Black French Bulldog: 5 Important Facts & Pictures

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The French Bulldog is among the most popular dog breeds. In fact, it recently overtook the German Shepherd as the second most popular dog breed in America. It’s easy to see why they’re so popular; their interesting, cute appearance, combined with their smart, loving personality makes them a dream pet for many households.

The French Bulldog’s coat comes in a variety of different colors, some are very rare and highly desired. Today, we’re taking a specific look at the Black French Bulldog. Most people do not know too much about these colored pooches, which is unfortunate, because this is quite a controversial color! To give you the information you need, we’re going to put them under the microscope by taking a look at the top 5 facts about black French Bulldogs. Let’s dig in!

1. The Black French Bulldog is not a distinct breed

People sometimes get confused by colors, patterns, and breeds. They sometimes mistakenly believe that black French Bulldogs are a breed of their own. This is not the case, the breed is “french bulldog”, the “black” simply refers to the color of their coat.

2. Black is not an officially recognized color for French Bulldogs

The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize black as an official color for French Bulldogs. The colors that they recognize for these dogs are:

Frenchie Colors
  • Brindle
  • Brindle & Cream
  • Cream
  • Fawn
  • Fawn & White
  • Fawn Brindle & White
  • White
  • White & Brindle
  • White & Fawn

The reason why black is not an accepted color by the AKC is that there is no natural way for French Bulldogs to be completely black. As a result, a black French Bulldog is labeled as a “fad color” by kennel clubs all over the world.

Dogs in fad colors are highly discouraged to buy by dog lovers because, in one way or another, they harm the breed. According to Dogster: “Frenchies who are all white or all black with no trace of brindle carry the deaf gene, and can produce blue-eyed dogs with eye problems.”

In addition, the gene that’s responsible for the black coat is so dominant that it eliminates all other colors in the bloodline, resulting in the loss of other colors. Of course, this is something that ethical breeders want to prevent.

3. Black French Bulldogs are sometimes mixed with pugs

Pugs are often bred in a fawn color, but their dominant coat color is actually black. Because of this, many breeders who are trying to make a quick buck breed Frenchies with black pugs to create what looks like a black Frenchy. Of course, this is not a purebred dog, but many people unfortunately still fall for it.

4. Black Frenchies are very expensive

Despite the fact that black is not an officially recognized color by kennel clubs and that the gene that causes this color can lead to health issues, many people unfortunately still want them. Due to their rarity and their high demand, the price of a black French Bulldog pup can easily be over $4500.

Because these dogs can fetch such a high price, people still breed them despite the fact that it’s unethical. By buying a solid black Frenchie you’re keeping them in business and contributing to the problem.

5. If you want a French Bulldog that looks black, go for Brindle

By now, I should have convinced you that buying a solid black French Bulldog is not a good idea. Not only do their genes often cause health problems, but it also threatens the future of the breed. Nevertheless, I do understand that the black coat color on a Frenchy might look appealing to some people.

If you highly desire a black French Bulldog, it’s best to opt for the Brindle color instead. Brindle is a very common coat that these dogs have where their hair is predominantly dark with some light-colored strands.

There are 3 good brindle options to choose from:

Brindle colors that look black
  1. Standard Brindle. Frenchies with this color have predominantly dark hair with some light-colored strands.
  2. Seal Brindle. Seal brindle French Bulldogs have a dark coat with fine white hairs. These fine white hairs are sometimes so sparse and barely noticeable that the coat appears to be completely black. Seal Brindle is a great alternative to black because it often gives a similar appearance but it’s an officially recognized color and does not bring risk to your dog.
  3. Chocolate Brindle. These Frenchies won’t be completely black, they’re more of a brown, chocolaty color, but still a great choice.

Frequently asked questions

Are Black French Bulldogs rare?

Yes, they are rare because they’re not an official color. Breeders should not breed Frenchies in this color because of the health issues that the gene that causes a black coat causes.

Are black Frenchies expensive?

Yes, definitely. Even though buying a black Frenchie is unethical due to the health problems that this color brings, breeders still breed them because people are willing to pay exorbitant prices for them. The price for one of these dogs can easily be over $4,500.

Final words

There you have it, the top 5 facts about black Frenchies. As you now know, black is not an officially recognized color for French Bulldogs. The reason is that the gene that causes this color can lead to health issues in these dogs and threaten the breed. Nevertheless, some breeders still breed them in order to make money.

It’s definitely not a good idea to buy a French Bulldog in a “fad-color”. Even if the color looks appealing to you you have to keep in mind that you’re talking about a living, breathing animal that’s going to be your companion for years. Their health is much more important than them having some rare color.

The best option if you want a French Bulldog with a darker coat is to buy one from a breeder that’s Brindle in color. Brindle, especially Seal brindle, closely resembles black but does not have the same issues. It’s a much more ethical choice because you’re not supporting the unethical breeding practices of creating “fad-color” dogs. A large portion of the pictures on this page are even of Brindle Frenchies, can you even tell the difference?

ThePetFaq Team
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