Blue Merle French Bulldog puppies
What is a blue merle French Bulldog?
‘Blue merle’ is a breeder term for a merle pattern on a black or blue base. Merle is accepted in some breeds but not in the French Bulldog standard. Genetically, the dog carries one copy of the dominant merle gene (M/m, the PMEL gene), which lightens random patches of the coat and leaves darker patches in between.
From €7,000
The genetics
GenotypeM/m (one copy only)
One copy of merle (M/m) creates the marbled coat. Two copies (M/M) are linked to a high risk of deafness and eye defects, so we never pair two merle dogs. Because merle can be ‘cryptic’ and barely visible, the non-merle parent is DNA-tested for merle too.
Appearance
Irregular patches of dark grey on a silver base, sometimes with tan points. Eyes may be blue, amber or odd-coloured.
Variations
Merle with warm tan or brindle patches, a breeder name for a striking merle pattern.
Tan-point merle with a husky-like face mask.
Merle with tan points on the face, chest and legs.
The merle pattern with a long, soft coat.
Current blue merle puppies and litters
There are no blue merle puppies to present right now. Upcoming litters are placed through our waitlist, usually before birth.
Apply for the waitlistColour and the breed standard
The FCI breed standard for the French Bulldog recognises fawn, brindle and pied. Colours such as blue, lilac, isabella, chocolate and merle, and the long-haired fluffy coat, fall outside the standard, and some have been linked to health concerns, such as colour dilution alopecia in dilute dogs or deafness in double merles. We are open about this. It is why we never pair two merle dogs, why every parent’s full results are published, and why health and temperament decide each pairing, never colour alone.
Read about our health testing →Questions about blue merle French Bulldogs
Are blue merle French Bulldogs healthy?
The risk with merle lies in the double merle (M/M), which can occur when two merle dogs are paired and is strongly linked to deafness and eye defects. A merle can also be ‘cryptic’ and barely visible in the coat, so we DNA-test both parents for merle before every pairing and never put two merle copies together.
Can merle puppies be deaf?
Deafness is mainly associated with double merle. Single-merle dogs (M/m) usually hear normally, but merle reduces pigment in the inner ear, so a BAER hearing test is the reliable way to confirm hearing. Ask us about BAER results for a specific puppy.
How much does a blue merle French Bulldog cost?
Our blue merle French Bulldog puppies start from €7,000. The price of an individual puppy depends on its confirmed genetics and sex and is shown on the puppy’s page.
Can I choose the colour of my puppy?
You tell us your preferred colour when you apply. Colour can vary within a litter, so we match puppies by temperament and home first and tell you honestly which colours a planned litter can produce.