Although white is one of the classic French Bulldog colours, the chances of coming across an all-white Frenchie are slim. His coat colouration resulted from the complicated process of genetic combination, which sometimes heavily relies on luck.
Many people aspire to own a White French Bulldog because of his rarity. However, dog lovers need to educate themselves about the health risks tied to this coat colour before making their final decision.
How Does the White French Bulldog Get His Colouration?
The white colouration of the French Bulldog cannot be attributed to only one genetic type. Several genes are found to cause this type of coat colour in the breed, such as:
1. Albinism Gene
Albinism in White Frenchies is a result of a rare genetic mutation that prevents the production of pigment and melanin.
The gene responsible for this condition was identified to be a variant of the SLC45a2 gene called the Lhasa Apso Albinism (LAA) gene. It affects the coat, eyes, and skin of canines.
A Frenchie with true albinism will exhibit a pure white coat, light-coloured eyes, and pink-toned nose, paw pads, and eye rims.
The LAA is a recessive gene in the French Bulldog breed. So White French Bulldog puppies should have two copies of the gene (LAALAA) to be confirmed as true albino dogs.
2. Leucism Gene
Leucism is commonly confused with albinism. Whilst these two have a nearly similar effect on a French Bulldog’s coat, they work differently.
In albinism, the cells responsible for transporting pigment and melanin are impaired, resulting in the complete loss of pigmentation.
On the other hand, dogs with leucism only experience a partial lack of pigmentation in certain areas of their fur, resulting in a pale or light-coloured coat with other spots of colour.
Telling apart a Leucistic White Frenchie from a true Albino French Bulldog is difficult without genetic testing. Some dogs with leucism are born with dark eyes unlike albino canines, but this is not always the case. Thus, distinguishing them through their eye colour is not a fail-safe method.
3. Extreme White/Piebald Gene
Piebald refers to the white spotting pattern on a dog’s coat. Many factors can influence the extensiveness of the white patches, including genetics.
Piebald is believed to be caused by the S locus brought on by a genetic mutation. Experts have identified two white alleles present in the S locus:
- S – solid coat
- sp – piebald coat pattern
French Bulldogs that inherit one copy of the piebald gene (Ssp) will show some white patches on their coat with varying intensity.
Inheriting one pair of the piebald gene (spsp) will produce an Extreme White French Bulldog. At least 90% of his coat is made up of white colouration.
His nose, lips, and paw pads will show a slightly pink colour. Small patches of colour may also appear on his head, ears, back, base of the tail, and around the rump.
Some scientists theorise that another allele is responsible for the extreme white spotting known as sw. However, there is not enough evidence to prove this claim.
4. Double Merle Gene
Merle is a marbling coat pattern achieved by diluting random portions of the fur to a lighter colour. The lightening effect mainly affects eumelanin or dark pigments like black, liver, or blue.
The M allele of the M locus produces the merle patterning in dogs. Since this gene is an incomplete dominant, only one copy (Mm) is needed for French Bulldogs to display a merle coat pattern.
If they inherit double merle (MM) genes, the lightening effect will be doubled, leaving them with a predominantly white coat.
Does the White French Bulldog Have Major Health Concerns?
Some White French Bulldogs are prone to certain health issues due to the genes causing their colouration. For instance, Double-Merle White French Bulldogs tend to be born with some form of ocular and auditory disorder. They are also at risk of developing cardiac and bone problems.
Like Double Merles, true Albino White French Bulldogs suffer from congenital eyesight and hearing impairment. Other prevalent health issues in these dogs are:
- Neural disorders
- Weakened immune systems
- Skin cancer
There were also reports of dogs with extreme white spotting having auditory issues. The insufficiency of melanocytes due to the aforementioned genes was the alleged cause of these hereditary health issues.
Melanocytes are the cells behind pigment production in the bodies of dogs. They are necessary for determining coat colours and for the proper development of body organs and parts like the eyes, ears, skin, and heart.
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Is the White French Bulldog Recognised by Major Kennel Clubs?
In the UK Kennel Club’s breed standard, only three colours are recognised as the official coat colours of the French Bulldog breed, namely brindle, fawn, and pied. However, it should be noted that White French Bulldogs are classified as pied for show purposes. This means having a white coat colour is also acceptable.
In addition, the regulations state that black is the preferred colour for the eyes, eyelashes, and lips of pieds. Moreover, Frenchies with any type of white coat should not display any ticking or spots.
On the other hand, the American Kennel Club (AKC)’s breed standard explicitly states that white is an acceptable colour for the dog breed.
It also details that all Frenchies, regardless of their coat colour, must possess a dark eye colour. Non-black noses are grounds for disqualification, except for light-coloured dogs such as the White French Bulldog which may exhibit light-coloured noses.
Although white is not an impermissible coat colour, dog lovers need to be extra careful when choosing a White French Bulldog.
Always prioritise health over colouration. Avoid Albino, Double-Merle, or Extreme White/Piebald Frenchies because of the health issues associated with them.
Do not finalise your decision to bring home a White French Bulldog until the breeder provides genetic testing results. Your puppy should not carry any of the genes that produce the colourations we have mentioned above.
How to Care for the Coat of a White French Bulldog
White French Bulldogs require a little bit more grooming maintenance compared to other Frenchies. Weekly brushing is the least of your worries since they have short, smooth coats. Just make sure to use a soft bristle brush or a rubber grooming glove to avoid chafing their sensitive skin.
When bathing a White French Bulldog once a month, we recommend using a shampoo specifically formulated for white hair. These products commonly contain blue pigments that help tone down the yellowish shade that may develop on white dogs.
Always have pet wipes ready to remove dirt, food particles, and other things that can cause staining on the White French Bulldog’s coat. Let him wear a doggy raincoat and booties during rainy days to minimise the amount of mud splattering his fur.
Tear staining is highly visible against the pristine coat of the White French Bulldog. So use a dog-safe tear stain remover twice a day to get rid of them.
Light-coloured canines like the White Frenchie are highly susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer. The application of sunscreen should be added to your pet’s regular grooming regimen whenever he needs to go outdoors.
Lather it on the areas prone to sun damage, such as the belly, groin, ear tips, nose, and parts of his body covered with thin hair. It is also a good idea to let him wear a doggy T-shirt for extra protection against UV rays.
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FAQs About the White French Bulldog
1. Are White French Bulldogs Deaf?
Not all White French Bulldogs will be born deaf. However, those with albinism, double-merle genes, and extreme white/piebald genes are more likely to develop early auditory issues.
Reputable breeders of White French Bulldogs must let their breeding candidates take the BAER test. Dogs with hearing issues should never be used for breeding. Offspring of White Frenchies must be tested as well.
2. Are White French Bulldogs Rare?
Technically, White French Bulldogs are not rare, but many of them tend to have other patterns or markings on their coat. This is the reason why White Frenchies are classified as pieds in the UK Kennel Club.
Solid White French Bulldog puppies, on the other hand, scarcely appear in the litter. Thus, they are often highly valued by fanciers of the breed.
3. How Do I Keep My White French Bulldog White?
You can keep your White French Bulldog white by wiping his coat down daily to prevent staining. During his monthly baths, use a coat-whitening shampoo to neutralise any signs of yellowing on his fur.
Also, make it a habit to clean the White French Bulldog’s tear staining with a tear stain remover.
4. Why Are White French Bulldogs So Expensive?
The rarity of White French Bulldogs paired with the high demand for their coat colour makes them so expensive.
Oftentimes, producing White Frenchie pups boils down to luck. It may take plenty of time, effort, and money to bring these pooches into existence.
Beware that unscrupulous breeders sell their poorly bred pups at a high price. So keep in mind that the expensiveness of the puppy does not indicate good health and stable temperament.
Conclusion
Some genes involved in producing White French Bulldogs are linked to certain lifelong congenital issues. For instance, albinism and double merle can cause inborn vision and hearing loss or impairment. Genetic testing is imperative before adding a White French Bulldog into your household. The process helps confirm if your choice of puppy does not carry these genes, which decreases his chances of developing gene-related health conditions.
Remember that health and temperament should precede overcoat colour when choosing a White French Bulldog puppy. Use our guide to find the best Frenchie for you.
