How are Fluffy French Bulldogs Made?
What makes a French bulldog Fluffy relates to a specific part of their genetic code. This is located in the L Locus which controls the hair length, you will often see Fluffy referred to as Long-Haired due to this. A non fluffy Frenchie will have at least one capital L shown in their genetic code as the fluffy hair is recessive.
Due to the fluffy gene being recessive it requires both parents to pass this to their puppies. In total there are four different types of fluffy genes these are referred to as l1 through to l4. There is no oblivious discernible differences between the four different genes and these can be mixed and still produce a Fluffy French Bulldog.
Fluffy Frenchie Breeding
When breeding two Fluffy Frenchie’s their offspring will also all be Fluffy. It is however still possible to produce Fluffy puppies if only one or even on occasion neither of the parents are Fluffy. The below is an example of a Fluffy Frenchie bred with a Non Fluffy which carries one copy of a Fluffy gene.
| Fluffy French Bulldog Breeding | L (Non-Fluffy Frenchie) | l1 (Non-Fluffy Frenchie) |
| l1 (Fluffy Frenchie) | Ll1 (Non-Fluffy Frenchie) | l1l1 (Fluffy Frenchie) |
| l1 (Fluffy Frenchie) | Ll1 (Non-Fluffy Frenchie) | l1l1 (Fluffy Frenchie) |
This shows that in this situation you should still expect half of the offspring to be Fluffy and the other half to carry the Fluffy gene as Non-Fluffy dogs.
A further example shows the offspring you would expect from two Non-Fluffy Frenchie’s that both carry the Fluffy gene.
| Non-Fluffy French Bulldog Breeding | L (Non-Fluffy Frenchie) | l1 (Non-Fluffy Frenchie) |
| L (Non-Fluffy Frenchie) | LL (Non-Fluffy Frenchie) | Ll1 (Non-Fluffy Frenchie) |
| l1 (Non-Fluffy Frenchie) | Ll1 (Non-Fluffy Frenchie) | l1l1 (Fluffy Frenchie) |
In this situation you would expect 1/4 of the offspring to be Fluffy, 1/2 to carry the Fluffy gene and 1/4 to be completely Non-Fluffy.
In the case that a Frenchie does not carry any Fluffy genetics they will not be able to produce any Fluffy offspring even when bred with a Fluffy dog.
What Breed is a Fluffy French Bulldog?
Whilst it’s appearance may seem removed from a traditional Frenchie it is still considered a French Bulldog. It is not know exactly where this gene has originated from whether by mutation or crossbreeding. If you do see a French Bulldog with long hair then there is always a chance that it could have been cross bred with a breed where this is more common. Due to this it and the premium usually attached to Fluffy French Bulldogs having an understanding of it’s genetics before purchasing is advisable.
What Colors can a Fluffy French Bulldog be?
Due to the genetics controlling hair length being separate from color there is a wide variety available. In fact there is no reason that any French bulldog color could not come in the long-haired variant. Below are some of the colors they can be and the genetics needed to produce them.
Blue Fluffy French Bulldog
In addition to the recessive Fluffy haired gene located in the L Locus a Blue Fully Frenchie also requires a further set of recessive genes. This is located in the D Locus and is known as the dilution gene but can also be referred to as Blue.
Cream Fluffy French Bulldog
In addition to the Fluffy gene there is also the requirement for the recessive Cream gene. Where the Fluffy gene combines recessive genes located in the L Locus Cream requires recessive genes in the E Locus.
Chocolate Fluffy French Bulldog
There are two different sets of genetics that can add the Chocolate color to the Fluffy gene. The first of these is referred to as the Cocoa gene and is also recessive. This the more common Chocolate coloring and is likely the reason for Chocolate coloring in around 90% of cases. The other way for a Frenchie to obtain chocolate coloring is through the B locus and this is sometimes referred to as Brown. This works in the same way as the Cocoa gene in that it is recessive and the two colors are indistinguishable outside of DNA tests.
Lilac Fluffy French Bulldog
Lilac Fluffy Frenchie’s are incredibly rare due to the combination of three sets of recessive genes. This requires the Blue gene, Cocoa gene and the Fluffy gene. It’s important to distinguish this between Cocoa and the other chocolate gene as this is referred to under a different name
Isabella Fluffy French Bulldog
It is unlikely that there are many of these dogs in existence and the cost of one would be many 10’s of thousands. Isabella coloring is the combination of three sets of recessive genes. This being the Brown gene (Chocolate), Blue gene and the Fluffy Gene.
Platinum Fluffy French Bulldog
Whilst genetically possible this dog if is incredibly rare and would likely cost in the range of $100,000+. This requires the combination of at least 4 sets of recessive genes. This being the Blue Gene, Fluffy Gene, Cream Gene and one or both of the Chocolate Genes. Dependent on the chocolate gene present this could be referred to as the following. Platinum for Cocoa, Isabella Platinum for Brown and Newshade Platinum if both are present.
How much does a Fluffy Frenchie cost?
Fluffy Frenchie’s are rarely seen and highly sought after. This combination leads to a substantial premium to be paid when purchasing which increases further with rarer colorings. The below table gives an indication as to how much you could be expected to pay.
| Fluffy French Bulldog | Price |
| Common Coloring (Fawn/Black) | $10,000 + |
| Blue Puppy | $15,000 + |
| Cream Puppy | $15,000 + |
| Chocolate Puppy | $15,000 + |
| Lilac Puppy | $20,000 + |
| Isabella Puppy | $30,000 + |
| Platinum Puppy | $100,000 + |
Are Fluffy Frenchies Hypoallergenic?
There is no scientific evidence that Fluffy Frenchies are Hypoallergenic. This does not mean however that they are not better suited for those who suffer from allergies. There is anecdotal evidence showing that there can be little to no shedding in this longer haired variant. Further to this it is also noted by some that the different variants of Fluffy could have different levels of shedding. There is however unfortunately no evidence of this.
The best guide to working out if a potential puppy is likely to be Hypoallergenic or at least have less shedding would be to spend time with them. You should however expect to have less of a reaction to a long haired Frenchie in comparison to the standard short hair.
French Bulldog Health Issues
It is widely accepted that French Bulldogs have a large number of health concerns. Whilst good breeding can alleviate some of the issues below is a list of common health problems, how to spot them and manage them if possible.
Allergies
Whilst not unique to Frenchies they are known to suffer more than other breeds. This will usually display in red/raw patches often around their paws. Also it can show through watery eyes, ear infections or sneezing. If you suspect allergy issues it is best to discuss with a vet around possible treatments.
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (BAS)
Due to their short snouts it can lead to issues around their breathing. This usually results in snoring and noisy breathing. It can however lead to retching, regurgitaion and vomiting and it certainly lowers their tolerance to heat. Due to this it’s best to ensure they are not over exposed to heat as this can quickly turn into heat stroke due to their inability to cool themselves quickly.
Skin Fold Dermatitis
Whilst we love their wrinkles and skinfolds it can lead to issues within these folds. It is important these areas are checked for redness and sores, you will usually see your Frenchie attempting to lick/scratch any irritated areas.
Ear Infections
Due to the shape of the French Bulldog they can have issues in keeping their ears clean. Often these areas become breeding grounds for bacteria. In order to clean them the first rule is not to put anything inside the ear, this often just compacts any dirt within the ear. It is best to use an ear cleaner to break down the dirt.
Corneal Ulcers
As a result of the eyes standing more predominately on their face they are at risk of eye issues. They can also be born with small amounts of tissue sticking out of their eye. If you notice this or any redness/lumps around the eye your best bet is a trip to the vet.
Back and Spine issues
Unfortunately it is more common in Frenchies for them to have issues around their back and necks. This often results in back pain and sometimes slipped discs. Often these issues will display themselves later in life and it is best to consult a vet.
