French Bulldog Colors Explained

A French bulldog’s coloring can vary widely depending on their parents’ genes. Some may just have one solid color, while others have a mix spattering their coats. This delightful variety is why you’ll never have two bulldogs that are exactly alike, even if they come from the same litter!

However, not all coat colors are created equal. Some are recognized by the American Kennel Club, while others are not. Here, we explore the different colors you could find on a French bulldog and which are AKC approved.

AKC Approved Colorstwo french bulldogs sitting on park bench

When a dog is AKC certified, owners can rest easy knowing that their dog is a true French bulldog. However, the American Kennel Club has strict standards when it comes to dog breeds. A dog must have the right temperament, gait, size, body, coat, colors, and more in order to be considered a French bulldog.

Below are the acceptable colors approved by the AKC:

  • Brindle
  • Brindle & White
  • Fawn
  • White
  • Cream
  • Or variations of the above categories (e.g., Fawn & White)

Which Colors Are Not Approved?

AKC approved colors are not the only colors that French bulldogs can exhibit. In fact, pure-bred French bulldogs can appear in different colors, but they wouldn’t be AKC certified. This is because the list of acceptable colors was mostly based off of the most common colors when the breed standard was written. However, since rarer traits are recessive, they didn’t start showing up until breeders started selectively breeding for them.

As a result, some French bulldogs can have the following coloring, but not be AKC approved:

  • Solid Black
  • Mouse
  • Liver
  • Black & Tan
  • Black & White
  • White with Black

Family Puppies takes great pride in our French bulldogs. To help you find the perfect Frenchie for your family, contact us today at 574-354-2428.