Lilac French Bulldogs – Everything You Need To Know
Lilac French Bulldogs (AKA Isabella French Bulldogs or Lilac Frenchies) are a trending French Bulldog coat colour that is somewhere between a light brown and light grey coat. Their beautiful coat colour paired with their striking blue, grey or green eyes makes them highly sought after, fetching really high prices!
If you are interested in Lilac Frenchies keep reading this article to find out the all the answers to your questions about this dog breed!
Table of Contents
What Is A Lilac French Bulldog?
A Lilac French Bulldog is a diluted chocolate dog with the genotype bbdd that is homozygous for chocolate and homozygous for dilution. They have a pale grey brown coat that is almost silver in colour with light pink or brown noses and blue or light grey eyes.
What Does A Lilac French Bulldog Look Like?
A Lilac French Bulldog has a pale greyish brown coat. They have blue, light grey or amber coloured eyes and a pink tint on their muzzle. Just like any other Frenchie, Lilacs have the breed’s signature bat-like ears with a smushed face and a short, stumpy tail.
Coat Colour
- Greyish brown coat
- Silver looking coat
- Diluted chocolate coat
- Very pale
Eye Colour
- Blue
- Light grey
- Pale green
- Amber
Nose Colour
- Light pink
- Light brown
What Color Eyes Do Lilac French Bulldogs Have?
Lilac French Bulldogs can have blue, light grey, light green or amber coloured eyes. The most common eye colour is blue and the rarest is amber for Lilac Frenchies.
Do All Lilac French Bulldogs Have Blue Eyes?
No, not all Lilac French Bulldogs have blue eyes. Some have light grey, light green or amber coloured eyes.
Do Lilac French Bulldogs Have Red Eyes?
Yes, some Lilac French Bulldogs have red eyes usually referred to as amber however it is a very rare trait. Most Lilac French Bulldogs have blue or light grey eyes.
Do Lilac French Bulldogs Eyes Stay Blue?
Yes, Lilac French Bulldogs eyes stay blue for life unlike other French Bulldog colours whose blue eyes change colour at the age of 10 weeks. If you want a French Bulldog who’s eyes stay blue, you need to get either a Lilac/Isabella Frenchie or a Merle Frenchie.
Our Top Picks: Must Have Dog Products!
Read Also: Everything You Need To Know About Merle French Bulldogs
What Genes Make A French Bulldog Lilac?
A French Bulldog with Lilac colouring is a result of a mutation in the MLPH gene codes for a protein called melanophilin that when mutated results in a dilution of colour. Specifically, Lilac French Bulldogs are a result of a diluted chocolate dog.
This gene is recessive requiring two copies of of the mutation, either the D allele or D locus to produce a lilac dog. A Lilac French Bulldog will have the genotype bbdd that is homozygous for chocolate and homozygous for dilution.
Melanophilin’s Role In Diluting Coat Colour
Melanophilin is responsible for transporting and fixing melanin containing cells. When this gene is mutated it results in an improper distribution of cells that dilutes the dog’s coat colour.
The D Locus
The D Locus controls the intensity of eumelanin pigment (black or liver colour) in the coat of French Bulldogs as well in their eyes and noses. The two alleles on this locus are D and d. Eumelanin dilution is a recessive trait so only a d/d dog will be dilute and a D/d dog will be a carrier.
- D is non-dilute and d is dilute
- Only d/d dogs are dilute
- D/d dogs are carriers and will have normal pigmentation
Read Also: 21 Facts You Need To Know Before Getting A French Bulldog
What Is The Difference Between Blue And Lilac French Bulldogs?
A Blue French Bulldog is a diluted black dog while a Lilac French Bulldog is a diluted chocolate dog. When a Lilac French Bulldog is born it looks like a Blue French Bulldog but as they mature, it’s coat colour will become lighter and become the distinct Lilac hue. A Lilac Frenchie will have a pink nose after birth while a Blue French Bulldog will have a darker nose.
| Colour Description | B Locus | Dilute Genes |
| Black French Bulldog | B/B or B/b | D/D |
| Blue French Bulldog | B/B or B/b | d/d or d2 |
| Chocolate French Bulldog | b/b | D/D |
| Lilac French Bulldog | b/b | d/d or d2 |
*Pro Tip: If you want to know about the genetics of your dog, take a dog DNA test. One of the best DNA tests on the market today is the Embark Vet Dog DNA Test (Get 10% off Two Kits With Code MULTIPACK2)
Read Also: 12 Must Have Car Accessories For Dog Owners
What Is The Difference Between Isabella and Lilac French Bulldogs?
Isabella and Lilac French Bulldogs have the exact same coat colouring. They are interchangeable names to describe a diluted chocolate dog with the genotype bbdd that is homozygous for chocolate and homozygous for dilution.
How To Tell If Your French Bulldog Is Lilac
The best way to tell if your Frenchie is Lilac and not blue is just after birth. A Lilac Frenchie will have a pink tint on their nose after birth while a Blue French Bulldog nose will be darker.
It can be really confusing differentiating between a Lilac and Blue French Bulldog as they look nearly identical when born. Nevertheless as Lilac Frenchies mature, their coat colour will lighten and become the distinct Lilac hue.
Genetic Testing
Another way to be sure that your Frenchie is Lilac is to get a genetic test. If you dog is Lilac they will have the genotype bbdd that is homozygous for chocolate and homozygous for dilution.
If you want to do a genetic test on your dog you could try out one of Embark Vets Dog DNA tests that you can do at home!
Personality & Temperament of Lilac French Bulldogs
Lilac French Bulldogs have an extensive history as a companion dog making them a super affectionate and friendly dog breed. These dogs are a great first dog owners breed as they are kid friendly, dog friendly and great for families. They are also a good breed for apartment living due to their small size and low energy and exercise requirements.
| Traits | Rating |
| Ease of Care | 🐕🐕🐕🐕 |
| Exercise Requirements | 🐕🐕 |
| Friendliness | 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 |
| Sociability | 🐕🐕🐕🐕 |
| Trainability | 🐕🐕🐕 |
Read Also: 25 Cute Dog Collars – Your Dog Needs One Of These!
How Long Do Lilac French Bulldogs Live?
Lilac French Bulldogs have an average lifespan of 9 to 12 years. However genetics, diet, lifestyle and exercise can greatly impact upon the lifespan of your Frenchie. Unfortunately Frenchies are prone to a wide range of health concerns that not only affects their lifespan but also the quality of their lives.
Do Lilac French Bulldogs Have Health Issues?
French Bulldogs are notorious for health issues so Lilac coloured Frenchies are subjected to the same problems that common coloured Frenchies have. Nevertheless, rare colour French Bulldogs have additional risk health issues due to their genetics such as colour dilution alopecia.
In brief, colour dilution alopecia is a genetic recessive inherited condition that causes thinning hair or hair loss in patches. It can also cause itchy or flaky skin.
How Much Does A Lilac French Bulldog Cost?
As Lilac is a rare French Bulldog colour they can sell anywhere from $5000 to $7000USD dependant on the breeder. The reason why French Bulldogs cost so much in general is because they have small litter sizes and need to have caesareans for birth. Additionally, the rarer the coat colour, the more expensive the dog.
Read Also: 21 Luxury Dog Beds – You Need One Of These In Your Home
How Much Is A Lilac and Tan French Bulldog?
A Lilac and Tan French Bulldog is rarer than a plain Lilac dog so they are more expensive. They usually cost between $8000 to $12000USD, prices dependant on the breeder and litter size.
How Much Is A Female Lilac French Bulldog?
Female Lilac French Bulldogs can be more expensive than males. Female French Bulldogs can be $500 more than males. This is because females are more sought after because they are smaller and have a more affectionate personality. Moreover, the price can increase because of breeding rights and AKC papers.
Variations Of Lilac French Bulldog Colouring
There are three main variations on Lilac French Bulldog Colouring including:
- Lilac and Tan
- Lilac Merle
- Isabella (this is an alternative name for Lilac)
What Is A Lilac and Tan French Bulldog?
A Lilac and Tan French Bulldog is the distinctive greyish brown coat however these dogs have patches of very pale tan on their chests, legs and around their eyes. The eye colour of Lilac and Tan Frenchies are pale grey and their noses are light brown.
What Is A Lilac Merle French Bulldog?
A Lilac Merle French Bulldog carries the merle gene resulting in mottled patches of lilac and different colours on their coat. It also affects eye colour and skin pigmentation on the nose and paws.
Be sure to read my full article on Merle French Bulldogs here to find out more about the genetics that cause this coat and the ethics surrounding the breeding of this colour.
Lilac French Bulldogs Name Ideas
- Lavender
- Frankie
- Duke
- Coco
- Lucy
- Luna
- Ollie
- Blue
- Daisy
- Lulu
- Bear
- Cobalt
- Winston
- Bruno
- Violet
Our Top Picks: Must Have Dog Products!
Further Reading
What's Your Reaction?
