English Bulldogs are renowned for their adorable looks and cute faces making them one the most sought-after dog breeds for family pets.
Did you know these dogs are also available in various unique colors besides the typical red, fawn, white, and fallow hues?
Well, English Bulldogs can also come in tri-colors.
Incredible, right?
Tag along as we learn more about the tri-English Bulldog.
What Is A Tri-English Bulldog?
A Tri-English Bulldog has a coat with three different hues in distinct patterns located on specific areas over the body. This dog’s coat is typically bi-colored except for a few areas where the third color is seen.
These points usually range from a light fawn to a deep golden brown color and are usually found on the cheeks, above the eyes, on both sides of the upper chest, and on the inner parts of the legs.
Breed Overview
The table below gives a summary of the Tri-English Bulldog.
| Characteristic | Tri English Bulldog |
| Height | 14-16 inches |
| Weight | 50-60 pounds |
| Coat type | Short, smooth, and glossy |
| Coat color | Brindle, white, fawn, blue, black, lilac, and chocolate |
| Temperament | Friendly, confident, sociable, and aggressive |
| Grooming needs | Low |
| Energy level | Low |
| Trainability | High, easy to train |
| Health | Below average |
| Intelligence level | Moderate |
| Family-friendliness | High |
| Dog-friendliness | Moderate |
| Life expectancy | 8-10 years |
| Price | $1,500 plus more |
Origin
The origin of the Tri-English Bulldog is similar to that of the classic English Bulldog. These dogs Originated from England in the 13th century and were initially for Bullbaiting. This was a bloody sport that involved attacking and tormenting bulls for entertainment.
The Bulldogs were trained to keep their heads close to the ground to avoid being caught and injured by the bull’s horns. This violent sport thus needed extremely powerful dogs, and English Bulldogs were a perfect choice due to their muscular build and wide strong jaws.
However, the breed’s purpose began to evolve following the illegalization of bull baiting in 1835. To subside their aggressive nature and convert the English Bulldogs from fighters to gentle companions, the breed’s enthusiasts began breeding them carefully with more docile dogs like terriers and pugs to achieve a gentle and sweeter temperament.
Eventually, the once violent and aggressive dog became an affectionate, gentle, and loving dog that became popular among households.
Do Kennel Clubs recognize Tri-Color English Bulldogs?
Despite their popularity and stunning looks, the AKC does not recognize Tri-Color English Bulldogs. Tri-color is not among the accepted coat colors for the English Bulldog breed. Tri-color English Bulldogs are thus considered non-standard and are therefore not allowed to participate in AKC shows.
All Color Combinations of Tri-Color English Bulldog
Tri-color English Bulldogs come in four variations with different patterns. These include:
Black Tri-Color English Bulldog
This tri-English Bulldog is predominantly black patches spread around its face, head, and body. This is usually accompanied by small white patches around the body, legs and tan points above the eyes and cheeks.
Black is one of the most popular tri-color variations for English Bulldogs. The black tri-color English Bulldog also has black or dark brown eyes, a dark snout, and black paw pads. This dog costs between $4000-$5000.
Blue Tri-Color English Bulldog
This English Bulldog has a dominant blue, almost silvery base coat with large patches of white and tan points on its face, chest, and legs. This pup also has striking light-colored eyes that are blue or green. Its paws, eyebrows, and nose are also blue-gray. This dog can cost up to $6500.
Chocolate Tri-Color English Bulldog
This is also among the most popular varieties of tri-colored English Bulldogs. This dog typically comes in a rich, deep brown coat with white or cream patches and spots spread randomly around its head and body. It also has some tan points on its face, legs, and chest.
Lilac Tri-Color English Bulldog
Source: Wikicommons
The lilac tri-colored English Bulldog is a highly sought-after dog that is also difficult to find and produce. The dog has a chocolate base coat mixed with a bit of blue, giving it a more champagne shade. It also comes with cream, white, and tan points and markings. This unique pattern is typically found around the face, chest, and legs.
While a lilac tri-color English Bulldog looks like a blue-tricolored Bulldog, the former has a much lighter base coat than the darker blue coat in blue tris. Lilac tri bulldogs also have bright-colored eyes ranging from aqua blue to light green.
Tri-Color French Bulldogs
Blue Tri
A blue tri-colored Frenchie has a light blue base coat with darker patches of blueish black and a white chest. This dog has striking light-colored eyes, which can be amber or brown.
Black Tri
The black tri Frenchies have a black base coat with light white and tan markings which usually appear around the feet, chest, and face. They usually have darker eyes with a shade of brown but can also have green or hazel eyes.
Chocolate Tricolor
These Frenchies have a chocolate base coat with patches of lighter fur, usually tan or white. These patches are often seen around the feet, face, and chest. They can also have patches of black fur.
How much do Tricolor French Bulldogs cost
The price of tricolor Frenchies varies greatly depending on the coat color combination and the breeder’s location. However, tricolored Frenchies are generally more expensive compared to standard colored Frenchies. Typically, these Frenchies cost between $2000-$4000, with rarer colors like the blue tri-color costing $10000 or more.
Tri-English Bulldog Coat Color Genetics: How Do They Develop a Tri-Colored Coat?
The two skin pigments determine the tri-color coat; eumelanin and phaeomelanin. While the former is responsible for black colors, the latter is responsible for the red color. The default other genes can modify black and red colors. These other genes can cause dilution in eumelanin (black pigment) to create blue and lilac colors in tri-colored Bulldogs.
The Agouti Signaling Protein (ASIP) determines a dog’s coat color and pattern. The gene interacts with the MC1R gene to control the black and red pigments’ type, amount, and distribution.
How much is a Tri-English Bulldog
The price of tri-color Frenchies depends on factors like coat color combinations, location, rarity, pedigree, and the breeder. However, tri-colored Bulldogs are more expensive than their solid-colored counterparts mainly due to their rarity and difficulty in producing specific color combinations. Generally, you can expect to pay between $4,000-$10,000 to get one.
Classic English Bulldog Vs. Tri-English Bulldog Vs. French Bulldog: A Comparison
The table below compares the classic bulldog, vs. English Bulldog, vs. French Bulldog.
| Characteristic | Classic English Bulldog | Tri-English Bulldog | French Bulldog |
| Height | 14-15 inches | 14-16 inches | 11-13 inches |
| Weight | 40-60 pounds | 40-60 pounds | 16-28 pounds |
| Coat type | Short, smooth, and slightly rough | Short, smooth, and glossy | Short, fine, and smooth |
| Coat color | Brindle, white, fawn, red, and gray | Brindle, white, fawn, blue, black, lilac, and chocolate | Brindle, fawn, white, and cream |
| Temperament | Friendly, confident, sociable, and aggressive | Friendly, confident, sociable, and aggressive | Athletic, alert, playful, smart, and easy-going |
| Grooming needs | Low | Low | Low |
| Energy level | Low | Low | Low to moderate |
| Trainability | High, easy to train | High, easy to train | High, easy to train |
| Health | Below average | Below average | Below average |
| Intelligence level | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Family-friendly | Yes | High | Yes |
| Dog-friendly | Yes | Moderate | Yes |
| Life expectancy | 8-10 years | 8-10 years | 10-12 years |
| Price | $1,500 -$4,000 | $4,000 and above | $1,500 and above |
Tri-English Bulldog Personality & Temperament
Like any other English Bulldog, Tri-English Bulldogs are easy-going, friendly, loving, and affectionate dogs that get along with people, other dogs, and pets. They are social breeds that love spending time with their families, making them great companions. They are alert and courageous, which makes them dependable watchdogs.
Tri-English Bulldogs can be a bit aggressive with other dogs and pets. However, with proper and early socialization, these dogs can get along pretty well with other dogs.
Do they make good family pets?
Yes, due to their loving and affectionate nature, tri-English Bulldogs make excellent family pets. These dogs are gentle and playful, making them great companions for kids. They generally adore spending time with their families.
Tri-English Bulldog Training
Due to their stubbornness and average intelligence levels, tri-English Bulldogs can be difficult to train. However, with positive reinforcement training techniques, these dogs can quickly grasp basic commands and instructions. Early training and socialization are also essential in minimizing their aggression.
Tri-English Bulldogs get easily bored. Thus, You should keep the training sessions short and entertaining to keep them from boredom and limit their stubbornness. Remember to use food treats to reward and motivate your dog during training.
Tri-Color English Bulldog Lifespan and Health Issues
Tri-English Bulldogs are susceptible to several health issues like the classic English Bulldog. The following are some of the health issues you should watch out for in Tri-color English Bulldogs:
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome: Due to their short snouts and constrained nasal airways, tri-color Bulldogs are prone 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: Tri-color Bulldogs are prone to patellar luxation, a condition that involves the dislocation of kneecaps. 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.
- Allergies: Tri-color English Bulldogs, like other Bulldogs, are prone to allergies. A tri-color bulldog with allergies will exhibit itchy skin, runny nose, sneezing, constant scratching, and paw licking.
- Cherry eye: This condition occurs when a dog’s third eyelid gets weakened, resulting in a prolapse. This condition is extremely uncomfortable and painful and can lead to other complications like conjunctivitis or corneal ulcers. The symptoms of cherry eye include swelling and a small red protrusion on the eyelid.
- Dermatitis: These dogs are susceptible to skin conditions such as dermatitis due to their folds. The skin folds can trap dust and moisture, causing skin irritation and infection marked by redness.
Places to Find Tri-Color English Bulldog Puppies for Sale and Adoption
You can get a tri-color English Bulldog by purchasing from a breeder or adopting from rescue or adoption centers. It’s important to look for a reputable breeder who will give you a health guarantee for the puppy.
The table below shows some of the breeder’s websites where you can get a tri-color English Bulldog:
| Breeder | Contacts |
| Rare Bulldogs | Website: www.rarebulldogs.com |
| Champ Bulldogs | Website: www.champbulldogs.com |
| Bulldog Angels | Website: www.champbulldogs.com |
| AKC Market place | Website:https://marketplace.akc.org/puppies/bulldog |
| Green Field Puppies | Website: www.greenfieldpuppies.com/english-bulldog-puppies-for-sale |
| Florida English Bulldog Rescue (FEBR) | Website:www.floridaenglishbulldogrescue.com/ |
| Adopt-a-Pet | Website:www.adoptapet.com/s/adopt-an-english-bulldog |
Tri English Bulldog Pros And Cons
Like any other dog, a Tri-English Bulldog has its pros and cons. These include:
Pros
- They are alert and protective and hence make good watchdogs.
- They make great family dogs due to their loving and affectionate nature
- They are low-maintenance dogs due to their short coats.
- They don’t need a lot of exercise hence ideal if you have a busy lifestyle.
Cons
- They are expensive
- They are prone to various health issues
- They snore a lot
Are Tri-English Bulldogs rare?
Yes, tri-color English Bulldogs are rare. This is mainly because of the difficulty in breeding them, making them hard to find. The rarity plus popularity of tri-color English Bulldogs also makes them more expensive than solid-colored English Bulldogs.
Do Tri-Color English Bulldog puppies change color as they grow?
No, Tri-color English Bulldog puppies do not completely change color as they grow. However, their coats lighten or fade as the puppies grow and become senior dogs. These dogs may have more white or gray hairs around the face, head, and body. This is a normal sign of aging.
Do Tri-Color Bulldogs shed?
Yes, tri-color bulldogs shed. However, these dogs don’t shed as much as other breeds. This is because they have short coats.
How much is a Blue Tri-Bulldog?
Blue tri is one of the most expensive tri Bulldog variants available. Generally, a blue tri-English Bulldog can cost between $5,500-$6,500. The popularity of the blue tri Bulldog is what makes it expensive.
Which English Bulldog color Is the most expensive?
The Merle English Bulldog is considered the most expensive Bulldog color. Some specific types of merle of English Bulldogs, such as lilac merle, can cost up to $10,000. For the tri-colors, lilac tri is the most expensive, costing between $7,000-$9,000.
What is the American Kennel Club Policy regarding the color of bulldogs?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize the tri-color bulldog. According to the AKC, the standard colors are red, white, fawn, or fallow, and any combination of these. The accepted patterns and markings include piebald, brindle, black mask, and black tipping. All other colors and markings are a disqualification.
What Is the rarest English Bulldog color?
Merle and lilac are considered the rarest colors for English Bulldogs. These colors are difficult to produce and, thus, hard to come across. As a result of their rarity, lilac, and merle bulldogs are very expensive.
Final Thoughts: Is the Tri-English Bulldog Right for You?
Tri-colored English Bulldogs are not unique but have pleasant and loveable dispositions that make great family pets. They are adorable, quirky bundles of joy who love spending time with their owners and families.
However, these stunning dogs don’t come without their share of downsides. First, they are prone to breathing and other health issues due to their brachycephalic structure. They also tend to snore loudly, which can put off some people.
All in all, tri-color English Bulldogs are a good fit if you are looking for a loyal companion with an eye-catching coat.