Please note: Breeding French Bulldogs is prohibited by law in the Netherlands!!!

Therefore, *Look-a-likes* (mongrels/crossbreeds) are being offered that piggyback on the name *French Bulldog*. These dogs obviously don’t have a worldwide recognized pedigree, but a fake pedigree that is for sale everywhere on the internet.

These mongrels look like hunting dogs with erect ears and the same long nose, and some also have a long tail. However, there are also *Look-a-likes* that resemble a French Bulldog but carry forbidden colors that bring with them health problems. Then there is also the Fluffy French Bulldog, which is a look-a-like with semi-long hair (fluffy coat). These are all bred from recent crossbreeds and do not have an official FCI pedigree, but an unrecognized pedigree that is for sale everywhere! They do not want to import fresh blood because that costs too much money, and crossbreeding quickly generates a lot of money. Up!

A “look-alike” is a dog that may resemble a purebred dog without a recognized pedigree because it is not purebred. A dog without a recognized pedigree is not a purebred. A dog without a pedigree can look like a purebred. But because you do not know how, where, why, and what has been bred into it, we call it a “look-alike”. Of course, a mixed breed or a dog that looks like a purebred can be just as sweet as a purebred, and naturally, a pedigree says nothing about the enjoyment you can have with your dog. But a pedigree does say something about whether the dog was bred with care.

DNA PEDIGREE TEST (UNRELIABLE)

Years ago, I saw a so-called blue “French Bulldog” that looked like a small American Staffordshire Terrier—so the same type of head, nose, and long tail—and the DNA breed test stated “French Bulldog” (the breed test was done at Feragen laboratory).

I thought something wasn’t right there because that dog doesn’t look anything like a “French Bulldog” and a Genetically, a “French Bulldog” does not carry a tail, so it can never have one, and I started investigating this a long time ago.

Feragen laboratory, with whom I have had email contact, performs breed tests but indicates that they can only look back three generations. So if the same breed were used for 3 generations, the result would be a purebred, but they also clearly state that they do not know what kind of dogs were used before those three generations.

I have also been in contact with many other well-known laboratories, and they indicate that a breed test is impossible and unreliable!

Example:

For example, a so-called *Merle French Bulldog*, which cannot be a French Bulldog because the color does not occur in the French Bulldog; the color originated from a cross between a French Bulldog and dog breeds with the merle gene (such as the Chihuahua, Dachshund, or Pomeranian).

If you breed back three generations to the purebred French Bulldog after crossing, the DNA result will be a French Bulldog.

There are people who fall for this and think they have a purebred dog, which is actually a is a mixed breed, and of course a mixed breed can be just as sweet, but it is about honesty.

If a breeder sells you a purebred dog, you expect a purebred dog.

“Look-alikes” determine research outcomes

In some breeds, a relatively large number of “look-alikes” occur; in other breeds, this is less common. We also see this reflected in the results of scientific research conducted into the health of purebred dogs. For example, the study ‘Incidence of harmful breed traits and hereditary defects in populations of companion animals’, which was recently commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (and for which even more dog breeds will be investigated in the future), showed that a large proportion of the dogs examined were not purebreds at all. Almost all dogs scrutinized as part of this study were “look-alikes”. In the first part of this study, three breeds were examined, namely the Chihuahua, the French Bulldog, and the Labrador Retriever. Of the Labradors examined, only twenty percent had a pedigree; for the French Bulldog, this was twelve percent. percent, and for Chihuahuas, that was an overwhelmingly low six percent. To be clear: for Chihuahuas, this means that 94 percent of the dogs examined are “look-alikes.” In other words, a dog bred without any requirements being set for its parents regarding health, welfare, and social behavior. This large group of “look-alikes” therefore determines the picture that emerges from the research.

Note: The only globally recognized pedigrees are (FCI) (more than 100 countries are members of the FCI). And then there are the AKC (AMERICA), Canada (CKC), and UNITED KENNELCLUB (ENGLAND); they operate independently. Unfortunately, these unrecognized, unhealthy colors are permitted in America (AKC), because money is more important than health there. However, these colors are prohibited at shows.

Colors that bring health problems in the French Bulldog:

Merle color: (resulting from a cross between a French Bulldog and dog breeds with the merle gene (such as the Chihuahua, Dachshund, or Pomeranian)

One of the most common problems is genetic deformities. Because this dog has a unique genetic condition, this can lead to underdeveloped limbs, blindness, or deafness. Numerous Merle French Bulldogs also suffer from allergies, immune disorders, heart murmurs, and hip dysplasia, and do not live to old age. Also keep in mind that, because they have such light-colored eyes, they may have eye abnormalities. Some of the common problems are that one eye is larger than the other, one eye is covered by a nictitating membrane, cataracts, and coloboma (a congenital condition that causes a hole in the iris of the eye)

Blue or Mouse Gray color (all variants thereof such as blue brindle, blue piebald, blue fawn, lilac, chocolate, e.g.)

Blue is a dilution of black (a weak color) and can lead to mange, alopecia, immune disorders, neurological conditions, allergies, heart disease, and cataracts. This color carries a genetic condition that can cause dry, flaky skin and hair loss. Although this will not be evident in a puppy, problems can develop as the dog gets older. Healthy dogs live longer and cause less stress. Setting yourself up for a lifetime of heartbreak at the expense of your beloved pup is not worth a designer color or a trending fad.

Black & Tan and Black without brindle.

Other colors considered rare in French Bulldogs are the black/tan color (like a Dobermann (black & tan)) and the black one completely without a trace of brindle. These colors are so dominant that they will eliminate all other colors in the bloodline during breeding. It would indeed be sad to lose healthy Fawns, brindle dogs, creams, etc., because a handful of unethical and uneducated people wanted black and black and brown. This color has been considered a “disqualifying” one in the official breed standard since 1911.

Fluffy French Bulldog (a medium-haired dog with a fluffy coat). They come in all colors and types, so there are many variants.

It is a mix of short-haired dogs with erect ears and a short tail, such as a French Bulldog, Pug, English Bulldog, Shorty Bull, Brussels Griffon, etc., X Long-haired dog, and then bred back to a dog that resembles a French Bulldog (look-alike), and that is how you get these mixed breeds. We have been breeding French Bulldogs for 20 years, and they are always tested for short and long hair; we have never had a long hair gene, and our dogs come from various countries, including America. These so-called French Bulldogs with a fluffy coat may look cute, but breeding for that extra fluffiness carries serious health risks. The “fluffy” coat is caused by a genetic mutation or recessive genes, which are often associated with cleft palate, heart defects, and other congenital problems

Do your research before buying a dog of a specific breed.

Sacrificing your pet’s future health, or contributing to the eventual decline of your favorite breed, is not worth bragging about if you own a rare dog. These are living beings suffering from our stupidity – not a handbag we throw away when it gets worn out. Be a responsible owner and thereby enjoy your dog’s long, healthy years.

Since February 1, 2016, French Bulldogs with the unrecognized colors Blue, Blue Merle, Chocolate Brown, and Black & Tan are no longer eligible for breeding (FCI). There is a suspicion that these colors entail health problems. This implies that these unrecognized colors may still appear in pedigrees issued before February 1, 2016.

Why, then, are these French Bulldog colors being bred?

As with any popular dog breed, unfortunately In that case, the consumer determines the supply. The more interest there is in these so-called “rare” or “unusual” colors, the greater the supply will ultimately be. Breeders who breed solely for financial reasons will continue to meet this demand. Unfortunately, serious health problems for the animal are accepted as a trade-off.

Merle, Blue, Black & Tan, Chocolate, etc. French Bulldogs are not rare. This is often told to the prospective owner, but nothing could be further from the truth. The reason for the scarcity of these colors lies in the fact that they are simply prohibited and are, as it were, on the blacklist. Breeders who follow the guidelines of the breed standard will never breed litters where there is a chance of these color nuances. In this way, they keep the breed healthy and the animal is recognized by the official breed standard.

Black & Tan

(blue pied brindle)

(Blue/Gray/Mouse color)

(Blue & Tan)

(Blue Fawn)

(Blue pied)

(Choco/Pied)

(Blue/Fawn/Mouse color)

(Choco/Fawn)

Lilac/Tan

(Blue Brindle)

(Chocolate)

(Choco & Liver)

Fluffy

Merle

Lilac