Have you come across the grey French Bulldog?
In case you haven’t, you’ve come to the right place.
Follow us as we tell you everything there is to know about this unique Frenchie variant.
Let’s get to it, shall we?
Sources: Wikicommons
What is a Grey-French Bulldog?
A grey Frenchie is a standard French Bulldog with a distinctive coat coloring, ranging from black to light grey. The grey fur in a grey Frenchie is a diluted version of black that results from the blue dilution gene (D/d).
Grey French Bulldog: Breed Overview
The table below gives a brief overview of the grey French Bulldog:
| Trait | Grey French Bulldog |
| size | Small |
| Type | Purebred |
| Purpose | Companion dog |
| AKC Recognition | No |
| Height | 11-13 inches |
| Weight | 16-28 pounds |
| Coat type | Short, smooth |
| Coat color | Grey, light grey |
| Temperament | Affectionate, laid-back, playful |
| Shedding level | Moderate |
| Exercise needs | Low |
| Trainability | Moderate |
| Child- Friendliness | High |
| Dog- friendliness | Moderate |
| Separation anxiety | High |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Puppy cost | $4000 and above |
So what does a Grey Frenchie look like?
A grey Frenchie is like the other French Bulldogs, the only difference being their coat color. A grey Frenchie is a small dog with a compact, heavy-boned, and muscular body.
This Frenchie has a large, square head, a flat facial structure, short snouts, constrained nostrils, and heavy wrinkles. It also has a deep, wide chest and a short tail that can be screwed or straight.
Like the regular Frenchie, a grey Frenchie has bat-like ears that stand erect on its head and large, round eyes that can be brown, blue, or green. Its coat is short and smooth, making it easy to groom.
A Grey coat is characterized by…
- Base color: A grey Frenchie has a gray base coat that may range from a light to a dark shade.
- Tipped hairs: The grey French Bulldog has a tipped appearance marked by black hair tips on each hair shaft that blends into the gray base color.
- Grizzled appearance: The mix of dark and lighter hairs gives a grey French a grizzled appearance creating a unique and stunning coat color.
- Dark eyes and ears: Grey Frenchies have a black or dark brown coloration around the eyes and ears.
Grey French Bulldog full size, height, and weight
Like other Frenchies, grey Frenchies attain their full growth between the ages of 12-14 months but may continue to fill in muscles until they reach 2 years of age.
When fully grown, a grey French Bulldog stands between 11-13 inches tall for both males and females. Male grey Frenchies weigh 20-28 pounds, slightly heavier than their female counterparts at 16-24 pounds.
Types of Grey French Bulldogs
Grey Frenchie with blue eyes
Like all other Frenchies, grey French Bulldogs are born with a blue eye color that changes to brown as they mature due to higher melanin levels. Most French Bulldogs’ eyes will change to gray by their tenth week and eventually to brown. This also applies to gray Frenchies. However, some gray French Bulldogs retain the blue eye color into adulthood. Unfortunately, gray Frenchies with blue eyes are linked to health issues like deafness.
Grey fluffy French Bulldog
A gray fluffy French Bulldog has longer furs around the neck, ears, and chest than the standard Frenchie. This longer hair is caused by a mutation in the FGF5 gene that causes a gray Frenchie’s hair to grow longer.
Although the fluffy gray Frenchie is purebred, the AKC does not recognize it as a standard, so it can’t participate in conformation shows. Because gray Frenchies are rare, they are very expensive, with their price starting from $15,000.
Various French Bulldog Grey color
The following are some of the gray French Bulldog color variations:
Grey and white French Bulldog
A grey and white French Bulldog is a blue piebald Frenchie with a coat characterized by two-color patches. At least 50% of a gray and white Frenchie’s coat is white. The gray patches in a gray and white French Bulldog mainly occur around the face, neck, head, and body.
Besides the piebald pattern, gray and white can also come in a spotted pattern that appears as random gray splotches in the coat.
White and gray Frenchies can also come in a Merle pattern with mottled pigmentation of pink in their noses and paw pads.
Blue Grey French Bulldog
A blue-grey French Bulldog’s coat is a single shade of blue or gray. The gray or blue color in Blue-grey Frenchies ranges from a light silvery grey to nearly black slate grey. These dogs don’t have any markings on their coat. Blue-grey French Bulldog puppies have blue eyes at birth. While some Frenchies may change their eye color to brown as they grow, others retain blue into adulthood.
Brindle Grey French Bulldog
A brindle grey Frenchie features a gray coat with tiger-stripe pattern. These Frenchies’ coats have light and dark streaks across their entire body, with some having a white chest. While the brindle pattern may not be visible when the grey brindle Frenchie is born, it will become apparent once the puppy reaches 4 weeks.
Grey Merle French Bulldog
This Frenchie features irregular white and gray splotches on its coat. This coat pattern results from a merle gene that removes pigment from random patches of their gray coat. The merle gene also affects Frenchies’ eyes, paw pads, and ears.
Grey and black French Bulldog
Grey and black Frenchies have a light gray coat color with sporadic black patches throughout the body. Some grey and black Frenchies may have tan patches on their faces or legs. These Frenchies have blue eyes or two-colored eyes.
Grey spotted French Bulldog.
A grey-spotted Frenchie has a light-colored coat with gray patches spread all over the body. The grey-spotted Frenchies have a merle gene and are hard to breed, making them very rare. These Frenchies are prone to blindness and deafness due to the Merle or Piebald genes that suppress melanocytes in the iris and cochlea.
Light Grey French Bulldog
The light grey Frenchie has a solid pale silver throughout the body with no markings. These Frenchies may have blue or gray colored eyes.
Dark Grey French Bulldog
This dog has a solid slate color with blue flecks all over its coat. Its muzzle has a color that matches the coat. Some dark grey Frenchies may retain the blue eye color into adulthood, but others change to a darker eye color.
Grey and tan French Bulldog
These Frenchies come in a light to dark gray coat color with tan points on the chest, legs, and eyebrows. Their muzzles also come in a color that matches the gray coat hue. Grey and tan Frenchies’ eyes can be either brown or blue, with lighter grey and tan Frenchies having blue or gray eyes.
Grey and brown French Bulldog
These Frenchies feature a light to dark gray coat with brown points in the chest, legs, and eyebrows. Some of these dogs may have white markings on their chests. The color of their muzzles matches their coat colors. Their eyes are either brown, gray, or blue.
Grey fawn French Bulldog
This comes in light brown coat color with gray undertones. Its muzzle is gray, and the edges of its eyes and ears are covered in gray fur.
Lilac Grey French Bulldog
The lilac grey Frenchie has light grayish brown coat color patches in a darker gray background.
Silver Grey French Bulldog
This features a light gray solid coat throughout the body.
Grey-speckled French Bulldog
This Frenchie has patches of light gray on a darker gray coat base.
Charcoal Grey French Bulldog
This Frenchie features a dark gray to nearly black coat color throughout the body.
Grey-pied French Bulldog
The grey-pied Frenchie has patches of white and gray throughout the whole coat.
Standard Grey French Bulldog
A fully grown standard grey French bulldog should have a height of 11-13 inches and a weight of not more than 28 pounds. If it goes beyond this weight, a Frenchie is considered obese, which can have serious health complications. A standard grey Frenchie should be heavy-boned and have a stocky build.
Grey Mini French Bulldog
A grey miniature French Bulldog weighs between 14-22 pounds when fully grown, unlike a standard grey Frenchie that weighs between 20-28 pounds. These dogs are usually created by breeding the runts of the litter. However, they can also be produced by crossbreeding with smaller dogs. The AKC does not recognize the grey mini Frenchies as a standard and is, therefore, not allowed to participate in conformation shows.
Grey teacup French Bulldog
Besides their tiny size, gray teacup Frenchie is similar in appearance to the standard Frenchies. A fully grown grey teacup Frenchie weighs 9-14 pounds and has a height of not more than 11 inches at the shoulders. Their heads are more rounded than those of standard Frenchies.
What gives Grey French Bulldogs their appearance?
The gray coat color in gray Frenchies is caused by a recessive gene that affects the typical black coat of French Bulldogs. For this color to manifest, a puppy must inherit two copies of the recessive gene from both parents.
Dilution Gene
The recessive gene that causes the grey coat hue in grey Frenchies is called the dilution gene (dd). The gene dilutes a Frenchie’s black coat color, giving it a grayish-blue shade called blue or grey.
If a Frenchie has just a single copy of the dilution gene, it will be a carrier but will not display the gray coat color. However, it can pass the gene to its offspring.
For a French puppy to have the gray coat, both parents must either be gray themselves or carry one copy of the dilution gene. If one of the parents is grey while the other is black but carries the dilution gene, there’s a 50% chance that the offspring will turn out gray.
French Bulldog Grey Temperament and Personality
Grey Frenchies are loving, devoted, and affectionate dogs that love spending time with their families. They are loyal, friendly, and clownish and flourish on the attention and care they get from their owners and other family members.
Like all other Frenchies, grey Frenchies are playful, outgoing, and gentle, making them great companions for children. They are also social dogs and get along well with other dogs and pets. However, grey Frenchies can’t stand alone for long due to their clingy nature. Leaving these dogs alone for long durations makes them prone to separation anxiety.
Grey Frenchies are also highly adaptable and can do well in any household, whether an apartment or a home with a large backyard.
Do French Bulldog Grey make great family pets?
Yes, grey Frenchies make excellent family pets. These are loving and affectionate pups that love being around their families. These Frenchies also get along well with people, kids, and other pets. This dog makes a great addition to any family, whether couples, singles, families with kids, or elderly people.
Are Grey Frenchies affectionate dogs?
Yes, grey Frenchies are highly affectionate dogs that love spending every minute with their families. Their extreme love for their families can become needier, making them prone to separation anxiety. These dogs can’t tolerate being alone for long durations. Leaving these dogs alone can lead to destructive behaviors.
Gray Frenchie Training
While gray Frenchies are smart dogs, they have a stubborn streak that can make training them challenging. However, these dogs are eager to please and can quickly grasp basic commands and instructions. It’s thus best to use positive reinforcement training techniques like words of encouragement and treats for the best results.
These Frenchies also get easily bored and distracted. It’s thus important to keep your training sessions short and entertaining. You’ll also need to remain patient and consistent throughout the training period.
French Bulldog Gray Exercise Requirement
Grey Frenchies need sufficient exercise and training like other dogs to keep them mentally and physically healthy. While they are not overly energetic and active dogs, grey Frenchies must still be physically and mentally occupied. Failure to keep your dog active may result in undesirable behavior, obesity, and aggression. Exercising your Frenchie will keep it from being bored and engaging in destructive behavior.
Since they are brachycephalic dogs, grey Frenchies are prone to breathing problems and thus require only moderate exercise. Ideally, up to one hour of exercise divided into two rounds of mild exercise is enough for these dogs. Daily short walks, indoor playtime, and mild outdoor exercises are enough to keep these dogs physically fit.
Frenchies Grey Grooming and Cleaning
The grey French Bulldog is considered a low-maintenance dog regarding grooming needs. It has a short, smooth coat that sheds moderately. Weekly brushing is enough to keep it clean and prevent matting. Regular coat brushing will help redistribute body oils throughout the coat, keeping it healthy and shiny.
Grey Frenchies don’t need frequent bathing. You’ll only need to bathe this dog once monthly or whenever it gets into a mess, like rolling in mud or anything sticky. While it does not need to be bathed regularly, the grey French Bulldog has skin folds that must be regularly cleaned and dried to keep them from infections.
Remember to clip your dog’s nails once or twice a month, as long nails can hurt it. To maintain a grey Frenchie’s oral hygiene, brush its teeth daily using enzymatic doggy toothpaste. This will help prevent plaque and tartar from developing. Check and wipe your dog’s ears weekly to avoid debris build-up and possible infections.
Diet
Grey Frenchies have highly sensitive stomachs and are prone to food allergies. It’s thus crucial to be careful about the type of food that you give your Frenchie. These Frenchies need a high-quality and completely balanced diet to thrive. The ideal food should be nutrient-dense and made using natural ingredients. It should be high in protein and fiber but low in carbs, fats, and salt.
Like other Frenchies, grey Frenchies are prone to unhealthy weight gain and obesity which can result in serious health problems. It’s, therefore, important to monitor your dog’s food intake by giving the right proportions. Grey French puppies need 1-1 ½ cups of food split into 3 meals daily, while adults can have up to cups of food portioned into two meals daily.
Is Gray French Bulldog hypoallergenic?
No, gray Frenchies are not hypoallergenic. These dogs shed moderately and are thus not a good choice for people with canine allergies or respiratory issues.
Lifespan
While a dog’s life span depends on genetics, health condition, and nutrition, you can expect a gray French Bulldog to live between 10-12 years on average. However, this dog can live beyond this lifespan with the right nutrition and care.
Grey French Bulldog Health Issues
Like other Frenchies, the gray French Bulldog is prone to various genetic health issues. These include
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome refers to a particular set of upper airway abnormalities such as elongated soft palate, stenotic nares, and laryngeal collapse. This results in respiratory and breathing problems.
- Patella luxation: Gray Frenchies are prone to patellar luxation, which involves kneecap dislocation. This condition causes pain, instability, immobility, and lameness. It can also lead to ligament destruction and other serious issues.
- Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip joint is malformed and does not function as it should. The condition results in pain, arthritis, and partial immobility.
- Tracheal collapse: Tracheal collapse is when the windpipe weakens and collapses, resulting in gagging, coughing, and breathing problems.
- Allergies: Generally, Frenchies, gray Frenchies included, are prone to allergies resulting from environmental and food factors.
- Cherry eye: This results from prolapsed eyelids causing excessive tearing and eye redness.
- Von Willebrand’s disease is when blood takes an abnormally long time to clot, leading to excessive bleeding.
Prices and Cost
Due to their rarity, gray Frenchies are expensive. Although the price of a gray Frenchie will vary depending on the breeder, location, and health, you can expect to pay at least $ 4000 to acquire one.
Besides the initial acquisition cost, there are also other costs that you should consider. Other expenses include neutering/spaying, vaccination, vet costs, grooming supplies, food, clothing, harness and collar, toys, crates, microchipping, deworming, ticks, and flea medications. On average, you can expect to spend between $500-$ 3000 on these costs.
Grey French Bulldog Breeders
When buying a French Bulldog, looking for a reputable breeder who will give you a health guarantee for their dogs is important. As gray Frenchies are expensive, be wary of breeders who offer these pups at much lower prices than the market value.
Any ethical and reputable breeder has the health records of their puppies available and won’t hesitate to provide them if requested.
Check these: Important Questions To Ask Your French Bulldog Breeder
Grey French Bulldogs for adoption
Grey French Bulldogs are also available for adoption from rescue centers and animal shelters. While adopting a Frenchie depends on the organization, it’s generally considered much cheaper than purchasing one from a breeder.
Grey French Bulldog Rescue
You can also get a Grey French Bulldog from a rescue center. Rescues centers take unwanted, abandoned, mistreated, abused, or stray grey Frenchies and attempt to find them a suitable home. You can adopt a grey Frenchie for as low as $650 from rescue centers.
Grey French Bulldog Mix
Due to the rising popularity of the grey French Bulldogs, breeders now crossbreed them with other purebred dogs. This is okay as long as it’s done by ethical and reputable breeders who place the health of their dogs above looks.
Grey French Bulldog Pitbull Mix
A grey French Bulldog can be crossed with a Pitbull to produce a gray French Pitbull mix. This is a medium-sized hybrid dog that’s healthier than the parents.
Grey French Bulldogs: Pros and Cons
Like any other dog, a grey French has its pros and cons. These include:
Pros
- They are gentle and playful hence great with children
- They have minimal exercise needs
- Grey Frenchies get along well with other dogs and pets.
- They are loving and affectionate and hence make great family pets.
- They are small and don’t need a lot of space.
Cons
- They snore loudly
- They are prone to various genetic health conditions
- They are sensitive to temperature changes.
- They are prone to separation anxiety.
- They can be stubborn, making training them a bit difficult.
What are Grey French Bulldogs called?
Grey French Bulldogs are called blue French Bulldogs. Blue is the official name given to gray-colored fur. These dogs are also called grey Frenchies, Frenchie gray, or Frenchie grey.
Is a grey French bulldog rare?
Yes, a gray French Bulldog is rare. This is because an offspring must inherit two copies of the recessive gene responsible for diluting the black color.
What is the rarest Colour of a French bulldog?
Gray is among the rarest French Bulldog color variations. Other rare colors include merle, blue, isabella, lilac, chocolate, and tan.
What is the weakness of the French bulldog?
The biggest weakness of the French Bulldog is its inability to regulate its body temperature due to its flat facial structure, which makes it prone to breathing and respiratory issues.
What are the bad facts about French Bulldogs?
The worst fact about French Bulldogs is that they are prone to various health issues due to their brachycephalic nature. They are also very clingy and prone to separation anxiety.
What are French Bulldogs scared of?
Frenchies tend to be scared by loud noises such as fireworks, thunders, and lightning. This can make them shiver in fear.
How do I know my Frenchie loves me?
The signs that show that your Frenchie loves you include leaning on you, greeting you while wagging its tail, maintaining eye contact with you, and it follows you around the house.
Is the Grey-French Bulldog Right for Me?
The grey French Bulldog has a friendly and loving demeanor making it an excellent choice for a family pet. This dog is highly social and loves spending time with people and other dogs. The grey Frenchie thrives on the care and attention it receives from its owners. This charming dog is also very loyal and protective of its family.
Although there is so much to love about this cute little dog, it doesn’t come without its share of setbacks. For starters, it’s prone to many health issues that could result in high medical bills. They are also prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.
However, with the right care, a gray Frenchie makes a great companion that’s ideal even for first-time owners.