCI).

The main reason why they are disqualified is because of the color dilution gene that causes the ‘grey’ coat. This is because there are some hereditary health risk surrounding the dilution gene, specifically color dilution alopecia (CDA).

Health Issues

Grey Frenchies are susceptible to a hereditary condition known as Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA). This condition can lead to the development of itchy and flaky bald patches in their coat. While it is not curable, it can be managed to prevent discomfort and potential infections on their exposed skin.

Unfortunately, there is currently no genetic testing for Frenchies to see if they carry the gene that causes this condition. This means that it is extremely difficult for breeders to minimize the hereditary risk of CDA when they choose dogs to breed together. Breeders can exclude Frenchies that they know are affected by this condition however you have to be very confident in your breeder that they take necessary steps like this.

Grey French Bulldog Price

How Much Are Grey French Bulldog Puppies?

Grey French Bulldogs usually cost between $5000USD and $9000USD with most selling for prices around $7000USD. They are more expensive than Frenchies with common coat colors as the breeding process is much more complex, especially considering that the genes are recessive.

No matter the coat color, French Bulldogs are very expensive as there are many breeding challenges. Frenchies often have trouble with natural mating and have to be artificially inseminated due to their unique body structure. Female French Bulldogs also often face issues with giving birth meaning that they have have to have caesarean sections which contributes to their overall cost. They also tend to only have two to four puppies in each litter which is tiny in comparison to other breeds that can have ten or more puppies per pregnancy.

Frenchies have also dramatically risen in popularity in recent years. According to the American Kennel Club, they are the most popular breed at the moment, surpassing Labradors and Golden Retrievers for the top position. Their demand often exceeds supply which has caused massive price increases.

grey frenchie — Grey Frenchie via @brisa.frenchie

Coat Variations

Light Grey French Bulldog

The intensity of the color of a Grey French Bulldog’s coat can vary depending on the strength of the dilution gene. That is why some Grey French Bulldogs will appear to have a very light grey coat while others will have a dark grey coat.

White and Grey French Bulldog

White and Grey French Bulldogs are a type of Pied Frenchie. Piebald French Bulldogs have a base coat that is at least 50% white with colored patches over the top. The pattern is usually asymmetrical and may also feature ticking which are small flecks of color that look something like freckles. The grey patches are usually located on their head, wars and one their back. Some White and Grey Frenchies have lots of grey patches while others may only have one or two.

Many Grey Frenchies also feature a small white patch on their chest. These Frenchies are not Piedbald Frenchies as their coat is mainly grey and not at least 50% white.

Blue Fawn French Bulldog

A Blue Fawn French Bulldog has a fawn coat with a blue mask. The term “blue” refers to a diluted black color that is something like a soft grey, while “fawn” describes a light tan or beige color. The blue mask is present on their ears, muzzle and around their eyes. Their mask is the same color that Grey French Bulldogs have all over their coat.

Blue Brindle French Bulldog

A Blue Brindle French Bulldog has a diluted bluish-grey base coat with brindle stripes in a darker shade of grey. For a French Bulldog to have a blue brindle coat, they must carry the brindle gene on the K locus and the ‘blue dilution’ gene on the D locus. While Brindle Frenchies are generally quite common, Blue Brindle French Bulldogs are rare.

Grey French Bulldog Full Grown

Grey 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 Grey Frenchie

The Mini Grey 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 Grey Frenchie

Standard Grey 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 Grey Frenchies are fully grown between 9 and 12 months of age.

Grey French Bulldogs via @poeticfrenchies

Shedding

Do Grey French Bulldogs Shed?

Yes, Grey French Bulldogs shed just like all Frenchies. They are moderate shedders and shed short, fine hairs throughout the year. While their shedding pattern is typically quite consistent, Frenchies may shed slightly more hair during seasonal transitions such as in spring and autumn.

You can manage how much your Frenchie sheds by implementing a regular grooming routine to keep their coat in a good condition. Soft bristle brushes are the best for French Bulldogs as they have a short coat. They should be brushed once a week however you may want to increase the frequency during shedding season in spring and autumn. This type of brush is perfect to remove loose hair and massage their skin without irritating it.

Are Grey French Bulldogs Hypoallergenic?

Grey Frenchies are not hypoallergenic like all French Bulldogs. A certain coat color or pattern does not make a Frenchie more hypoallergenic than other Frenchies.

Dogs are hypoallergenic when they have a coat that does not irritate allergy sufferers. These types of dog breeds generally do not shed much and thus do not release much dander (dead skin cells) into their immediate environment which is generally an allergy irritant. Dog saliva can also trigger allergies so many hypoallergenic breeds do not slobber or drool much. A typical example of a hypoallergenic breed is a Poodle Mix like a Cavapoo or Goldendoodle.

While French Bulldogs are not hypoallergenic, some people with very mild allergies can live with them. If you have mild allergies you should try to spend time with someone else’s French Bulldog to see if you have a reaction. You should also consult a doctor or allergist for advice before getting a Frenchie.

Grey French Bulldog Names

Female Grey Frenchie Names	Male Grey Frenchie Names
Sage	Grayson
Luna	Smurf
Bronte	Bluey
Penny	Sonic
Hazel	Tempest
Poppy	Thunder
Luna	Oscar
Mia	Charlie
Sadie	Leo
Frankie	Dumbo
Matilda	River
Astra	Milo

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