Merle English Bulldog Guide (Blue Merle vs Lilac Merle)

Merle English Bulldogs have beautiful patterned coats that can come in many different colors including blue merle, lilac merle, tri merle and black merle. In addition to their pretty coats, they often feature striking blue eyes. That is why it’s no surprise that these dogs are super popular because of their appearance! Nevertheless, prospective owners need to be aware of the health dangers of the merle gene, especially ‘merle-to-merle’ breeding and Double Merle English Bulldogs.

If you are interested in Merle English Bulldogs keep reading this article to find out the all the answers to your questions about the different coat colors!

Cover Image Credit: @gabbro_the_bulldog via Instagram

Table of Contents

What Is A Merle English Bulldog?

Merle English Bulldogs have a rare coat pattern that features mottled patches of various colors depending on whether they are a blue merle, lilac merle, tri merle or black merle. The merle gene dilutes random sections of the coat to a lighter color whilst leaving patches of their original coat color remaining. It may also affect eye color and skin pigmentation on the nose and paws. The coat occurs when an English Bulldog carries the “M” Merle allele and a negative “m” copy of the Merle allele.

Despite the captivating look of a Merle English Bulldog, prospective owners should be aware that they are often a result of poor breeding practices and because of this may suffer from ocular and auditory defects. That is not to say that all Merle English Bulldogs are the result of poor breeding practices or that they will have these health issues but there is a higher risk than an ordinary English Bulldog.

Are Merle English Bulldogs Recognized By The AKC?

Merle English Bulldogs are not recognized by the AKC. They are also not usually accepted by other English Bulldog breed clubs. They are disqualified from registration eligibility because merle is considered to be an undesirable and unrecognized coat color as it does not conform with breed standards. This is mainly because the merle gene does not naturally occur in the lineage and there are many health issues connected to the gene.

Are Merle English Bulldogs Purebred?

Technically, Merle English Bulldogs are not purebred as the merle gene does not occur naturally for the breed. It was introduced by crossing a merle Great Dane, a breed that naturally carries the merle gene, with an English Bulldog. The merle gene was introduced into the breed many years and generations ago so Merle English Bulldogs only have a very small percentage of Great Dane genes in them and are mainly English Bulldogs. Merle English Bulldogs have been around for over a decade.

Are Merle English Bulldogs Rare?

Merle English Bulldogs are rare in comparison to other coat colors like fawn, brindle & white, red brindle & white, fawn & brindle or white.

The main reason why Merle English Bulldogs are rare is because breeders often avoid breeding the merle coat color. This is because it is much more complex breeding Merle English Bulldogs as breeders have to carefully track lineage to ensure healthy litters. Breeders cannot breed two Merle English Bulldogs together otherwise they will be Double Merles and may suffer from severe ocular defeats and auditory issues. Double Merles also are likely to have no coloring in their fur and often appear completely white.

Why Are Merle English Bulldogs So Expensive?

Merle English Bulldogs are so expensive because they are a rare and exotic looking coat color. There is high demand for them and there are not many available. The relatively low supply and high demand is the main reason for their exorbitant prices.

Merle English Bulldog Breeders

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Blue Merle English Bulldog

What Is A Blue Merle English Bulldog?

Blue Merle English Bulldogs feature blue, grey, white and tan colors in their coat in a distinct mottled pattern. Usually most of their coat is grey and blue with smaller white and tan patches throughout it. Blue Merle English Bulldogs usually have black or grey noses with pink patches noses and can either have brown or blue eyes.

Lilac Merle English Bulldog

What Is A Lilac Merle English Bulldog?

Lilac Merle English Bulldogs feature a lilac, brown, beige and white coat in a mottled pattern. Most of their coat is lilac and they feature brown, beige and white patches throughout it. Lilac Merle English Bulldogs usually have light brown noses that may feature small pink patches. In most cases they have blue eyes.

Tri Merle English Bulldog

Tri Merle English Bulldog is just another phrase for “Merle English Bulldog” as all merle English Bulldog have three main colors in their coat whether they are a Blue Merle or a Lilac Merle or a Black Merle English Bulldog.

What Is A Blue Tri Merle English Bulldog?

A Blue Tri Merle English Bulldog is the same as a Blue Merle English Bulldog. They have a blue, grey, white and tan coat in a distinct mottled pattern. Usually most of their coat is grey and blue with smaller white and tan patches throughout it. Blue Tri Merle English Bulldogs usually have black or grey noses with pink patches noses and can either have brown or blue eyes.

What Is A Lilac Tri Merle English Bulldog?

A Lilac Tri Merle English Bulldog is the same as a Lilac Merle English Bulldog. They have a lilac, brown, beige and white coat in a mottled pattern. Most of their coat is lilac and there are brown, beige and white patches throughout it. Lilac Tri Merle English Bulldogs usually have light brown noses that may feature small pink patches. In most cases they have blue eyes.

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Chocolate Merle English Bulldog

What Is A Chocolate Merle English Bulldog?

Chocolate Merle English Bulldogs are like Lilac Merle English Bulldogs however they feature much darker brown patches on their coat. Chocolate Merle English Bulldogs have brown, lilac, beige and white patches in a mottled pattern. Most of their coat is lilac and they have prominent brown patches over the top. Chocolate Merle English Bulldogs usually have brown noses with small pink patches and have brown or blue eyes.

Black Merle English Bulldog

What Is A Black Merle English Bulldog?

Black Merle English Bulldogs are like Blue Merle English Bulldogs however more black patches of their coat remains. Blue Merle English Bulldogs would have originally had a solid black coat and the merle gene diluted it into lighter colors. For a Black Merle English Bulldog, the merle gene has not had such a strong effect. Very dark, almost black patches remain on their body and lighter areas such as light grey, tan and white are mixed through. They usually have black noses and have blue eyes. Black Merle English Bulldogs are very rare.

Tweed Merle English Bulldog

What Is A Tweed Merle English Bulldog?

Tweed Merle English Bulldogs carries the Tweed merle modifier that turns the majority of their coat into a variety of brown and tan shades. Tweed Merle English Bulldogs have extensive brown patching compared to a regular Merle English Bulldog. They are an extremely rare English Bulldog coat.

Ghost Merle English Bulldog

What Is A Ghost Merle English Bulldog?

A Ghost Merle English Bulldog (AKA Cryptic Merle English Bulldog or Phantom Merle English Bulldog) is an English Bulldog that has very small patches of merle or none at all. These English Bulldogs appear to be non-merle however they carry the merle genotype and produce merle offspring. They are dangerous when it comes to breeding as people can accidentally create Double Merles as they don’t realise both parents are carriers of the merle gene.

Double Merle English Bulldog

What Is A Double Merle English Bulldog?

A Double Merle (M/M) English Bulldog has little to no color in their coat as they have inherited two copies of the dominant “M” allele. Unfortunately, Double Merle English Bulldogs are affected by severe ocular defeats and deafness. They may be deaf in one or both ears and may be blind or have totally lost an eye.

Double Merle English Bulldogs are also called ‘lethal whites’ due to their coloring and health issues. They are very controversial if they have been purposefully bred. Most official bodies refuse to register dogs that are a product of merle-to-merle breeding.

Can You Breed Two Merle English Bulldogs?

No, you should never breed two Merle English Bulldogs together as there will be Double Merle English Bulldogs in the litter. Unethical breeders may mate two Merle English Bulldogs together because it guarantees that the litter will have Merle dogs. This is not good practice as many of them will have health issues such as blindness and deafness.

As discussed above, the responsible way to get a Merle English Bulldog is to mate a Merle English Bulldog (M/m) with a non-Merle (m/m) English Bulldog. Roughly 50% of the litter will be Merles and none will be Double Merles.