Blue French Bulldog – The Perfect City Apartment Roommate
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French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. According to the American Kennel Club, they were the fourth most popular dog in 2020.
If you are looking for a companion that will thrive in your city apartment, but you also want a pup that is a bit special and different, you might want to consider a Blue French Bulldog.
These pups are pure-bred French Bulldogs, but with a unique dilute bluish-gray coat that makes them really stand out.
They have the charming personality of a typical French Bulldog, and their small size and limited exercise needs mean that they tend to do well in small apartments. While they can be a bit stubborn, they are low maintenance so they are great for first-time owners.
Do you think that a Blue French Bulldog might be the right companion pup for you? Read our complete guide below.
Essential Stats
- Color variation of the purebred French Bulldog
- Weighs less than 28 pounds
- 11-13 inches tall
- 10-12 year lifespan
- Companion dog
- Suitable for apartment living
- Low maintenance
- Limited exercise needed
History Of The Breed
The French Bulldog appeared in Paris in the mid-nineteenth century, probably through mixing Toy Bulldogs imported from England and a local ratter dog. They were bred to be lap dogs and companion animals and are fiercely loyal and attached to their people.
Toy Bulldogs began to lose their popularity in England in 1835 when bull-baiting, the main occupation of the dog, was outlawed.
Around the same time, lace workers from Nottingham were displaced by the Industrial Revolution and began to settle in Normandy in France. They brought the Toy Bulldogs with them, and from there they were bred with local small breeds.
They soon became very fashionable and were sought after as companions by French society ladies and Parisian prostitutes alike. The pups appeared in paintings by Edgar Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, and others.
The pups were imported to the United States beginning at around 1885 when an American-based breeding program was established.
They were popular among the American elite and were owned by the likes of the Rockefellers and the Morgans. They were officially recognized as a breed in 1906.
It is not clear when the Blue French Bulldog emerged as a specific and desirable variation of the breed, but this is one of the rarest and most popular colors.
Appearance
French Bulldogs are a small and stocky dog that should measure between 11 and 13 inches tall and weigh no more than 28 pounds.
They have a soft, loose coat that is quite fine and silky, and which forms wrinkles around their body. The dogs have a short and stumpy tail, but it is not docked.
There are a variety of acceptable colors for French Bulldogs including brindle, fawn, cream, and white.
Blue French Bulldogs have a distinctive bluish-gray color, which is the rarest color found. While they can be a single solid color, it is also not uncommon for them to have white patches on the chest and belly.
One of the most distinctive features of these dogs is their “smushed” flat face. This, coupled with their pointed and alert bat-like ears, gives them an extremely distinctive look.
While most French Bulldogs have dark eyes that look almost black, Blue French Bulldogs should have lighter blue eyes and a blue nose.
Temperament
Blue French Bulldogs are loving companion dogs that are incredibly loyal to their human owners. In fact, they are sometimes called “Velcro dogs” because they are so clingy to their human companions.
While this means that they don’t do well when left alone for extended periods of time, they do love to snuggle up on the couch and sleep in bed with you.
Overall they tend to have a laid-back and charming personalities.
They are highly adaptable and can get along in most situations; however, they can be territorial of their people which can make it difficult to get along with other small animals in the home, particularly cats and dogs.
They tend to be very sociable even with people they don’t know. They also aren’t barkers, so they won’t start making noise when someone arrives at the door.
While they like children, they aren’t great dogs for small children because small children tend to want to cuddle these balls of fur close and haven’t yet learned to be careful. Blue French Bulldogs are quite fragile and so can be easily hurt in this way.
These dogs are quite lazy, and they don’t need a lot of exercise to stay fit and healthy, but if they don’t have an opportunity to burn off energy they can be prone to destructive behavior.
If you like your shoes and curtains in one piece, you will need a few chew toys around the house to keep them occupied.
Care
Blue French Bulldogs can get comfortable anywhere, but they like to snuggle up and stay warm.
If you don’t want them sleeping on the couch or in bed with you they will need a nice little bed of their own, but be aware that they will prefer to be wherever you are.
They don’t need much exercise, but all dogs need some exercise. They do best with around 30 minutes of exercise a day, preferably separated into two sessions.
The exercise should be light, and you should monitor them so that they don’t overexert themselves. Their flat faces come with breathing difficulties, and working too hard can cause them serious distress.
Never take your Blue French Bulldog swimming! Their bodies are top-heavy and they will tend to sink in water.
Because these dogs are so small and they aren’t that active, it is easy to overfeed them. Putting on weight can compound their breathing problems, so it is important to monitor their calorie intake.
Don’t forget to include the calories contained in any treats that you choose to give them.
Read more about choosing the right treats for your dog here.
These pups don’t shed a lot, but it is still essential to brush them every other day. This is mainly to avoid dirt building up in their wrinkles, as bacteria can thrive here. If they are mostly indoor dogs, they probably only need a bath every two weeks.
These dogs are bred to be companions, which means that they like to be around people. They will easily become frustrated or depressed if left alone at home for hours on end when everyone is at work.
They also tend to entertain themselves by destroying whatever is at hand, so if you do go out and leave them at home, make sure they have a chew toy on hand to channel their destructive behavior.
Health Issues
Blue French Bulldogs generally have a lifespan of around 12 years, but they can have more than their fair share of health problems during that period.
Most notably, their flat faces, known as brachycephalic, mean that they have trouble breathing. As a result, they need to avoid extremely hot temperatures and overexerting themselves.
You will know when they are having a problem as they will start snorting and have obviously labored breathing.
It is also not uncommon for Blue French Bulldogs to be born with spinal malformations such as hemivertebrae and abnormally shaped spinal bones. Good breeders should monitor for this.
French Bulldogs are also unable to give birth naturally and often need a C-section. This is worth considering if you are getting a French Bulldog to breed.
Breeding of these dogs is best left to the experts, and you shouldn’t expect to get more than one litter from a female French Bulldog. Breeders will often recommend that you spay your French Bulldog to protect them from the dangers of an unwanted pregnancy.
Finally, French Bulldogs with a blue color can be particularly prone to skin issues and can develop color dilution alopecia which can result in hair loss. It is unclear why this skin condition is associated with this color more than other colors of French Bulldog.
How Much Does A Blue French Bulldog Cost?
French Bulldogs are already a popular breed. They were listed as the second most popular breed in the United States in 2020. The difficulties associated with breeding these dogs combined with the high demand means that pups tend to be pricey.
Since Bue French Bulldogs are particularly rare and desirable, the pups can carry a premium price tag. You can expect to pay as much as $3,500 for a Blue French Bulldog pup from a reputable breeder.
Should I Bring A Blue French Bulldog Into My Family?
If you are thinking of adopting a Blue French Bulldog, but you still aren’t 100% sure that they are the right dog for you, ask yourself the following questions.
How Big Is My Apartment?
Luckily, the small stature and low exercise needs of the Blue French Bulldog mean that they adapt well to apartment living. They will be perfectly happy sharing an intimate space with you, as long as you take them out often enough to get their exercise.
What Is The Climate Like Where You Live?
These little dogs have breathing difficulties which make it hard for them to regulate their body temperature. As a result, they struggle in hot temperatures in general and don’t do well anywhere that is very hot very often.
How Much Time Do You Have To Spend With Your Dog?
Blue French Bulldogs are companion dogs which means that they have been bred to want to be around people. As a result, they can easily become frustrated or depressed if they are left alone for extended periods of time.
Will your dog be alone at home for hours at a time while you are at work, or do you work from home or in a dog-friendly location?
Also, while Blue French Bulldogs don’t need a lot of exercise to stay fit and healthy, all dogs need exercise.
You will need to commit to taking them out at least once a day for 20-30 minutes, even in the colder months. They tend to do fine in colder temperatures, though they won’t be able to wade through the snow!
Do You Have An Active Lifestyle?
If you have a very active lifestyle, you are probably looking for a pup that can accompany you on your adventures. Sadly, the Blue French Bulldog probably isn’t it!
Their breathing issues mean that it is easy for them to overexert themselves, so they won’t be able to jump between boulders while you are hiking.
They also can’t swim, and so should not be taken on the water. If you do want to take them on a boat, don’t forget a doggy life jacket.
Are You An Experienced Dog Owner?
Blue French Bulldogs are small and low-maintenance, making them a great choice for new dog owners.
Their small size means that they are easy to control, and things such as grooming won’t take a mountain of time; however, be warned that they can be a bit stubborn when it comes to training. You may want the help of a professional trainer when starting out.
Are You Hoping To Breed Your Dog?
If you are thinking about getting a dog that you can breed in the future, then a Blue French Bulldog is not a good choice.
While their pups certainly sell for a good figure, breeding them is notoriously difficult as the females are unable to give birth naturally.
Breeding is best left to the professionals, and you probably want to spay your female dogs to avoid the trauma of an unwanted pregnancy.
Do You Have Small Children Or Other Animals?
While Blue French Bulldogs like children, they tend to be fragile and so are easily hurt by children who have not yet learned how to handle dogs with care. Remember that while they might be a toy breed, they aren’t toys!
Also, these dogs can be a bit territorial with their people which can make it hard to get along with other small animals such as dogs and cats. If you already have pets at home, it may be difficult for this new addition to fit in.
FAQs
How rare is a Blue French Bulldog?
Blue is one of the rarest colors for French Bulldogs. For that reason, they can cost twice as much as puppies of other colors, and there tends to be a waiting list. These dogs usually have white patches on their chest or belly.
How can you tell if a French Bulldog is blue?
The coloring of a Blue French Bulldog is distinctive and not often confused with other colors; however, with puppies, it is not always easy to determine exactly what color their coat will be as they grow up, as their coat can be very dark.
To check whether a puppy will be blue, look at the eyes and nose. The nose should be the blue color of their future coat. They should also have lightish blue eyes, rather than the almost black eyes of most French Bulldogs.
Are Blue Frenchies Pure-Bred?
Yes, Blue Frenchies are pure-bred dogs, they are just a color variation within the pure French Bulldog breed.
What is the difference between a blue and a lilac French Bulldog?
Lilac French Bulldogs are noticeably lighter than blue dogs, and as they mature their coats will become even lighter and retain a distinctive lilac hue.
Are Frenchies hard to potty train?
French Bulldogs tend to have a stubborn streak, which can make training them hard. Fortunately, they aren’t prone to bad behavior so if you use positive reinforcement training from the beginning they should learn the right behavior relatively quickly.
The Verdict
If you are looking for a distinctive companion dog who will be happy to share your city apartment with you, then a Blue French Bulldog is a great choice. They are among the rarest French Bulldogs, so expect to pay a hefty price for them.
These low-maintenance dogs will love to curl up and watch Netflix with you and join you at the dinner table, but be aware that low-maintenance doesn’t mean that these dogs don’t have their challenges.
These companion dogs love to be around their people, so they won’t be happy if you leave them at home for hours when you are out.
These dogs are for people who want a pretty constant companion for a fairly sedentary life. They make great emotional support dogs, and will give you the love and loyalty that you crave.
Do you have experience raising a Blue French Bulldog?
Share your experiences with the community in the comments section below.
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