Lilac Merle, One of the most distinctive and distinctive-looking breeds of dogs in the world, is the French Bulldog.
They have gorgeous, uncommon coats with lilac-colored spots over their pale bodies.
Lilac merle French Bulldogs are frequently confused with blue merle Frenchies, although they are far more challenging to breed and cost more.
These Frenchies frequently have brilliant blue eyes, an unusual breed trait. Lilac Merles might be the French Bulldog for you if you want something unique.
What is a Lilac Merle French Bulldog?
Lilac Merle refers to a distinct coloring and pattern combination on a French Bulldog. The Lilac color requires a combination of two sets of recessive genes.
Conversely, Merle only requires one copy of the dominant genes to pass on and appear. For the Lilac color to emerge, it requires two sets of recessive genes.
The first gene is called the Dilution gene, located in the D Locus; this can also be called the Blue gene. This gene is recessive and requires a copy of the genes to be passed on from both parent dogs.
If a French Bulldog without this gene is bred with a Frenchies with this gene, then it will not be able to produce puppies with the correct color.
The second gene needed is the chocolate gene, also called the Cocoa gene. A Frenchie can be chocolate in two ways, but only the Cocoa gene produces Lilac.
Like the Blue gene, both parents must pass on a copy of the Cocoa gene for the Chocolate color to be present. The combination of Blue and Chocolate present leads to the Lilac color.
Lastly, the Merle gene affects the pattern in the Frenchie, which leads to patches of darker fur across the coat, creating a striking pattern effect.
Merle usually displays smaller patches around the face and larger patches across the body. However, no uniform approach to this patterning will make all Lilac Merles have their unique look. Unlike the Lilac color genes, the Merle gene only requires one copy of a favorable gene to be present.
Characteristics of Lilac Merle French Bulldog
The Lilac Merle French Bulldog appears to be an active muscular dog with heavy bones, a smooth coat, and a medium or small size that is compactly built.
The cute puppy has an expression of alertness and curiosity and is always interested. The back is bent with a slight fall close after the shoulders; short and intense, broad at the shoulders and contracting at the loins.
The body is short and well-rounded. The chest is deep, comprehensive, and complete, well ribbed with the belly tucked up.
1. Size and Weight
The male Lilac Merle French Bulldogs usually grow from 10 inches (27 cm) to 13.7 inches (35 cm), whereas the females grow from 9 inches (24 cm) to 12 inches (32 cm).
The Frenchie males weigh 20 to 30 pounds, and the females weigh 17 to 28.
2. Coat and Color
The coat of the Lilac Merle French Bulldog is short and smooth. While it is affected by the recessive gene that causes dark spots on the fur seen across the coat, creating a striking pattern.
The Merle pattern will display smaller patches around the face and more prominent faces all over the body. Merle coats have no uniform pattern, soo every Lilac Merle will have a unique look. Unlike other color genes, the Mere gene requires only requires one copy of the gene to be present.
Double Merle
While the Merle pattern only requires a single dominant Merle gene, it can also have two copies of this gene. When this happens, it is referred to as a Double Merle, which unfortunately comes with many health issues.
The Double Merle has no extra effect on the coat, but it only affects the genes and health of the puppy.
Due to this, it is highly irresponsible and discouraged to breed a Merle dog with another Merle due to a 1 in 4 chance of producing a Double Merle.
3. Head Shape and Characteristics
Just like other merle Frenchies, lilac merle also has a big head for its body. These dogs also have cute sparkling eyes, which are an adornment. But sometimes, these eyes can be oddly colored as well.
The shape and position of the eyes are perfect and do not look odd to the head. French bulldogs also have large bat-like ears, a distinctive feature of this breed.
Many people love to crop the ear of their dogs, but in the case of French Bulldogs, it will cause them to lose their registration. Their upper jaw is more significant than the lower one and covers it almost completely.
Another cute thing is that Frenchies have extra skin on their necks that form wrinkles. All these features look cute on a small body.
4. Personality
The French Bulldogs are calm, friendly, and loving canines. Their worst temperamental flaw is that they may have a stubborn streak.
The only reason Frenchies experience separation anxiety is because they adore their owners so much. Frenchies are naturally kind and don’t react violently or efficiently.
The temperament and character of the French Bulldog are unaffected by the color of the coat. The personalities and temperaments of French Bulldogs are greatly influenced by their early environment, breeding, and parents.
Since Frenchies are generally calm dogs, they are simple to train. Frenchies can learn quickly despite short attention spans and remain calm throughout childhood.
What is the Cost of Lilac Merle French Bulldog?
The average price of a Lilac Merle French Bulldog is between $7000 and $12,000. These dogs are costly because recessive genes produce them.
It is tough to produce a Lilac Frenchie; the same goes for a Merle Frenchie. Now imagine breeding a puppy that will have both of these traits.
Birthing a French Bulldog puppy is also marked with severe complications; almost all Frenchies are born through c-sections.
Add this with the breeder’s reputation and the cost of keeping the parent dogs for breeding, and you will see how they can quickly charge you $12,000.
The Lifespan of Lilac Merle French Bulldog
The lifespan of a Lilac Merle French Bulldog is 10 to 12 years. Still, they tend to live up to 15 years with proper care. French Bulldogs are sensitive dogs and are only meant to be pet dogs, not guard or working dogs.
Refrain from expecting your Frenchie to do heavy work or hunting. They are built to cuddle you on the couch and play with your children.
The lifespan of a Lilac Merle French Bulldog is often affected by its diet, environment, exercise, and health. Most of the time, the life of a Lilac Merle French Bulldog is cut short due to health issues that often arise from Merle genes.
Health Problems
It is widely acknowledged that French Bulldogs have many health concerns. While good breeding can alleviate some of the issues, below is a list of common health problems and how to spot and manage them if possible.
- Seperation Anxiety
- Allergies
- Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (BAS)
- Skin Fold Dermatitis
- Ear Infections
- Corneal Ulcers
- Back and Spine issues
Diet & Food for Lilac Merle French Bulldog
A Lilac Merle French Bulldog needs a meal high in protein twice daily. Additionally, a modest amount of fat, fiber, and vitamins must be included in the diet.
The immune system depends on fats to function correctly, whereas muscles must be built and maintained with protein. The body also needs vitamins and minerals to function correctly.
You can give your Frenchie dry kibbles or any other food your veterinarian recommends.
Pros and Cons of Having a Lilac Merle French Bulldog
Like any other dog breed, the Lilac Merle French Bulldog has pros and cons. Here is a list of all the pros and cons a Lilac Merle Frenchie can have.
Pros
- Lilac Merle Frenchies stand out from the crowd thanks to their distinctive coat.
- A dog’s personality is unaffected by the color of its coat. And according to everyone, french bulldogs have the most adorable personalities.
- Lilac Merle French Bulldogs require little upkeep because of their short, non-shedding coat.
- French Bulldogs require a little daily stroll to be active. In other words, you can be lazy and still give your French bulldog good care.
Cons
- There are two recessive genes involved meaning twice the risk of health issues.
- Lilac Merle Frenchies are expensive due to the rarity of these puppies.
- Despite being so beautiful, Lilac Merle Frenchies have some of the stinkiest farts.
- Merle genes are more prone to skin issues, so you must closely monitor that.
- French Bulldogs are clingy and can develop separation anxiety.
Tips for Taking Care of Your Lilac Merle French Bulldog
The right to care for a Frenchie puppy is the same as any other small dog. These dogs are less demanding but still need a proper amount of care.
A Proper Diet is Full of Nutrients
No proper diet does not mean dog food three times a day. It means a meal full of all nutrients to nurture the dog’s body.
You must provide your Lilac Merle Frenchie with food that is full of protein, low in fat and carbs, and contains vitamins and minerals. Also, you don’t have to feed the dog three times a day; only two times will be sufficient since they are mostly lazy and lay around the house.
Stay Updated With Vaccination
French Bulldogs don’t need much care, but you can never be too cautious. Take your Lilac Merle Exotic French Bulldog to the vet every six months. But you should immediately go to the bet if you notice anything unusual.
Ensure you vaccinate your puppy promptly and are updated with the latest vaccination shots. The latest vaccines will keep its immune system boosted.
Exercise for Active Body
Exercise is the best way to train if you have brought home a tiny puppy lilac Merle French bulldog. This way, your dog won’t get bored and bond with you.
But be careful since little puppies can’t keep up with you for long. An adult French bulldog should only get 30 minutes of exercise max.
As lazy dogs, Frenchies don’t like exercise, so you must be engaging and creative. Buy them some toys and play sports.
Obedience is Good For Both of You
If you love your French Bulldog and take pride in its ownership, you should know how important being obedient is.
You can start the moment you bring your puppy into the house. They should be aware that you are the alpha of the house.
Teach your puppy some basic commands such as go, come, stand, sit, and stay so that it would know to listen to you. After basic training, you can socialize and teach further advanced commands to your dog.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Are Lilac Merle French Bulldogs Rare?
Lilac and Merle coat patterns are the rarest and hardest to produce. And when you try to produce a puppy with Lilac and Merle, it becomes rigid and rarer. This rarity is why Lilac Merle Frenchies go for about $12,000.
Why Are Lilac Bulldogs so Expensive?
Lilac Bulldogs are hard to produce as they require two recessive genes that dilute the dark colors. On top of that, it is hard to find dogs that have Lilac genes.
And it’s not only the genes; it is also the cost of keeping the parent dogs for breeding as they require special care throughout their lives.
How Much Is a Lilac French Bulldog Worth?
A Lilac French Bulldog costs between $6000 to $12,000, but in some cases, they have been known to go for $20,000.
Conclusion
Lilac Merle Frenchies are rare, even among the rarest of dogs. You would be lucky to have one, as owning such a fantastic dog is a privilege and a responsibility.
That said, merle genes often cause health problems, and many breeders do not take necessary measures to ensure good health. Breeders try to make a quick buck and breed together two merle Frenchies. Doing so ensures the puppies will be Merle, but it will also carry genetic issues and a short life for the dog.
To avoid complications, research and always buy from reputable breeders. Some of the best French bulldogs breeders are Tom Kings Kennel and Master Bulldogs.
