In our experience, there are two types of people looking to get a French Bulldog puppy: those who just want a family member and don’t care about the looks, and those who have their preferences and know exactly what they’re looking for. French Bulldogs come in many beautiful colors: while standard shades like brindle and fawn remain timeless, rare and exotic hues are captivating for those seeking uniqueness.
At TomKings, we strongly believe that even exotic colors can be healthy and well-loved pets when bred ethically. If you’ve just started out your research, we’ve got your back! This article is about 30 different French Bulldog colors and patterns, explaining their unique traits, rarity, and what future owners should know about them.
Key Takeaways
- French Bulldogs come in approximately 30 color and pattern variations, ranging from common to extremely rare.
- Rare colors (such as blue, lilac, platinum, and merle) are visually striking but may come with higher costs.
- Only nine color variations are officially recognized by the AKC; rare ones may not qualify for show registration.
What you need to know about French Bulldog colors
If you’re a Frenchie fan, you probably know that this amazing breed comes in a variety of different colors and patterns. The first thing to understand is the distinction between standard and rare French Bulldog colors.
Standard colors include fawn, black brindle or cream. Some of the rare shades are blue, lilac and Isabella, which have become especially popular in recent years. To an untrained eye, certain colors may look very similar or even identical. Once you learn the subtle differences, however, you’ll quickly be able to tell them apart!
French Bulldogs with only one color are said to have a solid coat. In most Frenchies, though, there’s at least one more color present in the form of a pattern.
In addition to colors, there are also various patterns that make French Bulldogs stand out even more. From traditional brindle and pied to the more exotic tan and merle markings, owners can choose from a wide range of options. And we haven’t even mentioned yet that combinations of these patterns are also possible!
Is a French Bulldog
the Right Dog
Breed for You?
Take Our Quiz!
Ultimate Frenchie Color Chart
It’s easy to get lost in the diverse world of French Bulldog colors, so first we’ll include a chart with the most important colors and patterns, then we’ll explain them in more detail later on in the article.
| Color/Pattern | Description | Standard/Rare |
| Black | Solid black with no other color | Rare |
| Red | Light brown with a reddish shade, black mask | Standard |
| Red fawn | Same as red with an ashy shine | Standard |
| Beige | Lighter shade of fawn with black mask | Standard |
| Cream | White with a yellowish shade | Standard |
| Blue | Grey with a bluish shine | Rare |
| Blue fawn | Light fawn with blue mask | Rare |
| Lilac | Lighter grey with an ashy shine | Rare |
| Lilac fawn | Light fawn with lilac mask | Rare |
| Lilac sable | Same as lilac fawn with darker fur on their back | Rare |
| Platinum | White with unique genetics | Rare |
| Isabella | Similar to lilac with brownish shade and unique genetics | Rare |
| White | Solid white | Standard |
| Chocolate | Light or dark chocolate brown | Rare |
| Brindle | Pattern of random fawn streaks | Standard |
| Black brindle | Black with light fawn streaks | Standard |
| Blue Brindle | Blue with light fawn streaks | Rare |
| Pied | Pattern of colored patches on white coat | Standard |
| Black pied | White with black patches | Standard |
| Red pied | White with red patches | Standard |
| Blue pied | White with blue patches | Rare |
| Merle | Pattern of darker mottled patches on lighter coat | Rare |
| Black merle | Black mottled patches | Rare |
| Blue merle | Blue mottled patches | Rare |
| Lilac merle | Lilac mottled patches | Rare |
| Tan | Pattern of fawn markings on paws, chest, cheek, eyebrows | Rare |
| Black and tan | Black with tan pattern | Rare |
| Blue and tan | Blue with tan pattern | Rare |
| Lilac and tan | Lilac with tan pattern | Rare |
| Merle and tan | Merle and tan patterns combined | Rare |
| Fluffy | Long hair | Rare |
The Best French Bulldog Colors
Black Frenchies
Pure black Frenchies are quite easy to recognize as they possess no traces of other colors. What we mean by that is that they have a solid black coat color with no brindle pattern; sometimes they have a white patch on their chest giving them a unique look. One thing is for sure: when you look at a black Frenchie, you immediately understand where the nickname ‘batpig’ comes from!
Solid black French Bulldogs are actually not as common as one would think, which makes them rather special. Because they are less common than brindle or fawn, their rarity often makes them more expensive. Their dark coats also hide shedding well, which some owners find practical in daily life.
Red Frenchies
Like the name suggests, red French Bulldogs have a light brown coat with a reddish shade. These puppies usually have black markings around their muzzle (and eyes) called a mask, and they also tend to have a white patch on their chest.
Their rich coloring makes them especially striking in the sunlight, which is one reason many families prefer them. They usually fall into a mid-range price category compared to rarer shades like blue or lilac. If you’re after a more traditional look, a red Frenchie is the one for you.
Red fawn Frenchies
Red fawn French Bulldogs are essentially the same as red Frenchies with a reddish shade of fawn color, but their coat has a sort of ashy shine. This subtle ash-tinted shade is rarer than standard red, so puppies in this color are often priced slightly higher. These puppies also tend to have a black mask and dark markings around their eyes and ears.
Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter
Beige Frenchies
The color beige in Frenchies is also very similar to red, but it is a lighter shade of fawn. Their soft coloring also tends to highlight their facial expressions, giving them an especially charming look. Beige French Bulldogs usually have a black mask but can also be maskless.
This lighter variation is less common than standard fawn, which makes beige Frenchies stand out in a crowd. Whether you end up choosing a red, red fawn or beige Frenchie, you can’t go wrong, they are all beautiful!
Cream Frenchies
Cream Frenchies have a unique eggshell color. Their coat is distinctively different from even the lightest fawn colors, being almost white with a bit of yellow in it. Cream Frenchies have no markings on any part of their bodies, so it is considered a solid color. Their nose, lips and paw pads may be pink or a somewhat darker almost black color, and in rare cases they may have forever blue eyes.
Cream is a recognized standard color, so these puppies are generally easier to find than exotic shades. Still, their clean, uniform look makes them highly desirable, especially for families who want a classic Frenchie appearance.
Blue Frenchies
Blue French Bulldogs are essentially grey whose color may vary from light grey to almost black. What makes them stand out is the bluish shine in their coat that is most visible when the light touches them. They often have a white chest which gives them an even more appealing look. These beauties definitely attract a lot of attention: blue has arguably become one of the most wanted Frenchie colors in the world.
Because of their rarity and strong demand, blue Frenchies are typically priced higher than standard colors. Their striking appearance makes them especially popular among new Frenchie owners.
Blue fawn Frenchies
Blue fawn in French Bulldogs is a combination of a light fawn color and blue. More specifically, these puppies have blue parts around their muzzle and eyes instead of black, and their light coat has a beautiful bluish shine. Similarly to blue, this rare French bulldog color has become one of the most popular among our adopters in recent years.
The contrast between the warm fawn base and the cool bluish mask makes them especially photogenic, which explains why they are often featured in social media posts.
Lilac Frenchies
Lilac French Bulldogs are often mistaken for blue Frenchies, but they are much more unique and harder to come by. Lilac Frenchies have a very light, almost ashy or silver color which gets lighter and lighter as they age. To produce this rare and beautiful color, the parents have to be blue and chocolate or at least a chocolate carrier.
Because of the genetics required, lilac Frenchies are usually more expensive than blues. Lilac French Bulldogs usually have light-colored eyes such as yellow, light brown and blue which are glowing red. Their lighter eyes also make their expressions look softer compared to darker-eyed Frenchies.
Lilac fawn Frenchies
Lilac fawn Frenchies look very similar to blue fawn Frenchies, but they are much rarer! Lilac fawn French Bulldogs have a light fawn coat color with an ashy or silver shine rather than blue, and their mask is also of a lighter, ashier grey. They have light eyes that are glowing red, and similarly to lilac Frenchies, both of the parents need to carry blue or chocolate to produce this unique color.
Their rarity makes them especially sought after among enthusiasts of exotic Frenchie colors. They combine the beauty of fawn with the rarity of the lilac gene, which raises their price significantly. Many owners see them as a perfect blend of classic and exotic.
Lilac sable Frenchies
Lilac sable French Bulldogs are almost the same as lilac fawn Frenchies, but these puppies have black fur growing evenly all over their bodies, especially on their back. This gives their coat a bit of a darker shade rather than being ashy.
Because of this darker shading, they look more dramatic than lilac fawns. Their unusual mix makes them rare and often pricier than other sable variations.
Platinum Frenchies
The platinum color in Frenchies is optically similar to albino but retains some luster in their coat as opposed to the pure white seen in albino. It is also similar to a light cream color but it is off-white or sort of silver-looking. What makes them special and highly valuable for breeding purposes is that they carry the most colors in French bulldogs: whichever color a platinum Frenchie is mixed with, the puppies will be of that color.
Platinum Frenchies are often called the “hidden gems” of the breed because of their genetic versatility. They are certainly very rare and unique dogs, placing in the highest price category.
Isabella Frenchies
Isabella French Bulldogs are considered the rarest in the Frenchie world. Similarly to lilac Frenchies, they are the combination of blue and chocolate but they have a much more unique greyish liver coat color.
Isabella Frenchies are extremely hard to come by, which makes them incredibly valuable for breeding purposes. Many breeders and collectors consider them the “crown jewel” of Frenchie colors. Their exclusivity and difficulty to produce drive their prices to the very top.
13. White French Bulldog
Even though white is considered a standard French Bulldog color, an all-white Frenchie is still very rare. They are not to be confused with cream Frenchies who have a more yellowish shade of white. Sometimes pied Frenchies (more about that below!) may appear all-white, having only a small patch of another color somewhere on their body.
True solid white Frenchies are less common, which makes them stand out even among standard shades. Their clean, striking look appeals to many families.
14. Chocolate Frenchies
You have probably guessed already that chocolate French Bulldogs have a chocolate brown base coat, which may vary from a light to a really dark brown. The chocolate gene is considered rare in the Frenchie world so these puppies are quite unique. Like with most colors, chocolate Frenchies’ coat may be solid brown or have some patterns like tan or brindle.
Chocolate Frenchies are sought after because the gene is less widespread than others. Their warm tones also make them especially photogenic and loved by new owners.
The Most Stunning Frenchie color patterns
If you think that by now we’ve covered most of the variations of Frenchie colors, you’ll be surprised that the best is actually yet to come! In addition to all the colors we’ve introduced above, there are also various patterns in French Bulldogs that make them even more unique looking. From traditional Frenchie patterns like brindle and pied to the more exotic tan and merle markings, you’ll certainly find one that steals your heart!
Check out our
available puppies
Brindle Frenchies
The brindle pattern is by far the most common in French Bulldogs. Brindle Frenchies have a base coat color like black or blue and have fawn hairs all over their bodies resulting in light streaks. Depending on the mixture of black or blue and fawn hairs, these Frenchies can range from very dark to very light. Brindle Frenchie puppies may also have a white chest or other small areas of white. They usually have a black nose and dark colored eyes.
Brindle Frenchies are considered a classic look for the breed and remain one of the most popular choices. Their lower rarity often makes them more affordable compared to exotic colors.
Black brindle Frenchies
Black brindle Frenchies have a deep black base with lighter fawn streaks across the coat. This subtle mix gives them a striking, almost tiger-striped look.
Blue brindle Frenchies
Blue brindle Frenchies combine the smoky blue base with brindle markings. The shimmering coat color makes them highly distinctive and in demand.
Pied Frenchies
Pied French bulldogs’ coat color is predominantly white, with clearly marked patches of another color like black, red or blue covering parts of their head and body. The way the pattern is distributed and the proportion of the white and the other color on the coat can be quite variable from Frenchie to Frenchie, making them really unique and beautiful! Pied is considered a traditional pattern but is also quite rare at the same time.
No two pied Frenchies look exactly the same, which adds to their charm. Their playful and patchy coats make them especially eye-catching among standard Frenchies.
Black pied Frenchies
Black pied Frenchies have a mostly white coat with bold black patches across the body or face. Their sharp contrast makes them one of the most photogenic pied variations.
Red pied Frenchies
Red pied Frenchies have a mostly white coat with distinct reddish-brown patches across their head and body. Their warm tones make them especially appealing to families who prefer a softer, friendlier look. The red coloring combined with the pied pattern is considered a rare and highly desirable mix.
Blue pied Frenchies
Blue pied Frenchies carry the same pied pattern but with striking blue patches instead of black or red. This variation is one of the most sought after because of its unusual and elegant color. Blue pied Frenchies often attract higher prices due to their rarity and unique appearance.
Merle Frenchies
Merle French Bulldogs are probably one of the most distinct and unique looking dogs in the Frenchie world! They have mottled patches around their bodies which can be of various colors ranging from blue, black or even lilac in rarer cases.
Merle is quite a dominant gene so it is passed down easily, and if you’re thinking about breeding your Frenchie one day, it’s important to know that they should never be bred with another merle bulldog. Since the merle gene affects the skin pigment as well, when a merle patch crosses the eye area the Frenchie will have bright forever blue eyes. Sometimes only one of the eyes will remain blue, which is a phenomenon called heterochromia.
Merle Frenchies are very rare and often come with higher price tags because of their unique look. If you’re after a truly special Frenchie, a merle might be the one for you!
Black merle Frenchies
Black merle Frenchies show a mix of mottled grey patches over a black base coat. This gives them a dramatic and bold appearance that stands out instantly. They are among the most popular types of merle Frenchies.
Blue merle Frenchies
Blue merle Frenchies carry mottled grey and blue patches that create a smoky, marble-like effect on their coat. Their eye-catching color makes them highly desirable for adopters. They are often harder to find than standard merles, adding to their exclusivity.
Lilac merle Frenchies
Lilac merle Frenchies are a rare and striking variation, combining the soft lilac base with the mottled merle pattern. They often have light eyes that contrast beautifully with their coat. Because of their rarity, they are considered one of the most valuable Frenchie color variations.
Tan Frenchies
French Bulldogs with a tan pattern have a solid base color with red or beige markings on their paws, chest, bottom, cheek and eyebrows. Usually the more distinct the color difference is, the more beautiful these Frenchies look! The range of different color variations is quite broad from black, blue, lilac, chocolate, and combinations with other patterns like merle is also possible.
Tan Frenchies are especially popular among families thanks to their charming “eyebrow” markings. They can be found in both standard and rare coat combinations, making them versatile favorites. People love these Frenchies because they are simply adorable!
Black and tan Frenchies
Black and tan Frenchies feature a solid black coat with warm tan points on their face and legs. This high-contrast look is striking and very trendy among adopters. They are often priced higher than standard black Frenchies.
Blue and tan Frenchies
Blue and tan Frenchies have a greyish-blue coat with tan markings in the usual spots. The mix of cool and warm tones makes them look both elegant and playful. They are one of the most requested color variations at reputable breeders.
Lilac and tan Frenchies
Lilac and tan Frenchies blend a soft lilac base with distinctive tan markings. Their unique coloring makes them very rare and expensive. Many owners consider this one of the most “luxury” Frenchie looks.
Choco and tan Frenchies
Choco and tan Frenchies have a rich brown base color with tan highlights on their chest, paws, and face. This warm-toned combination is relatively rare, which makes them more valuable. Their coats tend to shine beautifully in sunlight, giving them an elegant look.
Merle and tan Frenchies
Merle and tan Frenchies combine the mottled merle coat with the tan point pattern. They are visually very complex, often displaying multiple shades at once. Because of their genetics, they are best bred carefully to avoid health issues.
Fluffy Frenchies
The demand for fluffy French Bulldogs has largely increased during recent years (as we explained in this article by the New York Post). The long hair gene responsible for their amazing furry look is also known as the Fibroblast growth factor. Despite what many think, their long coats don’t require more regular grooming than standard Frenchies.
Fluffy Frenchies can be found with all the color and patterns combinations. They tend to cost significantly more because of their rarity and popularity, which is especially true for pups with exotic colors.
Fluffy Frenchie
101 Ebook
Which French Bulldog colors are AKC-recognized and why it matters
From all the color variations discussed above, you might be surprised that the American Kennel Club only recognizes nine standard colors (rare colors can still be registered with the AKC under a standard color). Some of them have different names than the ones mentioned, let’s see what these are:
| Color | Explanation |
| Brindle | Black with light fawn streaks |
| Brindle & White | Predominantly brindle with white patches |
| Cream | Solid yellowish white |
| Fawn | Light brown |
| Fawn & White | Predominantly fawn with white patches |
| Fawn Brindle & White | Fawn with brindle pattern and white patches |
| White | Solid white |
| White & Brindle | Predominantly white with brindle patches |
| White & Fawn | Predominantly white with fawn patches |
If you’re planning on competing with your Frenchie in dog shows, you’ll need to choose a one of these official colors as all rare colors are disqualified unfortunately.
Summary
You’ve seen that there are about 30 different color variations in Frenchies. That is considered quite a large number in the canine world as not many dog breeds have such a wide range of different colors. That means that any Frenchie lover will definitely find their favorite when looking for a new puppy, but one should be aware that rare colors are always in a higher price range. Make sure to read our Ultimate French Bulldog Price List to learn more about the factors affecting a Frenchie’s price.
FAQs
The standard French Bulldog colors are cream, white, brindle, fawn, and combinations of the last three.
Rare French Bulldog colors include solid black, blue, lilac, platinum, Isabella and chocolate together with patterns like tan, merle plus the long-haired fluffy.
The most expensive Frenchies are fluffies with a price range of 6,000 USD to 12,000 USD. Usually the rarer the color of a Frenchie, the more expensive they are.
Some of the most popular French Bulldog colors and patterns include brindle, fawn, blue and merle.
Which Frenchie color is your favorite? Tell us in the comments! 🙂
If you can’t get enough of our Frenchies, join our Facebook group called TomKings Frenchie Family to see our puppies in their forever homes!
The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. All the pictures in the post belong to them and their customers, and show puppies from their breed. Check their available French Bulldog puppies, or if you have any questions or comments let us know below the article.
14 Responses
Thank you for pointing out all the styles. My red fawn is coming in July and i can hardly wait🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
Hi Cathy,
You’re welcome! Emilio can’t wait to meet you! 🙂
Your Frenchie puppies are beautiful AND built so well! 😍
I am looking forward to having one of your pups when our beloved Frenchie is no longer with us. (Sadly, her days are numbered becsuse of her serious heart condition.)
Thank you so much, Vicky! I’m sorry to hear that your sweet Frenchie is unwell! We will be here for you if you need help.
I like blue fawn, platinum, black and tweed Merle’s in the blue or lilac range.
Hi Lisa,
These colors are absolutely beautiful, I can’t wait to find the puppy of your dreams for you. We have sent you an email, please check your spam folder too. 🙂
Hi what is the best colour to breed with my platinum almost white French please.
Hi Debbie!
As platinums carry all colors, you can breed them with a color you want for the puppies to be. 🙂
I have a lilac tan point merle. Is it true that I can only breed him to solid color? No pie, Merle’s or brindle?
Hi Megan,
It’s true that you cannot breed him to merle because it can result in health problems but you can do it to pied or brindle without any problems. 🙂
Does the color around a puppy’s nose fill in? I notice puppies having spotted noses, but most of the adults I’ve seen online have noses that are almost all one color
Hi Robin,
No, they not always fill in entirely. Sometimes as they grow, there are some changes but they usually keep their patterns. 🙂
A very informative and knowledgeable article. It has made it very hard to choose as what color to get. Will need your guidance when necessary.
Sajjad Mahdi
Member Managing Committee
Kennel Club of Pakistan
Hi Sajjad,
Thank you so much! It means a lot ot us! 🙂 Feel free to email us when you need assistance: team@tomkingskennel.com