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Why Is The Blue And Tan French Bulldog So Controversial?

Why Is The Blue And Tan French Bulldog So Controversial?

Blue And Tan French Bulldogs are adorable to look at, but there are a lot of medical issues associated with them. Are they really worth the hype?

Frenchies in general are a very popular dog breed and they have been something of a social status symbol for a long time. Add to it the rare coat color pattern and you can see why blue Frenchies are so special.

This article will focus on all the things that make blue and tan Frenchies so beloved, but also on the negative connotations associated with the breed.

What Is A Blue And Tan French Bulldog?

blue and tan frenchie
Photo from: @dixie__the__frenchie

First things first, we need to define what a blue and tan French Bulldog actually is. And to do that, we have to start with the blue French Bulldog.

The blue Frenchie is a unique color variation of the French Bulldog breed, which is caused by a recessive gene known as the dilution gene. This is sometimes colloquially referred to as “the blue gene.”

Within the blue-coated Frenchies themselves, there are many different possible patterns, including pure blue, blue merle, blue fawn, blue pied, and, of course, blue and tan.

Are Blue And Tan French Bulldogs Purebred?

That really depends on how you interpret the word “purebred.”

A blue and tan French Bulldog puppy can be the offspring of two blue and tan Frenchie parents (which is the case most of the time), and in that sense, you could call it purebred.

However, since blue coat color generally isn’t accepted as standard by the American Kennel Club, there aren’t any official guidelines that would dictate a blue and tan Frenchie’s pedigree or bloodline quality.

If you really want to know how pure your Frenchie is, i.e. how varied its genetic makeup is, it would be best to have it take a DNA test.

Is The Blue And Tan French Bulldog Rare?

blue and tan french bulldog
Photo from: @moonrock_frenchies

Blue French Bulldogs in general are very rare, compared to other Frenchie colors.

When you narrow that down even further to the blue and tan variant, then you’re looking at an even rarer subtype of the French Bulldog breed.

That’s one of the reasons they are so highly appreciated by some dog owners, but it can also be a downside because it encourages very specific breeding practices that might not be good for the breed in the long term.

What Is The Rarest Frenchie Color?

The blue and tan Frenchie is certainly very high up on the list of the rarest French Bulldog colors, but I wouldn’t say it’s the number one.

That spot would probably go to either the lilac Frenchie or the isabella Frenchie, both of which are extremely hard to find, and also extremely expensive.

Blue And Tan French Bulldog Personality

cute blue and tan french bulldog
Photo from: @dixie__the__frenchie

With us humans, physical appearance does not relate to personality. What I mean by that is, no matter how attractive someone might look, that doesn’t mean that they’re also a good person.

And that is pretty similar in the canine world, as well. Coat color and appearance do not impact a dog’s personality and temperament.

With that in mind, we can say that blue and tan French Bulldogs have all the same personality traits and quirks that we usually associate with the French Bulldog breed.

They are very low-energy and low-maintenance dogs who thrive on social interaction and the exchange of affection. They love to cuddle, play around, and generally spend time with their owners.

They are great with both adults and kids, which makes them perfect family pets. In addition, due to their small size, they are comfortable in small apartments and in big houses alike.

Blue And Tan French Bulldog Grooming Needs

blue and tan french bulldog wearing a harness
Photo from: @rockysssmodernlife

Another thing that is a big positive of the blue and tan French Bulldogs is their relatively low grooming needs, at least when it comes to their coats.

They typically have short hair that doesn’t shed that much (they are considered hypoallergenic) so it doesn’t need frequent brushing and cleaning.

However, other grooming aspects can be a bit more demanding, especially when it comes to their skin and face.

You need to pay special attention to their skin and make sure that their folds are clean and not irritated. Blue and tan Frenchies are particularly prone to various skin conditions, and you need to be on high alert a lot of the time.

Additionally, due to their brachycephalic head shape, they are more prone to dental problems, so you will need to make sure that the hygiene of their teeth and mouth is on point.

Common Health Issues In Blue And Tan French Bulldogs

blue and tan french bulldog resting on chair
Photo from: @ghost_frenchie_iow

Now it’s time for some serious talk. Blue and tan French Bulldogs are a beautiful dog breed, they really are, but they come with a set of question marks over their health.

All French Bulldogs (and a lot of similarly built breeds) can struggle with respiratory issues because of their brachycephalic head shape. That significantly impacts their ability to be active, as long and intensive walks can be hurtful for them.

Furthermore, as I’ve already briefly mentioned, they can be affected by various skin conditions, mostly due to their thin coats and their trademark skin folds. Dermatitis and skin allergies are just a couple of examples.

More specifically, when talking strictly about blue and tan French Bulldogs, they can frequently struggle with color dilution alopecia. That is a genetic condition caused by the blue and tan Frenchie’s recessive gene and it causes hair loss and flaky skin.

These are some of the things I was referring to when asking if blue and tan French Bulldogs are worth the hype.

It’s always sad to see dogs who struggle with health problems through no fault of their own, just because of breeding practices and people wanting to have a novelty color dog.

How Much Is A Blue And Tan Frenchie?

blue and tan frenchie on a walk
Photo from: @milomills_

If you still want to get a blue and tan French Bulldog after reading all of this, then you will probably want to know how much money you will have to fork over.

At the start of this article, I mentioned that Frenchies are often considered a status symbol, and that is something that is reflected in their price.

Speaking in ballpark terms, French Bulldog puppies can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $8,000 (sometimes even more), depending on their coat color, pedigree, age, and where you buy them from.

Since the blue and tan variation is one of the rarest ones, it would be safe to estimate that a blue and tan Frenchie puppy would cost you around $6,500.

But that is only the beginning, as this breed requires a lot of special care once you’ve brought it into your home. The veterinary expenses can pile up pretty quickly!

What Is The Most Expensive Frenchie Color?

As a general rule of thumb, I can say that the rarer a color is, the more expensive it will be.

So by that logic, we can go back to the question of “what is the rarest Frenchie color” and talk about lilac and isabella coats. Puppies of these colors are typically over $6,500 in price, often reaching up to $8,000.

There is another case that I simply have to mention. It’s not strictly related to color, but it’s probably the most expensive French Bulldog variation in existence.

I am talking about the long-haired, “fluffy” French Bulldog. These pups are extremely rare (and controversial in their own right) and can sometimes dictate prices of over $11,000!

Final Thoughts

Circling back to where we started, I think it’s important to stress that blue and tan French Bulldogs are wonderful dogs that happen to come with a set of health risks.

If you do choose to adopt one of these dogs, you will have to be extra careful and attentive, as you’re not getting a run-of-the-mill type of dog. Black and tan Frenchies need special treatment, and that will require a lot of effort, time, and money from your side.

Read Next: 17 Types Of Bulldog Breeds Explained