French Bulldogs are a breed of dog known for their friendly personalities and gentle nature. They are also very intelligent dogs who love to play and enjoy being around people.
A French Bulldog is a large breed of dog that was developed from the English Bulldog. The French Bulldog has a short coat that comes in several colors. It can be black, brown, or tan with white markings on its face, chest, and legs.
The French Bulldog is an active breed that loves to run around and play. This makes it a great companion for children, but they do need exercise.
What Is A Merle French Bulldog?
Merle French Bulldogs carry a special gene that gives French Bulldogs a unique color pattern. Merles have a variety of different colored coats including shades of blue, red, yellow, orange, pink, and cream. These colors come from the recessive genes in the Merle gene.
This gene causes the hair to grow in patches instead of all over the body. As a result, the dog will have some areas of one color and other areas of another color. They will usually have darker spots of color over an overall lighter base coat.
There are two types of Merles: Black-Coated Merles and Cream-Flecked Merles. Both have distinct patterns that make them recognizable as a particular type of Merle.
Black-Coated Merles have dark chocolate or black fur on their bodies. Their faces may be lightened up by having a few flecks of white on their nose, ears, cheeks, or forehead.
Cream-Flecked Merle’s have a lighter base coat than Black-Coated Merle’s. They often have more white on their faces and paws. Their coats are usually a medium shade of cream or off-white.
How To Care For A Merle French Bulldog
French Bulldogs require regular grooming because of their thick double coat and the same goes for Merles. You should brush your dog’s coat regularly, so you don’t miss any knots or tangles. You should do this every day at least once.
Use a slicker brush to remove dead hair and dirt, but don’t use a wire brush because this can cause damage to the skin and coat.
You should trim your dog’s nails at least once per month. Make sure you keep your dog’s feet trimmed and clean. If you notice signs of infection, take your dog to the vet immediately.
How Are Merle French Bulldogs Bred?
Breeding Merles began in the early 1900s when a breeder noticed that his dogs had unusual coloring. He started breeding these dogs to see what would happen.
Over time, he found out that if he bred a male Merle with a female without the Merle gene, then half of the puppies would have the Merle gene. Unfortunately, many of those puppies were born with birth defects such as the cleft palate and deformed limbs.
To prevent this problem, breeders started using DNA testing to find out which dogs carried the Merle gene. Today, most Merle French Bulldogs are tested before they are bred.
If you want to get a puppy from a reputable breeder, ask about their health records. Ask how long they’ve been breeding French Bulldogs and how many litters they have produced.
If you’re interested in getting a puppy from a pet store, make sure you know exactly where the puppy came from. Puppies from pet stores tend to have more health problems than puppies from reputable breeders.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Merle French Bulldog?
The average lifespan for a Merle is 8 years. This means that a healthy Merle French Bulldog has a good chance of living into its senior years. However, it’s important to remember that not all breeds live as long as others.
A dog’s health plays a big role in determining its life expectancy. Some breeds, like German Shepherds, live longer than others.
Other factors that affect a dog’s longevity include its diet and exercise habits. Therefore, ensuring your pet is in good health will ensure that it can live a long and happy life.
Are Merle French Bulldogs Good With Children?
Yes! Many parents report that their children love playing with a French Bulldog. These dogs are very affectionate and friendly towards kids.
They also enjoy being around other animals. Most French Bulldogs are great with cats and small dogs.
However, some owners report that their dogs may be aggressive towards larger animals. It’s best to avoid letting your child play with an unsupervised French Bulldog that is still going through the training process.
How Much Are Merle French Bulldog Puppies?
When it comes to breeding Frenchies, they are different from other dog breeds. These dogs must be artificially inseminated and go through a c-section in order to give birth to their puppies.
This process means that purchasing a Frenchie puppy is going to be more on the pricier side, meaning you could be paying a few thousand dollars.
Are Merle French Bulldogs Rare?
Merle French Bulldogs are very rare! They are known as one of the rarest Frenchie colors out there, closely followed by the Fawn and Platinum-colored Frenchies.
Merle French Bulldog Health Issues
As with most dogs, health issues can occur when owning a French Bulldog, but this breed has a higher risk of encountering certain issues. Some common problems include hip dysplasia, allergies, ear infections, eye problems, heart disease, and respiratory diseases.
Joint problems tend to be the most common issue with Frenchies in general. These include hip and elbow dysplasia, arthritis, and luxation.
They can also experience issues with their breathing. These issues include illnesses such as tracheal collapse, stenotic nares, and an elongated soft palate.
Spinal issues are also common with Frenchies, and you should look out for issues such as degenerative myelopathy, and intervertebral disc disease.
As mentioned above, eye issues are also common in French Bulldogs in general, not just the Merle. These include entropion, where the eyelid begins to roll forward, and cataracts, among others.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is vital you make a trip to the vets immediately.
Ear Defects
Merle French Bulldogs have a high rate of hearing loss. They are susceptible to this either at birth or later on in their life. If you notice that your Frenchie doesn’t seem to hear or respond to sounds, then you need to take him to the vet right away.
Hearing loss can lead to other health complications if left untreated, so it’s important to get your Frenchie checked out.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, we hope that you enjoyed this guide about the Merle French Bulldog. We know how much work goes into raising a family member, and we want to help you do that by providing as much information as possible.
